Validate my Gaming Rig Selections - Take 2

[Starbuck1975]

Bump again.

 

[designit]

You have been trying to upgrade for 2 months and still no luck?
Started w/ A64 3200, 3500, 3000, 3800, 3800X2, and bunch of other changes. When you first started this thread, 3800X2 was $700 but now it is $370, keep changing your mind another 2 months, and M2 or A64 4800X2 will be $300.
My suggestion for your upgrade. 🙂

 

[Starbuck1975]

LOL, this is typical for me...although it is amazing that in the span of 2 months, prices and technology advances have been so diverse. I didnt want to start a new thread every time I changed my mind, and the evolution of my component selection is a good reference for others, I think.

nForce4 was just hitting the market when I started this thread, and the GEFORCE 7800s were on the horizon.

I haven't really changed much, other then to move from a 6800 to a 7800 on the video card, 1GB to 2GB on RAM, and a few tiers on the processor...oh and Ultra-IDE to SATA on the hard drive...and the motherboard about ten times now...wait, maybe I have changed a lot.

Had I gone with my initial component build, I would already be behind the power curve. 😀

 

[teddy3501]

i would go for the X2 3800. i just built mine and now all multitasking in XP is really smooth... plus i hear the X2 3800 is a great overclocker, although i haven't oc'd it yet.

definitely go for the 7800... prices have dropped quite a bit.

 

[i1o0i]

Originally posted by: Starbuck1975
Updated component list based on previous recommendations:

BFG Tech Geforce 6800GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - $356
Antec NeoPower ATX 480W Power Supply - $99
AMD Athlon 64 3800+ Venice 1GHz FSB Socket 939 Processor - $366
OCZ Premier Value 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Unbuffered Dual Channel Kit - $93.95
Seagate Barracuda 7200.8 ST3200826AS 200GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA150 - $111

Total Cost: $1025.95

Somehow I always manage to cross that $1000 threshold on upgrades :Q

GET
evga 7800gt co or 7800gtx ko
ASUS A8N SLI-Deluxe
Forton 500 watts power supply
Any AMD Athlon X2 Processors
Corsair XMS or OCZ Platinum 2x1gb

 

[Starbuck1975]

I am not sure...I have heard that many users are having numerous issues running certain games with an X2 processor, particularly older games.

While the ASUS A8N SLI-Deluxe appears to be a great board, I have no intention of ever running SLI...although I have yet to find an nforce4 non-SLI board that is a clear winner...I am leaning towards the MSI NEO4 Platinum, but even in that case, the SLI board is reviewed as a better board.

Stability and feature wise, is it worth getting an SLI board if I only intend to install one PCI-E video card?

 

[Gadzookie]

you can save 50 bucks buy going with a enermax 450 watt powersupply that antec neopower is overkill

get a 7800 gt
get 2 gigs of value ram
get the epox ultra nforce 4 motherboard
and either get a 3500 or a 3700 sandiego

IF YOU OVERCLOCK drop down to a 3200

 

[Starbuck1975]

I realize the Antec NeoPower is probably overkill, but I do like the cable management system it provides, and it will future proof my system...plus I have had nothing but positive experiences with Antec power supplies, and the NeoPower does come fairly well reviewed.

I am definitely going with the 7800GT and 2GB of value RAM.

The only two areas I am still indecisive is the motherboard and now the processor.

I am not sure if the X2 is the best solution for me, as I use my computer primarily for gaming, some photo editing, burning of music CDs/MP3s, very minor video editing and Microsoft Office applications...I dont typically multi-task, and from what I have heard, there are some stability issues with the X2 for gaming.

As for motherboards, none of the nforce4 boards have really blown me away...I typically purchase Abit, but there nforce4 board has received mediocre reviews...the MSI NEO4, feature wise, is a strong board, but there are so many threads on the motherboard forum with people encountering problems with it, that I am not sure it is the best choice.

Still a work in progress.