So the videocard I got my girlfriend looks like its crapping out (sigh) at the same time I feel that my system is aging and that its not worth buying a new card if I could give her my 6800 and me to upgrade.

Basically it runs down to this would it be better to get:

A new system a yearish early (mobo, CPU, RAM, GPU)

OR

Buy a new AGP card

Keep in mind the game I love to play is Rappelz and my setup runs it flawlessly...

I have...

AMD 64 3000+
2GB XMS DDR400
Nividia 6800 128MB AGP
MSI board with fried out front USB and fan jacks

My Girlfriend has...

AMD 64 3200+
1GB mismatched RAM running at DDR333 (could run DDR400)
9800Pro 128MB (dying)
PC Chips board (LOL but it works)

If I upgraded I would give her my old stuff so she would have...
AMD 3200+
2GB XMS DDR
Nvidia 6800
(I dunno which board is better now LOL)

What would you do? I don't have a lot of money >$1000

What are you looking for.........


The Deal Master will find you a SWEEEEET deal

Well it looks like I'm goin to need:

CPU (dual core intel??)
Mobo
RAM (2GB DDR2)
Video Card (512MB PCI-E)
20->24pin adapter

Are we on a verge of new CPU's being released or am I good to get one within a week or two.

After a peek through newegg I was thinking

Core 2 Duo (Conroe)
Nvidia 7950 GT (XFX)
RAM???
mobo???

With a $1000 I would probably order this
Newegg.com - Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor - Retail
Newegg.com - ASUS P5N-E SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Newegg.com - CORSAIR 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
Newegg.com - eVGA GeForce 7950GT 512-P2-N637-AR HDCP KO Superclocked Video Card - Retail

Ok, here where I'm confused is whether I want BFG, XFX, EVGA or something else. I've only had a XFX and I've loved it.

I've had/have cards from all 3 manufacturers. They've all work good.
I picked the EVGA because it had the fastest clock speeds and was still
in your $1000 budget :-)

Sweet, one other thing, what chipset should I be looking for within a mobo? Because everything else should just be a matter of prefrence of ports/and price right? Cause it needs to be 1066Mhz FSB, DDR2-800 and socket 775.

Basically what I'm saying is why did you choose that board over others? (its been 4 years since I've been in the market)

Also the cooler I have is a Zalman CNPS7700-Cu so I have space concerns (also my case is an inverted ATX so the cooler may need to be more towards the middle.

Well I started with a Intel D975XBX myself. It's a good board, but I decided to
try the new Nvidia 680i when it came out. I love it. Well the 680i is out of your
budget range without sacrificing other needed components. So I picked the
Nvidia 650i. I don't have one but I've heard good things about it. And it has a
price tag in your budget range :-)

Quote: Originally Posted by Dreyco Ok, here where I'm confused is whether I want BFG, XFX, EVGA or something else. I've only had a XFX and I've loved it.

You want Sapphire, PowerColor, Connect3D...

I'd got for this.
Newegg.com - eVGA GeForce 8800GTS 640-P2-N821-AR HDCP Video Card - Retail $399.99 ($369.99 AR)
Newegg.com - Intel Core 2 Duo E4300 1.8GHz LGA 775 Processor - Retail $179.00
Newegg.com - ASUS P5N-E SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail $139.99
Newegg.com - GeIL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail $219.99
Total $938.97 ($908.97 AR)

PS 975X is the best - Clock for Clock - performance S775 chipset

hmmm (grumble grumble...)

I'm pretty set on E6600, and a 7950GT and I found Corssair 2x1GB DDR2-800

~$841 and $771 AR So I have $229 to buy a mobo and/or CPU cooler


I'm really stuck on the motherboard. I don't want to get a new cooler if I dont have to, but I dont want to buy a mother board just because my zalman will fit... grr...

Ok then, I was just thinking getting a DX10 card would be useful if you don't upgrade to often. This is the motherboard I'd recommend if you want an E6600 though. Does the Zalman fit S775, all the boards are the same.
http://www.mwave.com/mwave/viewspec.hmx?scriteria=BA23276

WHAT!?! a 7950 isn't DX10 compatiable? WTF?!

Quote: Originally Posted by Dreyco Well it looks like I'm goin to need: CPU (dual core intel??) Mobo RAM (2GB DDR2) Video Card (512MB PCI-E) 20->24pin adapter Are we on a verge of new CPU's being released or am I good to get one within a week or two.

Combo $126
STT DDR2-800 1GB/64x8 CL4 Memory $114
SAPPHIRE 100196L Radeon X1950PRO 512MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card - Retail $189

Quote: Originally Posted by Dreyco After a peek through newegg I was thinking Core 2 Duo (Conroe) Nvidia 7950 GT (XFX) RAM??? mobo???

Memory Deals Here
Intel Core 2 Duo Processor E4300 $163
Abit AW8D LGA775/ 975X/ DDR2/ SATA2/ PCI-E/ A&GbL/ ATX Motherboard $124
eVGA 256-P2-N636-AR GeForce 7950GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card $199 (AR)

Alrighty then unless I hear any huge complaints...

Shopping Cart Qty. Product Description Savings Total Price 1 eVGA 640-P2-N821-AR GeForce 8800GTS 640MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card - Retail Item #: N82E16814130071 Return Policy: Limited Non-Refundable 30-Day Return Policy Select An Optional Extended Warranty Plan 1 Year Service Net Replacement Plan -- $49.99 1 Year Service Net 1 Peripheral Extended Plan -- $49.99 2 Year Service Net 1 Peripheral Extended Plan -- $69.99 2 Year Service Net Replacement Plan -- $79.99 3 Year Service Net 1 Peripheral Extended Plan -- $99.99 -$20.00 Instant $30.00 Mail-in Rebate $419.99 $399.99 1 CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048-6400 - Retail Item #: N82E16820145590 Return Policy: Standard Return Policy Select An Optional Extended Warranty Plan 1 Year Service Net Replacement Plan -- $39.99 2 Year Service Net Replacement Plan -- $59.99 $40.00 Mail-in Rebate $236.00 1 ASUS P5N-E SLI LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 650i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail Item #: N82E16813131142 Return Policy: Limited Non-Refundable 30-Day Return Policy Select An Optional Extended Warranty Plan 1 Year Service Net Replacement Plan -- $29.99 2 Year Service Net Replacement Plan -- $39.99 -$10.00 Instant $149.99 $139.99 1 Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6600 - Retail Item #: N82E16819115003 Return Policy: Processors (CPUs) Return Policy Select An Optional Extended Warranty Plan 1 Year Service Net Replacement Plan -- $39.99 2 Year Service Net Replacement Plan -- $59.99 $316.00 Subtotal: $1,091.98 Calculate Shipping Zip Code: FedEx Express Saver FedEx 2Day FedEx Standard Overnight APO/FPO-Military ONLY FedEx International Economy-PR ONLY UPS Guaranteed 3 Day Service UPS 2nd Day UPS Next Day Saver Shipping: $0.00 Redeem Gift Certificates Claim Code: Security Code: Gift Certificates: $0.00 Apply Promo Code Promo Code: $0.00 This cart qualifies for No Payments for 6 Months with Newegg.com Preferred Account Grand Total:* $1,091.98 * Total does not include shipping or taxes, please input your zip code to calculate your order total

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If you're going for that motherboard and intend to overclock, I suggest you purchase a new northbridge cooler (as the stock one is rubbish, and also interferes with some CPU coolers), and also bear in mind that the southbridge is totally uncooled.

It's a great budget overclocker, but the best thing is probably the ability to save CMOS profiles to a USB thumb drive for a quick fix if/when things go a bit pear-shaped. The bios is nicely laid out and pretty easy to use too.

A little birdy told me, that there gonna get a BFG or OCZ 8800GTX, and there both $599 (one AR)

But in you case cost effecient and DX10 don't play hand and hand, but i would go with a 975X, supertalent 2GB DDR2 ram, a E6600 and a 8800GTX, the conroe's run cool, look at that necro dude, hes got a Big TT and runs his E6600 at low temps even before hegot that air box designed....lol

but it may push you 1k limit, but hey look atit this way, youll have a sweeet as$ system

for about $230 you can get G.SKILL DDR2-800 at cas latency 4 with timings of 4-4-4 - 12 instead

Newegg.com - G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

BFG 8800GTS for $359AR.

You can also pick up 2 sticks of Super Talent DDR2 667 for $164 but I doubt they will oc as well

on a side note what about the PSU ?

does it have enough punch to power the 8800 ?