dream machine

GSXR1000 · Post by **GSXR1000** » Mon Jan 20, 2003 5:02 am

Im ready to build myself a new computer and would like everyones advice on the best parts for performance and quality. It will most likely be an AMD platform. If im gonna spend the money might as well do it right.

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Mon Jan 20, 2003 7:04 am

If AMD, take a look at nVidia's nForce2.

http://www.gamepc.com/labs/view_content ... 2so&page=1

To sum up the above article:
"Feature-wise, obviously, the A7N8X Deluxe is the pinnacle of nForce2 boards on the market. It's simply got everything. We absolutely adore the nVidia APU1 digital audio, and the onboard Firewire is a much appreciated addition. The price is indeed up there though, and a board like this doesn't come cheap. As far as we're concerned, this is the absolute best Athlon XP board that money can buy at this time. Features and performance wise, the competition doesn't even come close. "

NewbiePCuseR · Post by **NewbiePCuseR** » Mon Jan 20, 2003 10:51 am

That has to be an Intel 3.06ghz with a Radeon 9700 pro

SLK · Post by **SLK** » Mon Jan 20, 2003 10:58 am

Originally posted by NewbiePCuseR
That has to be an Intel 3.06ghz with a Radeon 9700 pro

maybe but you can commpromise with a 2800+, and GF FX(when released)

monkeyhead · Post by **monkeyhead** » Mon Jan 20, 2003 11:10 am

"dream machine" as of right now would consist of a p4 3.06 with a Radeon 9700.....

but of course the FX if it comes out when your building....

the 3.06 is better than AMD's top right now.... but thats just right now.....

p4 3.06
abit it7 max 2 serielle
2 WDSE 120 gig drives on the SATA
radeon 9700

GSXR1000 · Post by **GSXR1000** » Mon Jan 20, 2003 12:36 pm

Ive been reading about the nforce boards. That might be the way to go. What about everything else? memory...ethernet card...IDE cables.....I would really like to get good performance and quality parts. Thanks for the replys guys!!

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Mon Jan 20, 2003 12:45 pm

nForce2 boards, such as the Asus Deluxe model above, come with good LAN, and fantastic audio....one of the best audio solutions around today.

As for video...current champ right now is ATI's 9700p, but nVidia is probably going to take back the title in a couple of weeks when they release the much delayed FX. ATI will follow and try to take the title back again with the R350 around springtime.

Hard drives....WD's Special Edition drives with the 8 megs of cache simply dominate the competition in benchmarks. Seagate just released their 'Cuda V....also with 8 megs of cache. Both brands are long well known for reliability. The only two brands I like..used to also like IBM for their deskstars..but they've been having reliability issues.

Memory...I like Crucial....great quality, great price. Some who like to extremely overclock and tweak like Corsair RAM....great stuff.

Good power supply...I only trust Antec and Enermax.

Cables...up to you. I think rounded cables are all show, and I prefer neatly installed and flattened normal ribbon cables. For airflow, rounded cables may be better than a normal installation of flat cables....but properly installed and laid out flat ribbon cables are better yet than rounded cables.

Shagster · Post by **Shagster** » Mon Jan 20, 2003 2:05 pm

xp 2800+

Abit or Epox Raid mobo

Enermax gold 650w psu

(2) 120gig western digital in raid0 (raid0=not mirrored, so its 240gigs)

(1)120gig for back up purposes

1024mb corsair xms pc3500 (2x512)...for future d-ddr purposes

Gainward ti4600 (the one with all the ****)

hercules gaming theatre 7.1 with a gazoo of klipsch speakers

2 NEC or Sony 21"monitors or lCD if you have a money tree

And a killer super fulltower case for watercooling

Lets see the pics when your done

GSXR1000 · Post by **GSXR1000** » Wed Jan 22, 2003 2:08 pm

Im starting on the new computer. I got a 200 gig WD hard drive for starters. Where would you guys recommend ordering parts from. I also found a new case. Anyone seen or heard of the implosion FT-1000? I think its cool.

Shagster · Post by **Shagster** » Wed Jan 22, 2003 10:52 pm

Originally posted by GSXR1000
Im starting on the new computer. I got a 200 gig WD hard drive for starters. Where would you guys recommend ordering parts from. I also found a new case. Anyone seen or heard of the implosion FT-1000? I think its cool.

http://www.newegg.com
http://www.directron.com
http://www.mpcparts.com
http://www.coolerguys.com
are my most common places.

If you want a damn good case, especially if you plan on watercooling in the future go to directron and get one of their chieftec full tower cases. Newegg is the most recommended site for computer components on the internet. Everyone would agree with me on that. mpcparts Is my favorite "gadget" site. coolerguys is having a buy 2 get 1 free special on their fans and directron is a damn good modding site. Have fun

Also, if its not too late I would trade in the 200gig WD HDD and get 2 100gig drives (make sure your 200 or 100's are special edition (8meg buffer). Then get a raid mobo and set it up as raid 0 which would be a damn fast 200gig drive. And if you like to play it safe then get a third 100gig for a backup drive since raid 0 is craziness. You could use raid1 but remember that is mirrored (2 100gig drives would only be 100gigs) but then again raid1 is recoverable without having to have a 3rd HDD. But your 200gig HDD you have now will make you happy. I luv my 80gig se

Again, have fun and don't be afraid to ask us for advice, thats why we are here