Updating my computer...would appreciate some suggestions

[BChico]

I currently have a p4 2.26, 512 pc1066 rdram (which is now insanly expensive), ti4600...some other stuff. First off i wanted to upgrade my cpu, ill prob just keep current setup and go to a 3.06. If i can find another 512 of 1066 that is cost effective ill pick that up, but im not willing to pay 175 for it... Im pretty much set on getting a 6800GT, so thats really not a question. I was wondering about storage though. I have 3 gxp75s that are still alive and making me worrisome. I want to cut that down to 2 drives. I was thinking an 80 and a 200. I was looking around, is my best bet a WD800JB and a WD2000JB? Also are there any big improvements over the audigy sound cards?

Ive been out of the hardware loop....ever since i became a dba...all i see is oracle and unix now...

Lemme know what you have for me.

Thanks

 

[Lmronby]

For what its worth I am running a WD800JB and a WD2000JB just like you posted. Good amount of storage and really good performance.

You didn't mention the motherboard but it sounds like you are limited to a 533fsb? If that is the case go for the 3.06 but if you can the better fsb on your mobo go for a P4C. You would notice the extra oompf with the faster bus.

Your ram is expen$ive but I have seen a nice difference going from 512 to 1gig. 2 cents.


Sounds like you know your video already. Good luck to ya.

 

[BChico]

yeah limited to 533 unfortunately

 

[bluewall21]

The WD drives are a good choice. You may want to wait for PCI express and get a whole new mobo along with DDR RAM and a P4C if you got the cash.

 

[Cygni]

The 850/Rdram combo is still one heck of a chipset, and i dont really think a total mobo upgrade is really needed. Intel didnt produce a chipset anywhere near it until the 875, and some benchmarks still show the 850 coming out on top. A 3.06 + 512 rdram + 6800GT would be quite the rig.

As far as what drives to pick up... the combo with 1 small and 1 big seems to work pretty good for me. I boot off of a Segate 80, with most of my storage on a WD1600JB. I like it. I suggest really going by price for the HD's. Most of the major brands seems pretty solid. Just watch your Fry's/Best Buy/Wherever ads and look for a good deal on one, and snatch it up. Got my 160 for $40 that way.

And dont bother replacing the Audigy if its working fine. The Audigy2 and Envy24H may sound a LITTLE better, but you would be pretty darn hard pressed to tell the difference, imho.

 

[Runner20]

Get the Radeon X800 Pro XT PE, its the better card.

 

[BChico]

Not really the thread for this discussion...ill hold my comments till the final drivers come out.