I'm looking to make a gaming computer

[Snyper]

I'm looking to make a good gaming computer on a budget of about $1000, but my question is an AMD 64 all what it is supposed to be? What I mean is that there is no 64 bit software currently running on computers so why go 64 why not just go an Athalon XP? Is it better for gaming?

 

[ak_smallz]

if you have 1000, sur eyou can fit an athlon xp into your budget. But when 64bit comes around in the next year or 2, you will be able to run it with a 64bit processor much better. The best xp processor is the 3200+, and that costs about 130 bucks if i remember right. For the athlon 64 3200+ (socket 939), the price is about 170 or so. So fir the extra 40 bucks, you will be able to get a much more "future proof" (i hate that phrase) processor and it will perform a bit better because it is built better. With a socket 939, you also have the option of getting a PCI-E graphics card, which can save you about 30 bucks on average than thier AGP counterparts.
So with that bit of knowledge, heres a rundown of a setup you might be able to work with:

Athlon 64 3500+ (skt 939)
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-103-460&depa=1
Fast, Great for games, will run anything. Also very overclockable. In my opinion best bang for buck processor out there.

Abit "AN8" Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-127-197&depa=1
Abit is a great manufacturer of motherboards, and you cant really go wrong with this board. You can do anything with it you like...

Corsair 1 gig Value RAM (512x2)
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=20-145-440&depa=1
Cheap, reliable, does exactly what it is supposed to do. Also best rated on Newegg fyi...

Western Digital 160gb SATA Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=22-144-152&depa=1
Only 90 bucks, and unless you download a TON you should never fill it up... and if you do you can always get another one. Make sure to get SATA drives because they are much faster.

EVGA 6600GT
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-130-214&depa=1
The best bang for buck card right now. Runs every game close to high settings. Also, EVGA is a great manufacturer of cards because they put good heatsinks on the GPU and thier cards wont crap out on you within the year.

Total of all that should be around 800, so you have 200 to spend on a case, power supply, cooling (heasink/fan for CPU and case fans), and such. Shouldnt be too hard to do that. If you seem to still need a bit more cash, downgrade the processor to the Athlon 64 3200+ (skt 939) and that should save a good 70 bucks or so.
Have fun with the computer!

EDIT: My bad, i just had a look at the 3500 again and its like 300, so the total would have been 850. Also the OEM Athlon 64 3200+ is only like 170, so youd be saving 130 bucks over the 3500. The Athlon 64 3200+ may be the better choice....

 

[emeraldice]

ak_smallz is just about right. My question. 1000 for the computer or 1000 for just the CPU?

AMD 64 processers can support 64 bits. Your right, the problem is there is no 64 bit software. But the 64 bit software will come, almost certainly with Win XP 64 (spring '05) and Longhorn (never) come out. In fact, there's a trial version of Win 64 and it doesn't have 100% compatiablity w/ 32 bit systems. Work station apps, i.e. video editing, music and photo editing for pros will most likely come out w/ 64 bit stuff first, then games, then everyone will write in 64 bits.

 

[bigtimeballer50]

that vid card is kind of bad choice buy the 6800 gt evga

 

[GrimReaper23]

well what is 64 bit supposed to be better in speed?

 

[jnev_89]

that vid card is kind of bad choice buy the 6800 gt evga

how is a 6600gt a bad choice. for a budget of $1000 it's the best choice, you don't want to be spending half of your budget on you gpu.

 

[bigtimeballer50]

ok iddint mean that bad...

grim 64 bit is made for gaming it improves game performance...

 

[Snyper]

thanks you guys I was originally thinking around 1000 dollars but it looks like I'll have closer to 1500 to spend what would the modifications be for that budget?

 

[majistic]

With $1000 you can have a great computer for that. You can get a good gaming computer for around $700-$800.

 

[jnev_89]

with $1500 (i'm assuming this is without the monitor) you can build an awesome gaming pc. get a 6800gt or x850, a 3500 winchester, dfi or msi nforce4 mobo, 1gb of gskill memory. get a good psu like a ocz 520w and some nice cooling so you can oc.