need advice on new comp

[gunbounder]

Getting a new comp, but can't decide between Athlon or P4. I'll be mostly using the comp for gaming, movies, music and the sort. I'm going to get a ATI Radeon 9600 Pro AGP 128MB DDR w/ TV-Out & DVI, Logitech Z560 4.1 Computer Speakers (5-Speaker, Black), LiteOn LTC-48161H 48x24x48x16 Combo CD-RW/DVD, and the rest are still under decision. Money wise, I'm thinking about spending roughly $800-$900 for the comp box alone, not including monitor, speakers, and such. Any advice about what cpu and mobo to get is appreciated. I thought about the Athlon XP 2700+ and the Asus A7N8X deluxe, but if I can get better within a reasonable price, I'll take it.

Thanks

 

[ZL1]

Originally posted by: gunbounder
Getting a new comp, but can't decide between Athlon or P4. I'll be mostly using the comp for gaming, movies, music and the sort. I'm going to get a ATI Radeon 9600 Pro AGP 128MB DDR w/ TV-Out & DVI, Logitech Z560 4.1 Computer Speakers (5-Speaker, Black), LiteOn LTC-48161H 48x24x48x16 Combo CD-RW/DVD, and the rest are still under decision. Money wise, I'm thinking about spending roughly $800-$900 for the comp box alone, not including monitor, speakers, and such. Any advice about what cpu and mobo to get is appreciated. I thought about the Athlon XP 2700+ and the Asus A7N8X deluxe, but if I can get better within a reasonable price, I'll take it.

Thanks

P4 2.6 - 3.0 and an Asus P4P800


D

 

[JimRaynor]

Both setups are going to give you similar performance. The AMD rig might save you a few bucks, which might allow you to reallocate that somewhere else i.e better vid card/more ram. It's up to you.

 

[gunbounder]

Which will withstand the test of time longer, the AMD XP 2700+ or a P4 2.8ghz? I don't plan on upgrading processor for mobo for a long time. AMD 64 is a too expensive or else I'd go with that.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Originally posted by: gunbounder
Which will withstand the test of time longer, the AMD XP 2700+ or a P4 2.8ghz? I don't plan on upgrading processor for mobo for a long time. AMD 64 is a too expensive or else I'd go with that.

For gaming, and based on all the benches I've read, a P4 2.4C is roughly an XP 2700+, a 2.8C equals a 3200+.

(edit) and for AMD fanatics: yes I know an A64 3200+ finally uses an honest PR rating and really does match a P4 3.2C.

 

[CombatChuk]

I'd Probably go for a Athlon 2500+. The board that you have chose will be ideal for overclocking. The CPU runs for about $90, and according to most people here on the forums, it overclocks to 3200+ (2.2 GHz) speeds easily. You could also use the money saved on the CPU to upgrade the video to a 9700/5900, that'll probably give you the biggest boost.

 

[thunderhorse]

Either one is fine. Try to get up to 1GB of ram, you'll be happier. I use an Asus A7V8X-X board with a XP 2800 myself. I chose this board because I have noticed that with the A7N8X board, some people are having problems with the audio drivers ( check www.nforcershq.com ). I've kept an eye on this site and it seems to me that they are having to change to different drivers when they change games. I have no problem with the built in sound on my board. If i did, I'd just get a sound card. I'm a gamer and I play all the latest, Unreal 2, all the MOH, Halo, Call of Duty, RTCW, ect. I'm not an oveclocker any more, I'm just like you, I build what will last me a year or two. Keep checking different sites untill your satisified with your choices. Happy building.

 

[Cornel]

DFI LanParty NF2, Barton 2500+, 1G Corsair XMS PC 3200.
And don't listen to these guys about another video card... If you don't plan on playing games on 1600x1200, the 9600Pro will do just fine

 

[DaveSimmons]

Originally posted by: Cornel
DFI LanParty NF2, Barton 2500+, 1G Corsair XMS PC 3200.
And don't listen to these guys about another video card... If you don't plan on playing games on 1600x1200, the 9600Pro will do just fine

Don't pay extra for PC3200 for unless you plan to overclock.

And if you look at recent benchmarks, the 9600 Pro is a great card but is starting to struggle to run even at 1024x768 resolution in Max Payne2, Halo, others, so a 9700 Pro or 9800 non-pro would be more future-proof. Of course they cost $50-100 more so if you don't mind 800x600 for some games then get the 9600 pro.

 

[gunbounder]

Thanks for all the advice guys, now the next tidbit I'm debating over is a nice case... I've narrowed down to the X-SONIC Black ATX Aluminum Mid Tower Case, Kingwin KT-424 Black Server Case, and the Lian Li PC-65B Case... As you can gather, I'm looking for a black, aluminum case with a side window. I've heard good things about all these cases although the lian li is a bit pricier than the other two. Is it worth the extra $$? (it's like $130 and the other two are like $60-$90) I was also wondering if going with an aluminum case is that much better than a steal one. Any advice on cases in general is good too.

 

[tooltime]

if you like a black case the antec sonata is really nice with a top notch PSU, really quiet too

mmm