OK, so I've been out of the scene for a while, so please catch me up

[HardwareAddicted]

So before you go and "flame on" bro, please read the whole post.


So here's the deal:
I used to know these forums pretty good a few years ago, so I'm no noobie.
Check my join date ...

But I got burned out, and divorced ... blah blah blah.
I was a good thing ... trust me.

Anyway .... I have an older PC here that just had a HDD die, and I put a 250GB in that I had on the shelf.
Works fine now ...
That, and I found a new CPU from a good dude here I should have any day now.

BUT, this is still an old Via 266a chipset, yes ... AMD socket A my friends.

I need to get the break down on getting into the new stuff.
And all of my reading has got my head just spinning.

ME = AMD/nVidia in the day .... NOW ? I have no idea ...

So who is the best bang for the buck nowadays ?
AMD or Intel ?
Once I get that, what chipset ?
I can pick a brand from there ... once I have my heading ... if you get my meaning.

Is nVidia still the king ?
I think I know that they are for now ... but let me know if there is something around the corner ... there always is ... LOL

Anyway ... thx for the head up, and for giving me a short breakdown/catchup/schooling.

I really need to just get to the point of all of this, and get to it.

OH, and some idiot will post screaming about budget .... LOL
I'll spend a little more to get a LOT more performance, so know that.
It's BANG for my BUCK.
I don't need bleeding friggin edge.
So less than a grand ... mkay ?

One more thing, what's the best eye candy for a game out right now ... or coming ?
I'm a fast action FPS kind of guy.

Thx for the help ...

I hope some of the vets around here remember me ...

~ H

 

[Roguestar]

Needs a short version, HA! A lot of people aren't going to read all that .

For someone trying to get back into the loop, a great place to start is AT's own main site.

Here's the November buyer's guide, for example.

Browse some threads in this forum (General hardware = rate my rig, these days) and check the kind of feedback similar builds to AT's suggestions have received. Once you've done a little reading, come up with a list combining what you see as best price/performance, and including a little brand loyalty (we all have some), post it here and ask for further feedback.

Games at the moment and near future you're looking to accomodate are the likes of Timeshift, Crysis, UT3, Half-Life 2: Episode 2.

 

[mordantmonkey]

yeah buyers guide is a great start.

AMD is now lagging behind intel in performance, though some of their offerings have been priced to compete. it should be noted that if you are planning to OC, then it should be intel all the way. AMD's Phenom is going to drop in Jan of next month but early perf. numbers are not looking too great. but aggresive pricing may make up for it. but then again penryn will be hitting soon too, which is putting the green guys in a tough spot.

nvidia is the current performace king, 8800gt if you can find one is great in price/performance. but AMD's next GPU line is due out within a month. again early numbers don't indicate a new king of the hill. but it seems they are slated for aggressive pricing as well.

there is a lot going on in the next couple of months.

I myself will be waiting for the new year and for some of the dust to settle before i build a new rig.

 

[MarcVenice]

At least wait 10 days for ATI/AMD's new GPU's/CPU's. Check the benchmarks, then decide ...