time for a new system..

I am thinking about doing a complete upgrade to my system-
P4 1.8 Ghz 333mhz FSB
512 ram DDR333
MSI mobo
2 HDD's WD80 + samsung60
pioneer DVD
lite-on CD-RW
ati 128mb 9600
300W power, not even sure of the brand..

I have saved up $800, and I can probably get $400 from my parents for christmas + my Bday.., thinking time for a new one..

was going to get a AMD 64 3200+ or higher
2x 512 (highest speed that will go w/ the processor) sticks for that, whats it called, the duel DDR stuff
a gigabyte mobo..
gonna keep all my drives
definatelly getting a new vid card, I am leaning tword a ati 9800 PRO..., does brand matter?
might go with a nice nvida as well.., what brand of nvida is best?

I am going to get a ~400W power, most likely antec..

what u guys think?
later when I decide in what area I am going w/ things.., I'll get exact items picked out for u to look at...

thanx in advanced,
Byan

i like my 9800pro just fine ... but i hear the nvidia 6800 is going to be 200$ in a few months ... probably a budget version but still better than the 9800 ... of course that's just rumor

ive noticed that ati cards normally score higher than the nvidia equivelent

search www.tomshardware.com for more info

You didn't say anything about how you use the computer, or expect to in the future. While you can buy components to get the latest and greatest, I'm one of those that believes that a computer is a tool and you should match the tool to the job.

You can easily spend $1200 and have a shiney new (powerful) computer, but are you going to really see a difference for the money? It all depends on what you need the tool to do (and how well your current tool does the job).

So how do you use your computer?

Quote:

---

You didn't say anything about how you use the computer, or expect to in the future. While you can buy components to get the latest and greatest, I'm one of those that believes that a computer is a tool and you should match the tool to the job.

---

that is a very good point..., I did not say what I planned on using it for..., I really should've, I guess I forgot or something

well.., I plan on building the system for gaming.., I have noticed that this current system needs to play all the new games in 800X600 mode and with settings at about average...
this is not that bad..., but it is the least I would like to have to run with.., It probably wont be long before I am running everything at the bare minimum if I dont upgrade

I will also be using it for a bunch of other stuff as well such as software devolping and the normal online internet stuffs..., but since this computer can handle that stuff..., any future ones will be able to as well

Quote:

---

You can easily spend $1200 and have a shiney new (powerful) computer, but are you going to really see a difference for the money? It all depends on what you need the tool to do (and how well your current tool does the job).

---

I dont plan on paying all of that money on a new system, hell no.., I realise that I could pay almost twice (or more) as much to get the latest and greatest and only get a 10% boost..

actually the new cards, the X800's, and the 6800 are alot faster then the older cards, so they may be actually worth the money.., although it's still too much

Quote:

---

i like my 9800pro just fine ... but i hear the nvidia 6800 is going to be 200$ in a few months ... probably a budget version but still better than the 9800 ... of course that's just rumor

---

this is interesting..., I know that the 6800 is at the top right now.., though not by much...
I think I may wait to buy a new card till I know wether or not they are going to drop prices...


I also forgot to mention that I am planning on getting an Audigy 2 along with my new comp as well

The 64 bit AMD are doing well as gaming systems. Take a look at Epox, Abit, MSI and Asus mainboards before you decide. Corsair XMS pc 3200, OCZ, Mushkin, or Kingston HyperX are good choices for your ram needs. 9800pro is a good card as is the fx5900u and up are all very good gaming cards.