XPRESS 3200 or nForce 4

lightsource · Jul 2, 2006, 09:47 AM

This is the system I originally planned on buying but now I'm contemplating on the motherboard:

AMD Athlon 64 3700+ San Diego
DFI LanParty nF4 Ultra-D
SAPPHIRE X1800XT 512MB
2GB (1x2GB) G.SKILL DDR500 GBHZ
Western Digital 250GB
OCZ PowerStream 520W
Creative X-Fi XtremeMuisc
Lian Li PC-V600B

Now... I was thinking that since I'm getting ATi, should I just go ahead and go with the same chipset manuf. as well? I mean, I never liked ATi before their X1K series and I haven't heard much good things about their chipsets, but I do know that the XPRESS 3200 is supposed to be the best.of ATi's released chipsets.

I'm thinking of getting (as listed) the DFI Ultra-D or... One of the following boards:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131004
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813127234
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813154009
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813136009

~~hackerx~~ · Jul 2, 2006, 03:18 PM

DFI lanparty boards are the best out there.
But i would suggest u get AM2 instead of socket 939 athlons.Cause AM2 motherboard are supposed to be compatable with 65nm athlons coming out next year.
But if u would rather stick with this build.
I'd suggest this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813188006
or
this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813136009
Personally i'd go with the second one.(i wish DFI made intel lan-party boards)
If u haven't bought ur system yet i would suggest buying an AM2 cpu+motherboard.
Try these specs.(if u want)
ZALMAN CNPS 9500 AM@ cpu cooler-http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835118004-$65
ASUS M2N32-SLI-http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131011-$210
AMD ATHLON 3800+AM2-$150-http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103631
or
go dual core
AMD ATHLON x2 3800+ AM2-$300-http://www.newegg.com/Product/CustratingReview.asp?Item=N82E16819103735
CORSAIR XM2 TWIN2X2048-6400(DDR2 800)-$200-http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145590
Hope u go with something like what i wrote.The rest of the rig can remain the same.

lightsource · Jul 2, 2006, 07:51 PM

Well, I've posted this same thread on about 4 forums and I'm getting mixed results, but Hard OCP suggested the same thing that you suggested:

Quote:

Anyway, s939 is a bad move IMHO at this point. At least with AM2, you can swap in a K8L processor when they come out and be easily upgradeable to more memory rather than trying to find a good deal on DDR1 stuff (see also current prices of Rambus and SDRAM).

Then it was followed up with this:

Quote:

I agree with you that S939 is not a good idea now because the upgrade path is practically nil, but everything I've read suggests that K8L will require a new socket when it arrives.

So... Unless you can guarantee that I'll be able to upgrade, I'll get the Single Core 3800+ and then sell that CPU and later I'll get a K8L or whatever processor I need to buy or whatever new CPU will be out.

MiDri · Jul 3, 2006, 01:46 AM

If your working on money restraints I got everything in my sig, except ram and sound card for 500$ (Motherboard actully has decent HD compatible realtek audio on it.)

P.S. Don't touch that Sapphire board, I hear it is total crap.

lightsource · Jul 3, 2006, 03:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MiDri

If your working on money restraints I got everything in my sig, except ram and sound card for 500$ (Motherboard actully has decent HD compatible realtek audio on it.)

How the F*$@ did you manage that?!

Also, X1800GTO.... You think I should pick one of those up? or... Just go with the 1800XT that I originally planned on buying.

I hear the GTO is unlockable.

MiDri · Jul 3, 2006, 05:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lightsource

How the F*$@ did you manage that?!

Also, X1800GTO.... You think I should pick one of those up? or... Just go with the 1800XT that I originally planned on buying.

I hear the GTO is unlockable.

Some great deals at zipzoomfly is how I did it, most of them if not all of them are still avalible.

I personaly would not waist more money then on a X1800XL, then save the money you would have spent on the GTO or XT and get a DX10 card when they come out, soon. I only paid 220$ for my XL, just fwi.

lightsource · Jul 3, 2006, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MiDri

Some great deals at zipzoomfly is how I did it, most of them if not all of them are still avalible.

I personaly would not waist more money then on a X1800XL, then save the money you would have spent on the GTO or XT and get a DX10 card when they come out, soon. I only paid 220$ for my XL, just fwi.

Okay, I understand.

Now, you payed $220 but I can get an X1800GTO for $179 http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Produc...uctCode=321999

What do you think?

MiDri · Jul 3, 2006, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lightsource

Okay, I understand.

Now, you payed $220 but I can get an X1800GTO for $179 http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Produc...uctCode=321999

What do you think?

My 1800XL has same stock cpu/mem speed, 4 more pipes and [color=SeaGreen]256[/color] more mb. Personaly I feel that the extra 41$ is justified, I really like having that extra video memory.

What games do you play and are you going to upgrade to a DX10 card in near future?

[update]

I just checked zipzoomfly and my card that I have is currently back orderd (It was just so damn cheap, it was selling at $199.99 when it went out of stock.) Looks like that GTO is your best bet currently, MSI has great prices compaired to the other guys too.

~~hackerx~~ · Jul 3, 2006, 03:06 PM

u don't easily find 512mb x1800 xl's.
I would suggest u get an x1900 gt.Those can be had for as low as $250.But it'll blow away the x1800 xl and x1800 gto in terms of performance.

lightsource · Jul 3, 2006, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MiDri

What games do you play and are you going to upgrade to a DX10 card in near future?

Currently, I'm trying to get a videocard that will run BF2, Far Cry, CS:S, DOD:S, and Age of Empires 3 Flawlessly.

I'm thinking Medium/High details @ 1024x768, as for CS:S and DoD:S, I can run those settings on my current vc so it's not a problem.

MiDri · Jul 3, 2006, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lightsource

Currently, I'm trying to get a videocard that will run BF2, Far Cry, CS:S, DOD:S, and Age of Empires 3 Flawlessly.

I'm thinking Medium/High details @ 1024x768, as for CS:S and DoD:S, I can run those settings on my current vc so it's not a problem.

My X1800XL runs that stuff all maxed out easy, are you going to be overclocking?

hackerx is right, if you can find one that cheap, the X1900GT would be a lot better.

lightsource · Jul 4, 2006, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MiDri

My X1800XL runs that stuff all maxed out easy, are you going to be overclocking?

hackerx is right, if you can find one that cheap, the X1900GT would be a lot better.

Overclocking?!?!?!

Why of course. I overclocked my 5700LE from 275/400MHz to 400/524MHz.

So you best believe I'll be overclocking & Unlocking it (HIS)

~~hackerx~~ · Jul 4, 2006, 11:51 AM

then get an x1900 gt.U can find sapphie and powercolor ones for around $250.And it's performance will be far better in the games u want to play.As they are all shader intensive.And u can easily OC the x1900 gt to xt speeds.And if u are daring u can make it an AIW x1900 with full 16 pipes and 48 shaders.
I'd say the x1900 gt is the way to go.

lightsource · Jul 4, 2006, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hackerx

then get an x1900 gt.U can find sapphie and powercolor ones for around $250.And it's performance will be far better in the games u want to play.As they are all shader intensive.And u can easily OC the x1900 gt to xt speeds.And if u are daring u can make it an AIW x1900 with full 16 pipes and 48 shaders.
I'd say the x1900 gt is the way to go.

I understand but honestly, I only wanted to spend about $200 on a videocard anyway. I mean... Do you really think that I couldn't run everything on high on battlefield 2 (1024x768) with an unlocked X1800GTO?

I mean... Right now I'm running:

TERRAIN: MEDIUM
EFFECTS: HIGH
GEOMETRY: MEDIUM
TEXTURE: MEDIUM
LIGHTING: LOW
DYNAMIC SHADOWS: OFF
DYNAMIC LIGHT: OFF
ANTI-ALIASING: OFF
TEXTURE FILTERING: LOW
VIEW DISTANCE: 80%

On a GeForce FX5700LE 256MB, so... That's a HUGE jump from my videocard to what I want, and I plan on getting 2GB so I can turn up Terrain & Texture, and when I turn lighting to medium I get like 20FPS and it's just not playable for me, I need 40FPS or more so I mean, I don't really mind playing in lower res. which (to me) 1024*768 is the lowest resolution I will accept with a new videocard.

So if you don't think that with the X1800GTO I can't get Geometry & Lighting to High, and Dynamic Shadows & Light to Medium and Anti-Aliasing to 2x, than I'll get the X1900GT, otherwise I'm really leaning towards to the X18GTO.

MiDri · Jul 5, 2006, 01:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lightsource

I understand but honestly, I only wanted to spend about $200 on a videocard anyway. I mean... Do you really think that I couldn't run everything on high on battlefield 2 (1024x768) with an unlocked X1800GTO?

I mean... Right now I'm running:

TERRAIN: MEDIUM
EFFECTS: HIGH
GEOMETRY: MEDIUM
TEXTURE: MEDIUM
LIGHTING: LOW
DYNAMIC SHADOWS: OFF
DYNAMIC LIGHT: OFF
ANTI-ALIASING: OFF
TEXTURE FILTERING: LOW
VIEW DISTANCE: 80%

On a GeForce FX5700LE 256MB, so... That's a HUGE jump from my videocard to what I want, and I plan on getting 2GB so I can turn up Terrain & Texture, and when I turn lighting to medium I get like 20FPS and it's just not playable for me, I need 40FPS or more so I mean, I don't really mind playing in lower res. which (to me) 1024*768 is the lowest resolution I will accept with a new videocard.

So if you don't think that with the X1800GTO I can't get Geometry & Lighting to High, and Dynamic Shadows & Light to Medium and Anti-Aliasing to 2x, than I'll get the X1900GT, otherwise I'm really leaning towards to the X18GTO.

X1800GTO unlocked and oc'ed will run everything on high easly, It should run everything on high non unlocked @ 1024x768 with out problem.

lightsource · Jul 5, 2006, 01:43 AM

Alright cool, I was just checking to see whether it would be a good idea to get the X1900GT instead of the X1800GTO for the things i'll be running.

~~hackerx~~ · Jul 5, 2006, 11:21 AM

yeah but with the gto u'll struggle in age of empires 3 and oblivion.Cause those are shader intensive games.
An x1900 gt overclocked will run games on par or faster than the x1800 xt.

lightsource · Jul 5, 2006, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hackerx

yeah but with the gto u'll struggle in age of empires 3 and oblivion.Cause those are shader intensive games.
An x1900 gt overclocked will run games on par or faster than the x1800 xt.

DAMN!!!, You just killed my hopes...

1024x768... Medium/High settings on AoE3 Won't work well?

What would you give me for an average FPS.

~~hackerx~~ · Jul 5, 2006, 05:17 PM

What i meant was,u'll be able to run ur games at higher IQ settings with the x1900 gt.And ocing that will make ur games run faster and better.
For a gto with medium/high setting for AOE3,i'll give around25fps.Cause an x1800 xt struggles with it as well.oblivion well i don't really know.
But long story short,the x1900 gt will be able to run games better/faster than the x1800 gto for $xx more.

MiDri · Jul 5, 2006, 06:28 PM

Either way you go, you will be fine. If you want those extra 10-15fps spend the extra $xx otherwise get the GTO.

lightsource · Jul 5, 2006, 10:18 PM

Gotcha...

Thnx alot!

Jul 2, 2006, 09:47 AM	#1
lightsource DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: California Posts: 55 Rep Power: 0	XPRESS 3200 or nForce 4 This is the system I originally planned on buying but now I'm contemplating on the motherboard: AMD Athlon 64 3700+ San Diego DFI LanParty nF4 Ultra-D SAPPHIRE X1800XT 512MB 2GB (1x2GB) G.SKILL DDR500 GBHZ Western Digital 250GB OCZ PowerStream 520W Creative X-Fi XtremeMuisc Lian Li PC-V600B Now... I was thinking that since I'm getting ATi, should I just go ahead and go with the same chipset manuf. as well? I mean, I never liked ATi before their X1K series and I haven't heard much good things about their chipsets, but I do know that the XPRESS 3200 is supposed to be the best.of ATi's released chipsets. I'm thinking of getting (as listed) the DFI Ultra-D or... One of the following boards: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131004 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813127234 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813154009 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813136009 __________________

Jul 3, 2006, 01:46 AM	#4
MiDri DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 930 Rep Power: 0	If your working on money restraints I got everything in my sig, except ram and sound card for 500$ (Motherboard actully has decent HD compatible realtek audio on it.) P.S. Don't touch that Sapphire board, I hear it is total crap. __________________ [COLOR=Red] [COLOR=black]He is so happy, I just don't have the heart to tell him...[/COLOR][/COLOR]

Jul 5, 2006, 01:43 AM	Thread Starter #16
lightsource DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: California Posts: 55 Rep Power: 0	Alright cool, I was just checking to see whether it would be a good idea to get the X1900GT instead of the X1800GTO for the things i'll be running. __________________

Jul 5, 2006, 06:28 PM	#20
MiDri DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 930 Rep Power: 0	Either way you go, you will be fine. If you want those extra 10-15fps spend the extra $xx otherwise get the GTO. __________________ [COLOR=Red] [COLOR=black]He is so happy, I just don't have the heart to tell him...[/COLOR][/COLOR]

Jul 5, 2006, 10:18 PM	Thread Starter #21
lightsource DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: California Posts: 55 Rep Power: 0	Gotcha... Thnx alot! __________________

Jul 2, 2006, 03:18 PM	#2
~~hackerx~~ Banned Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 494 Rep Power: 0	DFI lanparty boards are the best out there. But i would suggest u get AM2 instead of socket 939 athlons.Cause AM2 motherboard are supposed to be compatable with 65nm athlons coming out next year. But if u would rather stick with this build. I'd suggest this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813188006 or this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813136009 Personally i'd go with the second one.(i wish DFI made intel lan-party boards) If u haven't bought ur system yet i would suggest buying an AM2 cpu+motherboard. Try these specs.(if u want) ZALMAN CNPS 9500 AM@ cpu cooler-http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835118004-$65 ASUS M2N32-SLI-http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131011-$210 AMD ATHLON 3800+AM2-$150-http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103631 or go dual core AMD ATHLON x2 3800+ AM2-$300-http://www.newegg.com/Product/CustratingReview.asp?Item=N82E16819103735 CORSAIR XM2 TWIN2X2048-6400(DDR2 800)-$200-http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145590 Hope u go with something like what i wrote.The rest of the rig can remain the same.

Jul 3, 2006, 03:06 PM	#9
~~hackerx~~ Banned Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 494 Rep Power: 0	u don't easily find 512mb x1800 xl's. I would suggest u get an x1900 gt.Those can be had for as low as $250.But it'll blow away the x1800 xl and x1800 gto in terms of performance.

Jul 4, 2006, 11:51 AM	#13
~~hackerx~~ Banned Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 494 Rep Power: 0	then get an x1900 gt.U can find sapphie and powercolor ones for around $250.And it's performance will be far better in the games u want to play.As they are all shader intensive.And u can easily OC the x1900 gt to xt speeds.And if u are daring u can make it an AIW x1900 with full 16 pipes and 48 shaders. I'd say the x1900 gt is the way to go.

Jul 5, 2006, 11:21 AM	#17
~~hackerx~~ Banned Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 494 Rep Power: 0	yeah but with the gto u'll struggle in age of empires 3 and oblivion.Cause those are shader intensive games. An x1900 gt overclocked will run games on par or faster than the x1800 xt.

Jul 5, 2006, 05:17 PM	#19
~~hackerx~~ Banned Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 494 Rep Power: 0	What i meant was,u'll be able to run ur games at higher IQ settings with the x1900 gt.And ocing that will make ur games run faster and better. For a gto with medium/high setting for AOE3,i'll give around25fps.Cause an x1800 xt struggles with it as well.oblivion well i don't really know. But long story short,the x1900 gt will be able to run games better/faster than the x1800 gto for $xx more.