Need some current product info

[moosey]

Hi
I haven't been looking into the most recent products (mobo, proc, video) for about 6 months now. I was wodering if there are any links that can help me become familiar with whats out there such as CPU and socket configurations and which video cards are best for what? If anyone can help please do.
Thanks

 

[ts3433]

You can look around places like AnandTech, HardOCP, etc. If you're looking for specific recommendations, state your needs and budget and we'll help you come up with something, though we would all prefer you do at least a little research first.

 

[moosey]

Thanks
I've done some research and I figure I want something that'll continue to be upgradeable. I used to follow all this closely but haven't in a while so I'm kind of rusty.
I figure I'd go athlon 64 winchester and probably go with an Nforce chipset. Also would probably go with a PCI express video card. I want to be able to play HL2 and Doom3 with nice detail.
Also, I don't really want to sped top dollar, but I'm willing to pay for something good or at least wait a little for a price drop.
Any help along those lines and any memory recommendations?

 

[ts3433]

Memory: Corsair/Mushkin/Crucial value RAM is fine even if you do a heavy overclock; see here for details.

If you want to go the PCIe route, I would wait for a bigger selection of NF4 Ultra boards and possibly lower prices on PCIe video cards (unless you're going with a 6600GT). It may be advisable to simply build an AGP system with an NF3 chipset right now.

For a video card: If you don't foresee going past 1280x1024 max details (maybe not so much AA) or possibly 1600x1200 medium details, get a 6600GT (usually about $220 AGP, $180 PCIe). If you want higher, go with a 6800GT right now ($388 AGP, usually $500 PCIe except when Chumbo.com has them in stock for $400), or wait for the X800XL to come all the way down to MSRP after it's actually available (since it competes with the 6800GT, it will probably take a while for it to get down to its MSRP of $300 after it quits being stubborn vaporware).

 

[moosey]

Thanks again. I figure I might as well wait for the NF4 boards and PCI-e cards to come down a bit in price. figuring I have a ti-4200 and a barton core athlon XP I want my next system to be a bit more up-to-date.

Anyway, what FSB do the nforce4's run at which DDR spec memory would be good for them. I figured I was going to go with Mushkin or Crucial as I have used them in the past.

 

[ts3433]

PC3200 is standard for all Athlon 64s regardless of chipset (the memory controller is on the CPU, so the chipset has virtually no bearing on performance).