How's this for a budget gaming rig?

[Hyun]

I was going to replace only the video card on my current Athlon XP 2500+ setup, but decided to go for a new system. How's this setup for value/budget gaming?

Athlon 64 3000+ Venice
Soltek SL-K8TPro-939
Corsair ValueSelect 1GB (2 x 512MB) DDR400
Leadtek A6600 6600GT 128MB (EDITED: changed from Sapphire Radeon 9800PRO 128MB)
Seagate Barracuda 200GB SATA150 HDD
Antec SLK1650B case with 350W PS

$752.10 shipped (INCLUDING $49 sales tax in CA!)

I already have OS and optical drive from my old system.

Comments are much appreciated!

 

[biostud]

:thumbsup:

 

[redtip]

Thats actually a pretty good system for the price. I would have bit the bullet and shelled out a couple of more dollars and got an x800pro or 6600gt.

 

[Muscles]

I agree with redtip 100%. It's flat out stupid to get an old 9800 pro when you can get a 6600GT that's better for about the same price!

Other than that everything else looks good.

 

[Hyun]

Well, that Sapphire 9800 Pro card is $124. The cheapest 6600GT card at NewEgg is $158. X800Pro cards start at $245!!

I could consider the 6600GT for $34 more, but then I start playing head games... "hmm, only $40 more for 3200 Venice..." Gotta draw the line somewhere!

Is the 9800 Pro that much of a dog compared to the 6600GT?

 

[Trey22]

They basically benchmark the same. 6600GT & overclock it.

 

[imported_Starman]

Not a bad system. You can always throw out the cheap-o RAM later on and upgrade to an X2 CPU when prices fall. Meanwhile, enjoy a gaming boost.

* wait, you don't OWN the 9800 Pro already?! Eww, then don't buy one now. Consider at least a 6600GT.

 

[classy]

Nice system, but I would just be patient a little longer. I think if you could hold out for another few weeks, you'll have better choices be available. There is some really interesting boards coming out and there is likely to be a price cut on cpus as well. I would sit tight for a lil bit. But you did a very fine job, I don't like that board, when you can get a NF4 board for same price. But it is fine just as it is.

 

[imported_Starman]

Originally posted by: classy
I think if you could hold out for another few weeks, you'll have better choices be available. There is some really interesting boards coming out.

What boards are you referring to?

 

[Hyun]

OK, I just changed the video card from 9800 Pro to 6600GT, based on comments here and also the review on Anandtech. Thanks.

 

[classy]

Originally posted by: Starman

Originally posted by: classy
I think if you could hold out for another few weeks, you'll have better choices be available. There is some really interesting boards coming out.

What boards are you referring to?

Radeon boards, Some nF4 and 3 boards by various companies. While he is going budget, some of the nicer stuff will probably go down in price. He may be able to stretch his dollar a lil farther.

 

[imported_Starman]

Ahh, cool. Thanks. I think I'll wait and see what boards come out before building a new PC. After all, I am waiting on the X2 anyway

 

[ryanv12]

If you're going to buy a new graphics card, get a PCI-Express motherboard. This way, when you go to upgarde later on, you can not only drop a dual core processor in there but you can also get a new graphics card without having to swap out any other components.

 

[Hyun]

Thanks for all the replies, guys. In the end I decided to hold off on the new rig and ordered just the video card to get some gaming improvements. I got Leadtek A6600 6600GT card for $151 AR from NewEgg.

So, my current computer will look like this in a couple of days time:

Athlon XP 2500+ Barton
Asus A7N8X Deluxe
Corsair 1GB (2 x 512MB) XMS PC3200
Maxtor SATA 120GB boot
Leadtek 6600GT 128MB

I figure it'll hold me over for a year or so before I really feel the need to upgrade the CPU/mobo...

Thanks again for all the help and suggestions.