I'll try to be quick.

I dunno about my "future" computer.  Sometimes it looks like I'll get it, other times it seems like my parents are assuring me I'll get it just to keep me quiet.  Assuming the former, I plan to get 3.0 Ghz at $230.  But the 2.8Ghz costs $180.  My current speed is .5Ghz.  How much an improvement is .5Ghz to 3Ghz? % 200?  %50?  In other words, is .2Ghz worth $50?



PS: In case you were confused:

• Current
  
  • 500Mhz
• Planned
  
  • 3.0Ghz
  • 2.8Ghz

What I meant was what was the difference between 2.8 and 3.0?  Is it worth the $50?  Will it give me 8 additional FPS or 1?  500Mhz is the only speed I've ever known, so I'm unsure of how exactly performance increases in regaurds to Ghz. (Linear or exponential?)

Are you talking about that new AMD processor technology?  Assuming you are, I was interested in it, but figured it'd be too much.  Do you think most stuff will work with it? (software & hardware) It sounds quite intriguing.  I had a list going, conforming to a $600 budget.  Also, I heard AMD chipsets generate loads of heat, and my dad skimps out on AC.  I live in Houston, TX, and here, if it’s too cold in your house in the winter, you just open up your windows.

PS: Sorry about loading up on questions.

If you are really tight on the cash side, AMD makes sense, you simply get more power for the price.

Heat is an issue with AMD, it is fine though as long as you are aware of it and take steps to keep the system cool. A well ventilated case is a must, an open case in summer is desirable. (A P4 will overheat as well in extreme heat.) PC fires were common in Western Australia this summer!

Every simmer is after performance. You need a good mainboard / chipset as first priority, you need to realise that. Choose a platform (AMD or Intel) and get a high performance mainboard on your list first.

Currently and for over a year, the nVidia nForce2 chipset still provides budget power, especially since the AMD "socket 462" CPU's for that chipset are getting very cheap.

Last week I upgraded my nFore2 rig by buying a cheap Athlon XP 2800+ Barton CPU, which I overclocked beyond an XP 3200+, with no apparent heat rise or stability problems. I'm impressed to say the least. The overclocking utility is provided by nVidia which is nice.

To do a budget nForce2 system you can use your current parts but you will need these......


ATX case with 300w PSU (450w preferable)

nForce2 ultra 400 mainboard (ultra 400 supports later CPU's)

Athlon XP CPU (the bigger the better, get a cheap one)

2 x PC3200 (400mhz) quality matching RAM modules (2 x 512mb is best)



The nForce2 chipset is ageing, and a 64 bit system is becoming attractive due to it's performance specs. (If you can afford it!)

The price of "socket 754" 64bit AMD CPU's is on the high side, near p4 prices, while "socket 939" AMD CPU's are very expensive.

Ok, now that is only one side of the story on the performance path.

All of the modern Platforms are quite suited actually. What we are after is video performance. There is no substitute for a fast video card despite the platform.

The budget minded will save every penny on a system build to blow it all on the best Video Card they can obtain for their meagre dollars. Have a good look at the GeForce FX 5900XT if you want value for money. All the FX5900 series use the same GPU, so the Budget 5900XT cards can be tweaked up, how far is basically pot luck, much depending on the quality of the other components.

I got lucky ( after many, many hours of research) and recieved one that overclocks like an Ultra model, it was the Leadtek Winfast A350, it has the usual Hynix 2.8ns RAM chips, but they are yielding much more, and I'm running them at 900mhz, (Winfast provide the overclock uitlity!), I'm too scared yet to go higher! 

This doesn't mean skimping on the chipset however, the correct (up to date) chipset ensures that your PC will be useful for at least a few years. There are many cheap systems on the market with outdated mainboards, particularly Intel based, so beware.

Don't get any mainboard with onboard graphics of course. Hope this helps.

The Asus K8V Deluxe. Note that this board supported more RAM modules than any other 64bit board when THG tested a range from many different manufacturers. (It's been nearly a month since I researched 64bit rigs, so I could be out of date with this advice.)

Purchasing a single ram module shouldn't be a problem, as you don't need identical sticks for a socket 754 system, they don't support dual channel RAM mode. The 64 bit socket 939 systems do, but they are much more expensive.

Also, The Black PCB and Yellow expansion slots make an exciting contrast that is sure to get some Wow! 's from anyone who peers into the Clear side panel of your new case.      Well, maybe not in Texas.........  

Arg...  Don't mess with Texas. 



We sho' can can tell our colurs purty good, thank y' very much.



Anyway... I think I've opted for[as listed at Fry's]:

• AMD Athlon 64 3000+ Boxed Processor
• Asus K8V-SE Deluxe VIA K8T800 Motherboard

At Asus's site, it only lists this Corsair RAM as tested and compatible:

• 256M CORSAIR CMX256A-4000 XMS4000V1.1 CORSAIR SS

Is there any reason to believe that any other PC3200 RAMs would be incompatible?  Such as:

• Corsair 1GB PC3200 400MHz (2x512MB) DDR 184Pin - Model #VS1GBKIT400

PS: Contrary to what many may think, I'm not sticking to Corsair RAM just for the name.

Well, I suppose I'm ready to take the Nestea plunge then. Seems strange that there's no problem; it's quiet, too quiet if you know what I mean...

I say Corsair because my favorite aircraft used to be the F4U Corsair. Until I realised the only reason the Ju 87 wasn't my favorite was because nobody really takes it seriously. I do...