In need your expert advice

[Rishi2k]

Ok hi, i am uprading my computer very soon, i know some stuff about upgrades but not everything - i have all of my upgrades picked out - i just want to run it by you guys before i make my final decision. Reember, i dont really want to go too far from the price range i have already decided for my upgrades. Thanks:

Processor:
AMD Athlon 64 3200+ / 512KB Cache / 2000 MHz FSB / Socket 939 / Processor with Fan ($260.99 CAN)
Product Page~
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1170079&CatId=1177

Motherboard:
MSI K8N Neo4-F NVIDIA Socket 939 ATX Motherboard / Audio / PCI Express / Gigabit LAN / USB 2.0 / Serial ATA
($121.99 CAN)
Product Page~
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1366536&CatId=1569

Ram:
Corsair Value Select 1024MB PC3200 DDR 400MHz Memory ($121.99 CAN)
Product Page~
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1170139

This comes out to $608.94 CAN incl/ tax & shipping, now all i have left is a video card. I dont want to pass $800.00 budget, so i have only about $200.00 CAN left for my video card. Please check my above specs and see if im being ripped off anywhere, and please find me the best videocard possible for my $200.00.

Thanks alot guys, you really hleped me out.

 

[Shakermaker]

Ok hi, i am uprading my computer very soon, i know some stuff about upgrades but not everything - i have all of my upgrades picked out - i just want to run it by you guys before i make my final decision. Reember, i dont really want to go too far from the price range i have already decided for my upgrades. Thanks:

Processor:
AMD Athlon 64 3200+ / 512KB Cache / 2000 MHz FSB / Socket 939 / Processor with Fan ($260.99 CAN)
Product Page~
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1170079&CatId=1177

Motherboard:
MSI K8N Neo4-F NVIDIA Socket 939 ATX Motherboard / Audio / PCI Express / Gigabit LAN / USB 2.0 / Serial ATA
($121.99 CAN)
Product Page~
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1366536&CatId=1569

Ram:
Corsair Value Select 1024MB PC3200 DDR 400MHz Memory ($121.99 CAN)
Product Page~
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1170139

This comes out to $608.94 CAN incl/ tax & shipping, now all i have left is a video card. I dont want to pass $800.00 budget, so i have only about $200.00 CAN left for my video card. Please check my above specs and see if im being ripped off anywhere, and please find me the best videocard possible for my $200.00.

Thanks alot guys, you really hleped me out.

I'd go for the GeForce 6600 GT. It's the best bang for your bucks at that price.

 

[duffers20]

the X800XL is also a good card.

 

[poseyjmac]

the X800XL is also a good card.

..which is also way over his budget.

the 6600gt or x700 pro are your best choices. x700pro being a bit cheaper usually. they are pretty close in performance.

check this out for some game benchmarks:

http://graphics.tomshardware.com/graphic/20041222/index.html

 

[DSDchemE]

That looks like almost exactly the setup I just got (I got the X800XL). Unfortunately I can't let you know good it works, since I haven't installed an OS yet (waiting for a floppy drive for SATA drivers), but it seems to be working fine so far. Good luck.

 

[Rishi2k]

i am thinking of getting a 9600xt 256mb, it is only $161 canadian
how well will i play hl2 (with the above specs, processor, mobo, ram)
i know this is a nice cheper option - but i dont want to get it if it wont beable to play most game on mid for the next little while

btw, keep in mind that i dont plan to upgrade for the next couple of years atleast. thanks for your help guys.

 

[holydeadpenguins]

Um the 9600 is agp only.

 

[Rishi2k]

meaning what? is there some compatabily issue?

 

[Vorac1ous]

Meaning the bandwidth is completly different, meaning you're screwed. I'd go for a PCI-E X700 if I were you.

 

[DSDchemE]

Yeah, it's a compatibility issue. Your motherboard has a PCI-Express slot for graphics. The 9600xt requires an AGP slot. It's like the difference between a Athlon motherboard and a Pentium 4 motherboard (you can't fit the Pentium chip into the Athlon CPU slots). Either you need to pick a PCI-Express graphics card or switch to an AGP motherboard.

I recommend a PCI-Express motherboard because the transfer rate is double that of a AGPx8. The added bandwidth isn't as important with current cards (as most don't use the full bandwidth), but PCI-Express is the new thing and having the slot will be helpful for future upgrades.

 

[Rishi2k]

ok, i am finally thinking of oging with the 6600 256 (not GT), it is a nice cheap option for only a little over 200 bucks. But i am confused, it is the same card but tons of idffernt manufacturers? Whihc one do i choose? Theere is XFX, and some others? They are all kinda the same in price but what is the preformance difference between a 6600 256mb made bydiffernt manufactureres?
Thanks homies

 

[3ssence]

One quick point, what core are you getting on the processor ? Winchester, Venice ? Try and get a venice core as they are the latest release and are the best core so far, faster, a bit cooler etc,

Just my 2 cents

 

[NikolaX]

take 6600GT , not vanila one, memory is faster.
for brand, take the one who is better for you (bundle). they are all good.