Need system suggestions.....

[imported_CyberWire]

I've been thinking about building a new main pc for my home. My current rig consists of:
Athlon XP 2100+@2400+(160x2x6.5=2080Mhz)
asus a7v8x mainboard
1GB pc2700
Radeon 8500
200GB IDE maxtor
250GB IDE maxtor
lite-on 52x24x52 cd-rw
onboard sound
450W power supply

I've always been a big fan of AMD machines, but I am starting to think that a P4 with HT is the way to go. So I would like some recommendations on a system that can use my components of my current rig(hard drives, cd-r, ram(or if its reasonable replace with a gig of something faster), case, PS). Any recommendations/deals on mainboards cpu, ram, and video? I'm not trying to break the bank here, so no dream systems, but something nice, I am a gamer. I am also very handy with computers, I just dont know pricing very well and what has the features that are good to have. I am an overclocker, so I'm not afraid to modify my system in any way. I dont have watercooling in my current rig, but that may be a later addition to the rig I'm trying to piece together now. Ideas? Comments?

 

[Lotdog]

if you look around some tests done between amd and inetl, you could see that amd is better in everything!

 

[Lotdog]

best mainboard know is dfi lan party nforce3 250gb, processor amd 64 3400+

 

[imported_CyberWire]

I wasnt sure if I should get a 64 due to the fact that the 64bit os isnt really there to support it very well. I have a few friends with 64's that complain about the 64bit version of xp...

 

[Algere]

The 64 bit version of XP is still in it's beta testing stages.

 

[imported_CyberWire]

thats why i was thinking of going p4 with HT.. atleast i can use xp pro sp2 and use "2 processors" instead of having a 64BIT processor with no 64bit apps or OS.. seems pointless to me..

 

[nick1985]

Originally posted by: CyberWire
thats why i was thinking of going p4 with HT.. atleast i can use xp pro sp2 and use "2 processors" instead of having a 64BIT processor with no 64bit apps or OS.. seems pointless to me..

and the athlon64 is faster than intel in everything but encoding still. i dont see why people still buy intel.

 

[Markfw]

, I am a gamer

So you should stay with the Athlon64. Who cares about 64bit right now, they are faster at 32bit apps and games and will be even faster the 64bit windows is not beta. And I have it, and the biggest problem is the lack of drivers for it !

 

[Algere]

Your right

I'm still in the mindset that anything not officially released as a final product is in beta testing.

 

[MetalMusicMan]

Once again, regaurless of the fact that nothing uses the 64-bit parts of the AMD Athlon64's, they are still faster. If you want to make that point, be aware of the fact that nothing uses Hyperthreading PROPERLY either.

The AMD 64-bits are better, hands down

 

[imported_CyberWire]

ok, since I'm getting such a response to stay with amd.. I have no problem with it, how about some suggestions for mobos... I want something that I can rely on and has some techie features...

 

[syconub]

you might want to upgrade to pc3200, quite a difference

 

[RedShirt]

Having myself just made the change from AMD to Intel I can't believe the AMD bias here Sure AMD is better in games when you run with all the video settings turned down to a minamum and run the game at 640x480, but in the REAL WORLD, most games are limited by the videocard. You'd see a difference of about 1-2 fps.

Also, all these benchmarks are done with only one program running. Hyperthreading sees more benifit in REAL EVERYDAY USE where you aren't just running one thing, but many things.

I totally understand why people like AMD. I have always been a fan of "Best Bang for the Buck" as I have gone AMD and Intel many times.

What upsets me is when people just dismiss hyperthreading as a useless feature. It is not.

Edit: The reason why I went Intel this time around was because of the outpost deal. 3.0 Ghz Northwood with mobo for $199. By far the best bang for the buck.

 

[imported_CyberWire]

ok.. so skimming thru pricewatch yields me the following...

Corsair Value Select (Dual Pack) 184 Pin 1G(512MBx2) DDR PC-3200 - OEM
Cas Latency: 2.5
$159

Athlon 64 3200 Processor Socket 754 Retail w/Fan and Heatsink 512k L2 Cache MFG Part#: ADA3200BOX The ONLY 64-bit Windows Compatible PC Processor 3 years Warran
$204

-DFI AMD ATHLON 64 LANPARTY UT NF3 NVIDIA 250GB W/ SATA RAID LAN 1394 RETAIL
Part - MB-DFI-023
$136.75

GEFORCE 6800 GT eVGA 256MB DDR3 6800GT AGP-8X/TV-Out/DVI - Retail Box Includes cables manuals drivers
$383

all prices include shipping
Since all these prices are from stores in CA I have tax of 7.75%

So I'm left at a grand total of
883.75 + tax
=$953.33

this is a little too pricey at the moment so I may just have to wait on the video card, that leaves me with:
500.75 + tax
=$540.65

So what do you guys think?

 

[imported_CyberWire]

any incompatability issues with this setup?

 

[RedShirt]

I'd go with some namebrand RAM (unless I'm a moron and OCSystem is named brand, I haven't heard of them before).

You can get 1GB from Corsair or Geil for around 150 (not crazy timings or anything like that, but at least the company will stand behind the product).

 

[imported_CyberWire]

I was going by the timing.. it was the cheapest/(only?) I could find... recommendations? 2x512? 1x1g?

 

[Rapsven]

Don't buy any no-name brand.

Just buy some basic Crucial, Corsair, Mushkin 2*512 for around 150 USD.

The A64 has an on-die memory controller, which pretty much eliminates the need for faster timings for your RAM.

And RedShirt, the CPUs DO make a difference, though less so if you play games at 16*12 resolution or even higher (you crazy bastards).

But yeah, the cheapest PC3200 RAM you can buy. Make sure you get a gigabyte.

 

[imported_CyberWire]

updated...