Building/Buying a new PC

[otteridiz]

OK, I am building/buying a new PC. I am looking at two configurations, but am not sure what the better option is. Mostly I need to know what video card would be best for each system, but I also need help deciding which system is an overall better choice. I am getting a Media Center, but also want to use the system for gaming, and will definitely be playing Doom3 and Half Life 2. But I am not a huge "gamer"...yet!!!

(Any configs not mentioned I have under control, and really aren't necessary for my question)

Config 1
AMD Athlon 64 3400+ (2.4Ghz?)
1600MHz Frontside Bus
1 GB DDR / PC3200
200GB 7200 rpm SATA Hard Drive
8x AGP - Video Card?????
OS: Windows Media Center 2005


Config 2
Intel Pentium 4 - 550 3.4GHz
800MHz Frontside Bus
1 GB DDR / PC3200
200GB 7200 rpm SATA Hard Drive
16x PCI Express - x600 pro????
OS: Windows Media Center 2005

Current Monitor: 19" LCD ViewSonic 930va

I would like to get an Athlon with PCI-Express, but that config seems to be harder to come by???

Thanks for the help!

 

[Mrvile]

Everyone will choose AMD.

Anyway, I would get a 3500+ Winchester socket 939 instead of the 3400, which is 754. The 3500+ runs at 2.2ghz, but is better and has a much better upgradeability than the 754.

Video card - depends on your budget. Geforce 6800NU - 260 bucks, Geforce 6800GT - 400 bucks, Radeon X800XT - 500+ (as of right now) bucks.

 

[Rhin0]

No reason to even waste your time with the Intel. Get the best video card you can afford. I'd recommend the 6800 Ultra from ASUS

 

[Mrvile]

The 6800Ultra runs Doom3 better, the X800XT runs Halflife2 better. Your choice, right now they both cost about the same.

 

[Rike]

Originally posted by: Mrvile
The 6800Ultra runs Doom3 better, the X800XT runs Halflife2 better. Your choice, right now they both cost about the same.

True, but the difference between the two is:
HL2 X800XT > 6800Ultra
D3 6800Ultra >>>X800XT

I'd stay Nvidia for now. If Source becomes a more popular engine for other games, the advantage would shift to ATI.

Also, many PCIe cards are difficult to impossible to find right now. The only exception seems to be the mid-range cards (6600GT and x700). I expect the release of nForce 4 boards (especially SLI) will temporarily jack Nvidia PCIe cards up if supply is tight at all.

 

[KamiXkaze]

yep hate too say it, but there right AMD. The only thing left is video cards Nividia or ATI.

 

[LouPoir]

Well - I would prefer the P4 - but good luck finding a decent PCIe video card at a reasonable price.

 

[otteridiz]

Is the 3500+ socket 939 definitely the way to go? I guess my goal is to try and get a PC that will last me about 4 years, but only spend between $1500 and $1700 dollars. (or maybe I should just splurge??)

Should I wait for the mobos with Athlon and PCI express to hit the mainstream world?

http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/article/1746/

I hate making decisions!!!