Help with a new system

[hailtothekang]

Hi,

My faithful k6-2 rig just bit the dust. Poor ole fella just couldn't handle today's software *sniff*
Anyway I need help choosing components for my new build. Doesn't have to be top of the line
but I would like to be able to soup it up down the road. I'm just a little confused as to which path I should take. With 64-bit computing just around the corner, ( or here if you're a linux user) I was thinking athlon-64, but it looks like thats gonna hit a dead end. I'm not sure what to do. Any suggestions?

Thanks for your time.

 

[jpeyton]

What is going to be it's primary function? Secondary?

What's your budget?

Any parts you are keeping? Need a monitor, keyboard, mouse?

 

[hailtothekang]

Its a family PC, my wife uses it for editing photos/videos/music. I'm a gamer 😀, and my daughter uses it for preschool educational software. Budget's around $1000

(forgot to add) I wont be needing a monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers, or printer/scanner.

Thanks a bunch.

 

[hailtothekang]

anybody?

 

[DaveSimmons]

Read a few of the "$900" and other threads, you probably want something like:
- A64 3000+ or 3200+
- nvidia fx 6800 GT (under $350 in Hot Deals)
- 512 MB RAM (1GB if budget permits)
- Samsung 120 - 160 GB hard drive with 3-year warranty
- Antec sonata case

 

[hailtothekang]

Gotcha. Thanks for your time.

 

[nick1985]

vid card $294

Case $99

CD Burner $30

Heatsink $30

Hard Drive $88.50

RAM *2 = $158

Motherboard $88

CPU $211

$998.50


hows that look for ya?

if you want you can go over-budget by $100 and get the 6800GT or the X800pro. its up to you.

 

[nippyjun]

I'd get:

an athlon 64 2800 chip $185 (you can upgrade to a 3700 when they drop in price)

A64 mobo w/ built in sound and nic $120

512 memory (get another 512 in the future) $100

100+ gig SATA or IDE hard drive $100

DVD burner $80

geforce 6800 gt vid card $400

Case w/ PS $120 (try for a 480watt power supply)

Total: $1105 (i think you can get it closer to $1000 if you shop around a bit)

 

[DaveSimmons]

Originally posted by: nick1985
vid card $294

Case $99

CD Burner $30

Heatsink $30

Hard Drive $88.50

RAM *2 = $158

Motherboard $88

CPU $211

$998.50


hows that look for ya?

if you want you can go over-budget by $100 and get the 6800GT or the X800pro. its up to you.

Nice job! that should play Doom3 at 1280x1024 with all eye candy on. For 1600x1200 spending a bit more for a 6800 GT and possibly an A64 3200+ is a good idea.

 

[hailtothekang]

Thanks guys! Awesome suggestions. Buying new hardware can be a scary thing. For me, anyway 😀. I apreciate everyone's input.

 

[jpeyton]

Originally posted by: nick1985
vid card $294

Case $99

CD Burner $30

Heatsink $30

Hard Drive $88.50

RAM *2 = $158

Motherboard $88

CPU $211

$998.50


hows that look for ya?

if you want you can go over-budget by $100 and get the 6800GT or the X800pro. its up to you.

Good picks.

I'd skip Starbucks for a couple mornings and spend the extra $6 on a 160GB Hitachi drive, but that's about it.

 

[hailtothekang]

Thanks to all who responded. The advice is much appreciated.

One last thing:

What kind of psu should I be looking for? Any brand to steer away from?

I've been looking at an Enermax 470, an Antec 480, and a Fortron 530.

 

[nick1985]

Originally posted by: hailtothekang
Thanks to all who responded. The advice is much appreciated.

One last thing:

What kind of psu should I be looking for? Any brand to steer away from?

I've been looking at an Enermax 470, an Antec 480, and a Fortron 530.

anyone of those is fine IMO.

 

[AdamRader]

First of those two PSU choices would probably be the best bet. I'm an Antec junkie myself, and have always had solid rigs thanks to Antec.