Need to build a new system. What's out there?

[Caanon]

Hi, I haven't put together a new computer in about 2+ years now, So I need to know what is out there tech wise, meaning what is good, and what is cheap/crap


I would need:
Cpu, motherboard, RAM, Video card, Hard drive

I think stuff is all PCI-express and serial or whatever hard drives now? That the route I should take?

Is stuff still on ATX standard, meaning would my antec ATX case with 430W PS would work fine?

Budget for the 5 things above would be 1100-1500 or so, I was really impressed with my ATI 9800pro, so have bit of a preference that way, But I'm open to ATI/Nvidia/Intel/AMD, though I've never had an AMD system before.

Thanks for any help or suggestions.
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Guess I left out an important detail, this would be primarily for gaming

 

[KoolDrew]

Athlon 64 3200+
Chaintech VNF4 Ultra
Corsair Value Select 1GB (2x512MB)
ATI Radeon X800XL
Western Digital Raptor 74GB
Total ~ $780

 

[Stokes]

There are two routes for video card. You can go the standard AGP or PCI-E. There is absolutely no performance difference between the two, and the next generation cards will most likely come out with an AGP version as well. The difference in price however can be around $75+ for the same card in PCI-E connection. The only thing you lose is the ability to upgrade to the newest video card that will come out in a year from now (don't know what it is, but something will be coming out). So if you are like me, it just makes sense financially to go AGP and save that money and spend it elsewhere. In 2-3 years anyways you will want to buy a new motherboard none the less and you can get PCI-E then or whatever format is out.

If you go AGP route, then I recommend the MSI Neo2 Platinum.

If you overclock then you want the AMD 64 3200+ Venice Core

If you don't overclock, spend a little more and go with the 3700+ San Diego

The card I recommend for video would be the 6800GT, the AGP version is priced the same as the x800xl PCI-E and the 6800GT outperforms the x800xl in most cases and can be overclocked far better.

 

[KoolDrew]

The X800XL is $250 for PCI-E so going AGP would just be stupid. Even look at the 6600GT's. Last time I checked the AGP versions were more expensive. You are probably refring to the 6800GT where the AGP versions are much cheaper. The X800XL is a much better buy though as it performs very similair to the 6800GT yet is $100 cheaper.

 

[Stokes]

Originally posted by: KoolDrew
The X800XL is $250 for PCI-E so going AGP would just be stupid. Even look at the 6600GT's. Last time I checked the AGP versions were more expensive. You are probably refring to the 6800GT where the AGP versions are much cheaper. The X800XL is a much better buy though as it performs very similair to the 6800GT yet is $100 cheaper.

Not when you look at the x800xl PCI-E versus AGP 6800GT

 

[KoolDrew]

The AGP 6800GT and PCI-E X800XL are around the same price, but considering one is PCI-E and one is AGP going with a PCI-E motherboard and card would be a much smarter thing to do.

When you are recommending going with an AGP motherboard you are only looking at the fact that the AGP 6800GT's are much cheaper.

 

[theMan]

DFi Lanparty nF4 Ultra-d -$140
Athlon 64 3700+ san diego -$330
6800Ultra 256mb PCIe -$500
OCZ EL DDR PC-4000 Dual Channel Gold VX -$200
Seagate Barracuda 7200.8 SATA NCQ (200gb) -$110

TOTAL: $1280

other things you'll want:

NEC 3520a or that lite-on burner (i forgot the model, someone else can help me out)
OCZ modstream 520W
thermalright xp-90
floppy drive is handy
a 92mm fan