Homebuild... Suggestions needed

[PJ101]

I am looking to upgrade as soon as i get some money.. Initially i wont have enough money to get a new graphics card and ram. So, right now here are my plans

ASRock 939Dual-SATA2 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813157081 $69.99

AMD Athlon 64 3000+ 1GHz HT Socket 939 Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103537 $148.00
3200 – $166 (runs 2.0) 3500 - $201 (runs 2.2) 3700 - $213 (same as 3500 with more cache 1mb) 3800 - $282 ( 2.4 w/ 512 cache)
I have some leway in processor choices.. Although i need to keep it cheap

Currently i have a p4 2.8 with 512 cheap ram @ 333 with a FX5500
All that i want to go eventually

I dont have much room to budge on that mobo.. I need AGP and PCI-E for upgradability. My current PSU (450W) will do.

Eventually i also want,

CORSAIR ValueSelect 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM System Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145579 $141.50

HIS Hightech Radeon X1600XT H160XTQT256GDDN IceQ Turbo CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814161160 $189.00 ($144.00 after $45.00 Mail-In Rebate

Willing to take suggestions on any components.. the mobo must have both interfaces though.

 

[DragonDoc]

I am looking to upgrade as soon as i get some money.. Initially i wont have enough money to get a new graphics card and ram. So, right now here are my plans

ASRock 939Dual-SATA2 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813157081 $69.99

AMD Athlon 64 3000+ 1GHz HT Socket 939 Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103537 $148.00
3200 – $166 (runs 2.0) 3500 - $201 (runs 2.2) 3700 - $213 (same as 3500 with more cache 1mb) 3800 - $282 ( 2.4 w/ 512 cache)
I have some leway in processor choices.. Although i need to keep it cheap

I dont know to much about the ASRock motherboard myself....but checking it out it seems to have some good features. About the processor and if you have or want to spend a little more....I would recommend going with the 3500+ or maybe the 3700+. You would not see a big difference between the 3000+ or 3200+ (At leaset not in performance to price ratio).

Hope this helps. Good luck and enjoy the upgrade!

 

[Caboose-1]

For a CPU I would have to agree that a 3000 to 3500 is suitable, the final buy is ultimately up to you, but I personally would recommend a 3200 or a 3500. As far as graphics go, that card will do well, I am running it as we speak. BTW, I wrote the "Ringbus Shringbus" review on newegg, just for sake of not repeating myself, read that if you want my full opinion on that card. To be blunt, get the card. But if you prefer nVidia, get a 6800GS. All in all those two cards are evenly matched, it just basically comes down to personal preference. As for the motherboard, that should be fine, but, to be absolutely sure you don't waste your money, do extensive research on all considered parts. Make sure to discharge static electricity when adding/removing parts, you can do this by simply touching an unpainted part of your PC chassis. Have fun .

 

[DragonDoc]

As for the motherboard, that should be fine, but, to be absolutely sure you don't waste your money, do extensive research on all considered parts.

Concur :roll:

 

[Datman]

Have you thought of upgading your current board, it is still a good chipset.

Something around 3+Ghz 800FSB, dual channel memory 2x512MB 400Mhz and a 7800gs, X850 or X1600Pro agp graphics card. Should be good for a while yet.

 

[Caboose-1]

Just have fun with it and if you have any problems don't be afraid to give a ring, we'll help you.

 

[PJ101]

Thanks a bunch guys, I shouldn't have any problem putting this together once i buy the parts (built my current rig). I take that from all of the positive respons that this would whoop my current rig even if i kept the same memory and fraphics card for a bit.

 

[mdd1963]

If you can afford the 3500+ over the 3000+ and 3200+, that's the model I'd get, being the next jump up in speed (2.2G), but without the large L2 cache of the 3700+....

Do you intend any 3d gaming with this rig? If not, could probably stick with your current card for a while, as just about any card will do for 2d work....

If so, look at a 6800GS in PCI-e, or when you can afford it, a 7800GT, a fine gaming card for the approx $258 some vendors ask when it is on sale...; the 7900GT shold be here soon at around a rumoured $299...

 

[PJ101]

I do plenty of gaming, my current setup runs the cod2 demo at dx7 at med. settings. I plan to get the full game and want it to run at pretty high settings, so and vga card advice is appreciated. Thanks