Your Thoughts on a New System

[Jatku]

Unfortunately, I'm unable to wait for Conroe and DX10 hardware, I have to build a new system this coming week. My plan is to put together a solid rig, but with somewhat of an emphasis on value (at least as far as the mobo, CPU, and graphics card go). That way, I can use the money I save now towards the newer hardware when it's released.

Here are the parts I'm thinking about atm:


Asus P5WD2 Series, or N4L-VM DH mobo
Intel Pentium D 805, or Yonah based CPU
bbATI X1900 XT (flashed w/ XTX bios)
Western Digital Raptor WD1500 hard drive
BenQ 1640, or Plextor PX-716 DVD burner
Creative X-Fi Fatal1ty, or Elite Pro
Klipsch ProMedia Ultra 2.0 speakers
Viewsonic VX924, or NEC 90GX2 LCD

The system will be used for gaming, benching, some home theater duties, and basic computing/work related tasks.

Please share your thoughts.

Additional Comments

If I go with the Pentium D 805, I may use an Intel D975XBX "Bad Axe" Revision 304 Mobo (assuming I can find one); I believe it's the only board currently released that will support Conroe, at least without need of modification. I'm also considering going with the M-Audio Studiophile LX 2.1 speakers for their independent sub and 5.1 expandability, but space may be an issue. Have any of you had any experience with these speakers? If so, do you think it's worth trying to find the room for them? I'm not too solid on the monitor choices, the Viewsonic VP930b is also a possibility, as is a 17" LCD with a lower pixel pitch (image quality is more important to me than size). I haven't narrowed down the power supply, or memory choices yet either, recommendations are welcome.

[Sailindawg]

If I go with the Pentium D 805, I may use an Intel D975XBX "Bad Axe" Revision 304 Mobo (assuming I can find one)

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=1766877&sku=I69-2121

Is this that rev. 304 motherboard ?

From this post:http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=99892&highlight=conroe

That board with the Conroe seems to fly. I'm thinking of going to a P805D also. That Conroe seems to really fly, but I can only imagine what it will cost. That's some food for thought. I was originally thinking going for an ABIT NI8, to keep $ down and for the SLI.

[Jatku]

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=1766877&sku=I69-2121

Is this that rev. 304 motherboard ? I'm not sure; the page doesn't say. We'd have to email Tiger Direct, or ask someone that's ordered from them recently.

No one else has any thoughts or comments? Are the lack of responses due to the amount of information I gave (either too much, or not enough)?

[[XC] leviathan18]

well i think the rig is pretty solid 2 things that are missing psu and ram also im against spending that much in sound card and 19" is a nice lcd perhaps 20.1 higher resolution more desktop space

ot i think you are the only one from feb 2003 with 11 posts xD

[Major_A]

Man I know the whole point of overclocking (besides e-penis measurements) is to get something for nothing, but there is no way I'd spend more on a sound card than I did my CPU.

I'd get a 17" LCD, for the reason you said. 19" and 17" LCDs can only do 1280X1024, so for the price difference you can get a good 17" for the cost of a low end 19".

[Jatku]

well i think the rig is pretty solid 2 things that are missing psu and ram[...] I'm still trying to narrow down the choice, recommendations are welcome. ;)

I'm against spending that much in sound card.There is no way I'd spend more on a sound card than I did my CPU.I'm getting a really good deal on the sound card, otherwise I wouldn't be purchasing an X-Fi (a high-end one anyway).

Also, the CPU is just to tide me over until Conroe. Well, that or AM2 (if the itch to upgrade becomes to much to resist).

ot i think you are the only one from feb 2003 with 11 posts xDHeh, yeah. I tend to lurk. I only post when really need input on a specific topic. :D

Thanks for the responses, keep them coming. :up:

[Major_A]

I see, good reasoning, especially if you are getting the sound card cheap.

[[XC] leviathan18]

psu seasonic pc power and cooling ocz powerstream the one of your choice or perhaps the one that fits your budget the best.

ram my favourite brand is ocz but ive seen some ddr2 and ive been reading the new corisair with epp are the best (i dont know a lot about ddr2)