My machine for 2003 [Archive]

Braiii

08-06-2003, 03:14 PM

Well I built a computer in Jan 2002 with an 1800XP ($156) and a brand new TI 4600 ($425). Every other part in the machine was just as nice and expensive at the time. Luckily now I don't see the need for a 3.3ghz machine with some bad *** card. I'll be saving money $$$ on this new machine.

My old machine:

Antec SX835II
Athlon XP 1800+ @ 12.0x148
ASUS A7V266-E
512 MB of DDR pc2100
Maxtor 20Gig 7200 RPM
WD 60Gig 7200 RPM
VisionTek Ti 4600 128mb GeForce 4
Sony CPD-G420S Trinitron - Flat screen
SB Live! 5.1 Platinum w/JBL SCS150SI
Sony CD-RW 48x24x48
Pioneer 16x Slot DVD
HSF Thermal Take Volcano 7+
Windows XP Professional

New machine:

Cooler Master ATC-410 SX1 Aluminum Server Case
Barton 2500+ (I'm going to overclock this bad boy with the Epox!)
EPoX 8RDA+
512 MB of 3200 ECC
IBM Deskstar 60Gig 7200 RPM
ATI 9700 Pro
Pioneer 16x DVD
Coolermaster Aero 7+
Windows 2000 Pro (Going to wait for a new release of Windows)

- Comments welcome -

Thanks, Rob :p

BipolarBill

08-06-2003, 04:36 PM

Nice start!

Take a look at this cheap cooler:

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?DEPA=&submit=Go&description=N82E16835150010

$7 and it dropped 8°C off my temps. It's also vewy qwiet!

dajogejr

08-06-2003, 06:57 PM

Not sure if the 8RDA+ has the SATA RAID controller built in (Jump in here...EPoX addict...Jakk)...but...

How bout a Raptor SATA 10K Drive.
I see you had a 20 and 60 in the old.

OS and data storeage/back up I imagine.
Same principal here...fast fast HD for OS, apps and games, the 60 for storage...backups, etc.

I know, pricey for 36GB, around 200USD retail, 150 or so OEM, but...I love mine...

Looks like price isn't a huge issue (especially based on your old rig and it's build date...)

That 2500 is the hidden treasure of the year so far, IMO.

Take a look at the Vantec Aero AMD HSF, too...cheap and very quiet...(not as cheap as BIP Bill's find, though...)

RamonGTP

08-06-2003, 07:04 PM

No it does not have SATA... I also don't know if it supports ECC ram.

dajogejr

08-06-2003, 07:10 PM

Great Point...Ramon.

ECC memory is usually reserved for server class machines.
I may be wrong here...but ECC is an error checking piece...which means it actually may function slower than non-ECC memory..(I'm fishing for help on that one..not sure.)

Not to mention, since it's designed as server memory...more money!!

ConfusedAlien

08-06-2003, 07:12 PM

what are your needs for the ECC ram? only slows it down...heard its for servers really.
i heard that coolermaster 7+ is a ripoff. yea bpb lol and you can get the refurbed one for 6 bucks. free shipping YAY!! lol :x thats a great hsf btw. ill get that for my P3
how bout a maxtor 60 gig?

what is to become of the old machine? you have some tasty things there. yum
like the 4600 and hdds.

HHC-001 from coolermaster looks cool
annoying how you cant rely on CFMs to determine which is best...arg
the best of the best i have to say is thermaltake volc. 11+ tho
thats a great little machine for the price BPB

ConfusedAlien

08-06-2003, 07:15 PM

yep. ECC ram. worthless if you ask me lol
im using 3 stick of em. all 384mb of PC100 ECC. they are definately rubbish. lol
its error correcting somethin lol

Bigjakkstaffa

08-07-2003, 09:49 AM

It dont have an SATA controller true, personally i dont see the fuss over SATA, but IDE>SATA convertor cards can be had for a reasonable price is you must go SATA

http://www.pcpartscollection.com/idetoserata1.html

--Jakk:t

dajogejr

08-07-2003, 10:08 AM

A retail version of the Raptor comes with a SATA PCI card, as well.
Sold mine on Ebay, since the A7N8X deluxe supports it...
That offest about 25 bucks of the higher retail box purchase.

I don't see a big fuss over SATA either...unless you're talking Raptor. In conjuction with SATA, the 10K is nice...

SATA supposedly supports 150MB per sec transfer rate. But, I think most of us agree...ATA 100 vs. ATA 133 doesn't mean squat. Based on that...it's probably pretty safe to say...SATA 150 vs. ATA 100 or 133 won't mean much...

Upon reading the reviews, many of them, the Raptor outperformed most ATA drives, kept par with most of the SCSI drives, even outperforming them in some category...

Downside, of course, is $$ per GB. But, I only use about 10 or 12 GB of that for games, OS and apps. So...no biggie. The rest is on my ATA Maxtor, still only using about 10GB or so on that..

I agree, Jakk...not a big fuss at all. I think in his case, though...it would be icing on the cake!!

His first rig was pretty impressive for a year ago...his new one sounds pretty good, too!!

By the way...Braii..I don't see mention of a PSU in your new rig. What's it gonna be?

Bigjakkstaffa

08-07-2003, 10:26 AM

Downside, of course, is $$ per GB. But, I only use about 10 or 12 GB of that for games, OS and apps. So...no biggie. The rest is on my ATA Maxtor, still only using about 10GB or so on that..

Yup, thats what keeps me IDE, i take up about 40-50gb's just for average usage with all my stuff installed. SATA and SCSI would be far too expensive a solution to my needs in terms of capacity despite the speed increase.

I'll keep my 7200RPM IDE drives thanks ;)

--Jakk:t

Braiii

08-07-2003, 01:19 PM

Bill...for a $7 HSF I'll def. spring for it especially if you recommend it. The Vantec Aero is nice, I've been thinking about picking one up, but $7 is a good price!

The ECC isn't really all that important but I'm building this machine while keeping in mind that I might use it as a server later on. I haven't checked to see if the Epox supports ECC but if it doesn't no big deal...I'll save $30. I'm not really worried about the speed problem.

PSU huh? Antec 550W TrueControl...or...Vantec Stealth 520 Watt. I'm pulling out all the stops haha.

Icing on the cake? 10k RPM...haha SATA...no need. I'll leave the icing in my wallet! As Jakk said...7200 RPM just fine! (At least until the prices come down on the 10K's ;o)~)

Did I mention the ATI 9700 pro was a gift...haha!

I'll mix up the systems and guts of the new and old and have one kickass looking machine with nice internals and then use it has my primary. Then I'll use the "slower" machine for running DVD's, MP3's and web browsing for my living room and hook it up to my surround sound system (which I've already done...its freaking awesome!)

Thanks for the comments!

- Rob :t

Bigjakkstaffa

08-07-2003, 01:31 PM

As Jakk said...7200 RPM just fine!

Just be sure to get a Maxtor or WD 8mb cache drive if your buying new, for a bit more zip;)

--Jakk:t

dajogejr

08-07-2003, 01:34 PM

9700 Pro as a gift? I need friends/family like yours...hook a fellow sysopts guy out...While you're at it, tell 'em I'd like the 256DDR version of the 9800 Pro...

Yep, I'm thinking of the Antec True Control 550W myself.
480W true control would probably be enough...but, for a little extra "icing" manual control of the rails is a nice touch!!!

I'm not picking up that PSU for about another month or so...so, keep us up to date how it works out for you..!!

The Raptor is a write off for me, just had to have it...but, any good 7200K should be fine...especially those JB's with 8MB cache!!

Good luck!

Braiii

08-07-2003, 02:05 PM

Eeew Maxtor...clank, clank! I have one already as u can see and I've had major problems with it at times but now its my OS backup and hasn't been too tough to deal with.

WD all the way, I'll wear their tee shirt any day! 8mb, no brainer def. a must and a good thing to point to others who might need the advice.

I just purchased the Barton ($90), 8RDA+ ($83) and Speeze (haha...Speeze what a name!) HSF ($7). All from Newegg.com!

Tuesday from Amazon I bought the Logitech MX500 Optical Mouse ($37), Logitech Keyboard Elite Black ($30) (mouse and keyboard are wired versions, I have the wireless dual freedom combo at home from Logitech already) and I also picked up a nice addition to my network, the Linksys WRT54G Wireless-G Access Point + Cable/DSL Router with 4-Port 10/100 Switch ($109).

Spent total so far: $356 - excludes tax or shipping.

Total to go: $489 - excludes any tax or shipping.

(Crucial 512mb PC3200 ($94), ATC-410 Server case (iffy...might change my mind) ($265...ouch!), PSU (unknown!) (est. $130)

My nice Sony monitor supports dual systems...system 1 - system 2 switch on the front of the monitor...one at a time..boohoo! Luckily my nice girlfriend will probably get a Samsung LCD for me come Christmas! Woohoo! Until then i can also hook it up to my TV.

BipolarBill

08-07-2003, 02:12 PM

Darn! I just replaced a Thermalright SK6 w/AS3 with that "wimpy" $7 Speeze and the OEM paste. It dropped this one 10°C!! Quieter too. :cool:

Braiii

08-07-2003, 02:19 PM

Nice! I can't wait to see this thing, I'm might pick up another Speeze for my 1800+XP. I have a ThermalTake VOLCANO 7+ POS on there now with ArticSilver III paste...its so **** loud at the high setting and doesn't cool ****!

I think I dropped $45 on it last Jan 02...****!

$7 woohoo!

- Rob :eek:

dajogejr

08-07-2003, 02:19 PM

would you two quit talking about that CPU cooler and Speeze...my ego over that Vantec is dropping by the minute...

Well...mine's quieter...so there...:)

Braiii

08-07-2003, 02:22 PM

I'm buying stock IPO in Speeze! Who's with me?!

10,000 shares...no problem!

hehe :p

Braiii

08-07-2003, 06:33 PM

Vantec Stealth 520W power supply with a max of a gigantic 620W max load w/Black aluminum as well...nice!

I found it for $109.99

Almost complete!

comp_nut

08-19-2003, 08:33 AM

Originally posted by BipolarBill
Nice start!

Take a look at this cheap cooler:

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?DEPA=&submit=Go&description=N82E16835150010

$7 and it dropped 8°C off my temps. It's also vewy qwiet!

do you know off hand where else you can buy it,if not that's ok

i can't buy off that site:( :t
thank you

BipolarBill

08-19-2003, 10:15 AM

You should know.

Hey - Tiger Direct *does* Canada now and I mean *does*:

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=578002&sku=S457-2021

120% markup! Despicable.

comp_nut

08-19-2003, 01:10 PM

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=480022&Sku=C250-2134&CatId=99

i look at yours and read specs and look at one above and see

no difference per say but the price .but a mark up of 120% is a
lot

BipolarBill thanks for replying

Yoshi

08-19-2003, 02:02 PM

Try Googlegear for Canada orders

Braiii

08-19-2003, 05:00 PM

I took my ThermalTake 7+ HSF off my AMD 1800XP and for the Speeze at 2500 RPM it sits around 50-53c! eeewwww! I thought you said that this HSF would lower my temps?

The ThermalTake 7+ sits around 43-45c and 39-41c on high.

Will the 2500 Barton run warmer on the Speeze than my 1800XP or are the 1800's just a hotter core?

At this point I'm putting my ThermalTake 7+ on the Barton when I finish building my new computer and l'll leave the Speeze on my 1800XP.

- Thanks, Rob :t

BipolarBill

08-19-2003, 06:01 PM

My brother's Athlon 2100+ runs at 41°C under the Speeze.

Bigjakkstaffa

08-19-2003, 06:03 PM

If that XP1800+ is a Palo then the temps are understandable, those things do run somewhat toasty

--Jakk:t

BipolarBill

08-19-2003, 06:04 PM

BTW - that's with the regular paste.

gjimene2

08-19-2003, 07:54 PM

my old 1800+ palo ran at 62-68F with a dragon orb 3 and some AS3. This 2500+ @5.5x412 runs cool at 28-32C with the SLK-900U and some AS3.

ConfusedAlien

08-19-2003, 10:50 PM

hey bill, what is the "ideal" temperature for a barton 2500+?

whats the temp with the speez?:t

BipolarBill

08-19-2003, 11:08 PM

The ideal temp is anything between 31C and 60C. There is no "ideal" temp. If there was, it would be waay below zero where electrons travel fastest.

My Barton runs at between 48C and 60C no matter what I use, it seems.

Orris

08-19-2003, 11:11 PM

It seems like the SPeeze is a cheap alternative to the stock hs/f but you really do get what you payed for.
Personally, I went with the SLK-800U (Newegg was Out of stock on the newer 900U).
With a little AS3 and a generic 80mm case fan, I get a steady 43c under heavy load. That is also running at 2250(180fsb 12.5 multiplier).
Havent tryed pushing the fsb much higher yet, but I dont forsee heat being an issue.
Also, have seen many a bios update change the diplayed temp. for CPUs(AMDs especially).
For the most part, I wouldnt want to run my Barton over 50c but it should be fine a ways above that. It does run a bit cooler then the other cores, such as the palimino.

Braiii

08-20-2003, 12:26 AM

No pun intended...like you haven't heard that one before!

Yes, guys & gals...as Bill recommended to me and others if available from NewEgg.com @ a whopping $7 you too can own the Speeze. It's awesome, I was worried about the temps but that is only because I assumed 55c for a 1800XP was pushing it!

Mine is now at a cool 48c...the lowest yet! I guess I have to break the Speeze in a bit!

The $7 Speeze is def. worth it, that includes the 80mm quiet fan!

Just stay away from those looney prices, yuu Canadians are faced with ey!

Most of my parts are in and I plan on finishing my machine for 2003 in a few weeks as I have little time for anything because of work and school!

Thanks again Bill.

- Rob :p

steevo

08-20-2003, 05:31 AM

The lowest price i can get that excellent sounding cooling fan is £10, about $16 dollars or something.

Man what a rip off.

BipolarBill

08-20-2003, 11:30 AM

It sure beats the standard £15-20.

Logan[TeamX]

08-20-2003, 12:35 PM

My XP1800+ AGOIA Palomino with a Volcano 8 SE and OCZ thermal grease runs at 47-55C, full rip, depending on the temp of the room.

That's while overclocked @ 146.7x2 FSB = 1690 MHz. Does SETI as fast a P4 2.4 GHz Northwood 533 FSB with DDR266 RAM.

I hear nothing but good things (so far) about the Soltek NV-400-64L motherboard. Apparently it manages to have higher memory bandwidth than the Soltek 75FRN2-L motherboard (Dual-DDR).

Orris

08-20-2003, 11:48 PM

Sounds like the Speeze is well worth the few bucks it costs.
I would like to see the results it gets when pushing the limit of a Thoroughbread or Barton core. More then just a few benchmarks in a row, something that really tests the stableity under a long load....something like prime95.
Would think that the aluminum would really have a hard time dissapating the heat after a long run....but i could be wrong.
But heck, i dont even run my cpu at its max even with a hs/f i know i has been proven.
I will deffinetly(spelling?) consider the Speeze on the next system i build for somebody as a cheap alternative to the just about worthless stock hs/f...plus the speeze has room to allow some OCing.