Need some advice

[fbrdphreak]

Okay, so here's what I had in my rig:
A64 3200+ Newcastle
MSI K8N Neo Plat
BFG 6800GT
2x512MB Corsair DDR400

Well, I decided to sell my 6800GT and replace it with an unlocked 6800nu since I don't game much. I removed the 6800GT with the PSU still switched on and *DOH* the AGP slot doesn't work anymore. I have my unlockable Gigabyte 6800nu in hand and it boots in my gf's desktop. However, since I will have to replace my mobo I'm posed with an interesting dilemma. Please keep in mind I never planned to upgrade from S754 until M2 or later. I would like input on the following choices:

*Buy refurb/used nForce3 board, keep the unlocked 6800nu, keep the 3200+ Newcastle (Make ~$50)
*Buy nForce4 S754 board, sell unlocked 6800nu, buy X800GTO^2 (16 pipelines PCI-E) (Break even, but with PCI-E & better video card for upcoming games)
*Buy nForce4 S939 board, buy A64 3200+ Venice, sell unlocked 6800nu & 3200+ Newcastle, buy X800GTO^2 (Spend whatever the diff is between sale of Newcastle & purchase of Venice, dual core ready if I want to go X2 later, AND better video card)

Thoughts? Thanks guys

EDIT And based on those choices above, I would like input on the following:

*If you think I should get nForce4 S754 board, which one? NewEgg has a refurb DFI board but only has 2 DIMM slots

*If you think I should get nForce4 S939 board, which one? Should I go ATI chipset since I'll be getting X800GTO^2? I would get SLI, but I'd rather not since I plan on making a true system investment with socket M2 or beyond. But please point out advantages & disadvantages!

 

[evilharp]

Decisions, decisions...

Lets see, you don't game much. I take this to mean you aren't a hardcore Frames-per-second nut. If so, the 6800nu is a great card (especially since you can unlock it), I had a Leadteck and it was great.

If I were you I'd stick with with your 6800nu and you CPU and get an nForce3 board. Refurb or new it's your pick. Newegg has quite a few boards listed, so the selection is there (usual suspects Abit, Asus, Epox, Gigabyte, DFI, etc..)

Save your money for the next generation. PCI-Express is still maturing (most boards don't have 4x slots yet, which is in demand for SCSI cards and the Physx(?) board), M2 is coming (as is the Intel competitor, it might be good?!?).

 

[fbrdphreak]

I don't game much in that I don't have time to game. I love to game, I miss it dearly. But I'm so busy I don't have time as much and it is slowly losing its appeal, but frankly I'm excited about FEAR and AOE3. I know an unlocked X800GTO^2 (i.e. X850XT after OC-ing) would kick the snot out of a 6800nu/GT, and that would keep me gaming longer than this card with a mild expenditure of money.

EDIT Also, when I game I prefer to game @ 1600x1200 but it looks like I'm going to have to start accepting 1280x1024...

 

[the Chase]

You made my brain hurt-lol. After your last post it sounds like you would be happiest with the new video card. I say choice #2.

 

[Duvie]

*Buy nForce4 S754 board, sell unlocked 6800nu, buy X800GTO^2 (16 pipelines PCI-E) (Break even, but with PCI-E & better video card for upcoming games)

financially this may make the most sense.....

However if you can afford it....

*Buy nForce4 S939 board, buy A64 3200+ Venice, sell unlocked 6800nu & 3200+ Newcastle, buy X800GTO^2 (Spend whatever the diff is between sale of Newcastle & purchase of Venice, dual core ready if I want to go X2 later, AND better video card)