New Build Options?

[Sorgon2]

After having issues with my older machine, I may desire to rebuild here shortly.

I am looking to spend around $1000 to $1200 max. for the following:

Processor
Mobo
RAM
Video Card

It has been a few years since the last build, so I am not up to speed on all the goodies these days. I plan on a 64-bit solution. Also, I have always been partial to ABIT for mobos, but whatever is good these days is ok.

My plans are for this to be a gaming rig (HL2, WoW, etc.). I am looking for speed.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

 

[videogames101]

SLI? You can go SLI for $600+mobo, 800 there. Proccesor can be x2, so 400 there.
oops, thats 1200 already.... Well for 300 1 7900gt, the 400 for x2, the 150 for mobo, then grab some corsair and your set. Or wait for AM2, grab a new mobo for a little more, say 200. Thats only 900+ram. I ramble to much.

I don't know any specifcs though. Depends on how high end you want.

 

[videogames101]

Proccesor:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103547

Video card:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130016

Ram:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145575

Pick a mobo with whatever features you want.

Thats comes out to about $1100

(sry for not specifying in first post)

 

[Bobthelost]

AM2 is just round the corner and Conroe isn't far beyond. Waiting a bit longer would get my vote if you can. Even if AM2 is not a massive upgrade at the moment there is a good chance you will be able to use the same motherboard for future upgrades to either quad core or 65nm dual.

If you're overclocking then the current build of choice would be:

3800X2 or Opteron 165
Epox 9 npa+
2GB low latency RAM
7900GTX or 1900XTX.

You'll be around the lower end of your budget, but that's not a bad thing is it?

 

[videogames101]

Originally posted by: Bobthelost
AM2 is just round the corner and Conroe isn't far beyond. Waiting a bit longer would get my vote if you can. Even if AM2 is not a massive upgrade at the moment there is a good chance you will be able to use the same motherboard for future upgrades to either quad core or 65nm dual.

If you're overclocking then the current build of choice would be:

3800X2 or Opteron 165
Epox 9 npa+
2GB low latency RAM
7900GTX or 1900XTX.

You'll be around the lower end of your budget, but that's not a bad thing is it?

I'll have to agree with you on the AM2/Conroe, if you wait a bit i might be worth it.

 

[Sorgon2]

Thanks for the help so far. Remember, I have been out of the game for a year or so.

What is AM2 and Conroe? What would be the benefits of waiting a bit for them?

Also, back when I last built, ATI was killing nVidia in the vid card biz. I always preferred nVidia personally, but went with a 9800XT. Who seems to have the edge these days?

Thanks!

 

[videogames101]

Originally posted by: Sorgon2
Thanks for the help so far. Remember, I have been out of the game for a year or so.

What is AM2 and Conroe? What would be the benefits of waiting a bit for them?

Also, back when I last built, ATI was killing nVidia in the vid card biz. I always preferred nVidia personally, but went with a 9800XT. Who seems to have the edge these days?

Thanks!

Nvidia has the SLI edge, but other then that it's fairly even for high-end, but you can't beat the price of 7900gt. AM2 is a new socket for AMD. Conroe is a new core for intel. For ultra-highend the 1900xtx is king though, if you have the cash.

Conroe is going to be a huge jump in performance from the previews we have, and AM2 gives you less power consumption and DDR2 support.

with a 3800x2 you would be able to go 1900xtx though, like bobthelost has mentioned. that would be be great choice for right now now that i think of it. just make sure you oc the 3800 if you get it.

 

[Bobthelost]

There is no clear leader at the moment at the high end. Nvidia's cards use less power (a lot less) and in the case of the 7900GTX are very quiet. ATI give you better options like HDR+AA (although not in all games) and is supposed to have better IQ (probably does, but i'm not looking at it incase i start hating my 7800GT ) with the X1900XTX.

SLI is a more mature system than crossfire, but crossfire does kick some serious arse when it comes to oblivion, quad SLI is out soon, however it doesn't look all that promising as of yet.

AM2 and Conroe will both be DDR2 800 based systems, AM2 is essentailly a refresh of the current generation of 939 CPUs with some rather nice low power options and a modest performance increase. Conroe is a complete revamp of the intel desktop line, looks like it'll match or beat AM2, however it's scheduled for release in july (which could mean availble to buy from july the first, or OEMs start shipping them in machines as of july 30th but you can't get them in stores, we just don't know).

In short the benifits are future upgrade paths, you may be able to keep the motherboard and get a newer CPU if you want to. And in the case of conroe a (possible) notable increase in CPU price/performance.