Another new computer thread

Tonner Cyn · 03-29-2006, 09:38 PM

My first post here and it's one of these

. Anyway, I'm looking to upgrade from my Pentium III 1.0 ghz relic. My primary purpose for the machine is to play games, with some basic application/internet use as well. I've been shopping at cyberpowerpc.com and came up with the following:

Athlon 64 X2 3800+
1 gig PC3200 400mhz RAM
Geforce 6600 256 mb pci-e
80 gig 7200 rpm hdd
dual layer/dual format dvd burner
integrated 7.1 audio
Asus A8N-SLI nForce4 socket 939 mobo
COST: 688.00

Couple of questions:

1 - Video Card:
Upgrading to a 6800 XT is $51; this is within budget, but I'm not sure the performance difference warrants it.
Upgrading to a 7600 GT is $134; questionable as to whether I really want to spend that much money, but if it significantly improves the machine...
Thoughts?

2 - Audio:
Upgrades are $30 for an Audigy SE, $42 for an Audigy 4 SE, $117 for X-Fi ExtremeMusic. My nephew says the onboard sound will be fine, and especially if I am going to upgrade the video card it will have to be. Will the integrated be sufficient?

3 - RAM
Upgrading to 2 gigs would cost another $120 for 4 sticks, $135 for 2. I cannot do this and upgrade anything else. I figure I can find better deals down the road and make do with the 1 gig, but if I'm wrong let me know.

Lastly, I originally had this set up with an Athlon 64 3200+, but it was only $5 less. For that small amount, it makes sense to go with the dual-core, right?

Thanks for any advice you can give me!

m3incorp · 03-29-2006, 09:50 PM

First off, I would agree with going with the 64 X2 3800+ over the 64 3200+.

One of the most important items for gaming is the video card. You might want to really put some thought into which card to get.

Initially the audio will do; if you have nice upgraded speakers, then you may want to upgrade the sound later.

1GB RAM will do as a starter, and many find it to be enough.

elmarcorulz · 03-29-2006, 10:06 PM

http://www.computerforum.com/showpos...91&postcount=5

Take a look at the third one down, the < $700 and see if its in your budget.

Tonner Cyn · 03-29-2006, 10:15 PM

I noticed the <$700 build. I'll have to check the benchmarks, but I tend to favor the nvidia cards. The only major difference there (that I see) is that the hard drive is twice as big.

suprasteve · 03-29-2006, 10:25 PM

I'm guessing you've seen the Computer Specs 101, it's got some good setups to consider and tweak, and as far as the video card, if you're going to be gaming I would HIGHLY suggest at least the 6800, you can double your hard drive space for not much more which I would consider a good idea, and 1gig should be fine for ram

kjkiller · 03-29-2006, 10:27 PM

it would be much cheeper if you built 1 at newegg.com rater than one at cyberpowerpc.com

haynea4f · 03-29-2006, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kjkiller

it would be much cheeper if you built 1 at newegg.com rater than one at cyberpowerpc.com

I dont know, I compared my setup from newegg to cyberpowerpc and it came up about even. A person needs to factor everything in, including all of the free software that cyberpower offers, as well as shipping and taxes. IMO, it comes out to be the same.

But I am new at computer stuff also so I am still learning about all of the technical jargon.

Jet · 03-29-2006, 11:53 PM

don't hijack the thread, make a new one!

haynea4f · 03-29-2006, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jet

don't hijack the thread, make a new one!

Right you are, I edited my quote. Sorry about that

croaker68 · 03-30-2006, 10:21 AM

on the cyberpowerpc site, if you choose one of their specials that offers free shipping, you can configure it to whatever you want, and still get the free shipping, that might give you some extra money to use towards the pc -

03-29-2006, 09:38 PM	#1 (permalink)
Tonner Cyn New Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Fullerton, CA Posts: 21	Another new computer thread My first post here and it's one of these . Anyway, I'm looking to upgrade from my Pentium III 1.0 ghz relic. My primary purpose for the machine is to play games, with some basic application/internet use as well. I've been shopping at cyberpowerpc.com and came up with the following: Athlon 64 X2 3800+ 1 gig PC3200 400mhz RAM Geforce 6600 256 mb pci-e 80 gig 7200 rpm hdd dual layer/dual format dvd burner integrated 7.1 audio Asus A8N-SLI nForce4 socket 939 mobo COST: 688.00 Couple of questions: 1 - Video Card: Upgrading to a 6800 XT is $51; this is within budget, but I'm not sure the performance difference warrants it. Upgrading to a 7600 GT is $134; questionable as to whether I really want to spend that much money, but if it significantly improves the machine... Thoughts? 2 - Audio: Upgrades are $30 for an Audigy SE, $42 for an Audigy 4 SE, $117 for X-Fi ExtremeMusic. My nephew says the onboard sound will be fine, and especially if I am going to upgrade the video card it will have to be. Will the integrated be sufficient? 3 - RAM Upgrading to 2 gigs would cost another $120 for 4 sticks, $135 for 2. I cannot do this and upgrade anything else. I figure I can find better deals down the road and make do with the 1 gig, but if I'm wrong let me know. Lastly, I originally had this set up with an Athlon 64 3200+, but it was only $5 less. For that small amount, it makes sense to go with the dual-core, right? Thanks for any advice you can give me!

03-29-2006, 10:06 PM	#3 (permalink)
elmarcorulz VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: UK Age: 21 Posts: 6,033	http://www.computerforum.com/showpos...91&postcount=5 Take a look at the third one down, the < $700 and see if its in your budget. __________________ C2D E6300 @ 2.6Ghz Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3 2GB DDR2 667 1TB (1x500GB 2x250GB HDD) BFG 8800GTS 320MB PFC Til I Die

03-29-2006, 11:53 PM	#8 (permalink)
Jet Diamond Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 5,288	don't hijack the thread, make a new one! __________________ Macbook/Intel Core Duo 1.83Ghz/2GB DDR2 667/60GB HD/OSX 10.4.11/160GB 3.5" Firewire External/160GB Maxtor One Touch 4 Mini External/

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03-29-2006, 09:50 PM	#2 (permalink)
m3incorp Gold Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 262	First off, I would agree with going with the 64 X2 3800+ over the 64 3200+. One of the most important items for gaming is the video card. You might want to really put some thought into which card to get. Initially the audio will do; if you have nice upgraded speakers, then you may want to upgrade the sound later. 1GB RAM will do as a starter, and many find it to be enough.

03-29-2006, 10:15 PM	#4 (permalink)
Tonner Cyn New Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Fullerton, CA Posts: 21	I noticed the <$700 build. I'll have to check the benchmarks, but I tend to favor the nvidia cards. The only major difference there (that I see) is that the hard drive is twice as big.

03-29-2006, 10:25 PM	#5 (permalink)
suprasteve Diamond Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 1,355	I'm guessing you've seen the Computer Specs 101, it's got some good setups to consider and tweak, and as far as the video card, if you're going to be gaming I would HIGHLY suggest at least the 6800, you can double your hard drive space for not much more which I would consider a good idea, and 1gig should be fine for ram

03-29-2006, 10:27 PM	#6 (permalink)
kjkiller banned Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: USA Posts: 223	it would be much cheeper if you built 1 at newegg.com rater than one at cyberpowerpc.com

03-30-2006, 10:21 AM	#10 (permalink)
croaker68 New Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 8	on the cyberpowerpc site, if you choose one of their specials that offers free shipping, you can configure it to whatever you want, and still get the free shipping, that might give you some extra money to use towards the pc -