Upgrade list, need advice/review

[TRC_14]

Ok a little while back I mentioned I would be doing some upgrading to my computer (listed in my sig) around this time. Here's what i've come up with so far:

Mobo: Asus A8N-SLI Premium socket 939 Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131540

Video Card: BFG Tech 7800GTX (for SLI with my current card)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814143036

CPU: Either X2 4800+, FX-55, FX-57 (though i can't find it on Newegg anymore), or FX-60

PSU: Antec TruePowerII 550W power supply (SLI Compatable) though I'm not entirely sold on this, any recommendations?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817103931


So, any comments or advice will help. Also if you could help me decide on a Processor and PSU it would help greatly. In the Processor I'm looking for a good increase in performance but for a good price at the same time. I have no set budget but don't want to spend more that I need.

~TRC


EDIT: What would I do with the current Windows installation? would I reformat or just do the Windows Repair that I read about or something else?

[jayb1234]

That Antec PSU would be fine for a single 7800GTX, but is a little too small for two of them.

Get one from the "Dual GeForce 7900 GTX or Dual GeForce 7800 GTX 512 MB" section of the certified list at slizone.

Windows: Changing the processor and motherboard, you are pretty likely to need to do a repair install.

Personally, I would go with a Core 2 Duo processor if your budget can fit it in.

They are quite a bit better than anything that AMD has on the market.

But with the AMD price cuts, there are some pretty good deals on them right now.

[minsonngo]

Here is how to do the "REPAIR" function: http://www.forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=151522

[TRC_14]

Im stickin with AMD because of the price cuts. I plan on doing a Core 2 Duo or better build when Vista is released though so I don't want to spend too much right now. Of the AMD Processors I listed, which would be the best choice? Also if anyone has any further comments it would be appreciated.

[Spirit]

Originally Posted by TRC_14 Im stickin with AMD because of the price cuts. I plan on doing a Core 2 Duo or better build when Vista is released though so I don't want to spend too much right now. Of the AMD Processors I listed, which would be the best choice? Also if anyone has any further comments it would be appreciated.

I'm sorry, but I don't see that as a good reason not to do Core 2 Duo.
4800+ is like $300.
e6400 is $260.
e6400 is definitely a superior processor. In some cases, WITHOUT overclocking, it beats the FX-62.
AMD will need a lot more price cuts to have the better processor, but if you want you want to go with AMD, thats fine. I just don't advise going with the FX series. They are overpriced.

[TRC_14]

If I do go with a Core 2 Duo then, is there a good motherboard right now that supports SLI and the same ram that I have (DDR 400) ?

Also, would it be better to spend an extra $100 for a 7900GTX or will 2 7800GTX's be just as good (i know the 7900's have had some problems though).

[Spirit]

Originally Posted by TRC_14 If I do go with a Core 2 Duo then, is there a good motherboard right now that supports SLI and the same ram that I have (DDR 400) ?

Ah.. you want to reuse non- DDR2 ram. I don't know about compatibillty between Core 2 builds and DDR ram, sorry, stupid me!
Going back to AMD then. Like I said earlier, I just don't advise going with the FX series. A bit overpriced, may I say.
For a little more than the X2 4800+, you can find the 5000+. You can find one for a little more than $300.

Oh, and about the graphics card. The difference between 7800GTX and 7900GTX isn't that big. To SLI you'll need identical cards, so you should just get another 7800GTX.

[TRC_14]

I can only find the 5000+ for an AM2 socket and its $700 on newegg compared to the $300 socket 939 4800+. However, this core 2 duo business still has me slightly entrigued though I can't find a motherboard that supports SLI (are there any yet?). Which brings me to another question:

Would it be better to get a core 2 duo (like a 6600 or 6700) and stick with only one 7800GTX, or get a socket 939 processor (4800+) and go with 2 gpus for SLI ?

[Spirit]

Originally Posted by TRC_14 I can only find the 5000+ for an AM2 socket and its $700 on newegg compared to the $300 socket 939 4800+. However, this core 2 duo business still has me slightly entrigued though I can't find a motherboard that supports SLI (are there any yet?). Which brings me to another question: Would it be better to get a core 2 duo (like a 6600 or 6700) and stick with only one 7800GTX, or get a socket 939 processor (4800+) and go with 2 gpus for SLI ?

I learned you don't have to shop at newegg always. I bought my mobo for $202 at one site. At newegg? The mobo was $250.
Anyway, I see websites other than newegg that have em, for around $300, but they all seem to be out of stock. I don't think the 5000+ is that widely available.
The 4800+ should be a fine processor. And for now, you could just stick with one graphics card, I don't think you need an SLI setup of very expensive cards to play the latest games at full. One should just do, but if you ever find the need for more graphical power, you could pick up a second.

[TRC_14]

Ok thanks for the advice spirit. I would still like to here from more of you though. So the questions still remains open:


-(For gaming) Would it be better to get a core 2 duo (like a 6600 or 6700) and stick with only one 7800GTX, or get a socket 939 processor (4800+) and go with 2 gpus for SLI?

-Also, would it be better to spend an extra $100 for a 7900GTX or will 2 7800GTX's be just as good (i know the 7900's have had some problems though).


as always, any feedback would be appreciated

~TRC

[Spirit]

Originally Posted by TRC_14 Ok thanks for the advice spirit. I would still like to here from more of you though. So the questions still remains open: -(For gaming) Would it be better to get a core 2 duo (like a 6600 or 6700) and stick with only one 7800GTX, or get a socket 939 processor (4800+) and go with 2 gpus for SLI? -Also, would it be better to spend an extra $100 for a 7900GTX or will 2 7800GTX's be just as good (i know the 7900's have had some problems though). as always, any feedback would be appreciated ~TRC

1. Here's an SLI Core 2 Mobo: http://www.xpcgear.com/p5n32slise.html (This site's price is waaay cheaper than Newegg's price. At Newegg, this mobo is $270!!!. I've had experience with this site, bought my Core 2 Duo and Mobo here.) So, you can do Core 2 duo AND SLI.
2. Two 7800GTX is better than one 7900GTX.

[Mr.Ferrari]

I would not pair up that mobo with core 2 duo. It would be a much much better choice to go with amd or wait for Intel nforce 590 to come out. Nforce4+Intel=bad.

[blue60007]

I think one 7900GTX is better. I doubt 2 7800GTX's will bring that much improvement (as test show that SLI doesn't really give you that much more performance) over a 7900GTX. Besides, you'll have the option of adding another 7900GTX if you get the SLI board and PSU.

[TRC_14]

I hear there are a lot of problems with 7900's though. Are these all worked out by now?

Also, getting a 7900 would be usefull because i will then have a spare mobo, processor, psu, and videocard. So basically i can buy a cheap case, hdd, soundcard, ram, and optical/floppy drives along with another copy of windows (my birthday is in about a month so i'll have more money soon) and i'll basically have this computer and a better one

[Mr.Ferrari]

Only of the "KO" or "CO" overclocked editions last I heard.

[TRC_14]

Ok so how about this:

ASUS A8N-SLI Premium Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 SLI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131540

eVGA 01G-P2-N592-AX Geforce 7950GX2 1GB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Dual GPU Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130023

OCZ GameXStream OCZ700GXSSLI ATX12V 700W Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817341002

AMD Athlon 64 X2 4800+ Toledo 2000MHz HT Socket 939 Dual Core Processor Model ADA4800CDBOX - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103544

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS (Perpendicular Recording Technology) 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148140

total its about $1220. Any furthur comments? I know i may not need the SLI mobo and psu for that gfx card but i would like to leave it open for furthur upgrading in the future.

[Mr.Ferrari]

Excellent build. And a very good choice on psu.

[minsonngo]

Looking good. You already have the DDR 400 (PC 3200) memory right?

[TRC_14]

yea i already have the memory.

Before i get closer to ordering I was wondering:

For the parts I take out of my computer to replace (mobo, 3700+, 7800GTX, psu) what is the best way to store them? I plan on resusing them in a build probably in september just so they dont go to waste. But, until then could I just store them in the antistatic bags that the new parts come in or something along those lines?

If can't answer that, please still feel free to review the parts in my previous post as I would still like to here some more comments.

~TRC

[Mr.Ferrari]

Yes antistatic bags would be best, except for your proc, just store it in the original casing it came in. You can get some antistatic bags cheap at fry's, compusa, radioshack or anywhere with computer parts.

If you dont mind me asking, what exact memory do you have? I.E manufacter, amount etc.

[TRC_14]

the memory is 2gb (4x512) Corsair value select memory...is that fine?

[Mr.Ferrari]

Yup .

[TRC_14]

Hmm I've been looking at motherboards still and it seems to me that I should get this motherboard over the previously posted one:

Asus A8N32-SLI Deluxe
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131568

However, according to multiple reviews if I install a 7950, 2 of the pci slots will be taken up leaving only 1. Well I need 1 for my wireless card and 1 for my sound card. So obviously this is a problem. Can any suggest anything (solution, different motherboard, etc.)?

thanks
~TRC

EDIT: I was also wondering, would getting all this sli gear (mobo, psu) just so i'd have the ability to upgrade to sli in the future really be worth it? by then I would have a completely new computer for gaming. What I'm saying is, would it really be a big deal if I only got a 7950g2x and a 4800+ right now instead of an SLI ready motherboard and PSU as well?

[jayb1234]

Go with the non-sli board and the 7950g2x.

By the time that card can't handle the games that are available, there will be several generations of new and better hardware available and the 7950 will be a bargain bin item.

[Mr.Ferrari]

Originally Posted by TRC_14 Hmm I've been looking at motherboards still and it seems to me that I should get this motherboard over the previously posted one: Asus A8N32-SLI Deluxe http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131568 However, according to multiple reviews if I install a 7950, 2 of the pci slots will be taken up leaving only 1. Well I need 1 for my wireless card and 1 for my sound card. So obviously this is a problem. Can any suggest anything (solution, different motherboard, etc.)? thanks ~TRC EDIT: I was also wondering, would getting all this sli gear (mobo, psu) just so i'd have the ability to upgrade to sli in the future really be worth it? by then I would have a completely new computer for gaming. What I'm saying is, would it really be a big deal if I only got a 7950g2x and a 4800+ right now instead of an SLI ready motherboard and PSU as well?

-Yes you do bring up a good point, if you want to use both of those pci slots you might just have to get the sli version or some other mobo with a better layout.

-That would be fine. And the psu I would suggest for that combo, which btw is on one heck of a sale:
http://shop3.outpost.com/product/475...H:MAIN_RSLT_PG
^^
Will have no problem powering your setup and then some . 80% efficiency and has a 420W max output on the 12v rails alone.