Upgrading

[efektz2008]

I figured this would be the best forum to place this question.

Alright... budget is below $1k. Looking to build a machine of destruction. My current computer is:

AMD xp3200
1Gig ram
geforce 6800 LE
Xfi audio
seagate 60gig HD

Planning to take a loan and building a beast that would last for a year or so. This comp has lasted almost 3 years and still works like a champ. For my apps anyway. Since the gaming industry is asking for more pixel quality and frame rate, I might as well give in.

I have done some research but I like to make my decisions based on opinions and first hand experience.

Here are the bare bones that I want. But the real question is, what are my options? For the money im willing to spend, are there any other way to get more performance for $?

CPU: q6600 $266 +- (i believe JAN 08 prices will drop for quad cores, but i wont wait till JAN for a quad)

MB: EVGA 122-CK-NF68-A1 ATX Intel Motherboard - $204 after MIR

Video: (confused) ive been out of the gaming industry for a while. But Im not sure whether to get a card that would do DX10 or still stick to DX9. So ill put 7900GTX for now. $219
--(on a side note)-- I play BF2 / Source engine. Will be getting into "world in conflict".


Sound: (from old comp) xfi

RAM: 2gig DDR2 1066. $135

HD: $100 +- (Western Digi/Seagate) 500gig

Total: $924

Im not sure whether to factor in cooling. Should I stick to air or go water? I dont plan to OC after a few months of use. It should handle pretty well stock until i NEED TO OC.


Feel free to add or change anything to the list. Im open to opinions! Since black friday (after thanks giving sale) is coming up. Ill wait till NOV for the purchase so i get the best deals.

 

[Ruptga]

Actually this would go better in General Hardware since you don't seem to be building an HTPC or SFF

Anyway, the 1950XT is about the same price as that 7900GTX and will outperform it.

There is no need to get 1066 memory unless you're going to do some massive overclocks, 800 will do you just fine and save some money.

Air is better than water

And lastly, you're taking out a loan for a computer?! Computers depreciate way too quickly for a loan to be justified, especially since this compy won't be making you any money. I mean I see from your current rig why you're itching to upgrade, but a loan really shouldn't ever be needed for a computer. And cheap gaming is very possible

 

[efektz2008]

thanks for the reply, i wasnt too sure which type of memory to get. Ill also do more search on the gfx card.

The loan is for 5% interest rate i believe so it isnt much. If ill be having the computer for a few years then I don't mind making small payments. I understand the depreciation of computers today. But I cant keep telling myself to wait for that next price drop, because another chip would out perform it later. But for now, i just want to have a high/mid class computer so it can last me for a while and enjoy playing the games with high-end graphics with minimal glitches/framerate.

Like i said, theres nothing wrong with my current system, its just that upcoming gaming/multi-tasking with high-end programs start lagging my system. I dont have vista (yet). But I plan on getting it and learning that os. I also dont want to buy a pre-made system since i have some experience on building one.

ps.. how do i move it to the general forum?

 

[Ruptga]

Originally posted by: efektz2008

ps.. how do i move it to the general forum?

PM (private message) a moderator and ask them to do it