advice please

[avischneier]

Hello All...I could really use some advice. After much research and confusion, I think I have settled on the majority of my next system. I am mainly a gamer with some word processing thrown in. Here are some questions:

I chose Intel P4 2.8C over AMD (anyone object?)

I wasn't sure about the chipset & mobo. Most info seems to say that the advantage of an 875 is off set by the 865PE with the right mobo, so...

For 875: AX4C Max or any other mobo

For 865PE: Asus P4P800 Deluxe or Aopen AX4SPE Max 2 or MSI Neo2 PFIRS

If you have more than 2 cents to toss in:

120 GB SATA HD: Seagate or Western Digital?

Radeon 9600-Pro or nVidia Ge Force FX5200?

Does RAM maker matter if its not Corsair?

Is there an ultimate gaming mouse (I'm getting the Logitech MX500 - 8 programmable buttons!)

Thanks to all in advance for all help.

 

[ChipDeath]

I'll let others argue the inevitable A64 Vs P4 stuff, but a 9600Pro Vs a 5200 is a non-contest. The 9600 Pro will destroy the 5200 in absolutely everything.

many peeps will recommend the Abit IS7 for an 865 Mobo.

---
Epox 8RDA+ rev1.1 w/ Custom NB HS
XP1700+ @205x11 (~2.26Ghz), 1.575Vcore
2x256Mb Corsair PC3200LL 2-2-2-4
Sapphire 9800Pro 420/744

 

[errr]

If you are gaming alot i would recomend Amd. Nothing against Pentium. If you are going for Amd get the Epox nforce2 ultra board or the DFI Lanparty board. For the Intel board get the ISF board as he said, coz many sites have good reviews on that board.
For the hard drive, go for the cheaper one coz both brands are pretty good. Why dont you get the 9600XT instead of the 9600Pro? I would recommend any brand name ram at least DDR400.

 

[pat]

Why not AMD 64 instead on AthlonXP?

-Always put the blame on you first, then on the hardware !!!

 

[avischneier]

Thanks for the help. After everyone's post and my freind nagging me, I am now looking at AMD systems (this is driving me insane!). I see you have an Epox board. I looked through what's available from my chosen vendor and narrowed it down to 3 boards:
Epox 8RDA3+ , Asus A7N8X-Deluxe, and the MSI K7N2 Delta-ILSR

The MSI is front running b/c I couldn't tell from the Epox website whether or not it has front USB ports, which the MSI has. Does your Epox have front USB?

 

[Spitfire_x86]

I recommend A64 2800+ over P4C 2.8 GHz, not AXP 2800+/3000+

MSI K8N Neo is recommended motherboard for A64

If you go for AXP 3000+, then buy ABIT NF7-S v2.0

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<A HREF="http://geocities.com/spitfire_x86" target="_new">My Website</A>

<A HREF="http://geocities.com/spitfire_x86/myrig.html" target="_new">My Rig</A> & <A HREF="http://geocities.com/spitfire_x86/benchmark.html" target="_new">3DMark score</A>

 

[blah]

I run USB 4 port hub which is on the desk, so I don't even have to bend over to get to the front of the PC anymore, so that might solve your "front USB" request for ANY mobo. Plus, it is not a mobo, but the case that suppose to have USB up front.

..this is very useful and helpful place for information...

 

[Oracle]

The Asus board has pins for front panel USB connections, but if you consider the A7N8X-Deluxe, make absolutely sure its a <b>Revision 2.0</b> board. Otherwise, bye bye FSB400!!!

 

[Snaggle]

"Does RAM maker matter if its not Corsair?"

Yes;but really it's the chipset of the ram that matters most.I would use mushkin as they're just as good as corsair and usually a little cheaper or kingston,ocz(but not their value ram).

 

[Cybercraig]

Pat is right! The smart money builds an A64 instead of an XP or a P4. Do yourself a favor and listen to him! The Nforce3-250 chipsets are here!

"I am become death, the destroyer of worlds. Now, let's eat!

 

[customvinnie]

Yup, AMD64 better choice. I just bought my P4 2.8e with P4C800-E deluxe last week and I would trade it for AMD64 anyday. For us gamers AMD is the path and the price is right. I'm also starting to think I prefer Nvidia since I never had probs with them. I went with 9800pro and sure enuf its buggy alright. So from a gamer to a gamer AMD+nVidia= Happy camper

4800se score - <A HREF="http://service.futuremark.com/compare?2k1=6439840" target="_new">http://service.futuremark.com/compare?2k1=6439840</A>