Replacing dead system, asking your opinion

M

Maestro2U

Weaksauce
Joined
Aug 10, 2005
Messages
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I'm trying to build a mid-range gaming computer that's still a good step up from what I have. My wife's hand-me-down system just died (mobo) and there isn't anything reusable except the case and dvd-rom. I'm giving her my current intel system:

IC7-Max3, 2.6Ghz
1gig Kingston HyperX PC3500
ATI 9600xt, & 80GB WD HD (same drive as below)

I built it with OC'ing in mind but never got into it. As it ages more I may use it to learn OC'ing with since it would be a waste not to. What I want to do is build a good gaming system but save a little money by replacing the OC oriented pieces with budget/reliable components instead. After just a few days reading up on forums and articles I've gone with the motherboard, processor, and memory that Hardocp reccomended in their 500 Q2-05 guide (AMD side):

Athlon 64 3200+ Venice ($190)
Abit AX8 K8T890 Socket 939 ($98.50)
Kingston ValueRAM PC3200 @ 2GB (4x512mb) ($183.20)

Not from the guide:
WD Caviar SE WD800JD 80GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive (8mb cache) ($52)
Antec Smartpower 2.0 SP-450 ATX12V 450W Power Supply ($69)
6800GT PCIe ($???, I might be waiting a few weeks/months to watch prices)
Audigy 2 Gamer (already own)
Viewsonic E90fb 19inch CRT (already own)

That's $602.70 before shipping or $75 worth of mail in rebates, and without the video card. I chose the HD because I've been using one for several years already with no problems and no reason to need more than 80GB. The power supply because I'm comfortable with the brand quality. I'd like to hear your impressions/thoughts/ideas on

1. Any compatability issues I may have missed

2. Will the power supply be sufficient? I do not plan on OC'ing this system much if at all

3. I'm still happy with my current system, will I notice a big difference?

4. Are there significantly better components available for only a few dollars more that you think I should check into?

Thanks in advance to everyone for your help. :)

Edit: I also posted here for help choosing a 17inch LCD for my wife.
 
2. Yes, the PS will be fine.
3. What do you do with your current system? Do you game with it? If so, youd notice an increase, what i couldnt tell you because of your playing preferences.
4. Keep your eyes open for a faster processor..if you can spend 30 bucks more on the 3200, then do it.
 
Thanks Jinx. I play a lot of BF2 in addition to HL2, CS Source, Doom 3 (which I'll actually finish once I have a new video card), and WoW to name a few. Right now I'm happy playing them at 1154*864 but am having to (with the exception being WoW) settle for low-medium settings on eye candy to achieve what I prefer for playable framerates.

As for the processor I will definately look some more, $30 more is very doable. That's exactly what I was looking for. I appreciate the help, thank you.
 
I had at first thought to do that; go with 2x1GB modules. I couldn't find any benefit since 4x512MB would still run dual channel and is $24 less. I was also under the impression that the smaller sized modules would have timings slightly tighter than their 1GB counterparts, am I wrong?

Lastly I think I've read that when maxing out some (all?) motherboard's RAM limits by filling each DIMM with 1GB each that you end up loosing some memory that just can't be utilized, but I'm not aware of this being the case if one were to fill all the DIMM's but not approach the board's max RAM limit. Any thoughts, corrections, ideas?
 
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