Advice on upgrading

[PMildren]

So here is the deal. I am going to have about $1500 to spend on new parts upgrade. Current system is this.

Asus A8N-SLI
AMD Athlon 64, 1800 MHz (9 x 200) 3000+
2x1024MB OCZ400 2048PFDC-K
EVGA 7800GT OC 486Mhz/ 1134Mhz Zalmans VF-900cu cooler
Creative SB0090 Audigy Player Sound Card
WDC WD800JB (OS)
WDC WD2000JB (general and prgram storage)
WDC WD1600SD (Game storage)
TOSHIBA DVD-ROM SD-M1212
PHILIPS PCRW1208
Antec NEO 480 PSU
Antec P-180B Case

Some info on my computer usage. gaming, gaming, gaming. I do some music listening and some DVD viewing, but its mostly just gaming.

Want to replace the 19" CRT I currently own with a 19-22" LCD. Would like to upgrade the CPU and keep 939 pinout. Also looking at upgrading RAM for better overclock, but isnt on the high priority list. Would like to upgrade video card with SLI on mid level. Not sure if I should wait for the G80s to come out from Nvidia or go with a pair of 7950GTs. Last but not least, I am looking at either doing a RAID-0 with small fast drives of the 7200 persuasion or just getting a nice SATA II Raptor and not messing with RAID until I have a real need.

Let me know what recommendations for parts.

 

[AdamNesvick]

lessee, X2 4800+
Keep the ram, that stuffs like gold now.
2 7900GTO's SLI (better than 7950GT)
I would keep the monitor if it supports 1600x1200 but thats me, CRT's just look better.
1 150GB raptor
1 500GB 7200RPM drive

And look toward a PSU in the 600-750watt range, Enermax being my choice.

And maybe an X-Fi basic model. NIIICE sound card

 

[engiNURD]

Your current setup is still good. I'd suggest waiting for the nF680SLI boards and the 8800GTX/S (and other DX10) vidcards. If you want, you can get the monitor and raptor now. The E6600 will easily outperform the 4800+ X2, and you can easily OC it to 3.2Ghz.

$320 - Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz
$230 - Corsair XMS2 2GB (2x1GB) DDR2-800 TWIN2X2048-6400 ($280 - $50MIR)
$105 - WD Raptor WD360ADFD 36.7GB 10,000 RPM 16MB Cache SATA150
$270 - BenQ FP202W Black 20.1" 8ms Widescreen LCD
//Wait for these to come out... these prices are just guestimates, admittedly to fit your budget, lol...
$175 - nForce 680 SLI based mobo w/ good OC'ing options (or 650 SLI?)
$325 - GeForce 8800GTS @ 500Mhz 640MB 320-bit GDDR3 @ 900Mhz (DX10)
==========
$1425 + tax and shipping

Your 480W Antec NEO should be fine with its 34A on the +12V rails, but... when the G80 comes out, if the recommended requires more power, snag a new 850W SLI PSU (or whatever the recommendation is for an SLI PSU for the G80s). Then upgrade to SLI when you get enough cash.

 

[PMildren]

I am not a big intel fan and probably wont give them a fair look....but a look none the less.

Anyone else have ideas?

 

[engiNURD]

I am not a big intel fan and probably wont give them a fair look....but a look none the less.

Anyone else have ideas?

LOL... you're loss. The E6600 outperforms the FX-62, overclocked or not (both overclocked, or both stock). Also, its alot cheaper, lol (E6600 = $315, FX-62 = $810).

 

[PMildren]

thanks for the heads up on the Intels I might actually get one. Where did you get info on cost of a vid card that isnt even out yet?

 

[tisb0b]

thanks for the heads up on the Intels I might actually get one. Where did you get info on cost of a vid card that isnt even out yet?

He had a guestimate