advice?

[kuester01]

Hello folks,

Long time lurker, first time poster

I will get about 250-300 worth of parts this year for Christmas and I am asking for your advice on the path I should choose. I know its a long ways off yet as far as cpu parts, but the wife "needs" the list now.

I was seriously thinking that socket 939 AMD 3000+ from ZZF, but what MB? Should I upgrade my ram before I build this?

Damn , I just bought my video card and was hoping it go at least a year, but if I am upgrading , Id like to goto to PCI express.

My current system specs

P4 2.4 @ 2.66
Asus P4PE
BFG 6800 GT OC w/ Artic cooler
1 gig PC 2700 Crucial low end ram
Antec True power 380 PS
Onboard sound

I know I can get into the AMD 64, but will it be that much of an increase over what I am running?

Another thing to consider, come tax time I get 500 for my system and I already have damn nice speakers and monitor, so Im lookin purly at performance.


Bah I wish I had more money!!



Help would be appreciated on this topic, thanks

Jamie

 

[imported_Computer MAn]

I would get some pc3200 or higher ram and a socket 939 3000+ and then overclock. The early reports on this chips are 2.5-2.6 ghz on air. And then keep the 6800 you have. PCI-E wont be needed for at least a year.

 

[gamekid]

Originally posted by: Computer MAn
I would get some pc3200 or higher ram and a socket 939 3000+ and then overclock. The early reports on this chips are 2.5-2.6 ghz on air. And then keep the 6800 you have. PCI-E wont be needed for at least a year.

...what he said

 

[kuester01]

OK,

But what motherboard?



Jamie

 

[gamekid]

i think the MSI neo2 platinum is great but some people have issues with MSI

 

[moretoys]

As I understand it, you may need a more powerful power supply to overclock the AMD 64 to the max. You have a good ps there, which may work fine, just thought I'd mention it based on info I have seen they were looking at over 400 watts. Could be a later upgrade if needed...
Check some reviews for improvement, I would expect a good improvement in gaming without OC, and a significant improvement with OC.
Sell some of your old parts to get better ram more suited for OC. Check out the last OC system recommendation.

Good Luck! (or have fun is more like it)