[redsniper]

So, my mobo is shot and most likely my vid card as well. I've done some research and here are the parts I think I'll get to replace what I currently have.
Mobo: A8N-E
CPU: Socket 939 Athlon 3000
Video: Radeon X800 256MB (does 128MB even exist?)
Now the only thing that worries me is that the computer repair guy who pronounced my current system dead thinks the cause of death might be the power supply. I don't know much about PSUs since my case came with one already installed so advice on that is welcome.
EDIT: *returns from checking Froogle for 5 seconds*
Geez, power supplies are cheap. I'm not so worried anymore.
son of EDIT: I have an Antec 380W Truepower PSU btw.

[Admiral LSD]

Sounds good

I wouldn't have bought an Asus board myself (heard too many horror stories not to mention that, down here at least, they're a tad overpriced for what they offer) but other than that it seems good.

You'll probably want to rethink your RAM though. I'm not sure you'll be able to get away with your "two 256Mb sticks and one 512" configuration with an A64 like you were with your old XP. The A64s also, afaik, have a minimum 200Mhz FSB meaning all your RAM needs to be PC3200 minimum. A half-way decent (no need to go overboard, especially if you aren't, or aren't planning on, overclocking) pair of 512Mb PC3200 sticks shouldn't be too expensive though. If it were me, I'd buy a mid-range video card like a 6600GT or X700 Pro and use the money I'd save there on better RAM.

[redsniper]

hmmm... I'll look into the X700. Also, what other mobo brand would you recommend?

[Taristin]

http://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion/Wishlist/WishShareShow.asp?ID=1556992&WishListTitle=PWNS+EVERYTHING


!!!!!!!!

[Unknown Target]

Try to at least get a midrange PSU, a cheap one stands the chance of frying your components again (bad power output, fluctuations, letting current from a surge fry vital components).

[Taristin]

But he had an Antec TruePower. one of the best. I have it too...

[Admiral LSD]

Originally posted by Raa
http://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion/Wishlist/WishShareShow.asp?ID=1556992&WishListTitle=PWNS+EVERYTHING


!!!!!!!!

AFAIK, only the Intel version of the nForce4 chipset supports DDR2, the AMD versions all only support DDR1 (which, at the moment, isn't exactly a bad thing).

Also, I'd be inclined to spec the SATA version of that Seagate driver over the PATA one. The nForce4 has a "proper" on-chip SATA controller not to mention the Seagates are "proper" SATA drives leaving little reason to stick with PATA.

Thirdly, I wouldn't recommend a board without at least one PCI Express x16 slot. It does mean having to buy a new graphics card now but it'll make future upgrades a lot easier.

[Taristin]

Originally posted by Admiral LSD


AFAIK, only the Intel version of the nForce4 chipset supports DDR2, the AMD versions all only support DDR1 (which, at the moment, isn't exactly a bad thing).

Also, I'd be inclined to spec the SATA version of that Seagate driver over the PATA one. The nForce4 has a "proper" on-chip SATA controller not to mention the Seagates are "proper" SATA drives leaving little reason to stick with PATA.

Thirdly, I wouldn't recommend a board without at least one PCI Express x16 slot. It does mean having to buy a new graphics card now but it'll make future upgrades a lot easier.

I chose the PATA because from what I saw (and I have an onboard SATA MoBo) Win2k/xp won't load directly from the SATA, but uses the boot sector of the PATA for some stupid reason.

And did that board not have PCIe x16? I thought it did......

[IceFire]

Antec TruPower is one of the best PSU brands around.  I have a 320W version powering my system (and an Antec case).  They are very highly rated.

Asus too.  One of the best motherboard manufacturers around along with Abit.  There's a few others out there that are good but I don't know them as well: MSI being one.  I highly recommend the Asus board and I think you've made a good choice.

But do read up on the reviews for every piece of hardware.  Just start Googling.

New nVidia hardware just came out too...watch for GPU/VPU hardware prices to start dropping in the current gen.

[Admiral LSD]

Originally posted by Raa


I chose the PATA because from what I saw (and I have an onboard SATA MoBo) Win2k/xp won't load directly from the SATA, but uses the boot sector of the PATA for some stupid reason.

XP (I can't speak for 2k though I can't see why it would be that much different) boots and loads just fine off of SATA for me. Unless you mean the way it searches for a PATA drive before giving up and booting the SATA (causing no real trouble other than a slight delay in bringing up the bootloader). I fixed that by setting the boot device to "SCSI" in the BIOS. My SATA controller, while onboard, is connected via the PCI bus though and not integrated into the south bridge so that may have something to do with it. The real problem though is getting the drivers recognised by Windows at install time but even that's solved fairly easily by adding and modifying a few files on your Windows install CD.

And did that board not have PCIe x16? I thought it did......

Oops, my bad. The board does in fact have a PCI-E slot, you've just specced an AGP 9800 Pro to go in it.

[phatosealpha]

If you're planning to overclock, a DFI board is the way to go.  If not, an Asus board is fine.


You can get a cheap X800XL for about $50 more then a stanard X800, and they generally perform better.  If money is an issue, you might actually be better off going for a nforce4 socket 754 board and an XL.  The A64 don't benefit from dual channel the way pentium 4s do, and if you're not likely to upgrade the CPU, you'll see more of a difference from the vid card then from the dual channel memory.

got a budget so we've got an idea what you've got to play with?

[redsniper]

I don't have an exact budget, but I'd like to spend <$500. However, that's looking more and more unlikely. Anyway, what are some other good power supply brands? Also, I'm considering an A64 2800 instead of a 3000, that's not too big of a step down and is still significantly better than a 2800 XP, right?

[Taristin]

Originally posted by Admiral LSD


XP (I can't speak for 2k though I can't see why it would be that much different) boots and loads just fine off of SATA for me. Unless you mean the way it searches for a PATA drive before giving up and booting the SATA (causing no real trouble other than a slight delay in bringing up the bootloader). I fixed that by setting the boot device to "SCSI" in the BIOS. My SATA controller, while onboard, is connected via the PCI bus though and not integrated into the south bridge so that may have something to do with it. The real problem though is getting the drivers recognised by Windows at install time but even that's solved fairly easily by adding and modifying a few files on your Windows install CD.
 

For my system, I have tried disconnecting my PATA drive, and in doing so, my system refused to boot, claiming there was no HDD installed. But I guess I'll have to check about my settings.

[redsniper]

meh, scratch what I said about CPUs up there. I'm going for the 3000. Now here's another question for you: Reviews say  that the stock heatsink for the A64 is pretty good. Would it be wise to use it? and if not what are some good heatsink brands?

[Taristin]

If it's good enough to be given out by AMD with the chip, it can't be too bad, can it?

[redsniper]

well, it's just that in the thread about my computer dying Scuddie was saying that stock heatsinks aren't that good and that after market ones are better. At least, that's what I thought he was saying... So, about them power supplies?

[StratComm]

It should be fine unless you're overclocking.  Those things tend to be rated for the operating parameters of the chip, so stay within those and you shouldn't see any problems.

[redsniper]

I've been thinking... There seems to be a consensus that Antec Truepowers are dang good PSUs so what are the chances that my power supply is really responsible for frying my system and if it didn't then what did?

[redsniper]

before I go to bed.

[phatosealpha]

Antecs are pretty good, but even they blow up once in a while.

Was your board an older AXP board?  If so, you might want to give it a lookover for capicitors that have gone bad.  There was a major problem back then where some chinese company stole a formula for capicators and then started mass producing them, but the formula they stole wasn't finished and didn't work well in the long run.  A fair number of dead older board are traceable back to bad capacitors.

Stock heatsink works fine, A64s are nowhere near as hot as P4s.  Unless you're planning on overclocking and overvolting, you don't need an aftermarket heat sink.  Should make sure your case has good ventilation though.




Raa - Well, XP should load directly off a SATA drive, assuming you've installed the drivers from the floppy when you installed XP.  No hard disk installed sounds like a bios configuration error.