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New Computer Decisions

A

Addikt

Senior member
Alright, well I am looking at buying a new machine and I honestly don't know what to get. I want to get an AMD 64 processor 939, and I wish that the 3400+ @ 2.4 that they had made were available for 939 and not the older 754. I honestly don't know the tradeoffs here, but for what I have seen the 3500+ and up isn't really worth the money, but at the same time the 3200+ and 3000+ are both older slower chips, and it looks like new stuff isn't really coming out to drive down the price. All that is down the road is the 3700+ and a few revisions and then it's on to the dual core processors. So I am wondering what AMD CPU you guys would recommend.

The decision isn't any easier when it comes to video cards. From what I have seen a lot of people are going back to nVidia and I don't know why that is, if it is actually due to the performance or the price or the fact that a lot of people have shown interest in SLI. I have never owned an ATI car and I am eyeing an ATI X800XT AIW (AGP) but at the same time that thing is 600CDN and that's quite a significant part of the budget right there. On the other hand, the 9800 Pro didn't really drop like I expected and is stickin hard at about 250 to 300 a pop...hasn't budged since Christmas. So what Video card would you recommend and why. Also since I am anal about researching the hell outta this next purchase please include a little justification.

Finally, RAM has always been a question that has plagued me. Most FSB can't support RAM faster than PC3200, so what is the advantage of PC4000? I was looking at buying lower clocked RAM with tighter timings, also I have heard that tighter timings are preferred for an AMD 64 system. If I ever do overclock, and I have never tried it, then it would be really mild. From what I understand to take advantage of PC4000 you have to overclock the FSB to match the speed of the higher memory clock. I might be confused, so please do straighten me out.

Overall, I am also trying to take into consideration price drops. For processors there isn't much news of upcoming products that would drive current prices down, and with respect to video cards, it doesn't seem like prices are coming down any time soon for those either...sorry for the long post...I tried to include as much information as possible so that you can understand where I am coming from. Currently the price of the system I would like to buy is $2000 CDN but I am trying to trim that down to $1500 CDN.
 
PC4000 stuff is rated for DDR500 speeds. And only get the AIWs if you really need the extra slot it saves you from buying a video card and a tv tuner seperately.
 
What do you mean it's rated for DDR500 speeds? I realize that the PC4000 equates to 500MHz RAM, but what I was wondering if the bus only runs at 400MHz through multiple pipes what is the advantage of having PC4000 clocked @ 500MHz when the bus can't even handle that much data unless you overclock it?

For the AIW, the only reason I am buying it is because it's pretty cheap, it's only $40 more than the non-AIW from where I am buying it and then I get the added features of TV Tuner, video input and that nifty remote control that would cost $50 otherwise...
 
If you're running everything at stock, just get DDR400 because you're right, it's not going to use the extra speed.

The reasoning behind not getting an AIW card includes that if you want to upgrade the videocard in the future, you wont be limited to AIW models to keep your functionality, plus you have more options getting a separate card.
 
Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjelloThe reasoning behind not getting an AIW card includes that if you want to upgrade the videocard in the future, you wont be limited to AIW models to keep your functionality, plus you have more options getting a separate card.
Click to expand...

Oh, I don't want to worry about upgrading the video card in the future. I right now I think the X800XT is one of the best cards out there and by buying this I don't think I would ever have to upgrade. I think the computer would be outdated by then and I would just look at buying a new one. The only problem I have with gettng the X800 XT is that it's expensive @ 600 CDN and I don't know where prices are going considering ATI hasn't said anything about new upcoming products. Also if I get an older card then they don't perform anywhere close the new tech and you get ripped off, I mean X800 XT with all the new features is 600 while the 9800 Pro at less than half the speed with all the old tech is about 300 still...250 if you can find it cheap and only has a 128-bit memory controller... =/
 
x800xl would be a better choice IMHO. its almost has fast and can be had for $250(in the US).

the ram is rated for higher speeds for overclocking. if your not gonna overclock then there is no reason to get it.

unfortunately i'm not very familiar with any sites that service canada and their current prices.
 
Yeah, I was looking at getting the XL too. I can get one for abotu $450, but that is really only $150 less than the X800 XT with the added functions of AIW. I wish I could get it cheaper, I will look around and see if I can find an XL for less since that's what I originally intended on buying...

EDIT: Yes I just looked it up. The AIW X800 XT is about $630, while the XL is $440. I dunno what you think, is that enough of a break?
 
Wow I am surprised there have been no pitches for nVidia as of yet. Also that clears up quite a bit about the RAM and the Video Card what about the processor? For price to performance the AMD 64 3500+ and up just don't seem to provided the added performance for the higher prices.

Also does anyone know how prices might change in the future, from new product releases etc? I would like to build this by mid summer, so if anyone knows if the video card prices especially or any other components are going down and reasons to wait you input is appreciated.
 
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