It's about time

[hugme]

Well, it's getting close to that time where I need to replace my computer....

..... big sigh ....

I bought all the best stuff for it 3-4 years ago and it's starting to show... The new game I have installed I can't play in the 'full' format, it dropps down to the point of being unplayable.

so I have been looking at the new technology that these kids today are buying... funny, the technology has become easier and easier to put together but more difficult to understand WHAT exactly your buying and what component comares to what other component...

I remember when upgrading my computer comprised of logging onto a BBS and downloading the upgrade schematic for my system. Then going to the store and buying a bare microchip, drilling holes in my mothing board and sodering it into place. Then I would have to run cables from the soderpoints to the places listed on my schematic. That was an upgrade....

Now days everything just plugs together.... but what the hell do you buy? Used to be there were only 2 or 3 people who sold a part and you would pick out each chip. now everything is plug and play but it's nearly impossible to tell what piece compares to what other piece. I have been looking over it for the last few weeks and realized that I am way behind, I am going to have to spend some serious time with my nose in Tom's Hardware site to figure out what goes with what and what each part actually does....

here are the parts it looks like I am going to have to upgrade:

Motherboard: I would like ASUS or Tyan but am willing to look at others
CPU: AMD Athlon 64/64FX/64X2 no clue what the difference in these is, still researching it
Memory: 2-4 gig of memory, Kingston if possible
Sound: Creative labs still good?
Video: Yeah, no clue... damn there are a lot of video cards out now
HardDrive: 250-500 gig, MUST be Western Digital or Seagate, Hard drives I know and I don't buy crap, if it's not one of those two, it's trash...

that's about it... any suggestions?

Comments

[valiskeogh.livejournal.com]

dood, wait 2-3 weeks to upgrade. seriously.

the core duo chip's from intel come out in two weeks, and they are going to be priced to move. some anticipate current chips will drop by 70% in price when those come out. plus the core duo chips literally wipe the floor up with the best of the amd chips, amd is no longer in the lead on performace, neither on power consumption.

http://www.tomshardware.com/2006/07/14/core2_duo_knocks_out_athlon_64/

check it out yo.

i was going to get a mobo/cpu combo this week for my new storage box, but i'm going to have to wait a couple of weeks now.

[flyswatter.livejournal.com]

Eh, I wish I could replace mine. I am still using a Mac G4 from '99. But Dwight is using a Bondi Blue first generation iMac from '98. They have held up pretty well, but I want something faster.

[hdiandrew.livejournal.com]

What game?

[hugs.livejournal.com]

sweet, also means the AMD processors will have to lower their prices to compete.

[hugs.livejournal.com]

you know, they were selling old Macs at Delta, the IMACs.... at $49 each I was considering getting one just to play with...

[hugs.livejournal.com]

Dungon Siege II

[hdiandrew.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that game did tax systems when it came out, but that was about a year ago? Yeah, time for a new system (not that mine could run it for shit either - time for an upgrade here, too)

[valiskeogh.livejournal.com]

exactly! i've already read a statement by amd basically saying they are already planning an "aggressive" pricing strategy to begin mid july :)

[cor256.livejournal.com]

do you remember any stats on those? I've been wanting to get a mac to play with, but not too old that it cant run OS 10 and possibly some video editing. I want to switch, but not about to pay a ton of money to try it out.

[hugs.livejournal.com]

nope, they had about 100 of them but that was 3 weeks or so ago...
just drop by sometime and see if they have any left. if not there are
a ton of mac's across the back wall they are selling for next to
nothing.

[techno--mage.livejournal.com]

We tend to understand each other's views technically, but i have to say we are 100% in sync regarding opinions about hard drive choices. WD or SeaGate... or nothing. Other brands like Maxtor are great (kinda like a disposable camera is "great" for the duration that it works).

And I'd say that unless you plan to do recording (music/studio), CL/SB is still a great audio choice.

(May I also note my respect for AMD & Asus which I've used nearly exclusively for my desktops over the years, with the exception of my studio box).

Let the price war begin!

[ed209uardo.livejournal.com]

... As that fellow mentioned earlier, Intel has come out with the Core Duo 2, dropped prices on the old Pentiums, and AMD has responded. Check it out:

http://www.sharkyextreme.com/guides/WCPG/article.php/3622921

... as for the rest:

Motherboard: Yeah, Asus should be fine, if pricey; DFI, Gigabyte, and other 1st tier manufacturers should be okay also, it pretty much depends on platform, chipset, & features you want.

CPU: Check out the above link. I wouldn't settle for anything less than dual core.

Memory: Yup, 2GB is the way to go, especially with Vista on the horizon. Beyond that it starts getting REALLY pricey, so I wouldn't recommend it unless your typical computer usage warrants it.

Sound: For general purpose music listening, excellent gaming support & performance, the Sound Blaster X-Fi is what you want. If music is more important to you than gaming, find a recent card that supports the VIA Envy 24HT chipset. If you're not that picky about sound, onboard solutions have really improved; see if you can find one with Azalia support. If you don't like what you hear, you can then upgrade.

Video: DirectX 10 is around the corner, so I wouldn't spend to much here. Pick a mid-grade solution for now, they should be more than powerful enough. Some flavor of the Radeon X1600 or Geforce 7600 should do the trick. Since you actually game, I'm not going to even bother with onboard solutions.

Hard drive: Last time I checked, drives below 500GB had the best price per GB ratios; HardOCP & Anandtech have forums dedicated to online deals. Grab two or three, and get your RAID on. (I'm not particularly savvy on this subject, but at these prices, I'd go with duplication over performance, seeing as most of today's drives have only 3 year warranties)

... You haven't told us what you currently have. There might be an interim upgrade or two that can be recommended, while the market sorts itself out. Otherwise, right now I'd go with Intel over AMD, picking a 975 (or 965; not sure if they've come out yet) series motherboard(an nForce 4 chipset is another choice, but not one I've looked into yet), making sure it supports the new Core Duo 2, but getting a Pentium D 805. It's only 2.66GHZ on a 533 bus, but these babies overclock like nothing else out there, easily hitting 3.5GHZ to 4GHZ, without resorting to exotic cooling methods... (so make sure you get a mobo with good overclocking options)

Re: Let the price war begin!

[ed209uardo.livejournal.com]

... Actually, now that I think about it, VIA isn't necessarily a better sound solution for music, but it is specifically designed for CD & MP3 playback, and it is a lot cheaper than Creative. Just trying to be more accurate... *sheepish grin*