New Build - Ram Expert Needed !!

New Build

How come I can't just type this in and find the best price out there? I guess I'll be searchin for awhile.

What do ya think ??

SKU QTY Item Description Unit Price Ext. Price


MB-BA03150 -BA20938 -BA20431 -BA20959 -TEST 1 (*Free copy of the Half-Life2 Bronze offer via Steam w/Purchase! )
AMD ATHLON 64 3500+ (939 PIN) RETAILED 64-BIT BUNDLE W/ (FREE HALF LIFE2 BRONZE COUPON; ABIT AV8; MWAVE 1GB DDR400; ASSEMBLE/TEST BUNDLE) $540.00 $540.00



AA21520 -BA00306 1 WD 36GB 360GD SERIAL ATA 150 10,000RPM 8MB BUFFER HARD DRIVE (Bare drive) *Requires SATA Data Cable (1m SATA CABLE) $118.00 $118.00



BA14347 - 1 ANTEC PLUS1080AMG FILE SERVER TOWER W/TRUE430 430W ATX POWER SUPPLY (NO EXTRA FAN) $115.00 $115.00



AA28030 1 ATI RADEON 9550 256MB DDR 8XAGP W/TV & DVI (OEM - POWERED BY ATI) $89.00 $89.00



AA32260 -AA00482 -BA15599 - 1 TOSHIBA SDR-5372 BLACK 16X DVD DAUL REWRITABLE DRIVE W/SW (White box) (AUDIO CABLE; 18" ATA ROUND CABLE; NO ADD-ON MEDIA) $71.50 $71.50



AA17310 -BA15556 1 MITUSMI 1.44 FLOPPY (Bare drive-black color) (18" FDD ROUND CABLE) $12.90 $12.90




Sub-Total $946.40
Shipping & Handling or Will Call Fee $45.70
Order Total $992.10

 

Ram Expert Needed !!

Is there any ram experts out there? I'm so confused
I got most of the new build figured out but cannot make sense out of the ram. I'd like to put in 2 gig but may have to go with 1 gig for now. I'm not sure about the latency spec as well as the dual channel thingy? Of course I'm getting different story's from different sources and have been on the phone with Crucial and am going to check out the Corsair forum. I want to get as much of the best ram I can .. Thats all? The motherboard is a ASUS A8V-E DELUXE. If you need the rest of the spec's I have so far let me know and I'll post them.

Thanks Alot
Rockit

 

Hi Rockit,

I would ask, why so much RAM (2gb)? You would need to want to run some pretty heavy-duty, RAM intensive programs to need that much.

Corsair is one of the market leaders.

The "dual" RAM sticks should improve performance, but from what I know (not a lot) it would be two sticks of matching 512mb that perform in unison...as 1024mb. I think that the motherboard needs to support "dual memory" to take advantage of the matching sticks. I looked at the AV8 specifications, I don't think it supports dual memory (so cannot take full advantage of the matching sticks).

Start your research. If you need a RAM intensive computer, you should be aware where you are putting your money.

It depends on what area you want the computer to "specialize ". If you are interested in gaming, the video card should be a big consideration. If you are working with editing video files, RAM would be important. There are other areas where HDD speed would be need to be important, eg converting files.

I think you have chosen some excellent basic components. Where do you want to aim those components?

Matt

 

You should start here (Qualified Vendor List). I just built myself a 64 bit system with an ASUS board and have been favorably impressed. I notice that the board you reference will handle either ECC or non-ECC unbuffered memory. While Corsair is great memory and I've used a lot of their extreme low latency dual channel XMS, I'm not as big of fan as I was a year or so ago. More recently, I've gotten better performance out of OCZ's EL dual channel memory. You definately want PC3200 or better and my best advice would be to download and read the manual to find out the pro's and cons of ECC vs Non ECC with that specific board. My board requires ECC; yours does not, but read the manual as you should get a recommendation and quite often ther can be a size limitation re: unbuffered non-ECC vs ECC. A lot of Abit boards were built this way.

So Rockit, good luck - it looks like one H_ell of a board. Yeah Mattman - its a dual channel screamer. And, who wouldn't like a 64 bit system other than one's spouse and the family banker.

 

Thanks for the info Guy's,
I remember when I bought my first computer and people said "Why do you need 32 meg of ram" I'm just trying to put togeather a great system the will last for a few years. I like getting to know my system and upgrading.

I'm thinking if I put in two matched low latency dual channel DDR 400 dimms I should be all set for awhile. I'd like to match up 1gig dimms but may have to settle for 2 512meg dimms. I just don't want to have extra memory later on that I can't use. Since this board only supports 4gb my logic is why not start out with 2gb then upgrade later if needed. That will leave two sockets open.

I'm trying to keep the cost around $1,000. I have a monitor so all I need is a system. I want one of those Rapture 10,000 rpm hard drives and I'd like to match the dvd and floppy so I'm thinkin Sony. Also I've read good things about ASUS Video Cards so I'm looking at a 128meg pci express ddr3 model. I've had a asus motherboard go bad on me in the past but they seem to have some nice features. I don't quite understand the WiFi thingy. I do want to send a wireless signal upstairs, for the wife and kid's, but My computer will be connected directly to the cable.

I think I've got it down to two cases but having trouble deciding which one.

http://www.apextechusa.com/proddetail.asp?itemtype=case&id=115

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=186331&CatId=1509

I'd like to put this in and think the blue glow thru the front cover would be cool.

http://www.circotech.com/x-blade-mu...ay-temperature-monitor-fan-control-panel.html

Any idea's .. insites .. comments would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks Alot
Rockit

 

Here's what I got so far. The price is more than I'd like to pay so I will be shopping around and see if I can do better else where.

MB-BA03150 -BA20938 -BA21036 - - (*Free copy of the Half-Life2 Bronze offer via Steam w/Purchase! )
AMD ATHLON 64 3500+ (939 PIN) RETAILED 64-BIT BUNDLE W/ Details (FREE HALF LIFE2 BRONZE COUPON; ASUS A8V-E DELUXE; NO MEMORY; NO TESTING) $410.00 $410.00

AA32480 ASUS EN6600GT-TD 128MB DDR PCI EXPRESS W/TV&DVI Details $225.00 $225.00

AA29770 -AA00482 -BA15599 - SONY DWD-22A/B2 BLACK 16X DVD DOUBLE LAYER DUAL DRIVE W/SW(White box) Details (AUDIO CABLE; 18" ATA ROUND CABLE; NO ADD-ON MEDIA) $71.50 $71.50

AA27230 -BA15556 SONY 1.44 BLACK FLOPPY DRIVE Details (18" FDD ROUND CABLE) $13.90 $13.90

BA14407 -BA19612 APEX / SUPERCASE TU-150 BLACK MIDDLE TOWER W/400W ATX POWER SUPPLY, FRONT USB 2.0 CONNECTOR & 80mm CASE FAN x 1 Details (EXTRA 80mm FAN(BLUE LED)) $54.99 $54.99

BA19934 OCZ OCZ4001024ELERDC-K EL DUAL CHANNEL OPTIMIZED PC3200 ECC REG. DDR400 1024MB KIT (512MB X 2) 2-3-2-6
($20.00 Mail-In Manufacturer Rebate Available 01/21/05 till 02/04/2005) Details $271.00 $271.00

AA25170 -BA00306 WD 74GB 740GD SERIAL ATA 150 10,000RPM 8MB BUFFER HARD DRIVE (Bare drive) *Requires SATA Data Cable Details (1m SATA CABLE) $191.00 $191.00

Sub Total $1,237.39

 

Here's similar to (slightly different front panel) what I've been using most recently case - wise for my own machines. As to your memory, I think that will take 8GB registered and 4GB non registered/un-buffered but am too lazy right now to look it up again and verify. And, I'll be a bit more firm - OCZ EL dual is better than the best 2-3-2-6 T1 Corsair XMS dual if you are going unbuffered. (costs less too). That isn't opinion - its benchmark and yes, I've got em' both running in virtually identical boxes.

 

Rockster,
How does Crucials Ballistic compare to this?

Thanks
Rockit

 

Rockster,
Kinda funny .. here is the first case I thought about buying

http://www.antec.com/us/productDetails.php?ProdID=91082

Whats with the side window? Just looks like something else to keep clean to me?

Also .. How would black drives and a black monitor look with a silver case?

I was thinkin the black case would look better with all black drives but I don't know.

Can't remember ever seeing either. .. I did see a all black computer and it didn't float my boat. Looked like a dust magnet..

Thanks Allot
Rockit

 

Virtually Identical except for front panel - these are all made by Ching Ming. Here's another one in black from a different and very good merchant. Click for Case This is aluminum instead of metal which equates to better geat dissapation. The first link I sent you was also an aluminum case.

Black actually is a pretty clean color but you can get these in almost any color you want. Let me know and I'll send you a picture of one of these that isn't empty.

Haven't tried that new high end Crucial memory - soured on Crucial about two years ago when some fairly expensive "to spec" memory didn't run for carp (mis-spelled?, I need to catch up on my ESL lessons). Haven't bought a stick since. I'm also told Kingston makes some good high end stuff and for the money, nothing touches Samsung. I use a lot of regular Samsung PC3200 in dual channel boards and haven't found one yet that doesn't like it. Now, its not going to run like XMS or OCZ dual channel high end sticks, but one might be surprised how well it does run.



Edit: Rockit - just hit my inbox.

 

Rockster,
Yeah .. if you have time send the pic's .. I'm wondering which would look better a black case with black drives or a silver case with black drives. You convinced me on the ram now I just need to get up the strength to hit that order button

Do you use any of the fan controllers with the temp lcd? I searched for a hour or so and the one I posted above looks the best to me.

I clicked on the link for the case and they said "no longer avalible "

Thanks Allot for your time.
Rockit

P.S. I see I can get a $20 rebate on the ram if I order it by tommorrow ...

 

Hey Rockster,
Thanks again for the leads .. I like this case in black

http://www.chieftec.com/products/Workcolor/Matrix.htm

but can't tell if it's aluminium or not ? I have a new 300 watt atx power supply that I've had for a few year's .. is that good enough or should I look for a new one.

Later
Rockit

 

Yes, thats the same case with a different front panel. That Directron case was available but only with a side window. They also had the one you've noted above. NewEgg, Xoxide and ZipZoomFly are good spots to look too. 300W isn't going to cut it. Go 500W and check out that 500W see-through Aspire on NewEgg - great looking and excellent performance.

 

Going Going .. Just hit the stupid button !!

Well I ordered the case (thanks Rockster !!)
( Hi-Fi Black MX-01BD-U)
http://www.chieftec.com/products/Workcolor/Matrix.htm

And this is also ordered.
http://www.circotech.com/x-blade-mu...ay-temperature-monitor-fan-control-panel.html

Now all thats left is the final (I think) config.

AA27230 -BA20503 1 SONY 1.44 BLACK FLOPPY DRIVE (18" UV-RED ROUND CABLE) $13.90 $13.90

AA29770 -AA00482 -BA20495 - 1 SONY DWD-22A/B2 BLACK 16X DVD DOUBLE LAYER DUAL DRIVE W/SW(White box) (AUDIO CABLE; 18" UV-GREEN ROUND CABLE; NO ADD-ON MEDIA) $72.00 $72.00

AA25170 -BA20504 1 WD 74GB 740GD SERIAL ATA 150 10,000RPM 8MB BUFFER HARD DRIVE (Bare drive) *Requires SATA Data Cable (0.5m UV-BLUE SATA CABLE) $190.00 $190.00

AA31030 1 ASUS AX700PRO-TVD-256MB ATI X700PRO PCI EXTREME W/TV&DVI $259.00 $259.00

BA19934 1 OCZ OCZ4001024ELERDC-K EL DUAL CHANNEL OPTIMIZED PC3200 ECC REG. DDR400 1024MB KIT (512MB X 2) 2-3-2-6
($20.00 Mail-In Manufacturer Rebate Available 01/21/05 till 02/04/2005) $271.00 $271.00

MB-BA03150 -BA20938 -BA21036 - - 1 (*Free copy of the Half-Life2 Bronze offer via Steam w/Purchase! )
AMD ATHLON 64 3500+ (939 PIN) RETAILED 64-BIT BUNDLE W/ (FREE HALF LIFE2 BRONZE COUPON; ASUS A8V-E DELUXE; NO MEMORY; NO TESTING) $410.00 $410.00

Sub-Total $1,215.90
Shipping & Handling or Will Call Fee $31.41
Order Total $1,247.31

Thanks to All For your Assistance and Patience.
Rockit

 

-----> nice

 

Rockit, should be a good machine!

I thought I might add a link to Rockit's question on RAM, to show the "rethinking" .
http://www.windowsbbs.com/showthread.php?t=40854

Matt

 

Thanks Matt.. Had Pete merge the posts.

Mwave had a problem with my credit card (the bank wouldn't approve them) and I'm glad cause it looks like I can do better at New Egg. Also I WANT MO RAM !! Gonna do some more research and see if I can't get the price down some.

Cheers
Rockit

 

Tiger Direct is havin a sale on that Antec case. $19. only thing is is that its the version with a window. although, if u keep your interior nice n tidy, windos look nice.

 

This is ordered :

The rest is on hold till I can figure it all out.

I believe these are for sure

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

Western Digital Raptor 74GB 10,000RPM SATA Hard Drive, Model WD740GD, OEM Drive Only

AMD Athlon 64 3500+, 2.2 GHz, 512KB L2 Cache 64-bit Socket 939 Processor - Retail

The latest Motherboard looks promising :

DFI "LANPARTY UT nF4 Ultra-DR" NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra Chipset Motherboard For AMD Socket 939 CPU

I also think I'll be sticking with these (maybe):

Sony Internal 16X DVD+/-RW / Double Layer Drive Black, Model DW-D22A-B2, OEM

SONY Black 1.44MB 3.5inch Floppy Disk Drive, Model MPF920, OEM

This one's up for grabs? Anybody know what the diiferance is between 128 bit and 256 bit video cards?

SAPPHIRE ATI Radeon X700 PRO Video Card, 256MB GDDR3, 128-Bit, DVI/TV-Out, PCI-Express, Model "1024-6C53-00-SA" -OEM

As Always
Any advice is appreciated
Thanks
Rockit

 

Rockit, you may have lost me.

Don't end up with a bicycle with Harley-Davidson wheels on it.

RAM is the easiest to upgrade (if you have the slots). I liked your first intention of "getting more later ". RAM is expensive, you can get a lot of high quality RAM now, but you will probably have to "catch-up" with the other parts later (after compromise).

Can you tell me why 1024mb is not enough?

Reread my first post. (Edit: ...and as you and Rockster graciously point out...I looked at the wrong motherboard specifications for the "dual memory" )

Matt