Hello everyone,By the end of the summer I am planning on upgrading my computer. What I am looking to do so far is:Mother board: ASUS A7N8X (I like the idea of the Nividia nForce 2 Chipset.)Memory: 2 x 256 PC3500 DDR ram (I understand it is better to run this memory in pairs.)Processor: Something along the line of a Athlon XP 2600+ or 2700+ (so it is not too expensive.)Video Card: I am looking at either the GeForce FX 5600 128 mb or the Radeon 9500 pro or 9600 pro, both 128 mb (I think I am leaning towards the 9600 pro because of what I have read on Tom's hardware).Does anyone have any comments or suggestions? I want to limit my spending to under $450 dollars. There are some great deals on pricewatch.com, and I think that the cost of these upgrades will go even lower as the summer progresses.Thanks!-CJ Starr

I think your upgrade is just fine :) I am not sure I would chose the 9600 over the 9500, but either card will be a nice, speedy card to use for FS.I think that you would be able to get a faster processor than a XP 2700 by the time you make your purchases(if you wait until the end of summerish), so if I were you I would be looking out for that :D

Hi Fred,Thanks for the comments :-). I was thinking that the processor prices would come down by the end of the summer (along with the other components as well). I would like the keep the processor around $125.00 (pricewatch is a great thing :)). It is nice that the A7N8X is so flexible with which AMD Athlon XP cards it can take.Take care!-CJ

Hi CJ,it looks good, but if you're sticking with a CPU up to the XP3000+, you could save some money by buying PC2700 RAM, as this runs at the same FSB as the CPU (333MHz). There have been a number of tests of Tom's Harware etc. which concluded that you got best performance when running RAM and CPU at synchronised speeds. Also, the A7N8X only supports and FSB of 400MHz, so you'd only be able to take advantage of the 434MHz availanle with the PC3500RAM by overclocking. But then, I would recommend the XP3200+ as a CPU, as this has an FSB of 400MHz.If I was in your position, I would go for 2x512MB of PC2700 RAM, which should cost you about the same (or even less) than 2x256MB of PC3500RAM. To take advantage of the dual channel technology, make sure you install the memory in the correct slots (1&3 or 2&3, but not 1&2).Apart from that, I have a system quite similar to what you're thinking of buying and I'm very happy with it :). The specs are:AMD Athlon XP3000+,Asus A7N8X Deluxe,1024MB PC2700 RAM,ATI Radeon 9700 Pro,120GB WD HD w/8MB buffer,Enermax 460W PS.The only thing I'm considering adding is a sound card. The onboard sound, although supposedly very good, does have some problems with a few games. Setting hardware acceleration to basic fixes that, and nVidia have promised a new driver to fix this problem, but so far, none has been forthcoming.Cheers,Gosta. http://hifi.avsim.net/activesky/images/wxrebeta.jpg

Gosta,Thanks for your comments. I do like the idea of using the PC2700 instead of the PC3500. This does double my memory for about the same price. Thanks for the gread idea, no use putting memory in the M/B that is more expensive and does not use the 333 MHz FSB speed. I will remember to put the memory in the right way as well.As for a sound card, I already have a Sound Blaster Audigy I and am very happy with it.Take care and thanks again!-CJ

Hi CJ,sounds as if you're all set :) - I'm thinking of getting an Audigy card as well. One thing I would do a bit closer to the time when you're about to buy the new system, is to check the prices and performance data for the ATI cards again (if that's what you decide to go with). The odd-numbered cards (9500 and 9700) are about to be discontinued, so you may get quite a bargain on one of those - who knows, the savings could buy you a bit of extra CPU power...Cheers,Gosta. http://hifi.avsim.net/activesky/images/wxrebeta.jpg

Hi Gosta,> Also, the A7N8X only supports and FSB of>400MHz,The A7N8X supports all FSB speeds for the various AMD CPUs It will do 100/133/166 and 200 (200/266/333 and 400).So his choice for the XP2700 is very good right $$$ now and while not being able to push the memory, later on when XP3200 prices drop he will be all set, A good 2x256 Corsair XMS3200 CAS2 will do just dandy.All looks pretty good. :)

Hi there,>> Also, the A7N8X only supports and FSB of>400MHz,The A7N8X supports all FSB speeds for the various AMD CPUs It will do 100/133/166 and 200 (200/266/333 and 400).:).Cheers,Gosta.http://hifi.avsim.net/activesky/images/wxrebeta.jpg

Having installed a Radeon 9700 recently, I would recommend spending the extra. I was floored at the difference the card made in my machine, really floored. The card is currently going for between $260 and $300 on e-bay. If you buy from someone with a lot of good feedback, you won't get ripped off. It has legs too. You won't be needing a new one any time soon.Colin

Hi Guys,Very interesting comments. Thanks for all of the feedback.Take care,-CJ