WHICH PC?

[pjwinkler]

Ok I'm building a computer for the first time and I'm wondering should I get:

(waiting for the ASUS A8N-SLI Deluxe)
AMD Athlon 64 3000+ 939 Pin
MSI NX6600GT (PCI-Express)
Corsair 1024MB PC-3200 TWINX-Dual Channel Kits
Seagate 80GB Barracuda Serial ATA

for 821 canadian (689.00 american)

or:

AMD Athlon 64 3000+
MSI K8N Neo2 Platinum
MSI 6600GT (AGP)
Corsair 1024MB PC-3200 TWINX-Dual Channel Kits
Seagate 80GB Barracuda Serial ATA

for 1028.00 canadian (854.00 american)

I'm guess the ASUS A8N-SLI is going to be around 350.00 canadian (i hope..) so could someone help me?

 

[felixc]

It depends where is your pain threshold to get the fastest graphics. The future is with PCIe but the actual products that have it are all of the first generation. Chances are that if you go for a better graphics card in say 2 years, you will need to upgrade the motherboard to a version that supports better the PCIe spec. (without bugs or limitations). Of course the math is the same with the AGP mobo but with a 100% probability.

 

[pjwinkler]

So I guess I should go with the ASUS.. My only worry is that the A8N might be hugely expensive..

 

[franklin97355]

So get the cheaper one.

 

[paparazi]

Well I've got the MSI K8 Neo2 Platinum and it's a great board!
The Asus I know nothing about but it is generally considered at this time PCIE is showing no advantages over traditional motherboard layout.
But I guess I'd be mad to ignore the fact that PCIE is the future.
Trouble is I don't feel comfortable recommending a more expensive platform unless I can see definate advantages.
You have two choices:
Buy the PCIE setup and sit there smugly knowing you have the latest technology even if it's no better at this time than a traditional platforms or:
Buy the MSI setup knowing that for the forseeable future you have a system every bit as fast, with no disadvantages but considerably cheaper.
And in the future, when PCIE can be seen to have the edge, well! it'll be time for another upgrade by then!
Martin

We like members to GIVE and not just TAKE.
Participate and help others.

 

[felixc]

Well, for $200 cdn of difference, would it be enough to keep the MSI and have an X800 or 6800 instead? It might be a better combination than the ASUS/6600 if you're a strong gamer.

 

[pjwinkler]

well the asus board also has nForce 4 chipset. THAT is a great diffrence, plus i could upgrade to 2 6600 GTs in the future does that change stuff do you think (I know nForce 4 is definatly better)

 

[felixc]

The differences inperformance between motherboards are rather small compared to the cost differences, and compared to the difference found between graphics cards for a similar cost differential. So it depends what deals you can get. And how eager you are to get the best among the beat. Make sure that you have a good power supply if you're interested in going SLI.

 

[empois]

Check my similar thread on this topic. I'm building a new system to but ive decided to stick with socket 478 pentium 4 and AGP graphics.

MSI and Asus both make great boards but id go for the Asus.

As far as I know theres no real difference between AGP8x and PCI express at this moment in time - the few motherboards and cards that provide an advantage are still really really expensive.

I'm hoping my new set up will last a few years by which time I won't mind upgrading motherboard as well.

 

[paparazi]

pjwinkler Quote:

"well the asus board also has nForce 4 chipset. THAT is a great diffrence"
Well actually not! on Toms we see a Via K8T800pro 939 board getting the better of an Nforce4 board in over 50% of the benchmarks

http://www6.tomshardware.com/motherboard/20041020/nforce4-11.html

(K8T800pro and Nforce3 250 are practically identical in performance)
Yes you will have PCIE (which has no benefits as of yet and SLI which is great if you have very deep pockets)
Remember buying two identical 6600GT's cards doesn't give you twice the performance, here on anandtech we see between 7 and 24% increases in SLI depending on benchmark.

http://www.anandtech.com/mb/showdoc.aspx?i=2285&p=6

I agree that at this time cost/performance ratio would be with a 939 platform and a 6800GT

But it's a hard call given all the pressure to go PCIE.

Martin





We like members to GIVE and not just TAKE.
Participate and help others.

 

[pjwinkler]

Yeh I've seen anandtech, and alos heres a big update. I've been hereing around big named sites that the ASUS A8N-SLI is only going to cost around 200 american. It also has nForce 4 (notice the 4 anyways, benchmarks show nForce 4 is much better then nForce 3 Ultra (MSI NEO2 Deluxe) and the asus mobo isn't much more expensive. So unless anyone sees any reason why i shouldn't pay 70 bucks more TOPS for the latest and greatest I think I should go for the sli system.

With that covered, I think I'm just gonna get one 6600 GT for now (I really only play Americas Army, and am about to get UT 2004) and I might upgrade to 2 6600 GTs in the future. What kind of power supply wouldI need for 2 6600 GTs?

 

[paparazi]

I wonder why you come to a site and ask for advice? seems you already know the answers to your own questions and nothing anyone is going to say is going to change your mind.
Your choices are sound so go for it.
Twin SLI is going to need a quality 480watt Antec Neopower or similar.
Martin

We like members to GIVE and not just TAKE.
Participate and help others.

 

[pjwinkler]

well I'm 14 and everything I've learned came straigh from the internet. I was basically wondering if anyone knew better, but I guess I do know what I want and it seems to be the right choice. I came to this site wanting to know if someone could confirm my choices and I got what I came for.

thanks