Finally getting around to new computer

@/2ct!< · Nov 20, 2004, 08:11 PM

[color=lightblue][color=white][/color][/color][color=white]Allrighty, well I have been waiting to buy a new computer since spring 2003. I waited past 9800s, pro or xt, and came to this generation of video cards. I waited for Athlon 64s. I waited for mainstream SATA. And I am done waiting, (almost.) I have theoretically bought my system many times over, and every single one of my original components that I would have bought has been replaced with something better, so I feel it is more than adequate time to upgrade. I want to definitely finish this as soon as possible. I would like any final advice you may have for my purchase. [/color]

[color=white]I have a rating, 1–5, of how sure I am of my choice, 1 being not sure, 5 very sure[/color]

[color=white]CPU: AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Winchester(90nm)-offers great balance of performance for price, with handy 10 multiplier for overclocking. 4[/color]

[color=white]MOBO:MSI Neo2 Platinum- limited selection of 939, but seems most established for Ocing. 4[/color]

[color=white]RAM: OCZ EL Platinum Revision 2 Dual Channel (1 GB total)-came out on top in Anandtech’s review for Ocing 939. Unsure of benefits this expensive ram will have over cheaper versions. 3[/color]

[color=white]VIDEO: x800xt- Available, only slightly downclocked from pe, less risk than pro vivo. Still have no idea which to get. X800 is more expensive than a GT, less future proof. 6800 GT, cheaper, Openexr HDR, Shimmering and Stuttering, broken DVD chip? 1[/color]

[color=white]AUDIO: Audigy 2 ZS. I really could care less about audio, I just want something that is 5.1 capable and handles microphone. Only reason for this expensive card is it seems to improve performance by decreasing CPU cycles. 2[/color]

[color=white]HDD: Seagate Barracuda 160 GB- seems to be reliable and quieter than WD, good price per GB, Sata-II ready. Raptors too expensive for a little less waiting. 1[/color]

[color=white]POWER: PC Power Cooling 510 Deluxe PCIe- Pretty future proof, high stability at high price. I am limited to pretty much standard size PSUs because I thought they were all the same size when I first modded my case, oh well. 4[/color]

[color=white]OPTICAL: Liteon DVD dual Drive 16x- Fairly cheap, all in one drive, support for dual layer media, loud? 1 [/color]

[color=white]Wireless: No Idea. I have a wireless router built into my modem, and need a solid card that has a potential of upgrading to a solid router I need to. My brother has a Dlink ExtremeG at the momemt. 1[/color]

[color=white]Since I have waited this long, I am almost fed up with waiting and now know that you will never be able to wait long enough to get everything you want. I am probably not waiting for PCIe this time around, but I want to be prepared for future. I figure I can get the best, fine tuned AGP there is now, and then upgrade my mobo and video card when the time comes. Therefore, I also thing it is foolish to wait for x850 since it will be PCIe only. Anything else to add, I will appreciate your comments.[/color]

Sandok · Nov 20, 2004, 08:16 PM

I think as a video card the 6800GT is a better deal than even the X800XT... I'm a huge ATI fan but the NVDIA card is more futureproof which is for the most important!!! And for the liteon, I don't think you'd be going wrong with it! Heard only good things about their stuff! And for ur Sound Card, I have an audigy 2 which is cheaper and has more or less 95% the same stuff... Save yourself a few extra bucks! ;-)

Nov 20, 2004, 08:11 PM	#1
@/2ct!< HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Not Vegas, anymore :( Posts: 1,391 Rep Power: 0	Finally getting around to new computer [color=lightblue][color=white][/color][/color][color=white]Allrighty, well I have been waiting to buy a new computer since spring 2003. I waited past 9800s, pro or xt, and came to this generation of video cards. I waited for Athlon 64s. I waited for mainstream SATA. And I am done waiting, (almost.) I have theoretically bought my system many times over, and every single one of my original components that I would have bought has been replaced with something better, so I feel it is more than adequate time to upgrade. I want to definitely finish this as soon as possible. I would like any final advice you may have for my purchase. [/color] [color=white]I have a rating, 1–5, of how sure I am of my choice, 1 being not sure, 5 very sure[/color] [color=white]CPU: AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Winchester(90nm)-offers great balance of performance for price, with handy 10 multiplier for overclocking. 4[/color] [color=white]MOBO:MSI Neo2 Platinum- limited selection of 939, but seems most established for Ocing. 4[/color] [color=white]RAM: OCZ EL Platinum Revision 2 Dual Channel (1 GB total)-came out on top in Anandtech’s review for Ocing 939. Unsure of benefits this expensive ram will have over cheaper versions. 3[/color] [color=white]VIDEO: x800xt- Available, only slightly downclocked from pe, less risk than pro vivo. Still have no idea which to get. X800 is more expensive than a GT, less future proof. 6800 GT, cheaper, Openexr HDR, Shimmering and Stuttering, broken DVD chip? 1[/color] [color=white]AUDIO: Audigy 2 ZS. I really could care less about audio, I just want something that is 5.1 capable and handles microphone. Only reason for this expensive card is it seems to improve performance by decreasing CPU cycles. 2[/color] [color=white]HDD: Seagate Barracuda 160 GB- seems to be reliable and quieter than WD, good price per GB, Sata-II ready. Raptors too expensive for a little less waiting. 1[/color] [color=white]POWER: PC Power Cooling 510 Deluxe PCIe- Pretty future proof, high stability at high price. I am limited to pretty much standard size PSUs because I thought they were all the same size when I first modded my case, oh well. 4[/color] [color=white]OPTICAL: Liteon DVD dual Drive 16x- Fairly cheap, all in one drive, support for dual layer media, loud? 1 [/color] [color=white]Wireless: No Idea. I have a wireless router built into my modem, and need a solid card that has a potential of upgrading to a solid router I need to. My brother has a Dlink ExtremeG at the momemt. 1[/color] [color=white]Since I have waited this long, I am almost fed up with waiting and now know that you will never be able to wait long enough to get everything you want. I am probably not waiting for PCIe this time around, but I want to be prepared for future. I figure I can get the best, fine tuned AGP there is now, and then upgrade my mobo and video card when the time comes. Therefore, I also thing it is foolish to wait for x850 since it will be PCIe only. Anything else to add, I will appreciate your comments.[/color] __________________

Nov 20, 2004, 08:16 PM	#2
Sandok DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 9,472 Rep Power: 0	I think as a video card the 6800GT is a better deal than even the X800XT... I'm a huge ATI fan but the NVDIA card is more futureproof which is for the most important!!! And for the liteon, I don't think you'd be going wrong with it! Heard only good things about their stuff! And for ur Sound Card, I have an audigy 2 which is cheaper and has more or less 95% the same stuff... Save yourself a few extra bucks! ;-)