my shopping list

[hndsmpete]

Hey guys, new to the forums and i need some of your guys thoughts on my new computer. Im lookin at mostly gaming style rig, do listen to some music and such but im not doing any heavy video stuff...
Asus A8N SLI Nforce 4 deluxe
AMD 64 xp4600
OCZ Gold GX 2GB DDR 500 PC 4000
Leadtek 7800gtx
Antec TruePower 2.0 550W
CoolerMaster Centurion Case


or Same psu, case, video card plus

Intel 3.4ghz dual core
ASUS P5N32-SLI Deluxe
and some ddr2 ram, dunno what kind...im trying to keep it under 1500 if possible... Here are some questions
If i go with the amd is it cool to use stock cooling or what, im a wimp when it comes to trying to use artic silver and stuff for the fear messing something up. Also i have a seagate wd 120 7200rpm drive...is it cool to use this or should i get a new one?

 

[atybimf]

I'd go with the AMD setup, especially for gaming.

 

[hndsmpete]

oh i forgot id like this to last 3 years or so also so id rather spend the money up front and have a good system now....i may over clock so i assume i need a better fan and such?

 

[Twsmit]

I would opt for the Asus SLI platinum board, it has passive cooling and will be more durable. For the CPU go for an X2 or Opteron with 1MB cache. Since you want this to last 3 years and *may OC* get a cheaper CPU but one with more cache. The ram is great ram, but its unnecissary, go with some nice value ram 2GB, heck even some with some nice heatspreaders. If you want some OC headroom there is some G SKill HZ ram that is abound $50 cheaper, and many other brands of PC4000 that are cheaper. The graphics card is good, but I would personally wait about 3 weeks and see what the 7900GT and GTX hold. They will be similar to the 7800's but are worth the wait if your future proofing your system. Also might mean a price drop for the 7800's.

 

[robertk2012]

Other than recomending a dfi board I agree with the poster above me.

 

[hndsmpete]

what is the expected price range for the 7900's, i dont want to spend a grip of money on video cards, because they go out of date so quick its out of control...also i have heard good things about this cpu, i prolly wont oc it...

 

[atybimf]

Originally posted by: hndsmpete
what is the expected price range for the 7900's, i dont want to spend a grip of money on video cards, because they go out of date so quick its out of control...also i have heard good things about this cpu, i prolly wont oc it...

I'm hearing $300 for the 7900GT, $400 for the 7800GTX 512MB, and $500 for the 7900GTX 512 MB.

 

[robertk2012]

Thats the rumbling I hear too.

 

[hndsmpete]

whats better about the dfi mobo, and i prolly wont overclock, because im just going to use stock cooling...

 

[robertk2012]

Let me make a recommended system for you.
Opty 165 Overclocking is easy. Stock HSF is good for quite a bit. $300 Maybe cheaper
DFI Infinity $70
evga 7800 GT you can then step up to the 7900 $270
RAM 2 GB value ram $150
Antec True Power 2 $75
Total $865

Thats would be 865 a case and shipping

You didnt mention anything about optical drives? Get an NEC burner if you need one for $40 or so. Your still in well under $1000

 

[hndsmpete]

now there is a kink in my plan...my buddy wants to sell me his fx-60 for 700 bucks its new in box....is it a good deal, im trying to get this narrowed down...would that be a processor that would stay current for a while

 

[SpeedZealot369]

it would, but even at $700 its not worth it. get a duel core opteron and your set, or even the cheaper athlon duel cores. both of those should oc to and probably past a fx60.

 

[t3h l337 n3wb]

Enermax Liberty 500W FTW! And if you're not overclocking, there's no point in getting DDR500 RAM...

 

[robertk2012]

Originally posted by: t3h l337 n3wb
Enermax Liberty 500W FTW! And if you're not overclocking, there's no point in getting DDR500 RAM...

No point anyways.