Current Rig:
Intel p4 2.53 northwood (stock) / epox 4g4a+ [dump]
2x512 Corsair XMS3200 C2 DDR [keep?]
Antec 1080 AMG case w/480w Antec True P/S [keep]
BFG 6800GTOCT AGP [upgrade to 7900GT]
SB Audigy 1 [keep??]
*Just bought from newegg 2X1gb 3200C2PT for $119 AR
I'd like to put a system together that will allow me to play games like Oblivion, Fear, and the upcoming crop for about 1.5 years and then upgrade the video card...in about 2.5 years another CPU/mobo upgrade [My resolution will be 1280x1024 due to LCD]. I thought about waiting for Conroe, but it is 6 months away....AM2 is also months away and doesn't seem to offer much. I've been reading this forum for weeks and am facing a dilemna about which CPU and MOBO to go with. I don't mind a mild overclock but it's not a hobby for me right now (used to be more so) and really want to try to keep my case as quiet as possible so I probably will use the stock HSF. Also, I've read about problems with the Dual Cores and games....is this an issue?
CPU:
Athlon 3700 San Diego ($212) performs close to 4000 at $120 cheaper
Athlon 3800 X2 ($295) future friendly?? lately seems like a descent overclocker - compatability?
Opteron 165 ($328) Could I reasonably expect 2.4 o/c with HSF and not a lot of heat?
Mobo desires:
PATAx4 (have 2 ata drives on my current rig I want to migrate)
Gigabit Lan
Good onboard sound for gaming - would this be better than my Audigy 1?
Quiet is good if possible
My questions:
1. Should I go dual or single core if I will primarily be gaming?
2. Do you recommend I try to overclock considering I will use standard cooling and don't want too much headaches?
3. What motherboard and CPU combo do you recommend?
Ok, I don't want to be slammed for not doing any research....so this is what I'm thinking:
Overclocking:
Opteron 165 ($325)
EPOX 9NPA+Ultra ($105)
or DFI LanParty Ultra-D ($130)
Not Overclocking:
Athlon 3700 San Diego ($212)
Asrock 939SLI32-eSATA2 (for upgradability via AM2) ($82)
or Asus A8N-E ($90)
3rd option, not overclocking:
Fry's has an AMD 3700 & ECS RS482-M for $219
Intel p4 2.53 northwood (stock) / epox 4g4a+ [dump]
2x512 Corsair XMS3200 C2 DDR [keep?]
Antec 1080 AMG case w/480w Antec True P/S [keep]
BFG 6800GTOCT AGP [upgrade to 7900GT]
SB Audigy 1 [keep??]
*Just bought from newegg 2X1gb 3200C2PT for $119 AR
I'd like to put a system together that will allow me to play games like Oblivion, Fear, and the upcoming crop for about 1.5 years and then upgrade the video card...in about 2.5 years another CPU/mobo upgrade [My resolution will be 1280x1024 due to LCD]. I thought about waiting for Conroe, but it is 6 months away....AM2 is also months away and doesn't seem to offer much. I've been reading this forum for weeks and am facing a dilemna about which CPU and MOBO to go with. I don't mind a mild overclock but it's not a hobby for me right now (used to be more so) and really want to try to keep my case as quiet as possible so I probably will use the stock HSF. Also, I've read about problems with the Dual Cores and games....is this an issue?
CPU:
Athlon 3700 San Diego ($212) performs close to 4000 at $120 cheaper
Athlon 3800 X2 ($295) future friendly?? lately seems like a descent overclocker - compatability?
Opteron 165 ($328) Could I reasonably expect 2.4 o/c with HSF and not a lot of heat?
Mobo desires:
PATAx4 (have 2 ata drives on my current rig I want to migrate)
Gigabit Lan
Good onboard sound for gaming - would this be better than my Audigy 1?
Quiet is good if possible
My questions:
1. Should I go dual or single core if I will primarily be gaming?
2. Do you recommend I try to overclock considering I will use standard cooling and don't want too much headaches?
3. What motherboard and CPU combo do you recommend?
Ok, I don't want to be slammed for not doing any research....so this is what I'm thinking:
Overclocking:
Opteron 165 ($325)
EPOX 9NPA+Ultra ($105)
or DFI LanParty Ultra-D ($130)
Not Overclocking:
Athlon 3700 San Diego ($212)
Asrock 939SLI32-eSATA2 (for upgradability via AM2) ($82)
or Asus A8N-E ($90)
3rd option, not overclocking:
Fry's has an AMD 3700 & ECS RS482-M for $219
