neophyte

P

pgresh

New Member
I am planning on purchasing my first computer. I reviewed the computer questions 101 and realized that I am pretty much ignorant. I have tried to compare systems, but the alphabet soup of nomenclatures make it difficult to do so (processors, boards, video cards, etc...). I would lke to purchase a pre-assembled system, but Dell has cancelled my order twice and I don't think they know I exist. I have also looked at alienware and abs. I plan on using the computer for gaming and lesson planning for school (powerpoint, publisher, etc...). I have heard the ATI and AMD make good products. My budget is $3000-$3,500. I would like a 19"-20" moniter, AMD 64FX-62, 2GB RAM (is there a great difference between 533-800MZ), 250 GB H.D., dual cd/dvd (is this necessary), 256-512 video card, start up soft ware, 5.1-7.1 sound card, and a warranty of some sort.

Thank you for any advise
 
Ncix

I need to buy a computer. I would like to purchase a system that can be upgraded at some point. I have researched companies (including NCIX), but the number of choices of video cards, processors, and boards has screwed up my head. I don't know what is compatible with what, or if I will need $1,000 of upgrades 3 months after I buy my computer to keep it "current". After more research I am even more confused. What is direct x10, and why will it make all video cards obselete? If I buy a computer with a AMG 64fx-62 processor will I need a new one in a year, and if I do need another processor will I have to get a new board? I was planning on buying the ATI 1950xtx (the high end one), but reading the posts makes me leary of purchasing such a expensive card, if it is not going to work with anything in a year. I would like to spend about $3,000 (more or less) for gaming and work related applications (primarily gaming). I will pay for a solid, upgradable system but have no idea what that is.

I have a system in mind:

Antec P180 Black ATX Mid Tower Aluminum Case 4X5.25 1X3.5 6X3.5INT No PS W/ USB & Audio Ports
(P180B) (sku: 18512) In Stock 1 $144.01 $144.01

Processor AMD Athlon 64 FX-62 Processor Socket AM2 Windsor 2.8GHZ 2000FSB 2X1MB L2 Cache 125W 90NM Retail Box
(ADAFX62CSBOX) (sku: 18452) In Stock 1 $900.88 $900.88

Motherboard ASUS M2N32-SLI Deluxe ATX AM2 Nforce 590 SLI 2PCI-E16 1PCI-E4 1PCI-E1 2PCI SATA2 1394 Motherboard
(M2N32-SLI DELUXE WIF) (sku: 18545) In Stock 1 $229.03 $229.03

LCD Display Samsung SyncMaster 205BW 20IN Widescreen LCD 1680X1050 6MS 600:1 DVI-D HDCP Black HAS W/ DVI Cable
(LS20HAWCBQ/XAA) (sku: 18705) In Stock 1 $345.11 $345.11

Memory OCZ Platinum XTC PC2-6400 2GB 2X1GB DDR2-800 CL4-5-4-15 240PIN DIMM Dual Channel Memory Kit
(OCZ2P8002GK) (sku: 18494) In Stock 1 $287.39 $287.39

IDE Hard Drives Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 250GB 7200RPM 16MB Cache ATA100 Hard Drive 5YR MFR Warranty
(ST3250624A) (sku: 18482) In Stock 1 $93.41 $93.41

Video Card BFG GeForce 7600 GS OC 420MHZ PCI-E 256MB 800MHZ DDR2 VGA DVI-I HDTV Out Video Card
(BFGR76256GSOCE) (sku: 18204) In Stock 1 $145.11 $145.11

Power Supply OCZ GameXStream 600W ATX12V 24PIN SLI Ready Active PFC ATX Power Supply 120MM Fan Black
(OCZ600GXSSLI) (sku: 18184) In Stock 1 $133.02 $133.02

Sound Card Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 4 SE PCI 7.1 Surround Sound Card OEM
(30SB061000000) (sku: 17936) In Stock 1 $48.49 $48.49

DVD Writer Samsung SH-S182 DVD+RW 18X8X16 DVD-RW 18X6X16 DL-8X DVD Writer IDE Black OEM W/ Software
(SH-S182D/BEBN) (sku: 20250) In Stock 1 $44.16 $44.16

Warranty 1 Year Parts & 1 Years Labour Limited Warranty On System Components
(1YEAR-DEPOT) (sku: 6024) No 1 $0.00 $0.00
Full assembly and testing of the system.



Any help?
 
What is Direct X 10? It is the latest version of Microsoft's 3D rendering tool. You will need Vista to upgrade to it.

Why will it make present obsolete? It won't for DX 9 capable cards. That will be the minimum requirement for video. Direct sound is another part of this type of MS tool.

Will I need a new cpu in one year's time? If you plan to go with the latest and fastest you will paying out for the next better, faster model that comes out. Many are still running older systems with older cpus. If a newer cpu is a different socket type like the AM2 is different from the Socket 939 boards you would need a new board thet supports the cpu type.

You are speaking to both an AMD and ATI fan here. So you know the word will be good on both of those products. DDR2 800 is faster memory then the 533 type in response to the first post. But OCZ and Asus boards do not seem to work together too well. Kingston, Corsair, Mushkin, and Crucial seem to see the best results. Their supplies however are premium for the premium price.

Dumping the BFG 7600 for the X1950 would be the advice here. MSI, eVGA, Asus, and ATI are the brands for that model card. Dump the dvd burner for a good Sony 810a or Lite-On model and you will see better results. Look into the type of cooling that will be needed for a gaming case. Are you planning water cooling or large fans?
 
You seem to be way to paranoid about always have the latest and greatest technology. Well, in the computer world, you can only have the latest and greatest for about a month, before something newer is rolled out. Computers and technology are one of the worst investments you can make, because there are constant improvements.


Anyway, if you want the best processor, go for the Core 2 Duo (Conroe). It is generally regarded as the best line of processors currently on the market. However, if you want to be future-proof and be able to upgrade to the best, go AMD (socket AM2), so you could upgrade to the Quad-Core AMD's in about a year. IMO, $3,000 is just looking for ways to buy expensive parts to brag about your computer. $1,500- $2,000 is more then enough to build an excellent gaming/work computer.
 
If you buy a new system and sit it on a shelf for 2yrs. time it will have lost about 80% of it's retail value by the time you went to use it. When I want a striclty gaming build here the option to wait a little time to see the prices drop is the time to grab up the best combination. :D

Game and other software developers are usually the ones to be found with the newest out right then. But that's their occupation for the actual need to be ahead of the average gamers. Otherwise you would sit around bored waiting for the next new game where your present build would be outdated by the time it hit the shelves. (now what do I do??? :eek: !)
 
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