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Building a computer

A

AlwaysAngryGuy

Limp Gawd
Joined
Jul 17, 2004
Messages
142
Okay guys, I need some serious help building my new computer. Here is what I have so far:

Processor: AMD 64 3400+
Mobo: Asus K8V SE or MSI K8N Neo Plat?
Graphics Card: BFG 6800GT
Ram: I have no idea. Looking at Corsair right now. Opinions? Want 1 or 2GB
Hard Drives: Need two 80GB's or two 100GB's.
Case and PSU: I don't know. Want something quiet that will offer great cooling options without adding anything

Okay, so that's what I need help with. And I have a few more questions too...

Is upgrading to a 939 socket processor and mobo worth it? (Such as the 3500 or 3800, with an Abit AV8... with an eventual upgrade to the FX line, maybe). I don't mind spending the extra cash, but I can't exceed $2000 on the whole.

Water cooling. I am clueless on the subject... is it worth it if I'm not planning to overclock in the immediate future? Back to case issue, is there a specific case I should be looking for if I plan to make this addition?

I think that covers everything. If you guys can fill in my blanks and answer some of my questions, I would really appreciate it.

Thanks alot.
 
My personal opinion ... it all depend on affordability ... it's worth to you if you're willing to pay for it ... If your budget allows, go for it.

The 939 will have a longer upgrade path than the 754, but the 754 has a lower price for now ...

Also read around ... seems to be a lot of problem with the Asus' lately ...
 
After considering, I shall be going with my original plans for a 3400.

939 doesn't seem logical when PCI-E is so close.
 
going 939 now is pointless, as once pci-e comes out, you'll have to (want to?) buy a new motherboard, and when dual core procs come out, you'll want one of those too. Just save the $400 and go with socket 754 now, and then a year from now replace the motherboard/cpu/vid card, and save a lot of money. No need to go ultra high-end vid card either, just get a 9800 pro or something for now, and then make your move when pci-e comes out.
 
Fryguy8 said:
going 939 now is pointless, as once pci-e comes out, you'll have to (want to?) buy a new motherboard, and when dual core procs come out, you'll want one of those too. Just save the $400 and go with socket 754 now, and then a year from now replace the motherboard/cpu/vid card, and save a lot of money. No need to go ultra high-end vid card either, just get a 9800 pro or something for now, and then make your move when pci-e comes out.
Click to expand...

Well, you have a point. But the difference between the 3400 and the 3500 is nothing. So if I did that, I'd go with a lower processor speed too. Regular 3200 or 64?

It really sucks to buy a computer you know you're going to have to upgrade in not much time at all, but I need the upgrade. The problem is that when PCI-E comes out, it's going to be expensive, like everything is when it's new.

If I did go with the system I had originally planned, at least it'd last me a little longer till I was forced to go PCI-E. Is it honestly worth playing the waiting game? So while it's probably a good reason not to go 939, I'll probably still stick with a somewhat high-end computer.

I really need help with the ram, case, and hard drives! And I guess I'll be going with the MSI K8N, unless someone has something positive to say about the Asus.
 
See, I decided to step down the 3 parts (cpu/mobo/vid) that would be affected on an upgrade for a few reasons:

1. budget, i didn't really want to go over 1200 in the first place
2. bang for buck. a 3000+/9800pro will play doom3 just fine (albeit not maxed out), along with farcry etc, basically everything I need and/or want. I'm putting the money I save towards high-end memory (something that will last through at least one upgrade, since amd isn't adopting ddr2). Throw in a little overclocking (something the 939s do NOT do quite so well, given the shoddy k8t800 pro chipset in general), and I'll be much happier. If you look on the charts on tomshardware for their 939 review, you'll see a difference in 939 and 754 sure, but not a $400 difference.
 
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