New Build - Ram Expert Needed !!

Hi All: Hey Rockit, On that Sapphire X700 PRO card, I'm running the Sapphire version of the ATI 9800 pro, and it will not run properly on the last two versions of Catalyst. (latest 2-1-2005) New drivers slow it to a crawl. It will only run on the non WHQL drivers that came with the card. I was looking through the hardware posts to see if anybody else had the problem before posting when I saw your thread.

Don't know if this is problem with all Sapphire cards, all 9800s or just mine. I'm about to post the problem, so maybe you might want to see what comes up on that before ordering the Sapphire card.

Otherwise, looks like you are going to have a great machine and I'm jealous. I have the Chieftec case, plenty of room, got 6 HDDs in there, Like the HDD cages, easy, no problems with snap in opticals, smooth as silk.

Have fun with this one!!

Martin

 

Hey Matt,
Thanks for the responce. Here is my logic. I may be wrong but Here is what I'm thinkin.

I've done memory upgrades before and right now I have a bunch of old ram just sitting in a drawer.

So Since this motherboard supports 1 gig dimms and has four slots and supports dual channel.

Why not start with two 1gig dimms so dual channel will be enabled.

Then if needed later on .. add two more 1gig dimms.

Thus all the slots on the motherboard will have the maximum size dimm allowed. And I won't have any extra ram laying around.

What about this system do you think will need upgrading later?

I've left room for CPU upgrade by selecting a motherboard that will handle the fastest 64 bit AMD processer avalible today. So .. when that price drops I can upgrade there.

Your Suggestions are greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Rockit

 

How do these compare?

This?

HardcoreCooling.com has this 2GB Dual Channel PC3200 DDR Memory Kit (2x1024MB) for $278 - $45 code 2HOT2HANDLE in the "special instructions" field at checkout = $233 with free shipping. They will manually deduct the $45 from your total. LifeTime Warranty.

http://www.hardcorecooling.us/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=937&strVarSel=461&strCompare=

With This?

OCZ Performance Series Dual Channel 184-Pin 2GB (1GBx2) DDR PC-3200 - Retail

Model# OCZ4002048PFDC-K
Item # N82E16820146970
Specifications:
Manufacturer: OCZ
Speed: DDR400(PC3200)
Type: 184-Pin DDR SDRAM
Error Checking: Non-ECC
Registered/Unbuffered: Unbuffered
Cas Latency: 3-3-3-7
Support Voltage: 2.6V
Bandwidth: 3.2GB/s
Organization: two 128M x 64 -Bit
Warranty: Lifetime

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=20-146-970&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE

 

Final System Config.

Well with allot of help from a friend (you know who you are). I finally got all the componets ordered and they should be here this week. This is what I'll end up with.

AMD Athlon 64 3500+ Processor Socket 939
MB DFI|NF4 LANPARTY UT nF4 Ultra-D
DDRAM 2048MB OCZ PC3200 400MHZ Hi Performance Dual Channel (2-1GB Dimms)
Sapphire Radeon X800 PCI-Express 256MB DDR3 256 bit Video Card w/TV-Out & DVI
HD 74GB WD 10,000RPM 8MB SATA
HD 120GB WD 7,200RPM 8MB (Black Hot Swap Drive Cage)
Black DVD+/-RW LITE ON Dual Drive
Black DVD-ROM LITE ON 16X
Black FD 1.44MB MITSUMI
Chieftec Aluminum Matrix Hi-Fi Black Case (3 Coolmax Crystal Blue Led Case fans)(500 watt PS)
Black X-Blade Multi-Function Controller With Blue LCD Display Temperature Monitor Fan Control Panel
Black AG Neovo F-419 19in LCD Monitor

 

Hey Rockit: Sounds like a dream machine. When you're done post back on how you like it and if anything that doesn't meet your expectations.

Good building

Martin

 

Update

Just so everyone knows I still am working on this

Had some problems with getting the case.

Looks like the new case is on the truck and being delivered today.

I want to post more on a certain retailer that put the screws to me but I better wait to see how it all pan's out. (VISA is involved now)

Anyway thanks for all the help..
Rockit

 

Glad to hear you are still at it. I want to build a dream machine here too, waiting for the cash to somehow magically appear. Keep us posted.

Take Care,

Martin

 

Got the case and it's a beauty. Antec sure makes a solid case. Unfortunatly the power supply that came with the case will not work with the motherboard, The PCI express requires a 24 pin connector from the power supply. From what I can make of it .. the 4 extra pins are to provide power to the pci express video card sepreate from the main source. So now I have a Antec 450 watt smartpower supply for sale. New Egg has it for $75. I'm open for any offers. I never turned it on so it is brand new.

Getting close.. this puppy should be up and running by Monday.
Keep your fingers crossed.

Thanks
Rockit

 

Wow, It's working !!!

Nothing like having MS Word 2003 load like NotePad

Powered By:
Antec Black Performance Series II SOHO File Server Tower ATX Case
Antec 480 watt 120mm fan ATX 12V v2.0 "NeoPower"
(4) 80mm Cooler Master Neon Quad Blue LED Case Fan
DFI "LANPARTY UT nF4 Ultra-D" NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra Chipset Motherboard (3/10/2005 BIOS)
AMD Athlon 64 3500+, 2.2 GHz, 512KB L2 Cache, 64-bit Socket 939 Processor (Winchester)
OCZ Performance Series Dual Channel 2GB (1GBx2) DDR400 PC-3200
SAPPHIRE ATI RADEON X800 Video Card, 256MB GDDR3, 256-Bit, DVI/TV-Out, 16 X PCI-Express
Western Digital Raptor HD 74GB 10,000RPM 8MB SATA
Western Digital 120GB 7200RPM 8MB IDE (HotSwap Drive Cage)
DVD+/-RW LITEON 16X Dual Burner
DVD/LITEON
X-Blade Multi-Function Controller LCD Display Temperature Monitor Fan Control Panel
Mitsumi 1.44MB 3.5inch Floppy
AG Neovo F-419 19in LCD Monitor
Windows XP Pro SP2

 

WOW!

Congratulations, I'll bet that thing runs like a scalded rabbit.

Talk about spare no expense! I have been looking at socket 939 MOB, Athalon 64s, SLI, so many choices, it is really hard to make a decision involving that much $.

Anybody know when the dual core processors might be on the market?

Take Care,

Martin

 

Martin,
I never seen a computer this fast before And I work with about 2 dozen everyday. It's sweet .. I just got done tie wrappin all the cables and rearangin the desk. I need one cable, a regular power connector to a floppy connector and the cabling will be complete.

I've been using the same computer (parts) since 1990. Rebuilt it a couple times during that period. So it was time. This one looks like I will be able to upgrade it for quite some time also.

Whats strange is the way my old one blew up right as I was building this one? I didn't do anything to it it just went Kabluey.

Later
Rockit