Upgrading CPU, Mobo, and GFX Card...

[joule]

So, I have 'some' money to spend and want to invest it into some new parts for my PC. I already have enough RAM (2 GB, PC-3200), a large enough HD (250 GB/SATA), a brand-new sound card (Audigy 2 ZS), and a mouse/keyboard/monitor that don't need attention for at least another few years.

So to be fully prepared for upcoming games and to run them without a hitch(almost), here is what I am considering:

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16819103497

I'm thinking about getting that, because an FX-series processor is just too damn expensive, and this will suitably suffice. (Finally making the switch over to AMD )

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813131517

An SLI motherboard to accompany the bleeding-edge video card.

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16814143037

So I've decided to go with NVIDIA this time around, and what a sweet beauty she is. I don't want to spend more than, say, $400 on a video card. PCI-Express FTW!

Pending Subtotal: $911.00 :O

So what do you all think? Any conflictions, comments, concerns, adjustments, recommendations? I don't know that much, but enough to know what to look for.

Some questions:

What's the major difference between an NVIDIA 7800 GT and an NVIDIA 7800 GTX, specifically?

I can just use the one video card for that SLI mobo and if I want to, just buy the same exact video card later on down the road, correct?

My tech-buddy says that if I replace my mobo, that I'll have to reformat my HD. Is this true? But then he says, if it's the same brand motherboard as the one I had previously, Asus, that I shouldn't have that much of a problem and thus wouldn't have to reformat. But he said he doesn't guarantee it.

These components are set to replace what I have now, which is:
P4 2.26 GHz Processor
Asus P4P800-E Deluxe Motherboard
ATI Radeon 9800 Pro 128MB RAM/256-Bit

 

[Qonfused]

Hmm.

If you've got the money and don't have anything else to spend it on, by all means go for it. I do think you're going a little overboard with the processor (you could easily get a lower GHz and overclock with stock cooling and get the same speeds, if not more). But as I said, do with your money as you wish.

The major difference between the two cards is just more horsepower.
Yep, you can use the card you have now, and then maybe add another card down the road for SLi.
I wouldn't think you'd have to reformat... never heard about that before. Although I would, just because it's like a fresh start -- like a new PC. You have new, faster parts with a clean HD.

Btw, you still owe me a 6800GT.

 

[Lahire149]

But if you get the 4000+ then it wil easily make up for any (neglible) loss u might experince by getting the GT instead of teh GTX.

And i'd reather have more CPU then GPU. CPU has more functions and overall system performance.
In a nutshell that rig is uber sweet.

 

[joule]

I've still yet to hear Asus comment on it.

 

[duffers20]

Don't forget to check out the power requirements of your new stuff to see if your current psu will be beefy enough to handle the new card and cpu.

 

[Asus]

Looks good. Athlon 64 4000+ is an awesome unit and I've seen some nice OCs from those.
Solid board, nice gfx card choice. No real reason to pay a premium for the 7800GTX with the games we have out now. Stay with the 7800GT.
You will notice a huge difference. :thumbs:

I would recommend reformating. If the controller for the harddrives differs on the boards then you will have to reformat no matter what. But what will most likely happen is if you try to boot to your currect install on a new board is it will give you a nice windows blue screen of death because the motherboard drivers installed are not correct for the chipset and features on the new board. There is a way to get around it but personally...I would just reinstall and make sure it's done right. Nothing like doing a botch job with a Windows Install and having problems still popping up months down the road.

I assume you have a good Powersupply. If you ever have random crashes after you put this together, powersupply will be the easiest thing to check.

 

[joule]

Thank you, Asus. Great help.

And you, too, duffers20.

 

[Top Secret]

Personally, I'd go with a slower CPU, and get a GTX.

Then again, I OC everything that can be measured in mhz.

 

[giant384]

Personally, I'd go with a slower CPU, and get a GTX.

Then again, I OC everything that can be measured in mhz.

y would u go with a slower cpu and faster gfx card the gt is still great

 

[Top Secret]

y would u go with a slower cpu and faster gfx card the gt is still great

Because it's quite possible to make up the 4000 with a slower CPU through overclocking it. Saving some money (Possibly).

It's funny, a lot of people don't realise that overclocking can cost you more than it can save you. =) (Not saying you don't.) But I learned that the hard way, back in the day. (Ofcourse, in the case of my 3.0, I saved a couple hundred. =D )

Money saved by dropping down CPU and OCing ->

- $125

Arctic Silver ->
+ $8

High performance heatsink ->

+ $50

Delta Fan ->

+ $15

Money saved added to upgrade ram ->

+ $55

Coming up $3 over, and 10 mhz under?

Priceless.

 

[giant384]

Because it's quite possible to make up the 4000 with a slower CPU through overclocking it. Saving some money (Possibly).

It's funny, a lot of people don't realise that overclocking can cost you more than it can save you. =) (Not saying you don't.) But I learned that the hard way, back in the day. (Ofcourse, in the case of my 3.0, I saved a couple hundred. =D )

Money saved by dropping down CPU and OCing ->

- $125

Arctic Silver ->
+ $8

High performance heatsink ->

+ $50

Delta Fan ->

+ $15

Money saved added to upgrade ram ->

+ $55

Coming up $3 over, and 10 mhz under?

Priceless.

what about ocing the 4000 did u ever think about that

 

[bryanf445]

i have a 7800gt and it runs fantastic

 

[Qonfused]

Thank you, Asus. Great help.

And you, too, duffers20.

You're welcome.

;( ;( ;( ;(

 

[Top Secret]

what about ocing the 4000 did u ever think about that

That just blew right over your head, didn't it?

 

[Reaktor4]

id wait for the new ati cards before i made a decision

 

[tranCendenZ]

Nice system. Save some cash and get this eVGA 7800GT on sale instead:
http://www.halflife2.net/forums/showpost.php?p=1605314&postcount=1