New PC update

Sadclown · 03-02-2002, 10:26 AM

Okay, as an update to my former post (the chipset question thread), I figured the whole chipset thing out, but I decided to scrap the Intel idea. It just didn't seem to be worth the money. So here's the setup I'm planning :

AMD Athlon XP 1700
MicroStar K7T266 Pro2
512 MB PC2100 DDR SDRAM (I chose crucial because everyone seemed to reccomend it)
Nvidia GeForce3 Ti200
No sure about the sound card, narrowed down to Turtle Beach Santa Cruz or Soundblaster Live 5.1

That's the basic setup. So for my next stupid question...what's the best way to keep these things cool? I'm particularly worried about the processor (of course) and the NVidia, which I've heard has some issues with heat. Thanks for once again listening to the questions of the perpetually ignorant!

--Sadclown

john80y · 03-02-2002, 12:26 PM

That would be a very nice setup .. similar to mine !

Firstly I think the Nvida card won't run hot , mine doesn't and they do have a fan built onto them.

Just about any old fan will do for the XP1700 , just make sure its rated high enough to handle it ... Mine is rated good enough to cool an XP2000 ...

You might want to add a couple of bay fans and such like to keep the temperature inside the case down.. Also the type of case has to be considered .. Lian-li cases or an alauminium case will have better cooling properties than a regular $40 case .

Heat really isn't a major factor (imho) until you start to overclock things and then you might want to start looking into water cooling and adverse things like that.

Sadclown · 03-02-2002, 11:29 PM

Well, as far as the case goes, I've been looking at an Antec. The prices are pretty decent and all the reviews I've read have been good. I'm still debating tho.

The processor comes with it's own heatsink and fan, so I'm thinking that it might be alright for the time being. At least good enough to get it all assembled, and then I can see how warm it's running.

you know though, I am wondering something (as always

).
I've only had experience with Intel CPUs. Are ther any compatibility issues I should be aware of with AMDs?

--Sadclown

**NUTNDUN** · 03-02-2002, 11:40 PM

Definately seems like a good setup, the only thing I would recommend is using artic silver for the thermal compound on the cpu, and I would get a good heatsink. The ones they send with the cpu's pretty much suck.

john80y · 03-02-2002, 11:56 PM

If there are compatibility issues with AMD processors I have yet to find them .

Sadclown · 03-03-2002, 12:00 AM

excellent. like I said, I've only had experience with Intel and I wanted to make sure all the hardware I've picked was going to work well with the AMD.

lol this being the first time I've built a pc from scratch, I wasn't sure what to expect on alot of things. The one thing I've found so far that I just can't believe is that the most expensive component so far has been the OS. I dunno, seems weird to me.

**jrwap** · 03-03-2002, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sadclown
Okay, as an update to my former post (the chipset question thread), I figured the whole chipset thing out, but I decided to scrap the Intel idea. It just didn't seem to be worth the money. So here's the setup I'm planning :

AMD Athlon XP 1700
MicroStar K7T266 Pro2
You may want to look into the new kt333 chipset ... faster fsb is always nice.
512 MB PC2100 DDR SDRAM (I chose crucial because everyone seemed to reccomend it)
If you go with a kt333 chipset, look for pc333 aka pc2700 DDR RAM.
Nvidia GeForce3 Ti200
Take a look at ATI's video cards as well... I love mine.
No sure about the sound card, narrowed down to Turtle Beach Santa Cruz or Soundblaster Live 5.1
Go for the Audigy... about the same price + FREE FIREWIRE

That's the basic setup. So for my next stupid question...what's the best way to keep these things cool? I'm particularly worried about the processor (of course) and the NVidia, which I've heard has some issues with heat. Thanks for once again listening to the questions of the perpetually ignorant!

Don't worry too much about cooling unless you plan to overclock. Besides this great site (sorry, I had to), take a look over at amdforums.com ... you may get some answers to your questions over there.

--Sadclown

-JRW

Sadclown · 03-08-2002, 10:04 AM

Thanx for all the input guys. It's really helped out. I'm still not sure which PS to go with tho. I was thinking in the 400-420w range. In addition to the aforementioned hardware, I'm also gonna be running

2 IDE HDDs

1 DVD-ROM

1 CD-RW

1 NetGear NIC

LCD Flatscreen monitor (the monitor says it pulls 40w alone)

you think 400w would be enough?

Oh yeah, and I was looking at this heatsink/fan combo for the cpu. It got good reviews, anybody ever heard of it?

http://www.directron.com/volcano7.html

**NUTNDUN** · 03-08-2002, 10:25 AM

Hey Sadclown,
You can probably be fine with a 350W power supply but if I were you and had the couple extra dollars I would buy an Enermax 450W. You can never have enough power plus it gives ya the room to grow.

**NUTNDUN** · 03-08-2002, 10:27 AM

I just checked out the cooler, I have heard about the Volcano before and it will definately be a much better cooler for you. I never use the coolers that suppliers send with the chips. I think the Volcano will do the job for ya.

Sadclown · 03-08-2002, 11:00 AM

I thought the Volcano would be good. I haven't read a bad review of it yet, and it's rated for XPs up to 2000.

As for the PS. I was thinking the Enermax EG465-VE. It's rated at
430w. I guess I should mention that I'm planning on 4 fans inside the case. I dunno if that will make that big of a difference or not tho. I was thinking that 430w would give me a little room for expansion (and I can actually afford it).

**NUTNDUN** · 03-08-2002, 11:03 AM

I forgot Enermax actually rates their 450 at 430. Definately go with the Enermaxe. I have had my 350 for 2 years and I haven't had a lick of trouble with it. I could probably stand to upgrade to a 430 but it's working for now. Plus the enermax ps have two fans inside to help keep things cool.

john80y · 03-08-2002, 04:49 PM

The volcano is a good cooler (Its what I got)

Its well worth having but don't pay more than $19 for one !

Sadclown · 03-09-2002, 12:44 PM

Hey, has anybody tried rounded IDE cables? I found these while looking around and they look a hell of a lot cooler than the retro-ribbon cables.

http://shop.store.yahoo.com/directro...-adapters.html

john80y · 03-09-2002, 01:05 PM

I have some here and they are supposed to improve airflow ... I have no real way of telling if they do or not but they sure look nice !

03-02-2002, 10:26 AM	#1 (permalink)
Sadclown Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 133	New PC update Okay, as an update to my former post (the chipset question thread), I figured the whole chipset thing out, but I decided to scrap the Intel idea. It just didn't seem to be worth the money. So here's the setup I'm planning : AMD Athlon XP 1700 MicroStar K7T266 Pro2 512 MB PC2100 DDR SDRAM (I chose crucial because everyone seemed to reccomend it) Nvidia GeForce3 Ti200 No sure about the sound card, narrowed down to Turtle Beach Santa Cruz or Soundblaster Live 5.1 That's the basic setup. So for my next stupid question...what's the best way to keep these things cool? I'm particularly worried about the processor (of course) and the NVidia, which I've heard has some issues with heat. Thanks for once again listening to the questions of the perpetually ignorant! --Sadclown

03-02-2002, 11:40 PM	#4 (permalink)
NUTNDUN Registered Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: PA Posts: 1,465	Definately seems like a good setup, the only thing I would recommend is using artic silver for the thermal compound on the cpu, and I would get a good heatsink. The ones they send with the cpu's pretty much suck. __________________

03-08-2002, 10:25 AM	#9 (permalink)
NUTNDUN Registered Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: PA Posts: 1,465	Hey Sadclown, You can probably be fine with a 350W power supply but if I were you and had the couple extra dollars I would buy an Enermax 450W. You can never have enough power plus it gives ya the room to grow. __________________

03-08-2002, 10:27 AM	#10 (permalink)
NUTNDUN Registered Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: PA Posts: 1,465	I just checked out the cooler, I have heard about the Volcano before and it will definately be a much better cooler for you. I never use the coolers that suppliers send with the chips. I think the Volcano will do the job for ya. __________________

03-08-2002, 11:03 AM	#12 (permalink)
NUTNDUN Registered Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: PA Posts: 1,465	I forgot Enermax actually rates their 450 at 430. Definately go with the Enermaxe. I have had my 350 for 2 years and I haven't had a lick of trouble with it. I could probably stand to upgrade to a 430 but it's working for now. Plus the enermax ps have two fans inside to help keep things cool. __________________

03-02-2002, 12:26 PM	#2 (permalink)
john80y Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 261	That would be a very nice setup .. similar to mine ! Firstly I think the Nvida card won't run hot , mine doesn't and they do have a fan built onto them. Just about any old fan will do for the XP1700 , just make sure its rated high enough to handle it ... Mine is rated good enough to cool an XP2000 ... You might want to add a couple of bay fans and such like to keep the temperature inside the case down.. Also the type of case has to be considered .. Lian-li cases or an alauminium case will have better cooling properties than a regular $40 case . Heat really isn't a major factor (imho) until you start to overclock things and then you might want to start looking into water cooling and adverse things like that.

03-02-2002, 11:29 PM	#3 (permalink)
Sadclown Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 133	Well, as far as the case goes, I've been looking at an Antec. The prices are pretty decent and all the reviews I've read have been good. I'm still debating tho. The processor comes with it's own heatsink and fan, so I'm thinking that it might be alright for the time being. At least good enough to get it all assembled, and then I can see how warm it's running. you know though, I am wondering something (as always ). I've only had experience with Intel CPUs. Are ther any compatibility issues I should be aware of with AMDs? --Sadclown

03-02-2002, 11:56 PM	#5 (permalink)
john80y Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 261	If there are compatibility issues with AMD processors I have yet to find them .

03-03-2002, 12:00 AM	#6 (permalink)
Sadclown Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 133	excellent. like I said, I've only had experience with Intel and I wanted to make sure all the hardware I've picked was going to work well with the AMD. lol this being the first time I've built a pc from scratch, I wasn't sure what to expect on alot of things. The one thing I've found so far that I just can't believe is that the most expensive component so far has been the OS. I dunno, seems weird to me.

03-08-2002, 10:04 AM	#8 (permalink)
Sadclown Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 133	Thanx for all the input guys. It's really helped out. I'm still not sure which PS to go with tho. I was thinking in the 400-420w range. In addition to the aforementioned hardware, I'm also gonna be running 2 IDE HDDs 1 DVD-ROM 1 CD-RW 1 NetGear NIC LCD Flatscreen monitor (the monitor says it pulls 40w alone) you think 400w would be enough? Oh yeah, and I was looking at this heatsink/fan combo for the cpu. It got good reviews, anybody ever heard of it? http://www.directron.com/volcano7.html

03-08-2002, 11:00 AM	#11 (permalink)
Sadclown Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 133	I thought the Volcano would be good. I haven't read a bad review of it yet, and it's rated for XPs up to 2000. As for the PS. I was thinking the Enermax EG465-VE. It's rated at 430w. I guess I should mention that I'm planning on 4 fans inside the case. I dunno if that will make that big of a difference or not tho. I was thinking that 430w would give me a little room for expansion (and I can actually afford it).

03-08-2002, 04:49 PM	#13 (permalink)
john80y Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 261	The volcano is a good cooler (Its what I got) Its well worth having but don't pay more than $19 for one !

03-09-2002, 12:44 PM	#14 (permalink)
Sadclown Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 133	Hey, has anybody tried rounded IDE cables? I found these while looking around and they look a hell of a lot cooler than the retro-ribbon cables. http://shop.store.yahoo.com/directro...-adapters.html

03-09-2002, 01:05 PM	#15 (permalink)
john80y Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 261	I have some here and they are supposed to improve airflow ... I have no real way of telling if they do or not but they sure look nice !

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