Only thing I would change is the video card
get at least a 9800pro (just around $200 on most online stores...but make sure it's a 256bit one)

if you're a heavy gamer, I would suggest going for an Xt800pro, but it will cost ya

edit: nevermind, I just read the part where you said you're not very big with gaming... At least make that 9600SE a pro...

also I would shoot for a higher power supply...

___________________
Summary of an ASOT episode:

- The newest tunes selected!!!! the hottest tracks in a row!!!! here is your host arrrrrmin van buuuuuuuuhreeennnnnhnnhhn
- hello and welcome glad u cud join us this is a state of trance episode blah blah blah
- waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah waaaaaaaaaaaaah whineeeeeeeeeeeee blah blaaaaaaaaah
- that was the newest track by blah bla and before that was blaaaaaaah
- waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa....the end
Vomit-inducing trifecta tunage: Zocalo | Summer Dream | Shivers

You got some pretty good specs there, I dont think you need any advice Only concern would be the DVD writer & video card. Im talking from an enthuastic point of view, Plextor would be the best choice for a DVD writer. If you get an 9600SE then might as well get a 9800Pro. 9600SE is obsolete and I dont think its got full DirectX 9 support. Now if your talking about the P4 3.0 socket 775 then I'd wait just a bit longer. The performance ratio is weak compared to their older socket 478.

___________________
Breaks, house, electro & downtempo.

quote:

Originally posted by Azz3D Only thing I would change is the video card get at least a 9800pro (just around $200 on most online stores...but make sure it's a 256bit one) if you're a heavy gamer, I would suggest going for an Xt800pro, but it will cost ya edit: nevermind, I just read the part where you said you're not very big with gaming... At least make that 9600SE a pro...

I know what you mean, looking at the configuration the videocard sticks out like a sore thumb. However $200 US is more than what I want to pay for a videocard considering I will hardly (if ever) play games on it.

quote:

Originally posted by bluE_Neon You got some pretty good specs there, I dont think you need any advice Only concern would be the DVD writer & video card. Im talking from an enthuastic point of view, Plextor would be the best choice for a DVD writer. If you get an 9600SE then might as well get a 9800Pro. 9600SE is obsolete and I dont think its got full DirectX 9 support. Now if your talking about the P4 3.0 socket 775 then I'd wait just a bit longer. The performance ratio is weak compared to their older socket 478.

will take that into consideration thanks. I first contemplated a plexor but I don't think they have dual layer, 16X speed yet. The sony is great..dual layer, 16X. It's almost perfect.

I think they have 12X dual layer but not 16 yet. But thats only time when it comes out. IMO I'd wait for faster DVD writers to come out coz this is all about business. They sell the slower ones first until the faster ones come in. I'll get myself a dvd writer with a speed of 40 or more hehe For now I'll use my cd writer

___________________
Breaks, house, electro & downtempo.

Oh one thin I forgot. I left out the soundcard because there's 24bit, 8 channel audio built in on board. Heard that the onboard sound is superb at 24 bit. I'll see how it goes (although it's been said that a standalone sound card sounds much better).

I'm an audio junkie (OBVIOUSLY, LOL ) so if I don't like how it sounds I won't hesitant to get the soundblaster audigy 2 gamer ZS. Want my tunes to sound the best they can.

ITS A BEAUTY, I GUESS ALL YOU NEED IS A CENTRINO.

___________________
BY THE PRICKILINGS OF MY THUMBS, SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES

I'd get the Antec SLK 3700BQE over the Sonata (I personally have the Sonata, only found out the BQE was better AND cheaper afterwards )

___________________
My Mixes

quote:

Originally posted by Trancewave Oh one thin I forgot. I left out the soundcard because there's 24bit, 8 channel audio built in on board. Heard that the onboard sound is superb at 24 bit. I'll see how it goes (although it's been said that a standalone sound card sounds much better). I'm an audio junkie (OBVIOUSLY, LOL ) so if I don't like how it sounds I won't hesitant to get the soundblaster audigy 2 gamer ZS. Want my tunes to sound the best they can.

No need for buying an sound card as the built in onboard sound is a Audigy 2. I have the Asus A8V mobo with a AMD 64 3500+ and the sound is very crisp & clear. Yours is 24-bit so thats very good, which reminds me what kind of bit configuration I have.

___________________
Breaks, house, electro & downtempo.

quote:

Originally posted by kr00t0n I'd get the Antec SLK 3700BQE over the Sonata (I personally have the Sonata, only found out the BQE was better AND cheaper afterwards )

I saw that also, I'm quite surprised the Sonata actually costs more (about $12 CAD) It's a smaller case but has a bigger PSU. I still like the look of the Sonata though, something about those blue LED lights, heh.

BTW, i haven't seen the case yet except for pictures. How does it look when you get it?

the blue LEDs are far too bright, I've unplugged mine as I couldnt sleep with them on (I dont care for flashy modded cases anyhoo) and whilst the shiny outer coat of paint looks great at first, it is SUCH a hassle to keep free of dust and fingerprints.

The drilled 'antec' logos are 'apparently' there to aid the cooling of the psu, but they just draw in dust (making the front bezel dust filter pretty pointless), mess with the airflow of the case and let nosie escape. I have since taped mine up.

The cooling also leaves alot to be desired, I had to cust a side vent for my cpu and do a front bezel mod to get half-decent cooling out her.

Plus you only get 3 external drive bays, versus the BQE's 4, this means that with my dvd, cdrw and top fresh air duct for my psu, I have no room for a hdd silencing bay

___________________
My Mixes