Help on my 1k Budget Opinions

[DPOverLord]

I posted about a month ago on suggestions for a new system I was considering, I finally have 1k squared away for a system and was looking for your input on what you guys think.
Info:
I plan on building the computer myself. I have built all of my computers my case is a Lian Li PC70 custom mod all fans are temp controlled.
http://www.rit.edu/~jnm6650/DaRig/lrg_1274.jpg
http://www.rit.edu/~jnm6650/DaRig/lrg_1277.jpg
( I bought this 4 yrs ago)

This computer will be a gaming computer, I mainly play WoW, and would like to be able to play HL-2, and doom3. I am using a 22" Iiyama monitor, and I have a razor mouse, keyboard, speakers all squared away. My speakers are digital. I am currently using my room mates lap top which is an old dell, and only gets 20-30fps with all the settings in wow at there lowest. I am told that I am really missing out and I REALLY wish to get some good performance. I also have 4 160GB PATA maxtor drives that I want to transfer the information over since I heard that they would not be compatable. Here is some of the info:

Hard drive: 1-2 Seagate ST3300831A 300GB SATA ( I have 4 160GB PATA's, trying to convert them to SATA)

CPU: 3200 Venice ? For the price it seems the best option, also with its ability to O/C is The San Diego the same thing?

RAM: 1GB CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDram DDR 400 (PC 3200) Unbuffered Dual Channel Kit System Memory Model VS1GBKIT400 - Retail (CAS 2.5)

MOBO: DFI Lan-Party Ultra. I was confused if this would be the best choice due to it being pick on ram.

Vid Card: x800XL or 6800GT(300$) I really do not want to spend more than that on a video card

Psuppy: OCZ Power Stream 510
Burner: Plextor 716a


My problem is the following, I heard that the ram may not work with the mobo. I also heard that Video cards are being updated in June-July. I was told about a certain video card that be unlocked to 16 pipelines at a much lower cost( I forgot the name) and I was not sure how true this was.
I am not 100% certain I will be o/cing, if the price/performace ration is high enough I will most likely do that for this system when it becomes sluggish. I would like this to last quite awhile I do not want to go over 1 thousand dollars. I value all of your input greatly, I was originally going to wait till June-july. But I just dont see how this makes sense anymore if prices will not be lowered by that much. Please tell me what you think!

Jonathan

 

[Chosonman]

I bought a system in December for $1000. I could buy the same system for $700 now.

Prices are always going down for current parts. Otherwise your system looks great.

 

[DPOverLord]

What do you think of the combo of ram / mobo? The x800xl is 100$ cheaper, do you feel that prices will really change that much in the next 1-2 months?

 

[imported_Kensai]

Go XL, it's a good card for the price.

 

[DPOverLord]

I saw prices ranging from 220(3 months ago) -300+ Pricewatch has one for 269$ - Connect3D - ATI RADEON X800 XL 256MB I do not know much about this card though. What about the ram though?

 

[DPOverLord]

bump

 

[fierydemise]

don't get an SLI MB if your not going SLI its a waste of money I'd grab the NF4 Ultra DFI MB its basically the same thing only without SLI capability

 

[CreativeTom]

I think maybe for PSU check out maybe an Antec true power 430W, I don't think you need to go crazy with one for now since you aren't buying a SLI board right now. I think the best card for you out there with what you are looking for is the x800xl, you can get them for right about $300. I think I actually saw a Radeon for like $269 after rebate, and that is one to get for that price....let me see if I can find the link.

Edit:Couldn't find the one I saw, but I found plenty for under $300, some real nice cards too. I don't think you will see much more of a price drop for quite a while, probably not until the next gen ATI core comes out.

 

[DPOverLord]

I appreciate the info. I checked around for second hand and saw I could get a BFG 6800Gt with the nv silencer 5 for around 300$ or a dell x800XT PCI for 335$ What do you guys think about those prices? The one downside I see is that the warranty may not be sufficient. I called BFG and they said as long as you can get a sales receipt they will accept the Warranty. I figure I would probably have to take the silencer off though. I REALLY appreciate your input guys! Tell me what ya think

 

[knothead34]

if you go dfi nforce4 you have to get a power supply at leas 480watts. with a native 24 pin power cord no exceptions. ram for that board some are using mushkin and some are using ocz and various others except some are having little problems with corsair. if you have questions about dfi board head on over to dfi-street.com. all the info you need on that board is there.

 

[fierydemise]

I would grab a FSP bluestorm, OCZ modstream or Seasonic S12 for the PSU all of those are high quality. Also an knothead mentioned DFI boards have some issues with corsair you'd be better off getting a different MB in my opinion (MSI's NF4 Ultra board is great I hear) if you want to use corsair value select ram.

 

[DPOverLord]

update

 

[DPOverLord]

bump