new build - what do you think?

hi all, this is my new rig, what do you think about it? what would you change about it and why? i started off wanting a middle of the road build, and it surpassed my expectations (so to speak). now, i'm considering a different chip to make it faster (link at bottom)?? :-D i'd say all in all i'm @ $800-1k or so. i'll tally up all my receipts so far (and post them later on). i do plan on getting a better video card later on.

abit A-N78HD (upgradeable to 8 gbyte ram)--> http://www.uabit.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=126&Itemid=2

AMD Athlon AM2 64 x2 5200+ (Brisbane) (2.7 ghz - overclocked to 2.97 ghz) - 2 x 1mbyte cache

Crucial Ballixtix PC2 - 8500 (1066 mhz) - http://www.crucial.com/store/partspecs.aspx?imodule=BL2KIT12864AA106A

Zalman cpu cooler --> http://www.zalman.com/ENG/product/Product_Read.asp?idx=278

ThermalTake (Tsunami Dream) computer case (mine is actually silver)--> http://www.compusa.com/applications...asp?EdpNo=1010722&sku=T925-4000&srkey=tsunami

OCZ Power Supply --> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341002

Western Digital - 500 gbyte sata drive (qty 1)

Seagate - 500 gbyte drive sata drive (qty 2)

as of right now i'm using the onboard audio, and video. 2.7 ghz processor overclocked to 2.97ghz (right now it's running about 32-35c on each core at idle), 1.5 terabyte memory, 2 gbyte ram (1066 mhz), win xp pro, 2 dvd drives (LG, and Memorex), and it takes about 35 seconds or so, from when i hit the power button, to actually be able to browse the net. i also have 2 more gbyte of ram i'm fixing to install, just haven't gotten around to it just yet.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103290 <-- i'm very much considering this chip (maybe for x-mas)??!! :-o

i'll post pics later if anyone is interested. - sos

 

Looks good :-D Except for the 6400 CPU... instead of staying in a dual core, why not step up to a triple or quad core?

 

Ya, I agree as there's no real point to get a marginal increase of power for the money, be better spent as dlb suggests.

 

well, i had actually typed up a long response, with a few questions a few weeks back. however, i had alot of multiple browser tabs open, and i accidentally closed it. i didn't feel like retyping it at that time. i just ordered this, and i'll post later on once i get it installed.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103471 <-- AMD Phenom II X4 940 Deneb 3.0GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM2+ 125W Quad-Core Black Edition Processor



i'm reposting my m/b link, as the old one is broken.

http://www.abit.com.tw/page/en/moth...TITLE=Y&fMTYPE=Socket AM2&pMODEL_NAME=A-N78HD <-- abit - A-N78HD

 

I agree strongly with the AMD Phenom II 940, very good choice. If I were you i'd get a better mobo too, I got burned by "Quad Core support" with my ASUS M3A. Yes it does support AM2+ Quad cores, but they run badly (Much like Phenoms do anyway).

I have been after this one for a while: http://www.msicomputer.co.uk/index.php?func=proddesc&prod_no=1442&maincat_no=1&cat2_no=171#

It works brilliantly with AMD & ATI products, notice the crossfire support :cool
And if your after a new GPU i'd suggest this: http://www.sapphiretech.com/us/products/products_overview.php?gpid=274&grp=3

Or if you don't wanna spend that much on 1 graphics card you can try this: http://www.sapphiretech.com/us/products/products_overview.php?gpid=250&grp=3
I have it & it's great, it can be crossfired to be as powerful as the X2 if not more :-D

:major2-Bit-Geek:major

 

ok,i have the new cpu, but it won't boot up (still works with old chip currently - did all bios updates). not sure if it's a doa (new cpu), or a compatibility (sp) problem. however, all i have are dead links for abit. does anybody have any good links for the usa?

http://www.abit.com.tw/page/en/contact/technical.php <-- contact page (technical support) <-- of course usa is not listed in the pull down menu - and when you click "USA/Canada/Latin America" this link --> http://www.uabit.com/index.php?option=com_contact&Itemid=3 - it's a broken link. i did call the # listed and left a message, but don't want to burn all my cell phone minutes talking to them (of course nobody answered). thx, sos

 

well, after finally getting thru to tech support, frank says it's not compatible because it's am3 (i'm sure reading from scripts)?? i stated it's am2+, and the m/b supports am2/am2+, he still said it's not supported (couldn't give me an answer), but finally said m/b limitations!! bah, can anyone recommend a semi-decent m/b that supports this chip? as i don't think i can return it opened! thx, sos

i looked at 2-Bit-Geek's, but leary of reviews.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...ahooSSP-_-Motherboards+-+AMD-_-MSI-_-13130191

 

I see alot of bad reveiws for alot of good products on newegg, it's very strange indeed.

I have my theories:

*People must have a tiny problem, panic & put bad feedback on newegg then fix it.

*Newegg package stuff badly so it arrives in awful condition

*Or a mixture of both :-D

I have seen bad reviews of the 1GB 4870, I have had mine since Dec 08 & it it is fantastic I only had one issue, it was heat sorted out with better case cooling. If I were a newegg shopper i'd probably have scared everyone off the product by saying it maxes out at 80C @ load :eek before even bothering to cool it better myself LOL

I plan to buy that exact mobo & CPU (black edition), I have done my homework the mobo is an MSI mobo so it automatically is awesome :-D & the CPU is.....cheap LOL it's ok I suppose.

:major2-Bit-Geek:major