Buying myself a new system for Christmas

[krevo]

Well, I've been outta the hardware loop now for about 2 years. The last time I upgraded...was early 2003.


Anyways, I"m currently running an ECS K7S5A board paired with an AXP 1500+ oc'd to 2000+ @ 1.6ghz. I've got 512mb of PC-2100 and a REALLY bad Geforce 2 GTS.


I need input on a full system minus speakers, keyboard/mouse, and LCD.


Why should I go to SATA? Can I boot from SATA drives?

How much memory and what brands are best for oc'ing?

Give me some mobo/proc combos for Intel and AMD setups.

Also, what video card is really worth 300 bucks or so?


I'm looking to spend roughly 700-1000 dollars, but I'd like the focus to be good CPU/mobo and video card combo. I'll probably save up for some expensive Corsair XMS DDR400.



How any cases that you guys know of that will except Koolance standard external water setup?

One last thing...any current cases on the market that offer a 120mm intake + 120 mm exhaust other than Antec's Super Lanboy?


Please help a really out of date brother get back onto the playing field. Thanks in advance!!!🙂

 

[PCHPlayer]

What are you going to use it for?

 

[krevo]

I'd like to be able to play some of the latest games, not necessarily in ridiculous resolutions, but just overall smooth playability (graphics)

I'd like to be able to overclock it as well. I guess you could say a good all around system (browsing, apps, etc) but one that will be able to handle some of the lastest games at reasonable resolutions. For instance, I couldn't even play Doom III on my current setup without lots of skipping and really bad brightness. Looked terrible.

 

[imported_NoGodForMe]

The best idea is to read system building guides on various sites.
And lurk these message boards for a couple weeks.
After a while, a pattern will appear on what everyone is buying.
Plus we need to know if you are doing any photo work, because Intel is better for that, but AMD is the best for pure gaming.
Price components on www.newegg.com, make a list, and then order the parts.
You'll see many threads of people asking what to buy and comment on what they have picked.
In your case, you haven't picked anything, and we don't know how much you want to spend.
The systems in my sig are fairly high tech, each one was 3k to build.
If you wanna see a web site of my latest system, go here. It's kinda long, and you probably woudn't need water cooling, but you can look at what I've done.
http://www.nogodforme.com/MyBabyTera.htm

 

[krevo]

I mentioned above that I'd like it to be between 700-1000 dollars.


Also, I will most definately be going with and AMD 64 of some sort.



I was thinking nforce 3 250 w/ AMD 64 "Newcastle" @ 1.8....512 of Corsair DDR400, 80gb WD, and then probably a 6800gt....



Sound pretty reasonable?

 

[Regs]

Originally posted by: krevo
I mentioned above that I'd like it to be between 700-1000 dollars.


Also, I will most definately be going with and AMD 64 of some sort.



I was thinking nforce 3 250 w/ AMD 64 "Newcastle" @ 1.8....512 of Corsair DDR400, 80gb WD, and then probably a 6800gt....



Sound pretty reasonable?

Very. Even though the GT is 400 dollars and not 300. May I also say you would be better off getting Geil or OCz 2.5Cas PC3500 value ram for OC'ing than messing with expensive XMS PC3200. Timings mean diddly on a A64.

You have no reason to go to SATA. The transfer interface has very little to do with a hard drives performance.

 

[krevo]

I also forgot to mention that I'm a hardware wholesaler, and have just begun building entry level systems for business' based solely on the Sempron.


I've not done any upgrading for myself in a while, and now that I have my wholesale account setup, a 6800GT wouldn't run me over 310 dollars.

 

[krevo]

BTT


Any other input guys?