My mind just cant make itself up

[Clarko]

Ok here is my situation. I am attending college again and taking computer maintenance and computer science courses. I read alot of PC stuff online from tomshardware and check newegg for specials all the time. I am going to start reading PC magazines as well to waste time between classes. My current set up does me justice and lives up to my expectations running the games I play now.

CPU:AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ running at 2.2 ghz

Mobo:ASRock 939Dual-SATA2 (I believe the only thing i can do to speed up is change mobo and add performance ram)

RAM- 2 gigs dual channel PC3200 184 pin. 1 gig is Corsair Value Ram and the other gig is Kingston Value ram.(This is where I think I can get a subtle increase performance for my setup)

Vid Card: BFG 7950 GT OC 512MB PCI Express

Harddrive: 250 gig IDE drive. Yes the one with the ribbon cables. (I could also go with SATA to increase some performance as well)

I keep up with parts and I know that new stuff comes out every 3-6 months so I don't expect to have the best of the best for long.I usually stick or have built my own computers with AMD. I have never owned an intel system and I want to venture into the territory. I hear good things and want my own experience because I have only used celerons which sucks. What I keep running into is I want proven performance compatibility between CPU,MOBO,RAM. The vid card I can keep for now. I would like some help choosing those 3 parts. Then i will continue to build up from there. I have seen some good 8800 GT for 149-169.99. I have a 550 Watt PSU with support up to 30 amps on +12V. I learned that is important cause my video card would not perform to its peak without the proper watts and amps. If needed I will take your advice on a PSU as well. I know everyone asks budget so here is mine. I want to spend anywhere from 400-700 on those three parts. This is not a whole system from the ground up just some new additions and using old parts not needed for upgrade yet. Thank you for you time and consideration everyone.

Snap I just remembered a CPU cooler as well! Not going to do any OC as of yet but want it running cool for longevity of the CPU

 

[Morbid #2 - Banned]

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=10527388

That should do you fine.

 

[Clarko]

thanks. Mr. Awsome just a question. I have never used muskin. whats ur opinion on them? Think the quad core is needed since not alot of games support it yet? its great for multitask and it will future proof my system as well. Thanks for the info. Going to look into it after some more posts if not Ill go with the setup. Thanks again

The reason I am asking about the RAM choice is because I have read that lower CAS and Timing is better on ram modules. The muskin seems mid or high from the ones I have seen for Corsair and OCZ

 

[Morbid #2 - Banned]

I've used Muskin for the last I want to say.... 2 years? I've used their memory in all three of my main builds, and I had a powersupply from them in my last build, which is a similar build to what you have now. Great company, quality products they'll last you a long time. Never had to deal with customer support over the years, so I can't really vouch for their customer service.... But I think that speaks for itself. :3

The quad core isn't really needed, but it does future proof your system. Alot of people like to go with the Intels for the speed but, from what I've actually seen they're not as stable as the new Phenoms. But, I don't have any benchmarks to back that up, just personal experience.

Edit:

CPU Cooler: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118019
Best cooler I've ever had. Zalman, again, great company, quality products.

 

[Clarko]

This is what I had saved on a wish list since janurary. Prices have gone down since then. Might change the ram from ddr2 800 to ddr2 1066.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115036
Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Wolfdale 3.16GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80570E8500 - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227231
OCZ Reaper HPC Edition 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2RPR8002GK - Retail

I really wish I had the money and set up to just buy both and test it out but alas I don't.

The zalman always caught my eye. I always hear good things about their products. I am scared that might not fit on my case. ROFL. I have a MGE Viper but the first gen. I am taking measurements to make sure it will fit. Thanks Awsome. I will reply with updates.

 

[PhIxX]

I think the board is overkill - I mean 4 pci-x 16's? You'll likely never use two of them so you might as well have more useful slots. Lots of good reviews on the 790gx.

I upgraded from a 790GT a month or so back to an 8800gts g92 - such a huge difference. I doubt that your cpu is limiting that particular card.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Description=790gx&x=0&y=0

Of course the 790GX boards push you into using 1066 ram, which is blessing and curse that it's a bit more expensive than DDR2 800 right now, but it's where everything is headed.

 

[Clarko]

well its pushes to the ram only if you go with a AM2+ type chip. I clicked the link but there seem to be no reviews for it from customers.

Nevermind. I was looking at just one type of board. not all of them in that class.

 

[Morbid #2 - Banned]

Only look at newegg reviews for something that could cause potential. Basing what you buy/don't buy off of newegg reviews 9 times out of 10 is like having a 5 year old give you relationship advice.

Google = Best friend in the world :3