i plan to purchase a new rig, but i don't exactly have alot of money (maybe some of you are the same).
so i need suggestions on my new rig:

[update]omgcheap rig
amd64 3200+ (go higher?)
patriot 1gb(2x512mb) (maybe go 1gb then get 2nd gb later?)
sunbeam 550w (i like the removable cables)
sapphire radeon x850xt (go cheaper? drop the whole fanATIc thing and get a nvidia?)
ecs xpress200 xfire (still thinking about the abit 3200, from TD)
sg barracuda 120gb sata150 (maybe go lower?)
cooler master centurion5 $55.99 (know any cases with removable mobo tray? CHEAP THO!)

not really an update. kinda went back to the original list
total $653.95 (original price $704.96)

i know it's not much, but hey, i'm lazy, i don't feel like working yet
i know how to build pc's, but just in case, i'd just like to know if its all compatible? (i'm pretty sure that it be)
also wondering whats really the diff about the xpress 3200xfire and the 200xfire? (other then price)
oh, should i consider the am2 3200 over the amd64 3200? the gfx card i listed, is that a good1? or should i go cheaper oh yeah, i already own a "real" copy of windows sp2 home, would i have to get another? all suggestions are welcome! oh yeah, im a fanATIc, thats why i wanna xfire, so plz no nvidia (unless its absolutly better)

btw, just in case any1 ask what i will be doing, i will be mostly playing games

love,
R0FLF1SH

Welcome to PCApex... Thrasher should be along shortly to do his Welcome Wagon thing...

If money is really as tight as you say, you'll probably not change very much in the way of your components.

The reason I say that is that to use an AM2 cpu, you'll also need an AM2 motherboard, and then there's the DDR/DDR2 issue...

Heck, if pennies are really tight, you could drop the sound card and just use the on-board until you can upgrade to a nicer card...

thx for the fast reply!

my budget isn't that low, i could go a bit higher. but since i will be mostly gaming (css, dods, wow, dow), i dont really see why i would wanna go $1000+(one day i will go all out, but still in hs)

(first list)
cpu 3700+
ocz 2gb (2x1gb)
xtreme music
abit xpress xfire3200 (couldn't find store to purchase)
x1800 card
and a better hdd

Love,
ROFLF1SH

Hey ,welcome to PcApex.

I would drop the soundcard and try to get 2 gigs o memory .
Also take a look at an opteron single core Cpu instead,I think you would be happier if you ever want to OC.

Quote: Originally Posted by RBIEZE Hey ,welcome to PcApex. I would drop the soundcard and try to get 2 gigs o memory instead. Also take a look at an opteron single core Cpu instead,I think you would be happier if you ever want to OC.

yeah, i forgot to mention i would also wanna get into some OC'ing. maybe i'll choose a cheaper sound card, AND get the 2 gigs (for some reason, a pc with no sound card, sounds quite odd)

Well if you're going to buy new ram,notherboard and processor you might actually try going the AM2 route. You wont save any money but it will be more future proof. On the other hand this is still first gen tech so their will probably still be some problems and overclocking might not be as good.

The 3200 is a much better preformer as well as overclocker. It also will allow you to run crossfire(dual video cards). In addition it lacks the onboard video and has higher quality sound and more extras.

But yep everything should be fine.
If I get the chance Ill try and see if you could save money by switching over to AM2.

Funny, I found several 3200 chipset boards at newegg... The Abit was on backorder, but still... DFI, Asus, still some well-known mobos out there... And about the same price...

Quote: Originally Posted by GrandpaNoob72 Funny, I found several 3200 chipset boards at newegg... The Abit was on backorder, but still... DFI, Asus, still some well-known mobos out there... And about the same price...

i found the DFI, and asus, but thats too much for this project. still looking for a diff site that sells the abit1.

love,
R0FLF1SH

Quote: Originally Posted by R0FLF1SH i plan to purchase a new rig, but i don't exactly have alot of money (maybe some of you are the same). love, R0FLF1SH

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Quote: Originally Posted by eascarface Well if you're going to buy new ram,notherboard and processor you might actually try going the AM2 route. You wont save any money but it will be more future proof. On the other hand this is still first gen tech so their will probably still be some problems and overclocking might not be as good. The 3200 is a much better preformer as well as overclocker. It also will allow you to run crossfire(dual video cards). In addition it lacks the onboard video and has higher quality sound and more extras. But yep everything should be fine. If I get the chance Ill try and see if you could save money by switching over to AM2.

i also thought about going the am2 route, but not alot of boards are compatible. (xfire wise)

TigerDirect has them (even though I will personally never shop with them again...)

ZipZoomFly has them on back-order as well...

Your money, your choice...

Quote: Originally Posted by GrandpaNoob72 TigerDirect has them (even though I will personally never shop with them again...) ZipZoomFly has them on back-order as well... Your money, your choice...

argh, the one place i didn't want to order from has the one thing i wanted!
oh well, guess i'll shop for my mobo at *shudders* tiger direct

*double post*

will i even be able to xfire(crossfire) the x850xt gfx cards???

p.s.

also, would the amd64 3200+ bottleneck my gfx card??? should i goto a better cpu? like 3400+???

You will be able to, but you need to get an X850 Master Card to run those in CF. I don't know of anyone that carries those anymore.

I would recommend going with a different power supply. Sunbeam isn't exactly known for being a high-quality component manufacturer, and a PSU is the single most important part to consider when trying to build a stable system. I would drop the sound card and invest the saved money into a higher-quality part from someone like Antec.

Quote: Originally Posted by Ator You will be able to, but you need to get an X850 Master Card to run those in CF. I don't know of anyone that carries those anymore. I would recommend going with a different power supply. Sunbeam isn't exactly known for being a high-quality component manufacturer, and a PSU is the single most important part to consider when trying to build a stable system. I would drop the sound card and invest the saved money into a higher-quality part from someone like Antec.

i dropped the sound card like 2 days ago
since the sunbeam doesnt seem to be well liked, how about the atrix?

love,
R0FLF1SH

Quote: Originally Posted by R0FLF1SH i dropped the sound card like 2 days ago since the sunbeam doesnt seem to be well liked, how about the atrix? love, R0FLF1SH

This isnt much more and will also likely be a much better power supply. It also has the removable cables.