The computer I will buy

[gpol2162]

Can u experts give me an opinion on my current set up?

Processor: AMD ATHLON 64 3500+ S939 NEWCASTLE 2.2GHZ 512KB CACHE RETAIL BOX
Mobo: ASUS A8V DELUXE S939
Ram: KINGSTON HYPERX 1024MB DUAL CHANNEL KIT PC3200 2X512MB DDR 400MHZ 184PIN
Vid Card: GeForce 6800 GT
Hard drive: Maxtor 200GB DiamondMax Plus 9 7200RPM, Serial ATA, 8M Cache
Case: Antec PLUSVIEW1000AMG METALLIC GRAY SOHO FILE SERVER WITH WINDOW
PSU: ANTEC TRUEPOWER 430W ATX12V PS/2 SIZE 2 FANS LOW NOISE
DVD Writer: LG GSA-4082B 8X4X12 DVD+-R/RW/RAM 24X16X32 CDRW BLACK OEM W/ SW
DVD Reader: LG 16X BLACK DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM IDE UDMA33
Keyboard/Mouse: MICROSOFT MULTIMEDIA KEYBOARD & OPTICAL MOUSE
Speakers: ALTEC LANSING 251CN 5PC SPEAKER SYSTEM 60W RMS

Do you think it is better to wait for PCI-e mobos with DDR to come out? When do you think such mobos will be out?

Should I go for a better heatsink/fan combo for my cpu?

Also I am looking to spend sub $3000 cnd (for gaming)

Any help you can give is really appricieated.

 

[peartree]

Hmm. If you're going for a top gaming machine, you've got a good start. I won't comment on the price, just the equipment choice.

1) The 3400+ Athlon64 is a better buy. Nearly as much performance (within 5%) and about $300US cheaper. You're going to have fun finding one, though. It's early in the product cycle.

2) Mobo is okay, though I'm not a fan of VIA chipsets.

3) Good RAM choice and case.

4) No doubt you know that the GF 6800GT isn't as fast as the 6800XT. If you go for the 3400+, you should have the money for the faster video card.

5) I would go for a 480 watt power supply, minimum. The 64-bit CPU's are power hungry. Same for the video card.

6) If you buy the retail version of the CPU, then it comes from AMD with a CPU cooler.

7) The best DVD writer around is the new Plextor 712A (faster version of the current 708), as anyone will tell you.

Is it better to wait for PCI-Express to come out? It depends. If you don't mind waiting until the end of the yaer or so for PCI-X mobos to come out and then to get down to your proce level, then it's a good idea.

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