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Ok, I have been out of the hardware/enthusiast scene for some time now (all told for about 4 years.) I built up a system 3 years ago before I went to school, and at the time researched and read every article for about a week, bought/built the system then forgot all about hardware.
Now that that system is about 3 years old, I feel its time for a new rig. So the past week I have been feverously updating my self on all the new technologies.
What I do with my computer: the usual; internet, school work blah blah, I like to play games, no type in particular, so a graphics card that could run games at a reasonable res would be nice.
Ok the system specs:
CPU: Athlon 64 X2 3800+ Windsor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16819103735
Mobo: BIOSTAR TFORCE 550 Socket AM2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813138026
Memory: This is tough, it looks like the diff in DDR2 667 and 800 are minimal, I have been running 1gig on the current machine, but would like to bump that up to 2 gigs. 2gigs at the 667 price point is more palatable, however I would hate to buy to gigs today and then feel compelled to upgrade to 800 in a few moniths. OCZ has a nice price on their 2gig ddr2800 kit, but everyone has problems with it and I dont want to deal with stuff like that.
Right now I tenativly thinking about a stick of:
G.SKILL 1gb, DDR2 800
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820231088
with the thought of adding 1 more stick down the line. That way I am already running 800 and it would be easier to just throw in 1 more stick.
CPU cooler: Zalman CNPS9500
Video Card: connect3D 3058 Radeon X1900GT 256MB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16814142068
Only because of the $100 rebate. However I really dont like rebates much, but thats a sweet card for that price. It would keep me covered for any game thats out there today along with future games. Still $200 is a lot on a video card, especially when I know that I am not a hardcore gamer.
I am about to head back to school, so I dont know how much time I will have to game, so I have thought about getting a little bit cheaper card, and then when I realize how much time I have, potentially upgrading. If someone can recommend a cheaper card (around $150) that would be great.
PSU: Antex SmartPower 2 500w
Case: I plan to use the Sonata I have for now.
HD: again, I plan to pull the SATA drive out of my current rig
I would like to keep this around the $650-700 price point if at all possible. From what i have read, OCing the 3800+ up wards to the 4000+ is fairly routine, so i feel no pressure to get a faster CPU, the things that are eating up the budge are the vidcard, but that was discussed above.
That post was long and more drawn out that it needed to be. Thanks for taking the time and I appreciate any feedback.
Now that that system is about 3 years old, I feel its time for a new rig. So the past week I have been feverously updating my self on all the new technologies.
What I do with my computer: the usual; internet, school work blah blah, I like to play games, no type in particular, so a graphics card that could run games at a reasonable res would be nice.
Ok the system specs:
CPU: Athlon 64 X2 3800+ Windsor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16819103735
Mobo: BIOSTAR TFORCE 550 Socket AM2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813138026
Memory: This is tough, it looks like the diff in DDR2 667 and 800 are minimal, I have been running 1gig on the current machine, but would like to bump that up to 2 gigs. 2gigs at the 667 price point is more palatable, however I would hate to buy to gigs today and then feel compelled to upgrade to 800 in a few moniths. OCZ has a nice price on their 2gig ddr2800 kit, but everyone has problems with it and I dont want to deal with stuff like that.
Right now I tenativly thinking about a stick of:
G.SKILL 1gb, DDR2 800
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820231088
with the thought of adding 1 more stick down the line. That way I am already running 800 and it would be easier to just throw in 1 more stick.
CPU cooler: Zalman CNPS9500
Video Card: connect3D 3058 Radeon X1900GT 256MB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16814142068
Only because of the $100 rebate. However I really dont like rebates much, but thats a sweet card for that price. It would keep me covered for any game thats out there today along with future games. Still $200 is a lot on a video card, especially when I know that I am not a hardcore gamer.
I am about to head back to school, so I dont know how much time I will have to game, so I have thought about getting a little bit cheaper card, and then when I realize how much time I have, potentially upgrading. If someone can recommend a cheaper card (around $150) that would be great.
PSU: Antex SmartPower 2 500w
Case: I plan to use the Sonata I have for now.
HD: again, I plan to pull the SATA drive out of my current rig
I would like to keep this around the $650-700 price point if at all possible. From what i have read, OCing the 3800+ up wards to the 4000+ is fairly routine, so i feel no pressure to get a faster CPU, the things that are eating up the budge are the vidcard, but that was discussed above.
That post was long and more drawn out that it needed to be. Thanks for taking the time and I appreciate any feedback.