Sup yall,

I'm going crazy here! I just started folding last week, and I'm wanting more production... and the computer I put together 2 years ago is becoming less than adequate. Thing is, I'm not looking for a top of the line OCing monster here. I'm looking for a "newer" rig to tide me over for another couple years when I graduate college. Here's what I've got thus far:

389.99 - Biostar 6100M9 MATX PCI-e 939 / AMD X2 3800 Combo
134.99 - G.Skill PC3200 (2 x 1Gb) Value RAM
59.99 - ULTRA V-Series 500W PSU
55.00 - Chenming Mid-Tower
59.99 - Seagate 120Gb SATA HDD
19.99 - Mitsumi 6-in-1 Floppy/USB Flash Card reader
179.99 - eVGA 7600GT
-----------
899.94 - sub
36.92 - shipping
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936.86 - Total

I am open to suggestions on different hardware, cheaper places to buy, and all that good stuff. I just gotta have something a bit better than what I currently have. Let me know what yall think. Thanks in advance.

Well PurpleDiamond posted up a nice 250gb HDD for $81. My friend has this motherboard, and he has experienced no problems with it. You can probably go with a cheap SLI solution. Here is a nice 7600GT on sale and while supplies last, you get a free game. I've found some nice DDR2 RAM on sale at the Egg (with rebates), but I'm not sure about the processor. Maybe you can go with a Intel dual-core?
As for the case, maybe the Coolermaster Ammo? Just saw this great deal on a CoolerMaster 600w PSU .

I'm sure others here can help you out better, this is just what I saw and I think it seems to work out well.

AMD all the way,you could up processor later to 4.#x2 if needed.Just my small opinion.Jo

Thanks for the help so far boys!

UC- I'm thinking of AMD dual core already, and I don't wanna go Intel... not with what's currently out anyway. The 250Gb drive is enticing... but something I didn't mention in the first post is that all of this hardware won't be used in the same rig.

My current rig will get gutted... the only components that will stay in it are the old 500W PSU, CD drives, fans and fanbus. The old mainboard, CPU, RAM, HDD, and vidcard will go in the new case. The new goodies will go in my current modded case. It's gonna be a swap of old and new stuff.

EDIT
btw- how are the 7600's performance-wise? How would it stack up against my AGP X800XT?

Well, a 7800 destroys an X800XT, so I would think the 7600 is at least as good as one, if not better. Get a BFG, lifetime warranty rules.

Get 2gb of RAM, you will love yourself in 6 months for it, I promise.

Otherwise it looks okay.

2GB of Corsair DDR RAM on sale for $138.00 @ the EGG

Either way though, the 250GB HDD is a great deal. As PurpleDiamond stated, 3gb per $1.

-EDIT-

I just noticed that if you do buy that 2gb Corsair XMS RAM, you can get bundle savings with 10 bucks off an eVGA 7600GT.

-Double EDIT-
Bah, I forgot that in my first link, I linked to the same eVGA 7600GT in the bundle savings. Ok now I'm wondering if the rebates and the bundle savings stack up.

I dunno about that badass Corsair XMS... a bit rish for my blood. But this G.Skill 2Gb Value RAM calls to me. Keep in mind I'm not looking for awesome OCing ability, just good performing stuff at a good value.

btw- Updated the lists! Saved approx. $40 already!!! w00t!

I would go with a few different parts and different stores:
Antec PSU - http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Produc...iliate=froogle $67
Asus mobo: http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?p=MB-...1f6cd0c74b1b58 $79
AMD 3800: http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?p=A64...1f6cd0c74b1b58 $279
For a modular PSU, you can go with this one for $75.
A better quality PSU, better mobo and saved you a few bucks on the mobo and CPU.
If you can go with an ATX mobo, there are a lot more options.

Thanks PD.

But I did say I was looking at dual core. And I know the ULTRA 500W PSU is a cheapie, but that won't be going in the dual core rig. My current rig will become a secondary machine, so the parts won't need to be awesome.

OCZ (2X1gb) with 2-3-2-5 timings for less than $150  

Quote: Originally Posted by Marc OCZ (2X1gb) with 2-3-2-5 timings for less than $150

I don't think the Biostar mobo I have listed supports dual channel ram...

Do yourself a favor, never go cheap on a PSU( dont buy generic)

-Good companies: OCZ, Enermax, Antec, Spire/Aspire, Thermaltake (expensive)
There are a couple more I dont remember offhand.

I think I would choose a different case.

Something along the lines of this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811125444

And personally, the higher priced cases dont always mean the best, if you take a look at the forums, you'll see that I'm desperatley trying to rid myself of a Cooler Master Preatorian, it looks great, but taht abouts it, absolutely no ability to manage cables, practically no space, its just got looks and thats it, so I'm trying to get some money for it and go for something like the Ultra Alumanis.

And on the PSU side, dont go cheap, trust me, had an Aspire die out on me

I actually bought my PSU at Circuit city, The brand is Maddog or w/e, its was 80$, and honestly, its better than any top of the line psu I've ever had, voltages are so dot on and stable. Guess I got lucky

Marc- the only reason I'm going ULTRA for the PSU is because I have a similar one in my current rig and it runs great... no problems for the 2 years I've had it. It's not because it's a cheapo power supply.

Waffles- I'm starting to agree with you. I'm thinking of another Dragon mid-tower like my current rig. Two matching cases might look bangin'!

Heh, they are nice I'll admit, though not owning one myself, a freind does, its very nice.

Though I'm actually leaning a little more towards this one

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...ATT=11-125-449

Meh, too much. Remember, the new case I end up buying won't need to be flashy. It'll become my secondary rig. I was thinking about THIS, or THIS.

I know the doorless one is beige/white... but that leaves room for custom paint and modding

Don't go with Maxtor, there was a thread here earlier about the painful experiences associated with their hard drives.

You're also better off getting the Mitsumi floppy and flash card reader, which is cheaper and works like a charm.

Get the black chenming. Looks nicer.

Quote: Originally Posted by Hibiki Don't go with Maxtor, there was a thread here earlier about the painful experiences associated with their hard drives. You're also better off getting the Mitsumi floppy and flash card reader, which is cheaper and works like a charm.

Hmm... I looked and they're practically the exact same thing. I'll go for the cheaper one fo sho!

EDIT- Updated the list! Now with Seagate HDD.