Building a new computer & need advice...

[ProgressiveYummy]

I'm building a new computer and was wondering if knowledgeable technies would offer their suggestions/recommendations on my setup to be:

Motherboard
DFI LANPARTY UT NF4 ULTRA-D MOTHERBOARD ATX S939 NFORCE4 ULTRA

CPU
AMD ATHLON 64 3000+ PROCESSOR S939 VENICE 1.8GHZ 512K L2 CACHE 90NM RETAIL BOX

Ram
OCZ DUAL CHANNEL PREMIER 2X512MB DDR PC3200 CAS2.5 3-3-7 W/ COPPER HEAT SPREADER

Video Card
XFX GEFORCE 6600 GT VIDEO CARD PCI-Express 128MB DDR3 DUAL DVI TV-OUT

Hard Drive
WESTERN DIGITAL CAVIAR SE 80GB HARD DRIVE SATA 7200RPM 8.9MS 8MB

Case
COOLERMASTER CAVALIER 3 ATX TOWER CASE w/350W 5X5.25 4X3.5 1.3.5 EXT ALUMINUM BEZEL SILVER

LCD
DELL 1704FP 17"

Optical
NEC ND-3520A DVD+RW 16X8X16 DVD-RW 16X6X16 CDRW 48X24X48 DUAL LAYER+R 4X INT IDE SILVER OEM W/SW

Thanks guys!

[rai_dei]

Get Seagate instead of WD, and maybe get one with higher capacity.
The other stuff seems pretty good, although I would go for a Samsung LCD over a Dell.

[scottyb]

DFI recommends a 480W PSU with the lanparty board.

[ProgressiveYummy]

Why Seagate over WD?
I heard that Dell LCD's used the same screens as Samsung. I'm kinda on a budget and that's why I'm scrimping on the HD.

What do you guys think would be a good price for such a system?

[rai_dei]

Seagate is built better and is quieter.
If you are planning to buy new, i'd say 1100-1200$ for everything...

[scottyb]

If you are on a budget the Lanparty is not the way to go, because of the need for a $100 PSU.

[WiZZLa]

You didn't mention overclocking, and your RAM definitely isn't great for it, so why bother get a DFI mobo?

[Jordie]

LCD
DELL 1704FP 17"

Unless you *REALLY* need the desk space, I'd have to say ditch the LCD and go for a (USED) 19" monitor.

Save money, better product.

[Txiasaeia]

DFI recommends a 480W PSU with the lanparty board.

Haven't we had this conversation before? As long as the PSU is putting out more than 24w on the 12v rails (don't know if that PSU's a dualie or not, but if it is, both 12v rails combined), there shouldn't be a problem with a 350w PSU, no matter what DFI *recommends* (not requires).

BTW, I've been using that exact hard drive for about a year and a half now. Rock solid and pretty quiet. I'd go with whichever is cheaper and has a longer warranty.

[ProgressiveYummy]

You didn't mention overclocking, and your RAM definitely isn't great for it, so why bother get a DFI mobo?

I have a PCI-Express video card and so need a board that supports it. The DFI board seems to be highly rated and reasonably priced compared to the other alternatives.

Do you have any suggestions for alternative boards with PCI-Express slot?

[Txiasaeia]

I have a PCI-Express video card and so need a board that supports it. The DFI board seems to be highly rated and reasonably priced compared to the other alternatives.

Do you have any suggestions for alternative boards with PCI-Express slot?

Dunno if you're interested in a mATX board, but an MSI RS480M2-IL is a 939 socket, has PCI-E, has built-in video card (just in case, they *do* come in handy), and is $125 or so. I'm picking one up in a couple of weeks, which is why I'm suggesting it.

[felix]

Haven't we had this conversation before? As long as the PSU is putting out more than 24w on the 12v rails (don't know if that PSU's a dualie or not, but if it is, both 12v rails combined), there shouldn't be a problem with a 350w PSU, no matter what DFI *recommends* (not requires).

BTW, I've been using that exact hard drive for about a year and a half now. Rock solid and pretty quiet. I'd go with whichever is cheaper and has a longer warranty.
A 480W PSU is recommended for this motherboard. Otherwise if you encounter any problems they (any support forums, eg. DFI or OCZ) will say it's your PSU. Regardless of whether or not it is or isn't.

[felix]

I just built a similar system recently. Same MB and CPU. Check it out ..

http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.aspx?rigid=30338

Also, if you want a quiet system, get a fanless 6600GT like the one by Gigabyte.

[ProgressiveYummy]

The 350W PSU comes with the case; How much do you guys think i'd be able to sell the thing for?

Someone mentioned that OCZ Premier Ram wasn't very good for overclocking (which i do'nt plan on doing at this point at least) should I just get regular Samsung Ram and save myself a few bucks?

[shutout]

What is the purpose of this system, and how long you want to keep it? Unless you need you system now, you better wait.

I heard that the dual core CPU is coming soon the price will go down and you'll also have more choices few months later. This is a major change in the CPU industry unlike the 754, 939, & 775 CPU upgrade.

[Txiasaeia]

A 480W PSU is recommended for this motherboard. Otherwise if you encounter any problems they (any support forums, eg. DFI or OCZ) will say it's your PSU.

*sigh* The only people who use the "You must use teh 480w PSU because it's RECOMMENDED!1211" argument are those who have gone out and *bought* a 480w PSU. It's absolutely not necessary; I know several people with a DFI lanparty running pretty much the OP's setup with a 350w PSU. It's not about the pure wattage, but the 12v rails. I'm not really interested in what DFI or OCZ fanbois say on a forum, as they tend to repeat the party line without really knowing anything about modern PSU requirements, mostly because it's more complicated than making sure one number is higher than another number. The DFI folks themselves say that you need a powerful PSU to avoid dealing with the whole issue of talking about specific rail requirements (mostly because it really depends on what components you're using). If you're going to be running 2 6800GTs in SLI, a power-hungry P4, four sticks of RAM, three or four HDs, and a case full of fans, well, yeah, 480w will do it for you (indirectly, because the 12v rails will probably be up at 35w or so), but for a modest system, such as the OP describes, a 350w PSU *with the right rails* will be fine.

This rant isn't focused on you, but on all the "l33t" folks out there who think that their rig is pimped out because of their 700w PSU. The key is not to get an outrageously powerful PSU, but one that's just a little bit more powerful than what you actually require (or might require in the future) because the bigger the PSU, the more heat it's going to create. This means your system will be louder and the higher operating temperature will decrease the life of heat-sensitive components (unless, of course, you're using five 120mm fans and your computer is as loud as a small airport).

[PennyArcade]

The 350W PSU comes with the case; How much do you guys think i'd be able to sell the thing for?

Someone mentioned that OCZ Premier Ram wasn't very good for overclocking (which i do'nt plan on doing at this point at least) should I just get regular Samsung Ram and save myself a few bucks?

I have just basically ordered the same computer you have. I believe that the PSU should be replaced (I took an Enermax Noisetaker), but why don't you try it out first and see if it is ok? Take voltage readings while it is running (DMM would be better, but software is ok) and make sure that they are still within limits. That will hedge some of the risk involved with a 350W PSU.

Regarding about the RAM: taking samsung ram will be riskier in terms of overclock ability and timings. The batch could be great or really bad. OCZ guarantees a certain timing. I took the Samsung because I can always use the ram somewhere else if it is from a inferior batch.

[coastal_neophyte]

Three things you don't want to skimp while building a rig:
1. Mobo, get the best your money can buy.
2. HD, ditto.
3. PSU, Enermax or Antec is a must if you want to build a stable
system.


MSI and Gigabyte produce one of the better boards out there, not
to mention one of the best RMA policies in the industry. Go get the
mobo from either one of these two guys.

s939 mobo's with PCIe support:
Gigabyte.....
GA-K8NF-9 (NF4)
GA-K8NXP-9 (NF4)
GA-K8N Ultra-9 (NF4)
GA-K8VT890-9 (K8T890)

MSI.....
K8N Neo4 Platinum (NF4)
K8N Neo4-F (NF4)
RS480M2-IL (NF4 w/ onboard radeon PCIe video)

DFI is highly rated because its OC'ing flexibility, but if you are on a
tight budget, forget about OC'ing with its higher price tag- better
memory, PSU, cooling etc.... When it comes to reliability and support,
MSI usually comes on top, as is the case with its NF4 platform.

CN

I have a PCI-Express video card and so need a board that supports it. The DFI board seems to be highly rated and reasonably priced compared to the other alternatives.

Do you have any suggestions for alternative boards with PCI-Express slot?

[ProgressiveYummy]

Thanks for the tips guys!
Info. is very much appreciate... :D

[terrybear]

Well .... I'd knock the cpu up to the 3200+ model of it .... get 1 gig of the Samsung oem DDR 400 & also look for a single pci express graphics slot if your not planning on doing sli or oc'in ..

[djpharoah]

It's not about the pure wattage, but the 12v rails.

I think your confusing wattage with Amps. The number of Amps on a rail is what determines how many items can be on the same rail.

[Txiasaeia]

I think your confusing wattage with Amps. The number of Amps on a rail is what determines how many items can be on the same rail.

"It's not about the pure wattage [of the PSU], but the [total amount of voltage] on the 12v rails." I thought this was implied.

[scottyb]

Haven't we had this conversation before? As long as the PSU is putting out more than 24w on the 12v rails (don't know if that PSU's a dualie or not, but if it is, both 12v rails combined), there shouldn't be a problem with a 350w PSU, no matter what DFI *recommends* (not requires).

BTW, I've been using that exact hard drive for about a year and a half now. Rock solid and pretty quiet. I'd go with whichever is cheaper and has a longer warranty.

Yes, we have discussed this many times, and I agree with you that 12V rail is what matters most, but I have read too many things about not enough power on this particular motherboard. If it were me, I wouldn't touch it with anything less than 30A on the 12V rails (combined). Also, many people have reported issues with using a 20 pin PSU on this board, so I would go with a 24 pin for sure. Again, I am just going by what I have read regarding issues with this board. I am not suggesting a 700W PSU as you described, nor do I have a 700W PSU (actually just a 250W in my Qbic with an Athlon XP, and its plenty of power for me). I have had enough experience to know that buying a good quality PSU is well worth the cost.

[Txiasaeia]

Yes, we have discussed this many times, and I agree with you that 12V rail is what matters most, but I have read too many things about not enough power on this particular motherboard. If it were me, I wouldn't touch it with anything less than 30A on the 12V rails (combined).

I guess I just don't get it, then. Why does this motherboard have such a high power requirement? The only thing I can think of is that the PSU requirement reflects the fact that they expect their users to heavily overclock their systems.

Anyway, hope the OP finds his dream system ;)

[scottyb]

I guess I just don't get it, then. Why does this motherboard have such a high power requirement? The only thing I can think of is that the PSU requirement reflects the fact that they expect their users to heavily overclock their systems.

Anyway, hope the OP finds his dream system ;)

I don't get it either really... but it has scared me off from ever wanting one.

[Txiasaeia]

I don't get it either really... but it has scared me off from ever wanting one.

Really? And here I thought all this time you were planning on getting a DFI mobo. Not to hijack the thread, but what are you planning on getting instead?

[felix]

I guess I just don't get it, then. Why does this motherboard have such a high power requirement? The only thing I can think of is that the PSU requirement reflects the fact that they expect their users to heavily overclock their systems.

Because this board was designed for the gaming enthusiast/tweaker, etc. And not for the "everyday newbie" who would be better off with a cheaper and less complicated solution.

[WiZZLa]

I have a PCI-Express video card and so need a board that supports it. The DFI board seems to be highly rated and reasonably priced compared to the other alternatives.

Do you have any suggestions for alternative boards with PCI-Express slot?

MSI, Gigabyte, Biostar, & Soltek are a little cheaper. I haven't read up on them enough (I'm still using 754.)

For the RAM, if you aren't OCing, the Premier series is fine, but like I said before, DFI is for overclockers & enthusiats, and they generally use better, more "OC'able" RAM. You could use cheaper RAM and be fine because you'll be running it at PC3200 most likely.

For the PSU, I'd suggest getting a better one. I'm not getting into the discussion above (re: amount of watts) but getting a GOOD one means you'll have less problems. Even tho the case is a Coolermaster, it might not come with a Coolermaster PSU, and if it does, it won't be one of their better ones. Judge by how many things you'll be running as well. A 280W PSU will hold up better than a 400W no-name brand most of the time.

[JfRsQ]

Save ~50$ on your RAM and get this one instead of Premier or Samsumg.
CORSAIR VALUE SELECT DUAL CHANNEL 1024MB KIT PC3200 DDR CAS2.5 2X512MB 138.22$ (http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=9821&vpn=VS1GBKIT400&manufacture=CORSAIR)
I wouldn't suggest the DFI motherboard neither if you are not planning to overclock. The DFI bios would scare anyone that want a trouble-free system :D

[Txiasaeia]

Save ~50$ on your RAM and get this one instead of Premier or Samsumg.
CORSAIR VALUE SELECT DUAL CHANNEL 1024MB KIT PC3200 DDR CAS2.5 2X512MB 138.22$ (http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=9821&vpn=VS1GBKIT400&manufacture=CORSAIR)
I wouldn't suggest the DFI motherboard neither if you are not planning to overclock. The DFI bios would scare anyone that want a trouble-free system :D

This RAM is currently on sale at NCIX for about $115, so now would be a good time to pick it up - at that price, it's less than 2 samsung sticks normally are!

[Hurk]

Txiasaeia: If a 480W power supply is "Recommended" any Technical Support agent for DFI will blame any instability issues on the PSU. If you get the recommended Wattage for the PSU, if you do encounter problems they cannot and will not state that as an issue. You can tell people all you want that it's not needed, but in reality, it causes less hassle.

"But tech support guy... I have 24W on my 12V rail!!!1!11one" I doubt it will matter.

I have no arguments if it's needed or not, as 300W/350W's are more than enough.