New build needs help please.

[BrokenKingdom]

So here I am again, I've come a long way since first posting here and now I seek your infinite wisdom yet again, you wonderful people you.

I've just been offered $600 for my old (newer) PC and I've been itching to build another PC. I've gone through and looked over reviews and come up with some specs. Like always before I buy I'de like your opinions and/or suggestions as to what could be changed for the better.

Xion case
ASUS M2N SLI Deluxe
AMD 64x2 5200 windsor
G.Skill 2gb paired DDR2
Antec 500W PSU
Samsung 500Gb SATA HD
Samsung DVD/CD

and last but not least (started another thread about this part)...

EVGA 8600GTS

P.S. Also what are your opinions about waiting until the new tech is released, what with DDR3 and what not.

P.P.S. Also would an Intel machine be a better value-for-power then the current AMD prices?

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by BrokenKingdom Samsung 500Gb SATA HD Samsung DVD/CD

Don't get Samsung drives, Samsung drives have a history of being unreliable. Get a Seagate OEM hard drive and a Lite-On retail optical drive instead.

Originally Posted by BrokenKingdom P.S. Also what are your opinions about waiting until the new tech is released, what with DDR3 and what not.

If you need a new computer now, don't wait. And even if you can wait to build a new computer, AM3 (AMD's new socket) and DDR3 is unproven. Better to build with proven parts to avoid problem and headaches.

Originally Posted by BrokenKingdom P.P.S. Also would an Intel machine be a better value-for-power then the current AMD prices?

An Intel machine would perform better than a comparable AMD machine right now but I think the AMD machine would cost slightly less.

Cricket

[BrokenKingdom]

Ok how about these:

Seagate 320Gb "perpendicular" drive

and the good old standard

Lite-on cd/dvd

I really don't want to wait and if I sell this PC I'm going to need this new one

Would the difference between an Intel machine (of equivalent cost) be a significantly noticeable one (real world)? Or would it mostly be minute details in benchmarks?

P.S. This comes to around $850-$900

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by BrokenKingdom Ok how about these: Seagate 320Gb "perpendicular" drive

That's a good hard drive.

Originally Posted by BrokenKingdom and the good old standard Lite-on cd/dvd

I'd get a retail SATA burner instead. OEM doesn't come with burning software, the retail version does.

Cricket

[BrokenKingdom]

Ok sounds good.

Now about that video card.... Is that a good choice? I currently have (had) a 7800gt, I would suspect at least a decent improvement in peformance, am I right? is there a card that performs better in the same price range?

[flanzig1]

If your talking about the EVGA 8600GTS you listed in your first post then it will probably be better than the 7800gt.