What would be best?

[bokster]

I am currently on the verge of building a new pc, but just ran into a brick wall.

My current system:

Athlon XP 2600+ Barton
1GB Kingston CAS3
All in wonder 9800 pro 128mb
Gigabyte GA-7vt600 -P -L

Going to upgrade to:

Athlon 64 X2 3800+
2GB Dual Channel Mushkin XP4000 Black Series
eVGA 7800gt CO
DFI Lanparty NF4 UT Ultra-D


The build is going to cost me about $2000, I could afford it over the next few months, but I am trying to spend less, so I'll have more money for other things. I came across the eVGA 7800GS CO Superclock and according to the specs, it looks like a really good card that could last for the next 2 years in my current system. This upgrade will cost me a quarter of the build price, so I'm seriously considering it. The problem is I can't find any comparisons between the eVGA 7800gt CO and the GS. I know this is comparing apples to oranges, but gaming performance wise, how do they compare?

eVGA 7800GS CO Superclock - 460mHz/1350mHz, 16 pixel shaders, 43.2BG/sec memory bandwidth
eVGA 7800GT CO - 470mHz/1100mHz, 20 pixel shaders, 32GB/sec memory bandwidth

Spec comparison at: http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/evg...7800_gs_co_superclock_review/page2.asp">http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/evg...7800_gs_co_superclock_review/page2.asp</a>

Since my next planned upgrade in two years time will be the big one, where I will be willing to spend a fortune on all the latest hardware, would spending the $2000 on the build increase gaming performance substantially compared to $450 to simply upgrade my video card? Please help me out with this. Thanks.

 

[GamerExpress]

I agree with everything on the new build and say go for it. I would keep the eVga 7800GT, and I would lose that memory, there is no need to go with the pc4000 it's pretty much a waste. Just go with some pc3200 Corsair VS, save some money.

 

[Finns14]

Whats this pc for gzming? Then I would go with with what the above poster said. Also X2 aren't great over clockers so the high end memory isn't needed. Also you could save yourself some money and buy a cheaper Mobo if you don't plan to OC.

 

[Effect]

Originally posted by: GamerExpress
I agree with everything on the new build and say go for it. I would keep the eVga 7800GT, and I would lose that memory, there is no need to go with the pc4000 it's pretty much a waste. Just go with some pc3200 Corsair VS, save some money.

Agreed. Top of the line memory is only useful to hardcore o/cers, and even then it's not all that useful. The build seems good, you MAY be able to drop a few $'s by using a less expensive mobo, unless you really want to overclock alot. Other than that, you should have a good system, no doubt.

 

[bokster]

Thanks for the feedback, but yes I am going to overclock and this rig is for gaming and hardcore multitasking. I know the x2 3800 can easily hit 2.5ghz and i was to run 1:1, which is why I'm gettin the pc4000.

 

[dandano]

Don't forget to get a new psu. Especially if yer oc'in. Cleaner voltage is a must have.

What psu is in the old setup?

 

[bokster]

I've actually decided against keeping the current system because my parents need a comp so I'm giving it to them. They just need it for home workstation so I'm selling the 9800pro and getting a cheap card.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

An enermax 350W FMA,to answer your question, but I am going build a whole new pc, I just listed the specs that relate to what I was asking about. Here is my new rig though:

Athlon 64 X2 3800+
Arctic Cooling Freezer 64 Pro w/ arctic silver 5
2GB Dual Channel Mushkin XP4000 Black Series
eVGA 7800gt CO
DFI Lanparty NF4 UT Ultra-D
enermax 535w FMA, 24pin, SLI ready
Seagate 300gb barracuda 7200.9 SATAII w/ 16mb cache
Antec p180 case, with 5 120mm fans

For next year, I'm going to mod the mobo to SLI, then throw in another 7800gt CO when its nice and cheap.

 

[ribbon13]

gaming? You want Opteron 165 at least because its a far better heatsink than the x2 3800+, and has 1MB L2 cache per core. That would be far better use of money. Get more affordable RAM if you have to... but get an Opteron 165 or dont even bother. Seriously... Opteron 165 and stock cooler is far better than what you have planned.