Need a new computer - need an opinion on system

[TweetyBird]

Its time for a new computer. I’m using a 500mz/100mb memory, with an onboard graphics card and get a frame rate of about 12 in furballs (on a clear day).

Two questions:
What kind of frame rate would I get with the following system with the 1gb of memory?
Is $700 reasonable for this system?

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Mini Mid ATX USB - w/300 Watt Power Supply
Asus A7V8X-X KT400 AUDIO/LAN DDR 400 8X /4X AGP 333 FSB XP
AMD Athlon XP 2200+ Processor with *QuantispeedTM Architecture
- includes AMD certified heatsink and fan (up to 3000+)
512 MB DDR (333) 2700 Samsung memory (upgradable to 1GB of RAM)
Western Digital 40 GB 7200 RPM Hard Drive
Mitsumi 54X CD-ROM
3.5" 1.44 Mitsumi Floppy
10/100 Network Card On Board - cable modem and DSL ready
PowerColor ATI 9600 Pro Bravo Edition 128MB DDR 8X AGP Card
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Im not too worried about it being upgradable - just worried about the frame rates and if it will be good enough for AHII.

Thanks

[Roscoroo]

I suggest a bigger case and power supply

the mini cases just dont have the room or breath very well.

IMO the 300 watt ps is gonna fall down in this combo

and for 700.00 us  you should end up with a 80gig hard drive

unless that combo is coming with win xp .

but over all it should have really good FPS in ah2 when they get to the finished product

[Tarmac]

I have a similar system, but only a GF4 Ti4200 that's overclocked to around 4600 speeds.  Only 512mb system RAM also.  

I rarely see my framerates drop below 85 (my monitor refresh rate) in AH1 with 2x AA.  With a Radeon 9600 pro, you'll have even better performance than I do.  In AH2 beta I run around 50 fps with 2x AA.  

As roscoroo said, the power supply is too small on that system.

[bloom25]

I highly suggest substituting the Asus A7V8X-X with the Asus A7N8X-X board.  The A7N8X-X is significantly faster, more upgradable, and more stable than the A7V8X-X.  It should cost no more than $20 more.

The differences are that the A7N8X-X uses the nVidia nForce 2 chipset and can accept 400 MHz FSB CPUs as an upgrade (the 3000+ and 3200+).  The A7V8X-X uses the VIA KT400 chipset, which does not support a 400 MHz FSB (but does support DDR400 memory).  It is less stable IMO as well.

Other than that, I think a 300W supply is a bit small.  If upgrading this is not feasible (comes with the case) keep in mind you may need a bigger power supply in the near future.  (A 330W Antec Truepower or 350/360W Enlight or larger would be good enough.)

Also, if you are using PC2700 memory, consider pricing the 2400+ and 2500+ CPUs.  The 2500+ is by far the best bang for the buck right now.  It should be no more than $25 more than the 2200+.  The 2400+ might only be $10 more than the 2200+ as well.  I wouldn't suggest the 2600+, as for gaming the 2500+ is just as fast and costs at least $20 less.

512 MB of RAM is plenty.  1 GB is really a waste unless you plan on doing some serious video editting in the near future.  Your money would be spent better on other items (like going to the 2500+ CPU, larger power supply, bigger hard drive).

Also, price out the difference in price between the 40 GB drive and an 80 GB drive.  It shouldn't be more than $20.

Whatever you do, I *strongly* recommend substituting the A7N8X-X for the A7V8X-X.  It is a far superior board.

As for the price, that seems fine.  Current resale in my area adds up to $690 for the closest items I can find to those.

[BB Gun]

Or, the Epox 8R3DA+ - same nForce chipset, but a few extras you don't get with the A7N8X-X for just about the same price (about 10 bucks more than the A7N8X-X).

Agree on PSU - 400 watts would be overkill, but 300 Watts is pushing it.

And 700 bucks is a bit expensive for what you listed.  If WinXP is included, then its about right.

BB

[TweetyBird]

Thanks for the replies all.
WinXp isn't included, so I guess the $700 is high.

I was looking at Monarch Computers . Anyone have any links to other sites where you can pick out the parts for (custom build) your machine?

I'm going to search google , but I'd like some tips on companies that you may have dealt with first hand and seem pretty trustworthy.

Thanks again. At least now I have a clue what the important parts are.

[WhiteHawk]

I got all my stuff from newegg.com.  Cheap shipping and good service.  http://www.newegg.com.  Good prices as well.  This is my first system build, and It is kinda scary, but not really that hard.  Plus there are a lot of good tech heads in here that'll help you out.

[TweetyBird]

Following your suggestions, I revised the system.
The case is still a mid-tower, but I'm wondering if an additional fan will help or is that going to be a serious problem? Here's what I've selected. I'd apreciate again any suggestions of better options.
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Case:PS 360W - Enlight 7250 Mid ATX USB  $75.00
Additional case fan: 80x80x25 Additional Case Fan $12.00
Motherboard: ASUS MB A7N8X-X NF2 DDR AGP8X Audio/LAN $85.00
(don't need a sound card with this board, right?)
Processor: AMD Athlon XP 2500+ (Barton Core) 333 FSB $99.00
Memory: DDR 2700 - 512 MB (333) Samsung $99.00
Hard drive: Hitachi 82.3 GB 7200 RPM ATA 100 $79.00
CD R/W: Lite-On 48x24x48 CD-RW $49.00
Floppy: 1.44MB 3.5 inch Floppy Drive $14.00
Video card: ATI (Asus) 9600SE Radeon 128MB $140.00
OS: Windows XP Home Edition $89.00
Network card:Linkskey LKF-5100+ PCI 10/100 MB Network $11.50
Assembly fee: $45.00
1 year warranty parts and labor $15.00

It comes up to just over $800.00 (820 or so)
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BTW - what is thermal grease and do I need it?

Thanks for the help.

[Tarmac]

I'm pretty sure the a7n8x standard board already has an onboard LAN port.  Might want to check before you shell out for a PCI LAN card.  

The board already has sound built on, yes.  If you expect anything fancy though, you're better off with the deluxe version or an add-on card.  

Also, I have no experience with Hitachi HDD's.  But for the same amount of money, you can probably get a Western Digital 80GB special edition with the 8mb cache.  If it were my system, that's what I'd be going for.  

Looks like a good computer overall though.

[DAVENRINO]

Tarmac is right bout the netcard and I agree on the OB sound, too.  The Non-deluxe boards use a third party audio processor instead of the Nforce Soundstorm.  That alone was reason nuff for me to get the Deluxe version.

[Roscoroo]

this mb has onboard lan/eithernet , so toss the lan card
and it has nice onboard  sound.

if you are assembling this your self  then i suggest getting some artic silver thermal compound   for the heat sink , it only takes a small drop ,

Double check that the cpu comes with the heatsink and fan.

i dont think it does with the $99 dollar version.
but since they are charging an assembly fee then i guess it does ,
Request that artic silver to be used . it doesnt run down the mb


 i do like the A7N8X nforce chip set mb over the via chipset A7V8X


I built the same set up a few months ago minus the cdrom/harddrive  for $500 us   and i used the deluxe mb in it with a 2400+ amd  it runs sweet at 2.1 ghz .

[DAVENRINO]

Originally posted by Roscoroo
this mb has onboard lan/eithernet , so toss the lan card
and it has nice onboard  sound.
 

If you read the post above yours, I agree on the NIC card but the -X version of the board uses a Realtek audio codec instead of the Nforce Soundstorm.  I don't know anyone who has the -X but I am sure Soundstorm is a lot better.

DJ229 - AIR MAFIA

[boxboy28]

Tweety dont go with the Via chipset get the Nforce  you'll be alot happier !  the Via cant run a FSB of 200 but the Nvidia can. (i used to have that board your looking at and ended up buying the A7N8X)

[mason22]

why the 9600SE (didn't know they made one) instead of the 9600 Pro or 9600 XT?

[Pfunk]

circuit city has the 9600pro for $129.99, Do NOT get that 9600SE it aint worth the $149 they are asking for it