New Computer Help

[Aldraxis]

Ok, well I'll just jump in with some ideas and see what others have to say ...

I want to built my new Desktop to last for at least 2 years ...
I'd like to spend between $1000-$1200 ... but if needed could probably go up to around $1500. (Value PC in the making 🙂)

I'm a gamer, but not first person shooters. More along the lines of RTS and MMORPG's.
I don't do heavy graphics or video editing, but could in the future.


Here's what I had in mind:

AMD 64 3200+

ASUS or Abit Motherboard w/ PCIExpress, USB 2, and all the other relevant stuff. (I'm assuming there's a problem here since I can't find a PCIe capable motherboard for AMD)

1Gb PC3500 RAM (2 Sticks?) - I assume finding ones capable of expansion to 2Gb using 4 sticks shouldn't be too hard.

256mb PCIe Video Card

DVD Burner
CD-RW
Dual 150Gb SATA Hard Drives
Floppy (For the heck of it)


Sound Card

Wireless Network (Linksys Wireless Router) - Even if I set it up to be wireless, is it a bad idea to install an Ethernet card for alternative setups?

Wireless Mouse and Keyboard

I already have a nice 19" Monitor

Also ... I could use any suggestions for on the Power and Cooling Systems.

Hope that wasn't too much to group all into one post. 🙂

 

[MustISO]

PCI-e boards for AMD are not out yet. Nforce4 will be coming out soon and should have PCI-e.

Chances are the motherboard will have 10/100 or 1000 CAT5 connection so don't worry about a NIC.

Case and power supply, there are SO many choices. I prefer aluminum cases and I'd get a nice beefy 480W or 500W power supply. Figure about $100-$200 for a good case and PS.

 

[Aldraxis]

Is the $1200 range even legititmate for a PCIe system?

 

[Machine350]

You should be able to build a pretty nice system for 1200. Don't worry about PCIe right now. AGP 8x is still no where near being used to it's full potential. If you're a gamer, the Athlon 64 is your processor. Unfortunately, there aren't any PCIe chipsets for AMD, but that doesn't matter, for the reason above. But if you absolutely want a PCIe video card, you're either gonna have to go with intel (don't recommend) or wait for the nforce4 chipset to come out, not sure when.