My over haul

S

Sloth

Limp Gawd
Joined
May 26, 2005
Messages
147
Hey guys, I have a 1000$ budget for my next upgrade. Heres what I got so far.

Mobo
Proc
Memory
Video Cards

I really went all out on the memory, and processor. I was going to go with the Socket 939 Fatal1ty board, but it never seems to be in stock. I am impatient. :D


I already have 2 40GB hds that are running fine, so I really don't see the need to upgrade to SATA yet. Also, do you guys think my Antec smart power 400w psu will be enough?

I figured 2 6600GTs in SLI would be just as good as a slightly more expensive 6800GT. Plus, I can brag about having SLI :p. I already have all the other essentials, this is just an expensive upgrade.

I haven't bought it yet, so I am still open for changes. This is a huge upgrade from my current setup, so I am looking forward to it.

Any comments are apreciated.

Thanks
 
why would you want to brag about 6600GT sli? a 6800GT is slightly LESS (can be gotten for $300). You should get either an XFX 6800GT or a X800XL ($268 at www.monarchcomputer.com).

Personally though, I'd get either an ASUS or DFI mobo, depending on what you are going to use it for. DFI for overclocking, and ASUS if you aren't.

That ram is an absolute WASTE of money. If you don't OC, you won't see a shred of difference between ANY types of pc3200 RAM. If you do, then the XMS is crap for it. I think you can afford 2GB. See this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820146190
For $204 you can get 2GB of Mushkin SP ram that should be pretty good at OCing. And if you don't OC, you can tighten the timings at stock speeds. a VERY good buy.

-----

At this point you really have to decide if you want to OC or not. Let's go over two options:

If you do, I'd get a Venice 3200+ for ~$190 and a DFI nf4-DAGF for $90 and a 7800GTX for $500.
With the 2GB of ram that is 90+190+204+500= $984. Plenty of room for shipping.

If you don't want to OC, then get an ASUS SLI board, the mushkin ram, a X800XL for $268 and a X2 3800+ for $390.
That's 390+140+204+268= $1,002

-----

You can have fun with both of those setups OCed. I prefer a 7800GTX over a X2 3800+ though. I guess you could pick the first setup but not OC, but be sure to get an ASUS, not DFI, motherboard.

edit:
O yeah, with the 3800+ X2 finally out, I just don't see a San Diego being a good option (3700+ OR 4000+). Get a lower rated venice or an X2, depending on your spending limit.

I forgot about your PSU. It might not be able to run a 7800GTX. You may be limited to the second build. You can get like a new 480w psu with good amps on the 12v rails and such for about $80 I think if necessary. If you got a 3000+ from www.ewiz.com for about $120 (or at least they were $120 a week ago), then you could probably afford a new psu in the first build. If you want to REALLY get a good PSU, the Seasonic S12-500 is $105 here:
http://www.case-mod.com/store/seaso...-500-watt-atx-power-supply-p-1579.html?src=fr

So that's about it.
 
I really do want SLI in the near future, so I think I might go with a 6800GT and a nice PSU. Maybe around christmas I can afford 2 7800GTXs. I'll post my wish list.

http://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion/Wishlist/WishShareShow.asp?ID=1621790&WishListTitle=OTHER


That way, I can sell my 6800GT to a friend. Then move in the 7800s.

I see what you mean about the Asus mobo. Thats the SLI version.

I am definitly going to OC, so I'm sure an XP120 will be in the works also.


Hey, thanks for the input.
 
alright. It's your choice about the video card. I'm glad you want to OC.

I think you could do well with the ~$130 Asus SLI mobo. Only stuff like Raid 5 gets added in the "deluxe" and "premium" versions of most manufac's nf4 mobos. The exception is DFI. The DFI nf4 Ultra-D has two PCI-E 16x slots, but SLI doesn't work on it unless you do a hard mod (solder a resistor) to the mobo itself. If you are serious about OCing, then get the DFI SLI-D or DR (whichever happens to be cheaper on the egg).

I wouldn't get an XP-120. A plain XP-90 cools almost as well (within a few degrees) and is a LOT cheaper. Here's one with a GOOD fan (panaflo) AND good thermal paste (Arctic Silver 5/Ceramique) for $39:
http://www.jab-tech.com/customer/product.php?productid=2921

The thing about SLI 6800GTs is that they are either on par or worse than one 7800GTX. AND they are more expensive. SLI is cool, but I'd still spend my money where it gives the most performance. Why don't you get an SLI motherboard (the $130ish ASUS one) and one 7800GTX now and the second later this year? That would be about $150 more on the video card and $30-40 less on the mobo, putting you darn close to $1000. Of course, there's no way your PSU could handle 2 7800GTXs. You'd NEED at least 500w for two. That's an issue for later (when you actually have two), but keep in mind the Seasonic S12-500 and S12-600 ($105 and $130 respectively at good, low-priced sites), they are very good (I personally just got an S12-500).

But it's you're money, and if you want to get 6800GT sli now or something and wait until next gen to get better graphics, that's your choice.
 
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