Another Help me Obi-Wan Kenobi Your My Only Hope Thread

[Patfett]

I feel like I'm asking too many questions. But damn, the advise you guys give is good and has helped me a lot. Thank you!!

Anyways here's the situation I nearly have exactly what I want with every thing I need for a new system.

CASE
PSU
Combo- 103.98

AMD X2 3800+
MSI K9N Plat.

Combo- 267.99

DDR2667-2GB

162.99

250GBHD

82.99

7900GT

269.99

Other costs Artic silver 5.99, DVI cable 12.99
Shipping- 39.74
Total- 946.99

I need to cut this by at most $100, somewhere between $850-$875. One way is to bump down to 7600GT, but that 7900GT sounds really good to me as a gamer. I'm also getting a Widescreen monitor so that's something that 7900GT would be great for too. Other option is go with less memory and HD space. Any suggestions or alternative savings is appreciated.

 

[njrpeter]

Cut out a gig of ram.

To me, it will have the least impact on your gaming performance (WAAY less of an impact than moving from a 7900 to a 7600) AND it's the easiest thing to upgrade later when you've got some extra cash - you just pop an extra stick in so you don't lose anything.

 

[NeonDeon]

True
Cut back your ram, and that should do you just about right. And your wide screen, YOU DON"T HAVE TO GO WITH A BIG NAME BRAND! Most if not all of the LCD's are made by 2-3 manufactures and then sold to say a Sony, JVC, DEll and on and on. So your could save another $100 just by getting a Screptre or Vizio....

 

[Morton]

You could take a single-core CPU (e.g., Athlon 3700+ San Diego) if you are going to need high performance only for gaming. That could save some money too.

 

[Patfett]

I'm going with this LCD

http://www.westinghousedigital.com/pc-60-3-22-widescreen-monitor.aspx

It looks just like what I need in a TV/Monitor. Lots of connections for my consoles. I like the sweet spot between 20" and 24" too. It also costs about the same if I went with some of the cheaper 20.1" models plus adding a TV-Tuner. Gives me the option of upgrading to HDTV down the road as well.

I've toyed with the cpu idea but think in the long run I'll be happier with dual core since this system will last me a while.

Memory seems to be the most viable option.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820145573

That puts me at 876.67, plus it gives me a better CAS lat. of 4. I think I can spare the extra buck fifty.

 

[Pain]

True
Most if not all of the LCD's are made by 2-3 manufactures and then sold to say a Sony, JVC, DEll and on and on. So your could save another $100 just by getting a Screptre or Vizio....

The panels themselves are made by a few companies, but the different monitor manufacturers could be making the electronics that drive the panels, and that could effect quality and performance as well.

 

[NeonDeon]

That's what I ment, Sorry i didn't say panels.

 

[yourmothersanastronaut]

Why are you getting that? It's the same resolution as my 20" Viewsonic VX2025wm but mine has the resolution over a smaller area - will make it look much sharper. And it's cheaper. If you plan on doing that resolution, get nothing less than a 7600GT.

As a reference, My 7900GT plays FEAR at highest detail settings, with softshadows on as well. A 7600GT could probably play at max as well, just without softshadows.

I would recommend bumping down the monitor to either the Viewsonic VX2025wm or the BenQ FP202W, unless there's some pressing reason you need a monitor that expensive.

 

[Plekto]

I'd get a 17 inch or 19 inch CRT - A KDS 19 inch is $169 last I checked, and the 17 incher is a paltry $110. That saves a lot of money.

 

[Patfett]

Like I said It's going to be a dual TV'PC monitor to replace an old crap TV. It has all the connections I want and it's the right size.

 

[yourmothersanastronaut]

OK, in that case it's a pretty good choice. Specs look solid.