Elwood P Dowd's Journal: Bought parts for an Athlon64 system

I went more-or-less down the ticket with Ars Technica's budget box. I've never built a system without a bigger nerd looking over my shoulder. We'll see what happens. Everything is from Newegg.

Case: In-Win Z720T - Retail ($44.99)
Mobo: MSI RS480M2-IL - Retail ($86.99)
GPU: Chaintech GeForce 6600 256MB - Retail ($126.00)
CPU: Athlon64 3000+ 939P ("Venice") - Retail ($153.99)
RAM: Corsair value crap 2x 512MB kit PC3200 - Retail ($77.00)
HD: 160GB SAMSUNG "SpinPoint" - OEM ($87.00)
dvd+-RW: ASUS DRW-1608P - Retail ($68.00)
Speakers: Logitech X-230 2.1 - Retail ($39.00)

IMHO, Ars Technica only covers the easy part of CPU and GPU selection. "6600" is relatively meaningless without some pointers on which GeForce 6600. Even without pushing for a manufacturer, they should discuss whether it's worth it for a 400mHz model or a 265MB model. I'm sure DVI vs. D-Sub cable just depends on your uses, but the rest of the stuff I didn't know how to navigate.

Likewise with the various different types of "Athlon64 3000+". Although that's all from one company, so any confusion is easily AMD's fault.

Anyway, if you spot any obvious boneheaded moves, speak up. I should have posted this before I bought, but pointers would still be helpful.

is video RAM diminishing returns?

[js7a]

I read on some benchmark, 128 MB video RAM underperforms 64 MB, but I forget all the details, only the impression that it was a slight and unlikely-in-reality impact.

But now I'm going nuts because I can't google it.

Re:is video RAM diminishing returns?

[Elwood P Dowd]

In Apple land, there's the imminent prospect that video RAM will be worth it's weight in gold. If they ever turn on Quartz 2D extreme, VRAM will be very helpful for overall system performance.

So, embarassingly, that kindof influenced my decision. Someone is doing something with piles of VRAM. Maybe Longhorn will get into the VRAM action.

Re:is video RAM diminishing returns?

[Gropo]

Maybe Longhorn will get into the VRAM action.

That's what they say... I'm scared of how much bloat the managers will heft upon MS's "Quarts XPreme."

Keep us aprised of your building issues... I'm looking to put together my first DOS-compatible machine in almost 20 years soon myself :O

Re:is video RAM diminishing returns?

[Elwood P Dowd]

If they just put their new compositing engine on the graphics card, like "Quartz Extreme", then 64MB would probably be all you'd need. If they wind up issuing every drawing command straight to the video card, like "Quartz 2D Extreme," then the VRAM will be helpful. But that's kindof far out.

What did you do for a power supply?

[(H)elix1]

Did not see that listed.

Re:What did you do for a power supply?

[Elwood P Dowd]

The In-Win Z720T MicroATX case comes with a 300W power supply. I expect that'll do nicely.

So you all up and running?

[(H)elix1]

From your other post, looks like you are up and running... happy?

Re:So you all up and running?

[Elwood P Dowd]

Yeah. Works great. I've been all up in DOOM III and Civ III. Also delighted to have a machine that can rip a DVD in 15 minutes, which my iBook was not.