New system, your opinions please

jonharris · 06-16-2005, 03:02 PM

I am probably getting a new system. I would like to know your thoughts and experiences with these parts and your expectations for the system as a whole. I play games like Half Life 2, World of Warcraft (this will have no issues), and future games like Battlefield 2.

GIGABYTE GA-K8NXP-SLI
AMD ATHLON 64 3200+ $250
1024MB OF DDR-400
160GB SATA
Gigabyte 6600 GT 3D1 SLI (2 gpu)

All of that going in to an X-Blade with its natural 450watt PS.

My only worry is the PS as it is undoubtedly a fairly cheap unit, but that can be replaced fairly cheaply eventually.

**Sarkast** · 06-16-2005, 03:44 PM

Looks like a nice system.
Do yourself a favour and spend the money on a decent 500W+ PSU from Antec or Enermax with dual rails.
There is little to no chance to run a stabil SLI system with a cheapo or case PSU.

jonharris · 06-16-2005, 04:04 PM

Something like this ?

Dual 19a 12v rails.

**Sarkast** · 06-16-2005, 04:14 PM

Yes thats a very nice one. Quote:

"In addition, two split PCI Express power connectors fully support dual graphics technology to output the ultimate performance."

So the PSU is ready to have 2 SLI cards connected to it.

LOL I see you changed the link - first it linked to an Enermax - now Antec.
Either way - thats the way to go if you want to be able to enjoy your system.

v-six · 06-16-2005, 07:29 PM

Where are you getting your Athlon 64 3200+ ? They can be found for less than 250...

Herk · 06-16-2005, 08:14 PM

Hi jonharris

I second what Sarkast said about PSU. I run a 550 antec in mine

Gigabyte Mobo
Athlon 64 3400+

Never had a problem with it

If you didnt get it with the Mobo. @Bios is a good way to upgrade your bios later on if needed. Work pretty good too. http://tw.giga-byte.com/MotherBoard/...ech_a_bios.htm

jonharris · 06-16-2005, 09:03 PM

Thanks for the suggestion on the bios update Herk (why do I feel like a small annoying centaur when saying that?

)

SixShooter, keep in mind that I am a Canadian so divide all of your costs by about 0.79 and you'll see what I'm paying (plus shipping and all of that). Prices vary of course but that is the general rule.

I'm going to see how the 450watt case PS lasts. If it can't handle it then I will toss in a branded 550. Thanks for the advice.

v-six · 06-16-2005, 09:08 PM

ok, sorry, was assuming american dollars.

06-16-2005, 03:02 PM	#1 (permalink)
jonharris Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 91 OS: XP	New system, your opinions please I am probably getting a new system. I would like to know your thoughts and experiences with these parts and your expectations for the system as a whole. I play games like Half Life 2, World of Warcraft (this will have no issues), and future games like Battlefield 2. GIGABYTE GA-K8NXP-SLI AMD ATHLON 64 3200+ $250 1024MB OF DDR-400 160GB SATA Gigabyte 6600 GT 3D1 SLI (2 gpu) All of that going in to an X-Blade with its natural 450watt PS. My only worry is the PS as it is undoubtedly a fairly cheap unit, but that can be replaced fairly cheaply eventually.

06-16-2005, 03:44 PM	#2 (permalink)
Sarkast TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: NY Posts: 2,715 OS: WinXP	Looks like a nice system. Do yourself a favour and spend the money on a decent 500W+ PSU from Antec or Enermax with dual rails. There is little to no chance to run a stabil SLI system with a cheapo or case PSU. __________________ P4 2.4@2.9 / XP-90 / Albatron PX865PE Pro V2.0 / Kingston Hyper-X 512MB Dual Channel CL2-2-2-5 / Geforce4 MX440x8 64MB / WD80GB 7200RPM 8MB / Thermaltake 420W PSU --> SEE IT ALL GLOW <-- MBM5 - SpeedFan - PSU Calculator - MemTest86 - ThrottleWatch

06-16-2005, 04:04 PM	#3 (permalink)
jonharris Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 91 OS: XP	Something like this ? Dual 19a 12v rails. Last edited by jonharris; 06-16-2005 at 04:16 PM.

06-16-2005, 04:14 PM	#4 (permalink)
Sarkast TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: NY Posts: 2,715 OS: WinXP	Yes thats a very nice one. Quote: "In addition, two split PCI Express power connectors fully support dual graphics technology to output the ultimate performance." So the PSU is ready to have 2 SLI cards connected to it. LOL I see you changed the link - first it linked to an Enermax - now Antec. Either way - thats the way to go if you want to be able to enjoy your system. __________________ P4 2.4@2.9 / XP-90 / Albatron PX865PE Pro V2.0 / Kingston Hyper-X 512MB Dual Channel CL2-2-2-5 / Geforce4 MX440x8 64MB / WD80GB 7200RPM 8MB / Thermaltake 420W PSU --> SEE IT ALL GLOW <-- MBM5 - SpeedFan - PSU Calculator - MemTest86 - ThrottleWatch Last edited by Sarkast; 06-16-2005 at 04:17 PM.

06-16-2005, 07:29 PM	#5 (permalink)
v-six Manager Emeritus Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Gardiner, NY Posts: 2,076 OS: OS X for mac, XP Pro for PC	Where are you getting your Athlon 64 3200+ ? They can be found for less than 250... __________________ mysql> --i-am-a-dummy

06-16-2005, 08:14 PM	#6 (permalink)
Herk Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Georgia Posts: 584 OS: XP	Hi jonharris I second what Sarkast said about PSU. I run a 550 antec in mine Gigabyte Mobo Athlon 64 3400+ Never had a problem with it If you didnt get it with the Mobo. @Bios is a good way to upgrade your bios later on if needed. Work pretty good too. http://tw.giga-byte.com/MotherBoard/...ech_a_bios.htm __________________ Spybot S&D\| Adaware SE\|Spyware Prevention

06-16-2005, 09:03 PM	#7 (permalink)
jonharris Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 91 OS: XP	Thanks for the suggestion on the bios update Herk (why do I feel like a small annoying centaur when saying that? ) SixShooter, keep in mind that I am a Canadian so divide all of your costs by about 0.79 and you'll see what I'm paying (plus shipping and all of that). Prices vary of course but that is the general rule. I'm going to see how the 450watt case PS lasts. If it can't handle it then I will toss in a branded 550. Thanks for the advice.

06-16-2005, 09:08 PM	#8 (permalink)
v-six Manager Emeritus Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Gardiner, NY Posts: 2,076 OS: OS X for mac, XP Pro for PC	ok, sorry, was assuming american dollars. __________________ mysql> --i-am-a-dummy