Just Finalized my NewEgg order!!!

[beatmix01]

So here it is, I finally took the plunge and decided to upgrade. I know its not the TOP 'o the line, but for what I plan on doing it will more than suffice.

Thermaltake VA 3000 Tsunami Dream Tower
Thermaltake Silent Purepower 420W PS
MSI K8 Neo Platinum
AMD 64 3400+ w/ 1MB L2
Corsair Value Select 1GB (512x2) PC-3200 CAS 2.5 (w/Heatspreaders)
2 Hitachi 80GB SATA 7200 8MB Cache
NEC DVD+/-RW Dual Layer
Rosewill CDRW/DVD Combo
Sapphire ATI Radeon 9600XT w/128 MB

and of course my free NewEgg silver pen.

Should be hot!

 

[RagingBITCH]

9600? Boooo!! Why not spend the extra little $$ and go for the 9800? You'll be much happer in the long run at that price range.

 

[beatmix01]

the price difference was not worth it to me. I am far more concerned with 2D performance than 3D since I dont do much gaming at all. If any for that matter.

 

[RadioHead84]

i just ordered too!

3500 AMD 64
Asus Wifi 939
NEC Dual Layer
Nec 19" Monitor
6800GT
1G XMS PC3200
XP Pro
160GB WD SATA
SB ZS GAMER
...!

 

[Confused]

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
9600? Boooo!! Why not spend the extra little $$ and go for the 9800? You'll be much happer in the long run at that price range.

Get rid of the CDRW/DVD combo and get the 9800 Pro, it will serve you MUCH better than the extra CDRW drive will


Confused

 

[RagingBITCH]

Why the 9600 over the 5xxx series then?

 

[beatmix01]

I did not want to go over my 150 price on the video card. I decided to go with the extra drive because the 2nd CDRW drive burns CDs at 52x where the DVD drive only burns at 32x. Since I work with digital media and I am constant burning, the faster burn times to me is a greater benefit.

 

[imported_ZIG]

Nice rig! I like the case...

New Egg is a great store - reliable shipping that's what counts. I did a similar upgrade recently. I used an Intel based MSI board and a Kingwin KT-424-BK-WM great case with a very clean look. Here's some tips:

* Swap out any internal fans with LED ones using a uniform color of your choice - cheap mod that will look good but not overly ricey...

* If you're into UV, change your fan grills and molex plugs, again uniform color with the fans. Cheap, easy, and classy lookin...

* I used the Vantec Nexus fan/light controller (NXP-305) - awesome kit for $30 it fits into the 3.5" bay and controls 3 fans plus two cold cathode lights which are included.

* Upgrading your MSI board's BIOS is a must, but use the forums at MSI's website to research your upgrades carefully before making a move - some revisions are great yet others can cause problems - sometimes this even depends on your specific riggins (RAM, Video, settings, etc).

* Upgrade your CPU cooling if you plan on overclocking. (Zalman products are the best and look cool too)

-ZIG

 

[lrmat]

i too am building a rig similar to yours:

Cool Master Wavemaster (either the blue or black)
Thermaltake Silent Purepower 480W PS
MSI K8 Neo Platinum
AMD 64 3400+ w/ 512
Corsair Value Select 1GB (512x2) PC-3200 CAS 2.5 (w/Heatspreaders) (originally going to build sff and use xms, was told not necessary)
2 Maxtor 200GB SATA 7200 8MB Cache
NEC DVD+/-RW Dual Layer
ATI Radeon X800 w/256 MB

 

[DarkKnight]

Originally posted by: RadioHead84
i just ordered too!

3500 AMD 64
Asus Wifi 939
NEC Dual Layer
Nec 19" Monitor
6800GT
1G XMS PC3200
XP Pro
160GB WD SATA
SB ZS GAMER
...!

did u get the ZS Gamer from newegg? cause its on sale at compusa for 79.99 AR and $20 off.

 

[Chopstick217]

Originally posted by: beatmix01
I did not want to go over my 150 price on the video card. I decided to go with the extra drive because the 2nd CDRW drive burns CDs at 52x where the DVD drive only burns at 32x. Since I work with digital media and I am constant burning, the faster burn times to me is a greater benefit.

You can always wait for the Nvidia 6600 and 6600 GTs. They are roughly 150 and 200 dollars. IMO, these two cards will blow away the ATI 9600.