Need help choosing a new mobo and cpu

[Minthe]

Here is what I have currently for a system!

OS: Windows 2000
Mobo: Asus A7N8X Deluxe rev.2.0
CPU: AMD Athlon XP 2800+, OC'd to 2.2ghz
RAM: OCZ Platinum 1GBx2 PC3200
PSU: Seasonic SS-550HT 550W
Video: AGP HIS Radeon X1650 Pro
HD:Western Digital 80GB IDE WD800JB-00DUA3
Sound: Creative Sound Blaster Live! EMU10K1



I plan on replacing the hard drive, cpu, mobo, os and by extension the video card.
More than I initially thought... oh well.
Atm, only thing I need help with is the Motherboard and probably need info on cpus too that are compatible.

Basically, I need help finding a good motherboard at a reasonable price. I was thinking of an AMD board, but I read that intel is supposed to be better now. I'm not sure, heh. I will use the rig for gaming - wow, half life 2, and maybe newer games too like the upcoming Aliens vs Predator game, but obviously i'll need a new vid card for that.

Any ideas?

 

[batuchka]

You heard correct in some ways - if your needs include regular to hardcore rendering/encoding i wouldn't think twice about an X58 and an i7 chip but for games even the $7x Athlon 2 X3 425 is good to go with some cheapo 770/785g AM3 and a GPU with enuff teeth for the resolution games is to be played on. Really depends on what u looking for and budget o cos ^^

 

[Deleted member 217926]

Here is what I have currently for a system!

OS: Windows 2000
Mobo: Asus A7N8X Deluxe rev.2.0
CPU: AMD Athlon XP 2800+, OC'd to 2.2ghz
RAM: OCZ Platinum 1GBx2 PC3200
PSU: Seasonic SS-550HT 550W
Video: AGP HIS Radeon X1650 Pro
HD:Western Digital 80GB IDE WD800JB-00DUA3
Sound: Creative Sound Blaster Live! EMU10K1



I plan on replacing the hard drive, cpu, mobo, os and by extension the video card.
More than I initially thought... oh well.
Atm, only thing I need help with is the Motherboard and probably need info on cpus too that are compatible.

Basically, I need help finding a good motherboard at a reasonable price. I was thinking of an AMD board, but I read that intel is supposed to be better now. I'm not sure, heh. I will use the rig for gaming - wow, half life 2, and maybe newer games too like the upcoming Aliens vs Predator game, but obviously i'll need a new vid card for that.

Any ideas?

What kind of budget do you have?

 

[rockyjohn]

I put together a basic build to get you started and give you some idea of a package. When you have reported your budget it can be adjusted accordingly. Note that I also included memory since you will most likely need that too with a new motherboard, but you can delete it if you have memory already that may work.

CPU
AMD Athlon II X4 620 Propus 2.6GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Processor - Retail
Motherboard
GIGABYTE GA-MA790GPT-UD3H AM3 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
Combo deal - $184 AR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.291513

Memory
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL8D-4GBHK - Retail $100 Free Shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231189&Tpk=F3-10666CL8D-4GBHK

Hard Drive
Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST3500418AS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive $56 - Free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148395


Video Card
ASUS EAH4670/DI/1GD3/V2 Radeon HD 4670 1GB 128-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail $60 AR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121328

Operating System
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders – OEM $105
(Note that with OEM software you get any customer service support from Microsoft – you have to get it from the original equipment manufacturer – which is you)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754


Total Cost - $505

It would be nice if you can spend a little more to get a faster graphics card and/or a little larger hard drive – if you need more capacity.

 

[Minthe]

My budget is hard to say... I plan on buying these pieces at a time (which I know sucks for returning them if something ends up being wrong, but I got little choice). I can't afford to drop $500+ at once, but getting pieces over time is another matter, so in a way budget isn't really an issue.

I'd say, the pricing mentioned above actually seems about spot on what I was looking for. Hate to buy more ram when I just did, but god knows I'll need more than 2gb for windows 7.

Basically, I don't want to go the cheapy route and have to upgrade in a couple years (I can stretch a system for YEARS lol my current build I mentioned at start of this thread lasted me about 8 years!!!) nor do I want some overly expensive high-end one.

Ok of course I *DO* want that, but I can't afford it nor do I really need that high end a system. Gonna just be for games mainly.


I don't need the best in terms of how awesome it is, just the best in terms of stability and price and so long as it does match my needs. heh

 

[batuchka]

Well the kind of horsepower u need in the GPU dept. would depend on the resolution and type of games u intend to play ^^

 

[rockyjohn]

Since most of the pieces have to work together, the best option may be to just save up and buy all at once. The prices for most should be lower later - or you can get more for the money - and you won't be able to use any part untill you have all. Alternatively, you can watch for big sales over that time and maybe save a little.

If planning for a longer term system, you might want to get a little faster CPU and video card.

 

[Minthe]

Awesome, thanks so much for all the info. I'll use the items you listed above as reference... or I'll just get those. heh Either way, thanks a bunch and I guess I'll post back if I have more questions.