Proposed new build

[ghostin]

Here is a general outline of what I am planning. Keeping in mind that I dont have a huge budget and I am scrapping a lot from my old computer such as the creative audigy soundcard, HD, CD/DVD drives.

I do like to play games by I dont tend to play super graphics intensive games and i dont need the top framerates or anything like that. I just want a solid pc that I can play games on with good framerates and good quality.

So here is what I am thinking:

AMD Athlon 64 3700+ San Diego 2.2GHz 1MB L2 Cache Socket 939 Processor - Retail - CPU

ABIT KN9 Socket AM2 NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra ATX AMD Motherboard - motherboard

ATI 1900xt or 1900xtx - video card

RAM likely 2gb


ultra x infinity 500W PS - power supply (already purchased)


soundcard (already purchased)

HD ( purchased)

case (purchased)

Budget = 650$ more or less (prolly gunna ebay the vid card to get it cheaper)

I will not plan on running two graphics cards so i dont think i need an SLI capable motherboard and i would like to max out my bang for the buck as all this will be obsolete in a year or so anyhow.

Any input is most appreciated!

[Cricket]

The CPU and the motherboard are not compatible with each other. The CPU is a Socket 939 and the motherboard is a Socket AM2.

Cricket

[freakitchen]

I'd go with socket 939 at the moment. A more stable platform than AM2. DDR RAM prices are on the increase, but not *too* high just yet.

I'd get an ASUS A8N5X motherboard, and see if you can work a 3800+ X2 Dual core processor into your budget. The dual cores have taken a price tumble, and are the future of desktop computing.

Is it possible for you to exchange the power supply? Ultra is not a high quality brand, the PC Mech reviewing team recently received some units for testing that couldn't even power a basic Celeron system.

I'd recommend 2GB of Corsair Value Select DDR 400, or Corsair XMS DDR400, whichever is cheaper.

I'd recommend staying away from ebay for any parts. The likelyhood of receiving a DOA card is much increased, and any warrenty claim would be difficult.

FK

[ghostin]

So here is what I am thinking now after the most welcomed tips.

AMD Athlon 64 3700+ San Diego 2.2GHz 1MB L2 Cache Socket 939 Processor - Retail - CPU

(I thought about the dual cores, but they are double the cost so not sure if its worth it? )

ASUS A8N-E Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail

ATI 1900xt or 1900xtx - video card

1-2GB corsair vlaue or xms DDR400 PC 3200


ultra x infinity 500W PS - power supply (already purchased) (seemed to get good reviews at the websites I read)

(may return the PS as its still in its box) Any good suggestions on a solid PS at a reasonable price?

soundcard (already purchased)

HD ( purchased)

case (purchased)

Budget = 300-350$ more or less excluding the cost of the video card.

I will not plan on running two graphics cards so i dont think i need an SLI capable motherboard and i would like to max out my bang for the buck as all this will be obsolete in a year or so anyhow.

Any input is most appreciated!

[freakitchen]

The dual cores are worth it - despite being more than the single cores, they give a considerable boost to multi-tasking performance. Additionally, games now and in the future will be multi-threaded, making use of both cores simultaneously. If you can stretch the budget, it would really make sense to go for the 3800 X2, since the 939 socket is being discontinued, so you won't be able to get the dual core as an upgrade later on (new, at least).

Work your budget to get the 1900XT and 2GBs of RAM, not the 1900XTX and 1GB of RAM. The former will give you better performance for price.

You don't need an SLI motherboard (ATI cards can't do SLI anyway), so the ASUS A8N-E is a fine choice. For the system, I'd recommend at least a quality 450 - 500w power supply, something like this is much higher quality than the Ultra.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817104954

FK

[Mr.Ferrari]

The X1900XT's require 450W as minimum. If you wish a psu that will leave you wit a little headroom in the future then I suggest this one:

http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?p=PS-...a9cc771c8ad72#