Would this be good?

[theblt]

I'm thinking about buying a whole new motherboard and CPU for my arcade cabinet because the only thing I got now are about 3 486's (and that isn't Mhz) and a couple 200 Mhz systems with about 32mb of ram.  So would this system be good:
AMD Athlon XP 1700 (about 1.47 Ghz)
Basic CPU Cooler (50mm)
CPU Copper Shim (Recommended) [add $9.25]
(I didn't buy any of that grease crap cuz I don't think you really need it)
ECS K7VMM (DDR 2100 & PC133 - 2 PCI - AGP 4x) (Recommended) [add $19.75]
1 System Case Fan (Recommended) [add $14.25]
Warranty - 1 Year (Recommended) [add $9.00]

And it came out to be $144.26 .  I'll buy memory later for cheaper.  They charged about $67 for 256mb when you could get that @ OfficeMax for like $10 when they got a rebate on it.  So, it that a fairly good system then?  Is it a good value too?

[X-0]

Where/what retailer did you find that combo?

newegg lists the board for $60 and the CPU for $50, so the combo is pretty close.

I'd stay away from copper shims.  Use a non-conductive one if you go with a shim.  I've seen 2 blown cpu's that were shorted by a copper shim, out of 6 installs I've seen.  Not a good ratio at nearly $100 a cpu And use thermal grease if you have it, but don't pay a lot for it or find it at a local store.  It will help, especially with a generic HSF on an AMD cpu.

I've been using AMD cpu's and love them, but the cooling must be paid attention to.  Most generic bargain heat sink/fans do an adequate job at best, so make sure heat and ventilation in your cabinet is not an issue.  if you need better cooling, most upgrades will result in a louder system, but I have found a few very good options that aren't too expensive to get good quiet cooling at a low cost.  Ask me later if you need the link.  You won't find it in anyone's combo deal.

What is that "System Case Fan"?  If it's just a normal case fan, it seems pretty expensive.  Normal 3 or 4" case fans can be found for a third of that price.

I have no experience with ECS boards, but you might spend some time looking at www.amdmb.com and look through their ECS forum.  If you see a lot of those people having issues with a specific mobo, or see what mobo people seem to like...etc.  They've helped me a lot over the years.

Now is a very good time to buy memory, if you have the cash, and whether or not you need it.  512 MB of PC2100 is averaging $50-$60, compared to the $100 it was earlier this year.  Even the better grades of Mushkin and Crucial are dropping, less than $100 now, compared to over $150 in January.

[Xphile]

what he said, ditch the shim, buy the grease...it fills imperfections in both mating metal surfaces...conducts heat *much* better. (unless of course you HSF has the white tape looking thing stuck to it, then you don't ned the grease between the HSF and the CPU the tape-looking peice melt and does it for you....)

[rhd]

I built an AMD 1700+ for my system and the CPU fan came with the thermal grease already installed. It had a little protective sheet that you peel off with the grease under it. It was a Speeze fan.

I also added a 120mm stealth-fan from FrozenCPU to my cab and have been happy with it. Its very quiet. I left the side off of the mid-tower case and just use the CPU fan, power supply fan, and the 120mm...the system hasn't had any overheating problems even though the cab is sealed.

Rob

[rampy]

I've *heard* that ECS  aren't very good mobo's... i've *heard* that gigabyte and shuttle are better brands in the the el cheapo mobo department...

(ok I confess Sirp said it...)

rampy

[radiator]

you MUST get thermal compound (grease) - I'd never run an AMD system without it...temps get stupidly high with AMD cpu's, and without the grease you could end up frying yer processor!

(My main computer is only an Athlon 1.2Ghz, yet it's running at about 48

[SirPoonga]

I've *heard* that ECS  aren't very good mobo's... i've *heard* that gigabyte and shuttle are better brands in the the el cheapo mobo department...

(ok I confess Sirp said it...)

rampy

Yeah, PC Chips and ECS suck.  I know many people who had to cash in on the warranty after 3 months.

My shuttle board form my AMD 5x86/133 is still workign fine:)

[Homebrew]

I agree about the ECS boards being crap.  I bought a k7s5a to complete a system made from spare parts(had everything but an extra board).  I wasn't expecting much from a $50 board, and i was still a little dissapointed. Its very tempermental.  Epox boards are an excellent balance between affordability/performance.   If the CPU is a thoroughbred XP, then you'll get some slack on the heat issue. Thorougbred CPU's typically run 7-10 degrees cooler than the palamino based XP CPU's.  Still want to get decent cooler though.  $14.25 is ridiculous for a case fan.  That shouldn't be more than $5 tops.  As far as thermal compound (Grease), it can be drop the temps about 2-3 degrees.  I'd recommend Arctic Silver 3.  Be warned, its expensive for what you're getting.  Unlike other's, i don't think it's a must, but its definetly good to have.  You have to be carefull where you put it though when you use arctic silver and some others.  If you get them on bridges or contacts, they can fry the cpu.  I've done it once myself.  Food for thought.

-Kevin

[BombProofPlane]

ive got an ecs it works fine 2000+ amd cpu

could be an exception though cause it did get a good review from toms hardware (best hardware site)

[Xphile]

(best hardware site)

agreed!

link:
sysdoc.pair.com