Time to upgrade my AMD XP2800

[imported_MrPresident]

My current setup is:
AMD Athlon AXDA2800 XP1250MHz
ASUS A7N8X Socket 462
Radeon 9700 Pro 128MB
Thermaltake Purepower 420
2 x 256 Corsair 3200cz 400MHz

The above rig is starting to show its age. When multitasking, gaming, and just all around computing... I feel the need for more speed.

What I need:
-Something that will run bone stock (I'm not an OC'er)

-Allow me to run several apps at the same time (PS CS2, Quickbooks, music apps like Cubase SL, video conversion software like Videora, and of course the basics like Firefox and Office.) Games... don't forget games! But, I'm not a hardcore gamer... the most recent game I bought was LOTR Battle For Middle Earth, and it runs like crap on my current system.

-SLI? I don't plan on dropping mega $$ on 8800GTS video any time soon so something that would allow me to just pop in a matching mid-line card in a few years if I need to. What else is SLI good for?

What I don't need:
-I do not need any sort of "media center". I don't have a TV in my office, don't care to ever have a TV in my office, don't need Dolby Surround Sound, HDTV, or anything else of that nature. I'm just fine using a generic Sound Blaster card for my music apps.

What I'm thinking (but this is where I could use some help):

I'll stick with Windows XP. But I would like to buy a copy so I can own the disk in case of accidents. Right now I own an uhmmm "borrowed" version. Has anyone got a hot tip on where I can find a cheap legal copy of XP? Are there I-vendors that specialize in cheap software? I could buy OEM I suppose and then just give MS a call to re-authorize if I ever change over some hardware.

2.6 - 3.2 GHz Dual Core Like This


This MOBO or ASUS M2N-SLI

7900GS

2 GIG DDR2 800

DVD Burner

CD Drive / Burner

I already own this case.

One or two of these WD HDs. I have an 80 GB drive now that has lasted me 5+ years

I still need help figuring out how much juice I'll need in a PS

And what heatsink/fan requirements I'll have.

Does this look like something that will fill my requirements without being overkill? Are all of these components compatible? I have an IT guy (computer geek) locally that will put all the pieces together for me.

What am I missing? Please don't be shy to flame or help in any way. I'm am admittedly new to all of this and could use some tips. If I'm being an ignoramus about some of the hardware I've selected please tell me, but try to offer some reasoning and maybe an alternative if you would.

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[secretanchitman]

consider going c2d?

 

[imported_MrPresident]

Uhmmm... please try to speak slowly and into my left ear if you can.

Seriously, I don't know what "c2d" is. Is that Core 2 Dual or something? Isn't that what the AMD 64 X2s are? Is it not basically a dual processor chip? I think that's what I'd like. I thought that's what I had picked. I'm so confused.

 

[0roo0roo]

sli generally isn't good for upgrade path. mid range card a few years down the road + another mid range card is still inadequate and probably get its pants beat off it by a single new midrange card.
sli is for uber graphics now, not later.
midrange card to get these days is apparnetly the 8800gt.
ati and amd still haven't gotten their acts together yet.

and yea two drives
use corbian or syncback to keep certain files backed up on the second drive for a little extra safety

 

[imported_MrPresident]

So does it look like my items are all compatible? And what should I be thinking about using for a PS (how many watts)?

Are there additional cables that I'll need to purchase to get all the pieces connected or should I have everything right out of the boxes?

Did I pick a decent MOBO/chip combo for my needs or does it need to be tweaked +/- a little? Remember, I don't need "media center" MOBO, just a solid MOBO for my software applications and MS Windows XP Pro. I'd like to have some degree of forward upgrade potential as well.

 

[Tpain]

What is OCing?

Edit: Over Clocking!

 

[0roo0roo]

Originally posted by: MrPresident
Uhmmm... please try to speak slowly and into my left ear if you can.

Seriously, I don't know what "c2d" is. Is that Core 2 Dual or something? Isn't that what the AMD 64 X2s are? Is it not basically a dual processor chip? I think that's what I'd like. I thought that's what I had picked. I'm so confused.

yes intel core2
it beats amd in bang for buck and total performance.
amd black edition you link to isn't worth it unless you overclock, even then its value vs intel is questionable.
even amds new phenom chips aren't doing that great but atleast they are matching intel clock for clock almost now. the x2's are obsolete.

 

[JackMDS]

You would be able to focus better if you read this thread, http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2067695&enterthread=y

At this point in time, the Intel Core 2 Duo provides better results for the same money spend than the AMD platform.