Build Me a New Computer! Please

[Orlaam]

Hi! I have a 1000 USD budget to build a new system especially for FS9. I only surf Internet when not playing MSFS.I'm looking at an AMD XP 3200+My current system is P4 1.8, 1GB RDRAM, GeForce Ti4600 128 MB video card.So, I need a new Motherboard, CPU, 1 GB RAM, Hard Drive, and Case w/ Power supply.I'm looking at the Antec SOHO case and Power supply combo (430w PS).What do you guys suggest? I've always built my own, but I'm out of the loop on what's good right now. I especially need help on the video card decision. I can also go over the 1000 dollar budget, but not much. I just want everything to be most compatible too.Thanks

[gosta]

I would go for the 64-bit version of the CPU, as the Bartons have now reached the end of the line, so the XP3200+ is the fastest you'll be able to go with a socket A motherboard. I would go for a socket 939 motherboard, so you can upgrade the CPU in the future. If you decide on the Athlon 64 3200+, the CPU itself will be about the same price as the Barton 3200+.As far as the motherboard goes, I would be looking at something like the Asus A8N-SLI Deluxe. For a graphics card, I would recommend the ATI Radeon X800 XT, which would be the most expensive component of your system. I priced a system like that at a local computer store (including 1GB of Kingston PC3200 RAM, a Maxtor/Seagate/WD 100GB HD w/8MB cache and your selected case). The total came to $1610 CDN (around $1300 USD).Bear in mind that some of the US online stores will be cheaper, also you may consider keeping some of your old hardware for the time being - if you keep your old hard drive and case and go with only 512MB of RAM, you're at $1060 USD.Cheers,Gosta.http://www.hifisim.com/images/as2betateam.jpg

[Orlaam]

Thanks for the reply. Yeah, I'm conflicted on a couple things. I wanted a new case simply because I need a new PS, and figured I could get a better deal by getting them together. My sound card and everything else is fine for an upgrade, but I'm afraid my hard drive is too small. It's only a 20 GB, and I need room for more FS9 upgrades, LOL. I might have to skimp on the video card a little. Thanks again. I'll look at that motherboard. The Athlon 64 3200+ is what I meant I was looking at as well. Pretty much made my mind up on it at least. ;)

[Guest Wichita]

One CPU that AMD makes and is sometimes overlooked is the AMD 64 3400. Its the CPU that has the clawhammer core. I've seen fps tests on various games where its nearly as fast as the FX series of processors. That CPU runs a bit more but its much faster than the 64 3200.Its a 754 pin processor so you'll need that type of mobo and registered memory. Here's some parts I found for about $970.00 w/shipping:AMD 64 3400K8V SE Deluxe mobo-754 pinCrucial 1 Gig registered memoryWD HD-80Gig 7200 rpm,8mb buffer,3 year warrantyAntec soho case 430 wattThats all from Newegg,shop around you can probably save a few bucks here and there. Also that Antec case is really big,do you have the room for it? You could go with a smaller case without a PS and buy the 430W PS for it separately.David

[Orlaam]

Hey thanks! Yeah the SOHO is probably larger than my current tower, although mine's a full tower as well. I thought all the 754 CPUs were slower. I'll have to look into that.

[Guest Wichita]

http://www6.tomshardware.com/cpu/20041221/cpu_charts-13.htmlThat links to a fps test at Tom's Hardware. I always go by the one with the lowest res so the video card mostly stays out of the equasion. One note,the 754 CPU doesn't need the registered memory,its the 939 pin CPU. Good luck....David

[gosta]

The only AMD CPU that requires registered memory is the 940-pin one. 754 and 939 don't need registered memory.Cheers,Gosta.http://www.hifisim.com/images/as2betateam.jpg

[Guest Wichita]

>The only AMD CPU that requires registered memory is the>940-pin one. 754 and 939 don't need registered memory.>>Cheers,>>Gosta.Yeah,your right.. AFAIK the only two 940 pin CPU's are the FX 51 and 53,although there's also a 939 pin version of the FX53.I'm sure both of the 940's will be history sometime this year if not in the next six months. I doubt that sales of either one are very high at this stage.David

[Guest Paul_W]

I would also suggest checking recent "Build your own system" articles at Extremetech.com. I believe they recently featured a gaming system at the $1000 price point; you should be able to look that up in their archives.