Best CPU/MB combo for about $200 ?

[3yeNerd]

I've tried reading all the FAQs and things .. but still confused .. I want to spend roughly $200 on a cpu/mb combo.. but looking through outpost.com and newegg I see so many choices, I'm confused!

I want this to mainly play games like Halflife 2, Doom3 ... and also do DVD movie burning.. should I pick a P4? Can someone point me in the direction of the best bang for my buck?

Thanks so much! I'm sure you guys can look and pick it right out, whereas this will take me months to figure out

 

[Spitfire_x86]

Athlon64 2800+ with ABIT NF8 should fit within your budget.

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[Rugger]

If you're looking to upgrade your current sytem, then we need your current systems specs to make the best possible recommendations. List and we'll help!

I want this to mainly play games like Halflife 2, Doom3

What video card do you have right now?

and also do DVD movie burning..

Do you have a DVD burner?

should I pick a P4?

NO!

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[endyen]

For stability and performance, Spitfire has it right. If that is too dear, you could go with one of the new s754 semprons.

 

[3yeNerd]

I need to get a new vid card as well .. I was going to get a 9800pro for about $150 .. is there anything better for that price range?

I have an internal 16x dual layer I/O magic burner .. and might use an external version of the same thing as well.

I'd have to get new RAM of course..

How is that deal on newegg for the AMD64 3000 I believe for $199? altho the MB won't be as good as the ABIT NF8

Thanks for the help guys, keep it coming!

-Mike

 

[Rugger]

How is that deal on newegg for the AMD64 3000 I believe for $199? altho the MB won't be as good as the ABIT NF8

Mind posting a link? Makes it easier for the people that want to help you...


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<font color=red>You're a boil on the arse of progress - don't make me squeeze you!</font color=red>

 

[Cybercraig]

I need to get a new vid card as well .. I was going to get a 9800pro for about $150 .. is there anything better for that price range?

No. You would have to find a 6600GT for comparison. The 6600GT's are around $190.00 - $200.00


Abit IS7 - 3.0C @ 3.6ghz - Mushkin PC4000 (2 X 512) - Sapphire 9800Pro - TT 420 watt Pure Power
Samsung 120gb ATA-100 - Maxtor 40gb ATA - 100
Sony DRU-510A - Yellowtail Merlot

 

[3yeNerd]

Which A64 chip is better to get .. the Winchester or the Newcastle? I noticed the winchester is only 1.8ghz and the newcastles are 2.0 ghz .. I'm looking for the 3000+ I would like to try some mild overclocking, but nothing too hardcore .. just using air cooling.

Newegg has these for sale .. are they any good and which should I get?

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=19-103-501&DEPA=1

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=19-103-486&DEPA=1

 

[3yeNerd]

Which A64 chip is better to get .. the Winchester or the Newcastle? I noticed the winchester is only 1.8ghz and the newcastles are 2.0 ghz .. I'm looking for the 3000+ I would like to try some mild overclocking, but nothing too hardcore .. just using air cooling.

Newegg has these for sale .. are they any good and which should I get?

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=19-103-501&DEPA=1

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=19-103-486&DEPA=1

 

[endyen]

If you are still on a tight budget, the s939 boards are a bit more expensive <A HREF="http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=19-103-486&DEPA=1" target="_new">http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=19-103-486&DEPA=1</A> This one may not OC quite so well, but it should be fine past 2.2ghz.
It would do very nicely on the Abit mobo.

 

[Cybercraig]

Either one of those will clock fine. You simply have to decide between a socket 754 or a socket 939. Can you live with the Nforce-3 chipset or are you dying for Nforce-4? Are you having dreams about dual video cards running on an SLI board? A lot to consider but make sure you get 2 X 512mb of ram for whatever MB you chose or you'll be dozing while your game is loading.

Abit IS7 - 3.0C @ 3.6ghz - Mushkin PC4000 (2 X 512) - Sapphire 9800Pro - TT 420 watt Pure Power
Samsung 120gb ATA-100 - Maxtor 40gb ATA - 100
Sony DRU-510A - Yellowtail Merlot

 

[Rugger]

Here is a good familiarization read for s754 vs. s939, <A HREF="http://www.behardware.com/articles/531/page1.html" target="_new">s754 vs s939 review</A>. Here is a recent <A HREF="http://forumz.tomshardware.com/hardware/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=204004#204004" target="_new">s754 vs s939</A> thread on THG.

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