Yet Another System Recommendation Thread

CaptRR

n00b
Joined
Dec 18, 2002
Messages
49
Sorry if this has been overdone, but I am looking to upgrade my system, and I have not really been keeping up with hardware like I should. My computer has been showing its age for a little while now (AMD 2500, ATI 9550, 1gig 2700) and after getting X3: Reunion, and watching my machine run what can only be described as a slide show I have decided its time to upgrade.

My budget is $500 - $600 and am really only looking for the Motherboard, Processor, Ram, and Video card. This will be used as a gaming machine.

Also I have a Dell 2405 monitor, so whatever video card I get will need to be able to support 1920 x 1200 resolution (in windows, gaming will obviously have to drop res).

Thanks in advance.
 
Prices taken from Newegg.com

AMD Athlon 64 3000+: 158.99$
Chaintech VNF4/Ultra: 66.49$
1GB Corsair Value Select: 80.38$
nVidia 6800GS: 209$
Total: 514.86$

If you have an older PSU with a 20 pin connector, you're going to need to grab a new PSU, also. Get the FSP AX-450PN.
 
check out the dell e 510 for 699 it comes with a 19 " flat panel that you could easily sell and get some of the money back its a good deal unless you just want to build your own
 
Penrow said:
check out the dell e 510 for 699 it comes with a 19 " flat panel that you could easily sell and get some of the money back its a good deal unless you just want to build your own

I really want to build my own. I know its usually not the best way from pure $$$ perspective, but its nice to know whats in my system.
 
GForce64 said:
Prices taken from Newegg.com

AMD Athlon 64 3000+: 158.99$
Chaintech VNF4/Ultra: 66.49$
1GB Corsair Value Select: 80.38$
nVidia 6800GS: 209$
Total: 514.86$

If you have an older PSU with a 20 pin connector, you're going to need to grab a new PSU, also. Get the FSP AX-450PN.

Will probably need a new PSU, and I was already leaning towards a 6800 so this confirms that.

One thing I was wondering though. You recomend the 3000+, which runs at 1.8. My existing 2500+ already runs at 1.8. Will I really see that big of a performence boost between the two chips? (Unless I am of course tottally wrong on the speed, its hard to tell these days with all the naming convnetions)
 
CaptRR said:
Will probably need a new PSU, and I was already leaning towards a 6800 so this confirms that.

One thing I was wondering though. You recomend the 3000+, which runs at 1.8. My existing 2500+ already runs at 1.8. Will I really see that big of a performence boost between the two chips? (Unless I am of course tottally wrong on the speed, its hard to tell these days with all the naming convnetions)

Athlon 64s are an almost totally different beast than the AXP. You'll see quite a boost.

I upgraded from a Barton 2600 to what I have now and the difference is astounding.
 
Around a 20% boost from a XP to an A64 at the same clocks, not counting overclocking, is a general rule of thumb. So you can expect your 1.8 A64 to run like a 2.2 AXP. Since almost all new A64's do 2.4 GHz, you're beyond the speeds you would get with an AXP.
 
Thanks everyone.

After a little reseach on those parts, its looks like that might be the right combonation. I am thinking of throwing in anouther $50 though and getting 3500+ Clawhammer, but I have not yet decided on that.
 
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