Update 10/27/09
Ok, so based on someone else's new build, I found this deal:
$265 Combo - ASUS M4A79XTD EVO AM3 AMD 790X ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail and 2. AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor Model HDZ955FBGIBOX - Retail
This mobo seems to support faster memory. Is that correct? Do you think the faster memory is worth the price?
==========================
Update 10/24/09
Windows 7 has shipped from Amazon, so I am out of time! So speaketh the great shopping God!
Thanks for those who have made suggestions. After doing a bit of research, I have decided to blow a bit more money (big surprise).
I chose this build with the idea that the video card will be easier to upgrade in two years than any other component.
Combo AMD Phenom II X4 955 BE and Asus M4A79 Deluxe for $328.98
Does this motherboard have better sound than my Audigy 2 ZS?
Video card
XFX HD-487A-ZWFC Radeon HD 4870
This memory is on Asus's Qualified Vendor's List
2 x CORSAIR XMS2 2GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Desktop Memory Model CM2X2048-6400C5 - Retail $39.99
Total $553.95 (without shipping from Newegg)
ATGH Gods, do I have your approval?
====================
Original Post
My last build was an Athlon 3200+ XP. I haven't kept up with the hardware news since then. Suggestions?
1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
Heavy Gaming, some video editing. I'd like to dual boot XP and Windows 7.
2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread
$400
3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
USA (Wisconsin)
4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc.
No brand preference
5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
Just bought an Antec Sonata III with Earthwatts (500W). It should arrive today. Do I need extra fans? I also have a 500 GB SATA hard drive. Soundcard Soundblaster Audigy 2 ZS. I'm using my old monitor, keyboard, and mouse for now.
Can I use a P-ATA DVDRW with current motherboards? If not, are these really cheap now?
6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.
Casually read.
7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
Default, although overclocking is a possibility.
8. What resolution YOU plan on gaming with.
Um...I'm still using a 19" CRT, but I'd like to upgrade that to a flatscreen sometime.
9. WHEN do you plan to build it?
Anytime in the next 2 months
Ok, so based on someone else's new build, I found this deal:
$265 Combo - ASUS M4A79XTD EVO AM3 AMD 790X ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail and 2. AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor Model HDZ955FBGIBOX - Retail
This mobo seems to support faster memory. Is that correct? Do you think the faster memory is worth the price?
==========================
Update 10/24/09
Windows 7 has shipped from Amazon, so I am out of time! So speaketh the great shopping God!
Thanks for those who have made suggestions. After doing a bit of research, I have decided to blow a bit more money (big surprise).
I chose this build with the idea that the video card will be easier to upgrade in two years than any other component.
Combo AMD Phenom II X4 955 BE and Asus M4A79 Deluxe for $328.98
Does this motherboard have better sound than my Audigy 2 ZS?
Video card
XFX HD-487A-ZWFC Radeon HD 4870
This memory is on Asus's Qualified Vendor's List
2 x CORSAIR XMS2 2GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Desktop Memory Model CM2X2048-6400C5 - Retail $39.99
Total $553.95 (without shipping from Newegg)
ATGH Gods, do I have your approval?
====================
Original Post
My last build was an Athlon 3200+ XP. I haven't kept up with the hardware news since then. Suggestions?
1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
Heavy Gaming, some video editing. I'd like to dual boot XP and Windows 7.
2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread
$400
3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
USA (Wisconsin)
4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc.
No brand preference
5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
Just bought an Antec Sonata III with Earthwatts (500W). It should arrive today. Do I need extra fans? I also have a 500 GB SATA hard drive. Soundcard Soundblaster Audigy 2 ZS. I'm using my old monitor, keyboard, and mouse for now.
Can I use a P-ATA DVDRW with current motherboards? If not, are these really cheap now?
6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.
Casually read.
7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
Default, although overclocking is a possibility.
8. What resolution YOU plan on gaming with.
Um...I'm still using a 19" CRT, but I'd like to upgrade that to a flatscreen sometime.
9. WHEN do you plan to build it?
Anytime in the next 2 months
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