Building a Computer ....

[jaeSun]

ok, so my plans are to build a computer ... im setting aside up to $2000 for the computer (building a computer that can last a long time?).

So, does anyone know the major releases of hardware coming out? (CPU, Video Card, Motherboard, RAM).

I am almost wanting to build it all now, but then, wouldn't mind waiting until end of year.

It doesn't look like anything major to be released by the end of the year? (I have to build a computer by the end of the year)

for CPU's, I see the Dual Core's coming out by end of year.

for Video Cards?

Motherboards?

RAM?

Because maybe if nothing major to be released, I can just go ahead and build it now

I have just started to research this stuff. So far, I am thinking on going the AMD/ATi route. Looking at the article:

http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=2410

the pricing of the AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+ will be $581 (I was thinking I would be spending around $700 for one before the dual cores came out) Either that or the AMD Athlon 64 X2 4600+

and with the video card market, ATi still holds the top spot? what are the top two video cards from ATi and nVidia?

what are your suggestions? wait for Dual Core? or Build it now.

I am thinking Dual Core as the future will be moving towards it .... so why bother with the single cores.

Do any of you guys recommend the Intel Dual Core (Pentium D I think it's called?) ?

If you could build a system, what would you build?

 

[sniperruff]

you don't have to go high end for something to "last long"... 3 years ago when AXP 2100+ was in its prime, Ti4600 is king of graphics cards, and nforce2 was about to be released, i built myself an AXP 1700+ on a KT333, with a GF3 Ti500, with 256mb of PC2100. i added more ram as it got cheaper (or free after rebate)... and my comp has been working like a champ ever since.

surely it lags some when i play the CoD: PA here and there... but i don't mind, and it'll probably last me another year or two.

oh yeah, my whole computer costs like $500 the time that i built the whole thing. save your money, and build/buy a computer when you NEED it.

 

[Baked]

I'd buy an A64 3700+ San Diego CPU + Thermalright XP-120 Heatsink + nForce 4 Ultra Mobo + 1GB OCZ VX PC4000 RAM + 6800GT PCI-E Video + Dell 2005FPW LCD + Seagate Barracuda 7200.8 SATA HD + NEC 3540A DVD Burner + Toshiba 1912M DVD-ROM + Seasonic S12 600W PSU + Antec SLK3000B Case system now. There's no point in waiting, and in the world of computers, there will always be something new.

 

[ShadowBlade]

if i were you, i would get something cheap for now (3000+) and wait until the dual core prices become more reasonable, they shouldnt cost more than two of their single core counterpart (i.e. 4800+ = 2x2400+) and right now, theyre alot more than that

video cards: the best nvidia is the bfg 6800 ultra w/ 512MB gddr3 ($884), i reccomend 6800GT
the best ati is the saphire X850XT platinum edition w/ 256MB gddr3 ($999)
in my opinion, nvidia gives you the best "bang for your buck"

motherboards either msi neo4 k8n platinum (nf4 ultra)($142) or the dfi lanparty nf4 ultra ($129)

ram: ocz performance serries 1GB PC3200 ($138.98)

all prices from newegg
Welcome to AT

 

[AtaruMoroboshi18]

Yikes ShadowBlade! Sapphire X850XT PE for $999? You're shopping at the WRONG places. I got my X850XT, non-PE, for about $479. Best investment I ever made, this thing puts a lot of peoples GFX cards to shame!

 

[jaeSun]

I realize that computers are always changing and always something new...

I am not waiting on that. I have to move out at end of year, and I won't have a computer then, so I will definately be buying a computer by then if I haven't by then.

and wow, $1000 for a video card? geez, what ever happened when they were around $500 for top of line ... im willing to spend around $400 for the vid card ....

ill have to check the mobo .. i have some parts, so I don't want onboard video, lan, or sound ... PCI Express is about the norm for newer machines??

 

[SNM]

Wait. You can't get dual core now, and it's concievable new vid cards will be out by the time you build it.

 

[jaeSun]

when are the release dates? says Q3 or Q4.... is that June or later?