Simviation Forums

Well, I've revised my thinking and have decided to just completely revise my computer (socket 754-939).  I knew little about computers when I built my current PC (Hey!  What's changed? ) but I knew nothing of mainboards.  To be honest I still don't know that much.  Other specs will be as follows:

• AMD Athlon 64 3800+
• Corsair 512 PC3200 400Mhz x2
• BFG GeForce 6800 AGP
• Hitachi 250GB SATA x2
• (mfg?) 600w PSU

The specs you chose are fine, however the 6800 AGP has to go. However, you do have a way to salvage that card.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6813157081
This is the only motherboard in socket 939 that has a REAL AGP slot, unlike other companies that shape a PCI slot into AGP and call it "Advanced Graphics Port" or some other name.

The best socket 939 motherboards don't have AGP, but they are loaded with features. Like this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6813131568

Hope this helps.

I'm definitely not buying a new GPU.  This was just supposed to be a small CPU upgrade, now a motherboard.  If I get a GPU, I might as well rebuild! That's 60% of your PC right there. Plus I imagine any worthwhile GPU is not going to be in the $100 price range.

All stickershock aside, thanks for the info.  I guess the age of the AGP is really sinking in now. It still serves me pretty well.

PS: Is that really the only 939 MB with AGP?  Evar? D:

Well actually it is not the only one. This is the only modern 939 motherboard with PCI-E and AGP. When 939 came out 2 years ago, all you could find was AGP motherboards. The only AGP motherboards left from that era are SIS/VIA and nForce 3 chipsets, and they are well outdated. It is very difficult to find motherboards from 2 years ago. Personally, I would go with the ASRock motherboard, as when you get more money down the road, you can put a nice PCI-E GPU in.

PS-If I were you, change the CPU to a 3700+ San Deigo. 1MB of cache, and only $104 on Newegg. The 1MB of cache is better for games rather than the 200MHz increase on the 3800+.

Looks very similar to my PC. It'll be a good-un.




Oh yeah, 450w will do you for power. Inless of course you already have the 600w thingy.

Well, I figure when I buy a PCI-E I will be doing an overhaul, moving away from 939 as well as AGP.  Or should I stick to 939 down the road (probably 1 year from now)?

Woody, all the equipment I listed is stuff I already have.  The 3800 is brand new though, so I can return that if neccessary.  Like I said, when I was building, I knew practically nothing.  No to mention my spacer fiasco.  Better safe than sorry became my motto.

The wattage isn't everything. You also gotta look at how many amps the PSU provides on each rail. If it has low amps on the rails you might run into problems.

The wattage isn't everything. You also gotta look at how many amps the PSU provides on each rail. If it has low amps on the rails you might run into problems.

amen to that

I have seen rated 650watt PSU's that an ATI x1800xt would crush a system to a full reboot during 3D operation.

watt rating means squat ant the PSU companies know it.

Unless its a PC Power and Cooling unit or other highly rated PSU manufacture (and I ain't talkin about thermaltake) dont trust the watt rating.

Thats why a PC-P&C PSU cost so damn much... when they say its 800 watts... you can bet you arse its 800 watts with little or no EMF

LOL

This is what I have.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6817167010

It's served me well so far.

This is what I have.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6817167010

It's served me well so far.

OoooooooFF

That is an absolute minimum PSU and actually underpowered for what you are proposing. They are jacking up the 5 volt rail to get the watt rating. You need 12v and 3.3v power and that PSU aint go it


Cam has been suggesting a PSU that would do the job for you but I dont have a link to it right off hand. It incorporates molex plugs for the leads which is the only thing I dont like about it but for the price it is not a bad investment.

If your planning on upgrading I think you are going to have to re-think that PSU.

Hahahaha!!!

Hahahaha!!!

be nice


LOL


I will see if i can find the link to the PSU Cam has been suggesting.. its not a bad unit. I will post back if I can find it.

I know. I'm not trying to be rude. I just think it has a funny box.

This is what I have.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6817167010

It's served me well so far.

Here it is...

http://www.frozencpu.com/psu-164.html?id=PChDphdw

Or at Newegg.,.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6817128001

Hyper type R

best bang for 100 bucks

The connectors are not molex as i thought they were but modular which is better but still I never use a PSU with disconnects. Since it is not a high wattage PSU (800 or more TRUE watts) the type of connectors they are using should not be a problem.

I think you really do need to consider a PSU upgrade with this build. The one you have is sadly underpowered. Let me give you a frame of reference. If you were to install an x1800xt into your tower with the PSU you are running the system would crash even with a 600 watt rating because the 1800xt need at minimum 28A on the 3.3 volt rail (30A is what ATI says) and your PSU is only running 20A

The Hyper R is only rated @ 580 wats and it actually puts out almost double the power your PSU does.

See how watt rating is a total bull.... routine from the manufactures? You have to read the amp raitings on the rails to know if your getting screwed.

Although I would not trust them 100% there are a few decent power calculators on the net which give you a better idea of what you need in the way of a PSU base on your proposed hardware.

Always find the total power consuption (in amps for 3.3v, 12v and 5v) for all your devices and then add 20-25% to it, and thats what you want to buy in a PSU.

I'm going ahead and taking Sukhoi's advice.

I will ignore Cheesegrater and Nick's advice against the better judgement of my common sense, and hope I can apply y'all's advice when I rebuild.  My wallet keeps telling me to put a damper on this whole thing.  I know me, electronics and cash are a volatile mix which can quickly go critical and snowball.

PS: Out of curiosity, how would the two PSUs compare in heat generation?  Learning = fun.