Upgrading my PC.. Actually, a completely new system!

[Chris1986]

Ahh, a new job brings back my love of PC hardware.

Anyway, first here's my current system:

AMD Athlon XP 1800+ @ 1600Mhz-and change
ATi Radeon 9600XT 128MB
256MB x 2 Geil Value DDR-400 (PC-3200)
Asus A7N8X-E Deluxe (I love this board )
Antec case with an Antec SL400 400w PSU

So anyway, here's what I'm thinking for a new system:

-AMD Athlon-64 X2 3800+ (939)

-ATi Radeon x1800xt 512MB

-512MB x 2 _________. I'm stuck here. What's the newest and best RAM to add to this kind of setup.. Obviously DDR2, but I need some more advice here

-No clue on a motherboard. I was leaning toward the Asus A8N-SLI... but I'm not running SLI. I'd like to stick with Asus, if possible. I'm sure they have some good 939 boards out.

-As for the case, I'd like to keep my current one, however I think my PSU needs to be changed. On top of it being kind of a beast (loud), I don't think the wattage is sufficient for all these new toys

I'm on a budget, but not a set one, if that makes any sense. I don't want to come out of this upgrade spending $3,000.. I'd like to keep it under $1,000 if possible.


Thanks in advance for your advice/support!
Chris

EDIT: The budget does not include a monitor, which I don't need. Still perfectly happy with my giant ViewSonic G90f

 

[CalvinHobbes]

I would go with 2GB of DDR ram. If you wait for AMD's new socket, then you can use DDR2. Right now AMD only supports DDR.

You'll definitely want a new PSU, Antec, Fortron, Seasonic are good choices.

How much is that video card compared to a 7900GT or a x1900GT?

 

[Chris1986]

Here's the card:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102697

Thanks,
Chris

EDIT: Is it really worth waiting for AMD on DDR2, switching to Intel, or keeping my current setup?

 

[ribbon13]

Go for an Opteron 165 or 170 or X2 4400. The 1MB L2 cache will be very helpful for the longevity of the system. Overclocking? The HSF including with retail opterons is without reproach. Very nice.

X1900 too rich for your blood?

2x1GB. Overclocking this or not?

What sort of features do you need in a motherboard?

Are you upgrading HDDs?

 

[Chris1986]

Go for an Opteron 165 or 170 or X2 4400. The 1MB L2 cache will be very helpful for the longevity of the system. Overclocking? The HSF including with retail opterons is without reproach. Very nice.

Yes, I'll be overclocking as much as possible, stock cooling or not.

X1900 too rich for your blood?

Honestly, yeah. On top of that, I heard the performance gap between the x1800xt and the x1900xt isn't very big.

2x1GB. Overclocking this or not?

Yes, overclocking

What sort of features do you need in a motherboard?

Basic stuff, nothing crazy. I did choose the A7N8X-E Deluxe over the regular version because of the dual LAN, but isn't that pretty much standard nowadays?

Are you upgrading HDDs?

At some point, yes. If it fits into my budget it'll be added, but yes I will be going with SATA at some point. Until then (like I said, unless it fits into my budget), I'll stick with my 80GB ATA


Thanks!
Chris

 

[Ike0069]

I would definitley go with an Opteron 165 or 170 vice the 3800+. They OC well, come with an excellent stock HSF, and 1MB cache.

2x1GB RAM is preferred for most, but not critical if on a budget. AS for OCing, I just use value RAM myself. But since DDR RAM has become so cheap, you can get some decent OCing RAM for not much more than value RAM.

I like the VC and MB choice. Just get a decent PSU and you're all set.

 

[aigomorla]

WHY are u going to build an AMD with Conroe coming out the end of this month to the start of next month??

WHY would you build a AMD when YONAH's are clocked better then A64, and CONROE is suposed to be an upgraded YONAH?

WHY are u still debating on getting an S939 AMD when the E6600 has been anounced to be priced at 320 dollars, and BOTH AMD and INTEL will now use DDR2 RAM.

Just hold out a few more months, If your real skeptical about Conroe, wait til mark, duvie, and im sure the rest of us torcher the new conroe chip and post results on it. Then you should decide if S939 opty is really worth it over a conroe.

But so far at ICS, they had a FX-60 OC'd 2.8 setup next to a 2.66 Conroe E6600, and it got spanked in synthetic benchmarks. YES i know these are not real world applications, but it gives u an idea on what CONROE can somewhat do. Plus a 16sec SuperPI time is uber SEXY on a stock chip.

 

[pkme2]

My 3 rigs have ASUS mobos, 1-754, 2-939s.

I kinda used ASUS mobos for a long time, abit and gigabyte off and on, mostly off.

I got a Asus A8N-SLI for possible future expansion, even though I can use only PCI-e slot now. Isn't 939 great!

Naturally this is my own opinion and no way reflect the opinions of the majority on AT

 

[Chris1986]

Originally posted by: aigomorla
WHY are u going to build an AMD with Conroe coming out the end of this month to the start of next month??

WHY would you build a AMD when YONAH's are clocked better then A64, and CONROE is suposed to be an upgraded YONAH?

WHY are u still debating on getting an S939 AMD when the E6600 has been anounced to be priced at 320 dollars, and BOTH AMD and INTEL will now use DDR2 RAM.

Just hold out a few more months, If your real skeptical about Conroe, wait til mark, duvie, and im sure the rest of us torcher the new conroe chip and post results on it. Then you should decide if S939 opty is really worth it over a conroe.

But so far at ICS, they had a FX-60 OC'd 2.8 setup next to a 2.66 Conroe E6600, and it got spanked in synthetic benchmarks. YES i know these are not real world applications, but it gives u an idea on what CONROE can somewhat do. Plus a 16sec SuperPI time is uber SEXY on a stock chip.

Yeah,

These are all options and thoughts I've looked at carefully over the past few days. Keep in mind I haven't followed hardware since the end of the Athlon XP and beginning of A64 days.

Your suggestions match what other friends are telling me.. "Wait for Conroe" or "wait 'til Fall when you can build a sick rig for Vista". Which is exactly what I'm going to do.

Thanks again for the suggestions, everyone. You probably saved me a ton of money over upgrading again before/after Vista hits.

-Chris