Gaming System w/ Overclocking Potential

[Ramuman]

I'm helping a freind build a system for gaming. He wants to keep the rig under ~$800 and is choosing to go the Intel route, so I've suggested the following for him:

ANTEC SOLUTION SERIES MODEL SLK3700AMB w/ANTEC SMART POWER 350W P4/AMD POWER SUPPLY ATX12V - RETAIL
Offering a large 8-drive capacity in a convenient mid tower. This cost-effective new Super Mid Tower comes in an attractive color - Antec Metallic Bronze - with the features and quality you expect from Antec.
Specifications:
Driver Bays: External 4 X 5.25" - 2 X 3.5" (Tool-less Drive rail system for 5.25 Devices) - Internal 5 X 3.5" (Quick Release Drive cage for 3.5" Drive bays)
System Board: Standard ATX
Expansion Slot: 7 Slots
USB/IO: 2 X USB (front)
Optional Fans: 2 X 120mm (front & rear)
Case Dimensions: 18.6" (L) X 8.25" (W) X 18.3" (H) $73.00 1 $73.00

ASUS P4PE/L Motherboard for Intel P4 478 Retail w/ Intel Hyper-Threading Technology, Onboard LAN, SoundMAX Digital Audio System
***1st Intel chips that TRUELY support DDR333 PC2700***
Specifications:
Supported CPU: Socket 478 for Intel® Pentium® 4/ Celeron up to 3GHz
Chipset: Intel 845PE
FSB: 533 / 400 MHz
RAM: 3 x184-pin DDR333 PC2700/PC2100/PC1600Max 3GB
IDE: 2 x UltraDMA 100/66/33
Slots: 1 x AGP 4X 6 x PC
Ports: 1x LPT, 2x COM, 2x PS/2, 1x RJ45,4xUSB2.0 Audio Ports
Onboard Audio: ADI1980 6-channel CODEC
Onboard LAN:BroadCom 10/100 Mbps Ethernet controller $118.99 1 $118.99

ATI OEM RADEON 9700 ATLANTIS 128MB DDR 8X AGP BULK
Specifications:
Chipset:RADEON 9700
Memory:128MB DDR 256-bit
Bus: AGP 8X
8-pixel pipeline architecture
3D Features: TRUFORM™ 2.0, SMARTSHADER™ 2.0, and SMOOTHVISION™ 2.0.
128-bit floating-point color precision
Ports:VGA + DVI + S-Video Out
Oem Bulk Pack (see pictures for details) $236.00 1 $236.00

Intel Pentium 4 2.4BGHz 512K 533MHz CPU Northwood P478 Processor Retail Box
Specifications:
CPU: Pentium 4 P4 2.4BGHz Northwood
Type: Northwood
Cache: 512K
BUS: 533MHz
Socket: P4 478
Retail Box (with Heatsink and fan) $191.00 1 $191.00

►Hot Item! Samsung Original DDR333 PC-2700 512mb CAS2.5 - OEM Version
DDR 333MHz True PC 2700 chip (Not over clock from PC-2100 chip) New release for Best Performance- Lifetime Manufacturer warranty $103.50 1 $103.50

MAXTOR 60GB 7200RPM EIDE HARD DRIVE MODEL # 6Y060L0 - OEM, DRIVE ONLY DiamondMax Plus 9
Specifications:
Size: 60 Gigabytes
Interface: IDE ULTRA ATA133
Seek time: 9 msec
RPM:7200
Cache 2MB
OEM(Drive alone) 1 Year Manufacturer Warranty $87.00 1 $87.00

Subtotal:
$ 809.49

He has the basics already like monitor, CD-RW, keyboard etc., and will be getting the software through a unniversity bookstore, so we just have this to look at.

Basically the goal is to take this rig to near 3.0 and take the 9700 to near 9700 Pro clocks. He doesn't want extravagant cooling or voltage mods etc. How does this rig look as a value gaming rig with good overclocking potential. I'm pretty sure it'll fly through most programs, but a bit of overclocking headroom would probably give it an even better life span. He's looking to build within a week or two so waiting for the R350 etc. isn't really an option.

My concern with overclocking is how well the Samsung RAM, Asus mobo and Maxtor HD will hold up. If we can run the FSB to 4x166, then the CPU will be at ~3.0 so I'm guessing PC2700 RAM should be fine. How about the motherboard?

Finally, remember that this isn't going to be one of those unstable winter only OCs or 6 Delta setups. To sum it up, its basically a stable, quiet gaming rig with good value (partially thru overclocking) for the money. Any comments and suggestions would be helpful.

[OS-Wiz]

Check out the value gaming system recommendation on the homepage. Or over at www.maximumpc.com

[Ramuman]

Originally posted by OS-Wiz
Check out the value gaming system recommendation on the homepage. Or over at www.maximumpc.com

I checked out Sharky's system and they seemed to have a slightly different objective. This system has more RAM, a better video card and faster processor (but doesn't include monitor, keyboard and an OS).

Since he has those accesories and software, I felt the money would be better spent on the core of the system. For example, Sharkys recommends 256 of RAM in their value system which for a gamer is probably too little, especially considering the power of the rest of the setup.

The Sharky's guide is also from Dec for the value PC and prices have shifted a bit since then.

Also, like I said, overclocking is desirable, so finding anything that might help (or possibly hinder it) would also help.

[Colossus]

Honestly I wouldnt go with the OEM 9700Pro, Get the retail. I have heard the VPU/Clock speed is lowered in the OEM and its just a few dollars cheaper

IF newegg doesnt have a good deal on the 9700, check out www.mwave.com they had the 9700 Pro RETAIL for about 330

[Ramuman]

Originally posted by Colossus
Honestly I wouldnt go with the OEM 9700Pro, Get the retail. I have heard the VPU/Clock speed is lowered in the OEM and its just a few dollars cheaper

IF newegg doesnt have a good deal on the 9700, check out www.mwave.com they had the 9700 Pro RETAIL for about 330

Its not an OEM 9700 Pro, its just an OEM 9700. The Pro versions are made by ATI and third party companies, whereas the non Pro versions are only made by third party companies. This particular card uses the reference design of ATI's 9700 Pro, just with lower clock speeds.

The differences between the cards are here:
http://www.tomshardware.com/graphic/20021202/index.html

Radeon 9700 PRO: The fastest and most expensive card among the ATI models. Eight pixel pipelines, four vertex shaders, 128 MB with 256-bit memory bus, DirectX 9 support. Clock speed (chip/memory): 325/310. Official price: $399.

Radeon 9700: The smaller of the 9700 series differs in its lower clock speeds: 275/270. Official price: $299.

Radeon 9500 PRO: The memory interface was reduced from 256-bit to 128-bit, but it can still accept up to 128 MB of memory. Otherwise, it has the same features as the 9700 cards, meaning that it offers full support for DirectX 9. Clock speeds: 275/275. Official price: $199.

Radeon 9500: Again, the memory bus is only 128-bit. The maximum memory is reduced from 128 MB to 64 MB. In addition, four pixel pipelines are left out. However, it still offers full DirectX 9 support. Clock speeds: 275/270. Official price: $179.

The clock speed of the non Pro version is quite a bit slower, but it does admirably in benchmarks, and he saves about $100. I'm not sure how much the 9700 can be overclocked (if maybe something close to 9700 Pro stock levels), but perhaps someone here knows.

If we look at the benchmarks, the 9700 is really the only card in the same league as the 9700 Pro (minus the GeForce FX of course). Plus its 100 cheaper, hence my recomendation to go with that card versus either the 9500 Pro or Ti4600 to the lower end or the 9700 Pro to the higher end.

[Colossus]

Oh Im sorry, It info didnt click. I had to read the list again. Then yeah go with the non pro version

[OS-Wiz]

Originally posted by Ramuman


I checked out Sharky's system and they seemed to have a slightly different objective. This system has more RAM, a better video card and faster processor (but doesn't include monitor, keyboard and an OS).

Since he has those accesories and software, I felt the money would be better spent on the core of the system. For example, Sharkys recommends 256 of RAM in their value system which for a gamer is probably too little, especially considering the power of the rest of the setup.

The Sharky's guide is also from Dec for the value PC and prices have shifted a bit since then.

Also, like I said, overclocking is desirable, so finding anything that might help (or possibly hinder it) would also help.

All the components you listed a good choices

[Royal Oaks]

Yea great system man, although the 9700 OEM is ewwy to my ears. I might even look into going with a 9500 Pro retail which is only around $200. Might be able to pull off the software mod with it and there is your 9700. I personally would just stay away from ATi OEM cards. Other than that it looks like you have a killer system set up. The only thing I would have to add is I am not sure you can run a 2.4 @ 3GHz all through the summer. I am thinking for sure now and through the Spring, but when that Summer hits, look out. I would even recommend going with a better heatsink and fan for the chip if your goal is OC'ing. Granted the retail setup is fine, but if are looking to push 3GHz I say go with the Swiftec or Alpha or something. If you get a C1 I think you could do 3GHz fine all summer at about 1.6 (or so) volts. Let me know what you think, and if you wanna discuss it further I will be on AIM.

[speedstream5621]

Probably will want a good quality soundcard + speakers to compliment his 9700. Don't know what's good, maybe an audigy?

[Ramuman]

Originally posted by speedstream5621
Probably will want a good quality soundcard + speakers to compliment his 9700. Don't know what's good, maybe an audigy?

He says hes fine with the onboard, but will get a sound card later if he feels the need. I suppose he could pull the card from his current rig (an SB Live!) if he so chooses.