Help with building new system

[sdcrym]

I haven't really kept up with any of this stuff in a while. Here's what I have picked out right now. Let me know what you think. Everything is from newegg.

Processor: AMD Athlon 64 3000+, 512KB L2 Cache 64-bit Processor - Retail $146.00
Motherboard: ASUS "K8N-E Deluxe" NVIDIA nForce3 Chipset Motherboard For AMD Socket 754 CPU -RETAIL $129.00
Memory: 2x Geil Value Dual Channel 184-Pin 512MB DDR PC-3200 - OEM $164.00
Hard Drive: SAMSUNG 120GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive, Model SP1213C, OEM Drive Only $84.00
Optical Drive: Lite-On 16X DVD Dual Drive, Model SOHW-1633S Black, Retail $66.00
Case/Power Supply: ANTEC Solution Series Super Mid Tower Case with 350W Power Supply, Model "SLK3700AMB" - Retail $62.00

I plan to get an ATI Radeon 9500 Pro from my brother for $100 since he just upgraded to the 9800 Pro. I've already got a nice monitor, keyboard, mouse, etc., and I plan to scavenge a floppy drive from an old computer for those rare instances I'll need one.

I would appreciate any advice or comments.

 

[rammstein junkie]

dont buy the 9500pro as the first thing and i would get the dfi lanparty .... cheaper and better performance

 

[ts3433]

IMO, the K8N-E is overpriced when you have things like the MSI K8N Neo Platinum, Chaintech VNF3-250, and DFI Lanparty NF3 250Gb. You can also save a little on the RAM by going with Corsair or Mushkin. Also consider the NEC 3520a DVD burner--it's around the same price but seems to be recommended more frequently at the moment.

As for that 9500 Pro, I don't think it's worth $100. I think just a little bit more will get you a used 9700 Pro. I'd try to get at least a 6600GT, though.

 

[sdcrym]

I still plan to take the video card off of my brother's hands, but maybe at a lower price then. How much do you think the 9500 Pro is worth?

I think I may go with the DFI motherboard.

 

[nick1985]

you are spending to much on RAM...buy the mushkin gig pack for about $130

 

[sdcrym]

Yeah, I was just looking into the RAM. made the switch, thanks.

How much of a benefit will I see from the SATA hard drive? I found a 160 GB for the same price that wasn't SATA.

 

[fireontheway]

Originally posted by: sdcrym
I still plan to take the video card off of my brother's hands, but maybe at a lower price then. How much do you think the 9500 Pro is worth?

I think I may go with the DFI motherboard.

Give him $20 bucks and some loving ...:laugh:

 

[imverygifted]

what are you using the computer for? general applications? gaming? photoshop?

 

[sdcrym]

The reason I'm getting a new computer is that I'm getting an ipod soon, so I'll be ripping all of my CDs. Other than that, mostly general applications, with occasional gaming. I'm not too concerned about getting top of the line, but I want to be able to upgrade without having to replace too many components.

 

[sdcrym]

Here's what I have now:

Processor: AMD Athlon 64 3000+, 512KB L2 Cache 64-bit Processor - Retail $146.00
Motherboard: DFI "LANPARTY UT nF3 250Gb" NVIDIA nForce3 250GB Chipset Motherboard For AMD Socket 754 CPU -RETAIL $109.00
Memory: Mushkin Dual Pack 184-Pin 1GB(512MBx2) DDR PC-3200 - Retail $138.50
Hard Drive: SAMSUNG 160GB 7200RPM IDE Hard Drive, Model SP1604N, OEM Drive Only $81.00
Optical Drive: Lite-On 16X DVD Dual Drive, Model SOHW-1633S Beige, Retail $63.00
Case/Power Supply: ANTEC Solution Series Super Mid Tower Case with 350W Power Supply, Model "SLK3700AMB" - Retail $62.00

I'm hesitant to switch from the LITE-ON DVD burner to the NEC because, although I've heard that the NEC may be a better burner than the LITE-ON, I also heard that the LITE-ON is a better reader. Since I'll probably not be burning very many DVDs, I'm torn on which way to go. Without any more feedback, I'll probably stick with the LITE-ON.

I really appreciate everyone's comments. You've helped me out a lot.

 

[imported_Intelfanboy]

buy a 6800?

 

[sdcrym]

Now that I think about it, I'll try to convince my brother to just let me borrow "his" 9500, and then I'll upgrade in a few months maybe. I use the quotation marks because my girlfriend reminded me that my brother didn't pay for the card. He managed to convince my parents to get him a nice setup for his "schoolwork" when he was in high school, while I was stuck with a crappy laptop in college.

So don't worry, I'll get a better video card in a little while

 

[daniel49]

make sure your dvd burner can do double layer i think that one can but i didn't check it