New computer system recommendations

Assume this is for gaming? (need to mention purpose if you want a non-gaming PC) Are you going to OC?

IF your PSU is a good quality one (Antec, Enermax, Fortron or other quality brand) 400w will be fine for an A64 system.

For cheap, I'd get a Chaintech VNF4 or VNF4/Ultra (good board, great price). For OCing I'd get an Epox 9npa series - pick your features. If you like abit, get an ABit AN8 (pick your features).

Get an A64 3500+ Venice core. If budget is tight, drop to 3200+ Venice.

1GB RAM. PC3200 unless you OC. 2Gb if budget is there, but don't skimp on video card.

Video card: Best you can afford. 7800GT is the best performance for a 'not bad' price. 6800GS if you can't swing the 7800.

Mike.

You can do MUCH better for $1K - agree with Fish on most, but think you should look at ATIs new AVIVO card capabilities....

Whoops - good catch - forgot he wanted VIVO...  

Mike.

:wink:

Yes, 2 GB RAM (forgot to post that), and yes this is for gaming mainly - and not planning to overclock.

Ok - mainly for gaming and no overclocking. Gotcha!
*Thumbs Up*

do you want an upgrade path or are you interested in todays performance bang for the buck? Seems every time I try to plan for upgrade path besides vid card I end up replacing entire system anyway. Consider A64 3700 socket 754 if upgrade is not an issue, performs as well as socket 939 at 2.2 ghz but less expensive same with motherboard in most cases. DFI has good socket 754 with pci express just put it together myself and no problems so far, but documetation is bad. This combo would help your budget however and allow you to put more cash towards more ram better vid card etc.. I'd recommend lookign at Toms hardware cpu charts to compare performance and price can be compared at pricewatch.com But again if upgrade path is important "not that u will use it" go with socket 939.

you dont need 2GB of ram on a budget...it will give you like 1-2% increase for performance for games....that same $100 for your video card coul as as much at 100% when your talking about going from a 6800GS to a 7800GT.

you dont need 2GB of ram on a budget...it will give you like 1-2% increase for performance for games....that same $100 for your video card coul as as much at 100% when your talking about going from a 6800GS to a 7800GT.

You sure? many players of EQ2 game have told that the performance gain by upgrading memory to 2 GB from 1 GB is significant..

Thats the thing.....it will give you a small boost. but $100 for ram gets you 1-3%

an extra $100 added to a gpu gets you from a 6800GS to a 7800GT....which is MORE THEN a 100% performance increase.


IF you have a AMD A64 4000+ and a 7800GTX THEN AND ONLY THEN could you spend for 2GB of ram because you can't increase anythign else.



I assure you a 3000+, 1GB value ram, and a 7800GT
is WAY WAY better then...
A64 FX57, 2GB of best ram known to man, and a 6800GS

And its cheaper($500, vs $1500)....the GPU pulls the load, not the cpu or ram.

Ok txs   can you recommend good memomy manufacturer + model? which would fit to the budget.

What video board (suitable for the motherboard above) you recommend? Need to have at least analog video input for video editing.

http://www.computerhq.com/ATI_ALL_IN_WONDERX1800_XL256MB/100-714400/hardware/partinfo-id-571919.html

This is a AIW X1800XL...This will have VIVO functions as well as top notch gaming...its about $80 higher then the 7800GT. but has video in and video out...so thats your call.

Ram...get http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145440
this will get you 1GB of value ram...exactly what you need on a budget