A motherboard decision.

[mers]

Hi,

I'm selecting parts to build a good video editing and gaming PC for my cousin. The former requirement, and the need to build a machine that's somewhat future proof has led me to the following specs...

Processor: AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ (Socket 939)
Memory: 2GB Kingston PC3200
Disk: 320GB Western Digital 8MB Cache 7200RPM SATA

The problem is the gaming requirement. I'm trying to work under a budget, and getting an ATI X1800XT or GeForce 7800 is just not feasible right now. He has an existing Radeon 9600 I can use, but it's AGP. If I want to get a PCIe motherboard, I'd have to buy something like a ATI X1300 Pro or a GeForce 6600GT, which are already showing their age.

So here's the question. Given all the talk about SLI and Crossfire, and given the likelihood that he will be able to afford a decent PCIe graphics card in a year's time, should I just buy a simple AGP board for now? And get a better motherboard and video card in a year when he can afford them, and when SLI and Crossfire are more mature? I'm worried that a good board that supports 939 and PC3200 memory will be hard to find in a year, with the advent of AM2.

Any opinions and suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks,
mers

 

[nycdude]

I think that going straight to a pci-e MB is the way to go whether it be AMD or Intel when Conroe comes out. I have a Neo2 board now but I am also transitioning to a pci-e Neo4 board since there are many more choices in the video card department. With the Neo2, I have an Opteron 165 oc to 2.5 in there so it plays a majority of the current games pretty smooth at medium settings with exception of Oblivion which is a massive requirement hog.

I have no complaints either way since I am never current with the bleeding video card cycle although the AGP cycle is pretty much at the end. I can't justify spending $350 and up for the current high end crop of video cards but that is just me so I usually downgrade to a generation before.

btw, I don't think htere will be a shortage of 939 boards or pc3200 memory. Just wait for all the early adopters to sell their current gear for an Intel Conroe setup, which is suppose to be the bomb, and get it on the cheap. 😉