My First Upgrade Build - for DX10

[the yeti]

ok heres my old rig:

My current rig:

CPU: Pentium D 2.8ghz
GPU: ATI x300 Running at 320mhz core =[
MB: i dont know the mobo...
RAM: 1gb DDR ram
HDD: 250 GB wd 7200RPM hardrive
Sound Card: Realtek HighDef 7.1 Sound card
PSU: 300W Stock PSU
Cooling: stock air
OS: windows xp media center edition
Screen: 19" HP f1905
Speakers: HP stock 2.0 sterio speakers =[
Keyboard: Stock hp keyboard
Mouse: microsoft wireless lazer mouse *btw im not an idiot, i got this mouse for Christmas, and it is pretty nice, i dont mind it while gaming*


and heres my upgrade rig:

CPU: penryn E8400
GPU: 8800 GT
MB: p35 DS3L or 680i SLI
RAM: 2 x 2GB DDR2 800 (Patriot)
HDD: **Keeping old one**
Sound Card: **Keeping old one**
PSU: HOW MANY WATTS DO I NEED?? especially if i ant to SLI
Cooling: LIQUID (both cpu and gpu) - any suggestions?? *keep under $150*
OS: Vista SP 1
Screen: 19" HP f1905
Speakers: Logitech 5.1 SS Z5500
Keyboard: Maybe a Razer turantula
Mouse: Maybe a razer diamondback g3

ALSO NOTE: i will be upgrading everything but the MB, RAM, and HDD in January!! So, i will be getting the price drops on the GPU... but if anyone thinks i should buy a g92 model thats $300 and under... please suggest, becaus i have only heard about the g92 GTS

what do you think? Upgrade any parts? keep any old ones instead of upgrading? Tell me what you think? .. keep in mind that i want to be able to play dx10 games on 1280 x 1240 resolution for about three years before having to upgrade again.










For those who dont feel like searching for Penryn and phenom prices to tell me to upgrade or switch or whatever... here they are:

Intel

The most well known is the one coming out first, the 3GHz 12MB L2 Quad-core QX9650, price on that part should be ~$1029.00, and available very soon.

The three new models that have popped up, official launch is 01/08 for the models below:

E8200 2.66GHz 1333MHz FSB 6MB L2 Cache $177.00

E8400 3.0GHz 1333MHz FSB 6MB L2 Cache $198.00

E8500 3.16GHz 1333MHz FSB 6MB L2 Cache $281.00

(Prices are street estimates)

http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/topic/69355/

AMD

HD9500WCGDBOX CPU Desktop Phenom X4 9500 (4MB,95W,AM2) box $247.00

HD9600WCGDBOX CPU Desktop Phenom X4 9600 (4MB,95W,AM2) box $278.00

HD9700XAGDBOX CPU Desktop Phenom X4 9700 (4MB,125W,AM2) box $288.00

Note: These are distributor prices, the prices in retail stores will be a bit higher.

http://www.dvhardware.net/article23011.html

 

[mimart7]

You should upgrade your ram if you are going to be using vista, 2 gb. 1 gb will just bog your system down. newegg has great deals on 2 gb of ram

 

[the yeti]

im going to be using vista 64 bit, with 4 gb (2 x 2gb) patiot DDR2 Dual channel 800 ram - $100 at frys =]

is that a nice set of ram?

 

[the yeti]

O heres some links of the ram:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220269

http://shop3.outpost.com/%7BWbHGFVcJD1EZngaBjtgGTA**.node1%7D/product/5200607;jsessionid=WbHGFVcJD1EZngaBjtgGTA**.node1?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

OR should i go with any of these???

http://shop3.outpost.com/product/5253827?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227231

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227252

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231098