Build my system for an X800XT AGP

[forlorn_ronin]

Well here's a good thing to add. Which way should I go. The advantages or disadvantages in using Pentium vs AMD. Ahhh the battle has found it's way here. I will be wanting this mainly for graphics, but it does have video features to it that I might want to utilize. I am really soaking all this up guys.

 

[Ankush09]

Programming, Applications, etc. = Intel
Gaming = AMD.

 

[forlorn_ronin]

Ok well we can all agree on the power supply. So that will be my first purchase. But, do I have to worry about compatibility issues with the fans not lining up with the case? Or is that a totally dumb question. I noticed that the 480w thermaltake has a fan in back which is fine and one located at top. Do I have to find a case witha hole at top for the fan? Here is an example of the power supply:

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=17-153-007&DEPA=0

Well cut and paste it to your address bar. I don't know why html is off. Check it out and tell me what you think about the case. That will be the first two items I can cross off of my list.

 

[forlorn_ronin]

Also after reviewing Ankush's statement on intel vs amd, I think I will go with AMD because it will be used primarily for gaming. Thanks Ankush for clarifying the matter. DJ, thank you for all of the info I am really looking at AMD now. Ankush if you have any advice on AMD pieces and parts please give a holla.

 

[Ankush09]

no, that fan is shown upside down, the part you think is the top is actually the bottom of the psu so you dont need a hole on the top.

 

[senseless]

It's a common misconception that intel is more reliable than amd processors. This was true in the early days of the xp chips but... Since the amd64 has been released, amd has proven itself more than reliable. Especially the past 2 years of the 939 chipset...

 

[Ankush09]

As DJ-CHRIS said, get the AMD 3200+ WHINCHESTER SKT 939.

EDIT: If you want to step it up a notch, pay a bit more and get the msi neo2 with an AMD athlon 64 3400+.

 

[Ankush09]

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1204265&CatId=1619 --
MSI Neo2 WITH AMD 64 3400+ socket 939

 

[rollincatera]

i'd say a 3.4HT P4 LGA775 and an ABIT ag8 mobo. overclock the thing a bit and your flyin. oh, it's beats the 800 range by a mile

 

[gaara]

AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Winchester Core - $180
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-103-500&depa=1

The 3200+ Winchester core will run cooler than the Newcastle core. In addition, the 3200+ can probably reach 3800+ speeds pretty easily for about half the price.

Abit Av8-3rd Eye Motherboard - $139
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-127-186&depa=1

This is without a doubt the best AGP based socket 939 board out there right now. Abit makes some of the most stable boards availible and this one is no exception. A bit more expensive than other AGP socket 939 boards, but it's well worth it.

OCZ Rev3 Gold Edition Dual Channel Kit 2x512MB - $231.50
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=20-146-843&depa=1

I choose this memory because it's a bit cheaper than G.Skill and will fit your budget easier, and increased the speed to PC3700 for ease of overclocking. This means you could easily hit a 233MHz HTT speed, keeping your RAM on a 1:1 ratio, without even touching speeds past stock.

OCZ Powerstream 520 watt power supply - $140
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-104-152&depa=0

Many people put a lot less consideration into the power supply than they should, considering it's the part which powers the rest of your system. This power supply has rock solid rails, and it actually allows you adjust them to suit your needs. It also has indicators on the back which will inform you of over or under powered rails. Once you start putting expensive, high end parts in your machine (which you are), you need a good PSU to run them with.

Total - $690

Your case is really just personal preference, it's not really too important, you just want a pretty sturdy frame, and good airflow.

Your hard drive will be a SATA hard drive, as it's faster than the regular ATA-133. The size is really up to you, 120GB drives are dirt cheap right now though if you are looking for a good catch. Seagate and Western Digital are the better hard drive manafacturers so that's what you'll want.

Throw in a Thermaltake Venus 12 Heatsink with some arctic silver 5 thermal paste, and you may want to consider an aftermarket heatsink for your video card. Other than that, you're set.

And keep your money mate.