Should I wait?

[GiMpY-wAnNaBe]

alright, i'm planning to completely revamp my room, computer and stuff, i'm planning to get a barebones kit for the computer and buy all the stuff individually.

this is what i'm planning to get:

iPod
17" plasma/lcd TV
computer barebone kit running a 3000+ (or higher) AMD 64 athlon
any good video card (Radeon 9600 XT or higher)
either 17" or 19" lcd screen (preferably sony, samsung, or phillips)
A good soundcard that has MIDI
Either a microsoft or logitec cordless optical keyboard and mouse set
Liquid cooling system since AMD's tend to get hot
at least 512Mb of highend ram (OCZ, Corsair, or Ultra)
A Fender Stratocaster (its a guitar, for the musically impaired)


what order should i get them in?

My account has exactly 56 cents in it at the moment, but i get my first paycheck from my new job tomorrow and i'm making about 300$ every 2 weeks. More come summer.

As well, whats better? the 64 bit processor from AMD or the intel hyperthreading technology? because the intel motherboards are cheaper than the ones that support the 64 bit architecture.


Thx in advance

[Jonbo298]

If you dont want to wait for the better 939 socket Athlon 64's (which come out in a month or 2), get the 3200+ for the A64, IMO. Amd runs their processors more efficiently without needing to push so much megahertz into it, which Intel is finally figuring that out too, finally.

And get the Logitech MX Duo. I have one and I love it.

And for a video card, if you really feel like splurging, get the x800XT (which comes out in like a month or less). But if you cant drop $500 on a video card, a 9800Pro will do you well.

Not sure on liquid cooling since i havent dabbled with them yet.

For RAM I'd recommend a gig if you can. Dual channel also. I have 512 of good fast ram but I'm noticing the 512 pinch for being a gamer.

Good sound card would be the Audigy2 ZS.

[Seth]

Samsung 172x LCD moniter.

12ms -> good for gaming. Reduces the ghosting to a minimum.





futureshop is selling them for 799 cdn.
futureshop



and if you're planning on using that lcd/plasma for console gaming, i suggest getting a tube instead. Much larger for less price.


edit: and get a gibson.

[Happydude]

i dont know how you're planning on getting that anytime soon...all that will come up to about $3,000...aorund there anyway...it would take you 5 months of saving...so erm...good luck i guess

[GiMpY-wAnNaBe]

blah...i'm buying a new component or two eery paycheck, this topic was to get advice for which order to get them in...

[GameMaster]

I would get the iPod first, then the TV, then the guitar, then the computer and all of it's accessories.

[GiMpY-wAnNaBe]

alright, for the motherboard i'm not sure whether to go for this or this

i'd kinda lean toward asus, because their known to be stable and generally good, but the gigabyte one looks beefier, and more colorful ....which one do you guys recommend? theres only a 50$ price difference so, if the gigabyte one is better i'd probably take it.


btw, these are both for an AMD 64 3200+ (apparantly the AMD 64 Fx-53 with the 1600 MHz bus is $1053 , so....ya)

[Null]

its hard to say. you give us a link with a page discribing the whole thing.

then you give us a link with a picture the size of my finger nail and no info to compare it to.

and BTW, gigabyte is a very good brand.

[GiMpY-wAnNaBe]

gah...my bad, just a sec, i'll send you the proper link

proper link

[Null]

Well. what worries me with the Gigabyte is that it says AGP 1.5v gfx cards only.

im not intirly sure on this matter but i think 1.5v gfx cards are older and the newer ones are .8v?

so the gigabyte might not be good for future gaming.

(note, not intirly sure on this)

[GiMpY-wAnNaBe]

Alright.....my pretty much final list is done, here it is:

Monitor - samsung 17" LCD
Motherboard - Asus K8V Deluxe
Processor - Athlon 3400+
Videocard - Radeon 9600XT, may switch to 9800XT...depending on how much money i have when i buy it
Keyboard & Mouse - Microsoft optical wireless desktop set
Soundcard - Sound blaster Audigy 2
Hard drive - either A- 36 GB 10000 RPM or B - 160 GB 7200 RPM, they're the same price
RAM - Ultra 1 Gb Dual Chanel DDR
Powersupply - a nice big 500 W, but i don't know which brand to pick
DVD Burner - LG 8x write
Speakers - Logitec z640

i'm drooling just thinking about it already

[Seth]

Plextor just put out a 12x dvd+-r

Sharp just released a 19 inch lcd with a 16ms response time

Go with the 160 gb hard drive.

The 9800XT would be my choice, especially since the price for it has dropped a bunch.

[Null]

I'd strongly recommend AGAINST the wireless keyboard and mouse. Expecially for games. but thats up to you. (wireless have not as good of responce time and end up being a pain with batteries)

[Jonbo298]

I have the Logitech MX Duo (wireless) and I LOVE it. Batteries aren't a pain to me because it came with 2 rechargeable batteries for the mouse and the keyboard I just put 2 standard batteries in and haven't had to change them since I got it about a month or so ago. But I'd recommend staying away from the MS wireless set. I've heard they arent the best but the MX Duo is worth all $70 of it (newegg.com)

As for video card, get a 9800Pro. 9800XT's are too expensive (even after the price drops) for what it gives. Hell, why not just get an x800Pro

Also for the powersupply, PLEASE do a bit of research into one because in the powersupply market area, its quality over quantity because ive heard cases of people getting a no name brand 500w psu and it died within a month.

But other then that, everything else looking good!

[GiMpY-wAnNaBe]

thanks everyone for your help, and i actually was wondering about the powersupply brands... does anyone have any experience? price isn't that important, but the lower the better

btw, +rep to all who helped, also, whats the difference between normal and dual channel RAM?