Here is are some potential system specs for my sis.
She is looking to spend around $2500 on computer bits, willing to go a little higher if it is really worthwhile doing so. Future proofing is highly regarded.

CPU – AMD – 64 3800+____________________________$439
Motherboard – ASUS A8N – Sli Deluxe – AMD____________$199
RAM – DDR – G.Skill – 2 Gig_________________________$289
Video Card – NVIDIA - 7900GT – 256 meg______________$479
HDD – SATA – 7200rpm – 250Gig – 16meg Cache________$165
Sound Card – Creative – Audigy 2 NX__________________$199
Speakers – Altec 5.1_______________________________$159
Monitor – LCD – 19" – 8ms__________________________$415
Case – Medium__________________________________$200

TOTAL: $2,544
Theses are computer alliance prices.

The first things that can be downgraded are the speakers and sound card, saving about $130 that can be spent elsewhere.
My sister has the intention of getting another 7900GT a little down the track to enable SLI.
I was looking at the costs involved with setting up a Crossfire capable machine and it seems a little more expensive overall and Crossfire Edition video cards dont seem to be available yet.
My sister is also undecided on forking out a bit extra and upgrading the 19" to a 20" widescreen.

Duel Core 3800 CPU is about $455 so that is also on the cards.

A possible alternative is

CPU – Intel – Pentium D 930 3.0GHz – Duel Core_______$369
Motherboard – ASUS – S775 – P5ND2 – SLI – Intel______$139
RAM – DDR – G.Skill – 2 Gig_______________________$289
Video Card – NVIDIA - 7900GT – 256 meg____________$479
HDD – SATA – 7200rpm – 250Gig – 16meg Cache______$165
Sound Card – Creative – Audigy 2 NX________________$199
Speakers – Altec 5.1_____________________________$159
Monitor – LCD – 19" – 8ms________________________$415
Case – Medium________________________________$200

Total $2,414

If anyone could point out a better/alternative machine or any flaws with the above, please feel free to spam about it.

Thanks.

:D


EDIT: Opps I did it late at night I ment Nvidia :D

WTF IS AN ATI 7900 DAMMITuyjkthb76ue9r

its uber thats what!

toll contact me on msn (odie_gen@hotmail.com) or icq (84512821) and i'll help ya out.

Video Card – ATI - 7900GT

They're nvidia, not ATI.

Sound Card – Creative – Audigy 2 NX

Heaps of people seem to be raving about HDA cards (Cost $109: link) which might be worth looking into.

Monitor – LCD – 19" – 8ms

You'll have to be much more specific than that to get our advice. What model? If it doesn't have DVI then look for another LCD!

Case – Medium

Have to be much more specific. What PSU?

Duel Core 3800 CPU

It's 'Dual', as the CPUs don't fight each other :P

I'm not sure if you want us to fill in the blanks, but you'll have to be much more specific on those items I mentioned :)

Case and PSU isnt decided yet, $200 has been put aside for it.
Yes I know its Nvidia, brain fart.
I'll look into the HDA sound card.

Again the monitor is still up in the air, so if you have any suggestions on what is good for around that price speak up :D
Duel/Dual its all the same to me ;P

I'll send you an email odi

Case and PSU isnt decided yet, $200 has been put aside for it.

I'd set aside a bit more than that. A decent powersupply isn't cheap. And for the case, I'd probably go a bit extra aswell and get something decent, removable motherboard tray (saves a s***load of time and effort), decent cooling.

Heaps of people seem to be raving about HDA cards (Cost $109: link) which might be worth looking into.

Got any more info on them?

My sis is going to be using her current power supply which is a decent 430 watt jobby, so hopefully $200 will buy a decent case. A removable motherboard tray sounds good. Unfortunatly the choice of case is kind of a personal one, as in which one she thinks looks cool. :(

OMG, odie posted on QGL, screenshot!

HDD – SATA – 7200rpm – 250Gig – 16meg Cache______$165

they work with the NForce 4 SATA now?

Got any more info on them? (HDA Cards)

Check out threads on whirlpool about them (thread links) and for further info URLs.

they work with the NForce 4 SATA now?

oops.. I was thinking of the A8V

My suggestions -

HDD: Go 300gig, its only another small step pricewise, the big jumps are to 400g and then even more to 500g. I just bought a 300 myself, very good storage value for the monies.

Speakers: Logitech x-530's @ $99 last time I checked and providing we still have stock, I got a set for my bro and I was very impressed indeed.

Also if dual core is ~$20 more... why the f*** not!


Everything else looks pretty good, however do NOT skimp on PSU! So many people overlook this when really it is the heart of the system. Without it computer no go on... I see so many systems come back f***ed because of cheap choices in PSU.

250 watt power supply reprezent

this is what I'm buying currently for the kids at work:

AMD S939 Athlon 64 3800+ Dual Core CPU
ASUS S939 A8N SLI Motherboard
4 Gb RAM ( uses /3gb switch in boot.ini )
74GB WD Raptor 10000rpm serial ATA HDD ( system )
160GB Seagate 7200rpm 8M Serial ATA HDD ( data )
Antec SLK1650 Beige Case with PS
Enermax 535 Watt Power Supply
Microsoft Natural Multimedia Keyboard
Logitech MX-518 Optical Mouse
LiteOn 16x DVD Drive
Integrated Sound Card
Integrated Network Connection
MS Windows XP Professional OEM
GeForce 7900GT 256Mb
MS Office 2003 Basic Edition

If you are looking at the A8N SLI avoid the standard board, those little s***set fans have a habit of f***ing out. The new rev 2.0 fans are much better but the noise mine makes after getting a virtually silent zalman CPU cooler s***s me off.

I'd go for one of the higher boards with the heatpipe cooling.

hi toll =]

I recently upgraded thanks to gen but the specs are well below what your sister is looking to spend so can't help ya =p

I'm curious about the soundcard also - cause I ordered an SB card from umart and have been waiting like 4 months for it to still not be in stock. Kinda gave up