Alright, I have done a lot of research here with all the smart people's postings , but I am still a bit confused. I wanted to ask a few questions and get some advice on what I should put in my new computer. For starters, its been 2 years since I built a computer, so mine is "outdated".
OLD Computer:
Athlon XP 2200+
Asus A7N8X-E Deluxe
1 GB PC2700 Corsair XMS Pro LL
GeForce 4 Ti4600 128mb
420 Antec Quiet PSU
120gb SATA Maxtor 7200rpm
60gb Maxtor 7200rpm ATA133 (not sure what mb cache is but its only for cheap storage)
80gb Maxtor 7200rpm ATA133 (crapped out last week so bout the SATA, smartest thing I ever did)
Basic floppy, cdrw, dvdrw, etc.
This computer is basically a heavy gaming computer (CS, WC3, Halo, UT2k4, Far Cry, eventually HL2 and Doom 3). I do a lot of sound editting as well (guitar, bass and vocals). Just to give some headway into what this computer will be used for
New Chip? I was looking at the AMD 64 3200+ or the 3800+, my question is...I want to be able to utilize the Dual Channel ability in the RAM I get, so which socket is best for that? I wanted to get the socket 939, know if it will become usable with Dual Channel RAM anytime this summer?
New Ram: Corsiar XMS Pro LL 3200, would it matter to get something like 3500 or 4000? Would it make a noticeable difference or should I just not mess with anything like that at this point?
New Mobo: MSI or Asus...Not too sure which to shoot for yet, but as of now I have the ASUS and have had it for last 6 years. Advise me here please
New Videocard: After extensive forum viewing it has been decided to wait for the x800xt, but I havent had the chance to find out when it comes out, anyone happen to know something?
Power Supply: 500 watts or so should be enough for a nice case with SEVERAL fans, and lights
Hard drives: So far I have an SATA Maxtor 120gb 7200rpm. My question for you guys is, should I use that as storage and get some Raptor's 10k rpm?
HSF: I have always hated the retail boxes with the useless HSF, I burned one fan out in my complete newbie days and didnt know, so the guys at CompUSA made me spend the big bucks to get a whole new chip. Luckily I thought about it afterward and was able to sell it in a motherboard to a friend. Which HSF would you guys go with for a system like this?
Drives: I figured just get the standard floppy drive, get a Plextor 8x or 12x depending on what it costs when it comes out, and then a dvd rom/cd rw combo drive by sony.
Round cables, 5-9 case fans, maybe some neon lights and hard drive coolers. I dont think I left anything out at this point but all advice is truly appreciated. Thanks!
OLD Computer:
Athlon XP 2200+
Asus A7N8X-E Deluxe
1 GB PC2700 Corsair XMS Pro LL
GeForce 4 Ti4600 128mb
420 Antec Quiet PSU
120gb SATA Maxtor 7200rpm
60gb Maxtor 7200rpm ATA133 (not sure what mb cache is but its only for cheap storage)
80gb Maxtor 7200rpm ATA133 (crapped out last week so bout the SATA, smartest thing I ever did)
Basic floppy, cdrw, dvdrw, etc.
This computer is basically a heavy gaming computer (CS, WC3, Halo, UT2k4, Far Cry, eventually HL2 and Doom 3). I do a lot of sound editting as well (guitar, bass and vocals). Just to give some headway into what this computer will be used for
New Chip? I was looking at the AMD 64 3200+ or the 3800+, my question is...I want to be able to utilize the Dual Channel ability in the RAM I get, so which socket is best for that? I wanted to get the socket 939, know if it will become usable with Dual Channel RAM anytime this summer?
New Ram: Corsiar XMS Pro LL 3200, would it matter to get something like 3500 or 4000? Would it make a noticeable difference or should I just not mess with anything like that at this point?
New Mobo: MSI or Asus...Not too sure which to shoot for yet, but as of now I have the ASUS and have had it for last 6 years. Advise me here please
New Videocard: After extensive forum viewing it has been decided to wait for the x800xt, but I havent had the chance to find out when it comes out, anyone happen to know something?
Power Supply: 500 watts or so should be enough for a nice case with SEVERAL fans, and lights
Hard drives: So far I have an SATA Maxtor 120gb 7200rpm. My question for you guys is, should I use that as storage and get some Raptor's 10k rpm?
HSF: I have always hated the retail boxes with the useless HSF, I burned one fan out in my complete newbie days and didnt know, so the guys at CompUSA made me spend the big bucks to get a whole new chip. Luckily I thought about it afterward and was able to sell it in a motherboard to a friend. Which HSF would you guys go with for a system like this?
Drives: I figured just get the standard floppy drive, get a Plextor 8x or 12x depending on what it costs when it comes out, and then a dvd rom/cd rw combo drive by sony.
Round cables, 5-9 case fans, maybe some neon lights and hard drive coolers. I dont think I left anything out at this point but all advice is truly appreciated. Thanks!