Rate this system.

[drdan]

I hope to build something like this within a couple of months if I get enough cash flow. I provided a link to my "Wish List" system at Newegg. I really want to check for compatibilty issues or bottlenecks in the speed or mismatches or just plain inefficiencies. Such as you really can't the most out of that component because you only have a such and such with it. I really do very little gaming but I like to listen to music over the computer wile surfing the net, I do a lot digital photography and amateur photo editing, and computer Karaoke (when no one can hear and complain). I may upgrade to more and better memory, Serial ATA or other upgrades eventually. I am enamored of USB 2.0 and it's speed and that's a factor in this selection of MB also. I already have the Antec True 430 and the WD 80GB 8MB cache hard drive. I like fast and I like stable (who doesn't). I am hoping that the two 333mhz memory chips will take advantage of the dual bank memory and the 333 FSB but I don't know enough about it to be sure.



http://secure.newegg.com/app/WishHistoryReview.asp?position=HISTORY&submit=VIEW&ID=284266

[Budfred]

Looks like a really nice system to me. The only thing I see that you might want to consider is that you can probably get a better price on the CDRW, particularly the Cendyne brand which is highly rated and often on sale at the big chains....

[BigBlue66]

Lookin good, Doc.

I'm using the A7N8X Deluxe. Fabulous motherboard. Fast and stable.

The Barton processor will make use of the 333Mhz FSB offered by the motherboard and you will be able to run the memory is sync with the processor. Good choices! Also, it's good that you ordered two sticks of memory so you can make use of the dual channel memory capability.

Only bottleneck I see is the graphics card, IMHO. I realize you want good 2D performance, but that video card is not very future-proof. Only 32mb of memory and only 4X AGP. The motherboard offers 8X AGP support so you may as well use it. Additionally, a video card with 128mb of memory would be a better way to go, considering the video demands you will place on it.

I use Gainward/Cardexpert Golden Sample GF4 Ti 4200s 8X AGP in my two home systems, one is 64mb and the other is 128mb. The 2D performance of this card is very good.

Then again, ATI is well known for their 2D performance, second only to Matrox. You might consider a Radeon version, maybe a 9500 or later.

[Rick]

Originally posted by BigBlue66


I use Gainward/Cardexpert Golden Sample GF4 Ti 4200s 8X AGP in my two home systems, one is 64mb and the other is 128mb. The 2D performance of this card is very good.

Then again, ATI is well known for their 2D performance, second only to Matrox. You might consider a Radeon version, maybe a 9500 or later.

BigBlue

Do these cards make full use of the memory above 32 meg in 2d work ?


The ramdac speed in most of them are about same . ( Matrox ATI and GF’s)
Making them all about par for 2d speed.
My concern is with colors being true

DRDan

If you decide to look at another Video card
Check out this review of the Radeon 9600

http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.html?i=1812&p=1

I agree with the conclusion page
Go with the 9500 . The new cards above that just aren’t worth the extra $$

[saphalline]

For 2D work, you can't beat Matrox, so I whole-heartedly agree with your choice of the G550. No gaming card will come close to it, save for Matrox's Parhelia which is several hundred dollars.

Boy, those Barton prices keep coming down! :eek: Oh joy! :p

Your RAM, however, could be brought down to "mortal" levels if you want to shave a few bucks off. Corsiar XMS RAM is basically designed for gamers who overclock their systems. If you aren't going to use the extra headroom, you can buy some Kingston PC2700 RAM for only $37 per 256MB stick. Granted it will only save you $24 for both memory sticks, but hey! That'll pay for some shipping! :D And Kingston RAM ain't half bad for being called "value" - you can still run it at CAS 2 no problem.

Good choice on the CD-RW drive. Lite-On has been making awesome drives for years, but if you feel the savings are worth it, go ahead and get the Cendyne like Budfred suggested. The Cendyne is actually a re-labeled Lite-On and will probably serve you just as well. On that note, however, both my friend and I have those exact Lite-On's and couldn't be happier with them.

So far your new system looks great!

[drdan]

Thanks for the tip, I've used Kingston before with no problems. The reason I went with the Corsair was that it was on the ASUS Memory QVL Table. I have heard from several sources that this board is very picky about memory and I'm trying to avoid possible complications. I may not know for instance that somewhat incompatible memory is causing a slow down or intermittant problems. I don't want to spend foolishly but for me the $24 is partly for peace of mind and partly as insurance to not have to spend my time figuring out what may be wrong or replacing memory. This would be my first build and I'm not confident enough in my diagnostic abilities to cut corners to much.

[saphalline]

Hmmm... good point. It pays to read those reviews, doesn't it? ;)