Advice on build please?

[Shim]

Looking for some opinions on this build to make sure I'm not making any big mistakes.

-- AMD Athlon 64 X2 5600+ $260
-- Sapphire 100186L Radeon X1950XT 256MB GDDR3 PCIE x16 $200

Combo'd together for $379


-- BIOSTAR TFORCE 550 Socket AM2 NVIDIA nForce 550 MCP ATX AMD Motherboard - $79

Budget mobo I know but I'm not worried has everything I need.


-- Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 (Perpendicular Recording) 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM $75


-- Patriot eXtreme Performance 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model PDC22G6400LLK - Retail $184


Total is $716.96 but I get a total of $80 mail in rebates.
So $636.96


I was going to go for a Core 2 Duo e6600 but the AMD 5600+ combo deal with the Sapphire card seemed like a nice deal. Plus the 5600+ should be plenty for me. I'm going to be upgrading from an Athlon XP 2500+ and a Geforce 6600GT, so I doubt I'll be worried about losing a few FPS by taking the AMD

Some people are telling me to wait for Vista and DX10. But it'll take a year or so for the prices to come down into my range won't they?

Looking to stay around $700

Thanks for any advice

 

[wilcoxon]

Looks reasonable. However, I'd suggest something like this (prices are from memory so could be off):

Intel C2D E4300 $180
Gigabyte DS3 mobo $115
EVGA GeForce 8800GTS 320MB $290
G.Skill 2GB (2 x 1GB) DDR2-800 F2-6400CL5D-GBNQ $129
Seagate 7200.10 250GB $75 (same as you have)

Total: ~$785

More expensive but this setup supports DX10 and allows for more upgradability (DS3 supports quad core cpus and (I think) 333 FSB cpus (when they are released)).

 

[proof]

Looks reasonable. However, I'd suggest something like this (prices are from memory so could be off):

Intel C2D E4300 $180
Gigabyte DS3 mobo $115
EVGA GeForce 8800GTS 320MB $290
G.Skill 2GB (2 x 1GB) DDR2-800 F2-6400CL5D-GBNQ $129
Seagate 7200.10 250GB $75 (same as you have)

Total: ~$785

More expensive but this setup supports DX10 and allows for more upgradability (DS3 supports quad core cpus and (I think) 333 FSB cpus (when they are released)).

Make sure you go with the rev. 3.3 on the Gigabyte DS3.

 

[wilcoxon]

Make sure you go with the rev. 3.3 on the Gigabyte DS3.

To combine what I and Proof said, only the Rev 3.3 DS3 supports 1333.

Unfortunately, almost no place I've seen tells you what mobo rev they will send you. I just ordered a DS3 from NewEgg and am hoping it turns up as a rev 3.3 (looks like most on NewEgg since early March have been 3.3).

 

[alcattle]

I really doubt you need that much CPU, get the 3600+ and save more to get the same card or small upgrade.Get 2 gig of ddr2-800, that should put you at $300 leaving $400 for drives and Video

 

[skyguy]

Go lower on the CPU, cheap 800 RAM, and upgrade to an 8800GTS 320. That setup will chew through most anything you throw at it. Will also run Vista just fine. Will also run DX10 games when you make the move.

Graphics cards go obsolete much faster than a CPU or RAM. An AMD 3600 or 3800 will hold its usage for quite awhile if you're not doing hardcore computing-intensive tasks (which sounds like you're not). So consider moving up with the graphics card instead.....the 8800GTS is a beast and is at a very attractive price. Definitely worth a second look there in my opinion.

Great CPU + decent GPU = decent gaming

Decent CPU + Amazing GPU = amazing gaming

 

[Shim]

Thanks for the advice guys. I should have mentioned it, but I actually spend most my time doing 3d graphics. That's why I thought I should get a powerful CPU.

What if I downgrade the 5600+ to a 5000+ and upgrade the x1950xt to an 8800GTS 320?

Total price is about the same.

You say I should get some cheap 800 RAM? Isn't $134 for 2gig cheap anymore?