Alright, so it's time for me to start looking into a machine that will get me through my next two years of college. Money is a semi-nominal issue, as I'd like to spend less, but can deal with spending more if I feel I need to. So, here are my options.

Build a new machine - See Attached Picture

Upgrade current machine with new parts - See Other Attached Picture

Buy an OEM rig - Tar and feather me later.

Any tips or opinions? Hardware choices can be discriminated upon, but will likely be ignored unless you have some valuable to say other than "LOLZ NVIDIA(INTEL,etc) SUX!"

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Take a look at this thread:

http://forums.pcapex.com/hardware_ad...post1062221226

LOLZ NVIDIA(INTEL,etc) SUX!

Looks like a pretty good build. I am not sure about the video card, you might want to look into that some more. I am not sure how the 8600 rates. Hit T2 up for some deals, he can find some good ones.

Wow, excellent link Reflux.

E

Kratos, run down to COMPUSA, they are liquidating, my buddy picked up a display laptop for $350. It'll help and be cheap too. Although it would be kick ass to make a nice system.

go for a3850 for a card, it kicks the 8600's ass.

And for 50$ more you can get 45nm with the 8400, I would suggest it.

replace that PSU with this one too.

Newegg.com - PC Power & Cooling Silencer 470 ATX ATX12V Ver 2.2 470W Power Supply 100 - 240 V UL, cUL, CE, CB, RoHS - Retail

Yea I just increased you cost, but you'll be much more satisfied.

Actually I just made you the system I would recommend, based on performance, its about 100$ more, but well worth it.

If you do go with you selection, do seperate ordersfor the MIR's, they need original invoices, and one isn't three.

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Quote: Originally Posted by s1ugh34d Kratos, run down to COMPUSA, they are liquidating, my buddy picked up a display laptop for $350. It'll help and be cheap too. Although it would be kick ass to make a nice system. go for a3850 for a card, it kicks the 8600's ass. And for 50$ more you can get 45nm with the 8400, I would suggest it. replace that PSU with this one too. Newegg.com - PC Power & Cooling Silencer 470 ATX ATX12V Ver 2.2 470W Power Supply 100 - 240 V UL, cUL, CE, CB, RoHS - Retail Yea I just increased you cost, but you'll be much more satisfied. Actually I just made you the system I would recommend, based on performance, its about 100$ more, but well worth it. If you do go with you selection, do seperate ordersfor the MIR's, they need original invoices, and one isn't three.

Yeah, thanks for reminding me to try CompUSA, although I heard rumors that even their liquidated prices are still higher than competitors, but I may be wrong on that one. Also, I'm trying to stay away from ATi until I have definite results on their FOSS driver project. I may try them later on, but for now I'm more comfortable with an Intel/Nvidia combo. Also, I'll see about that PSU, as my budget is about $1000 for a new build and $500 for an upgrade.

I just found out that PTI students get a discount from Dell. That's another thing to consider. I could always get a Dell machine on the cheap and swap out some of the parts for slightly beefier counterparts.

EDIT: Picture of likely Dell configuration included. Add this card and I'm set for a good while: XFX PVT84JUDD3 GeForce 8600GT XXX 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

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Quote: Originally Posted by Kratos Yeah, thanks for reminding me to try CompUSA, although I heard rumors that even their liquidated prices are still higher than competitors, but I may be wrong on that one. Also, I'm trying to stay away from ATi until I have definite results on their FOSS driver project. I may try them later on, but for now I'm more comfortable with an Intel/Nvidia combo. Also, I'll see about that PSU, as my budget is about $1000 for a new build and $500 for an upgrade. I just found out that PTI students get a discount from Dell. That's another thing to consider. I could always get a Dell machine on the cheap and swap out some of the parts for slightly beefier counterparts. EDIT: Picture of likely Dell configuration included. Add this card and I'm set for a good while: XFX PVT84JUDD3 GeForce 8600GT XXX 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

I forgot you linux compatability problem. For Value performance, the ATI cards are pretty good right now, until nVidia get a hold of the 800GT pricing again.

How'd you find out about that dell discount, I didn't even know about it...