I've haven't been watching the computer hardware scene for quite a while now, but it's time to upgrade. For Christmas, I figure I can get one of the following: a video card, processor, or motherboard and RAM.
I was thinking of getting the motherboard and RAM first. I can buy the other components before the end of the year. It looks like a 1.1GHz athlon thunderbird is the way to go, but I really don't know anything about the current motherboards. I'd get anything which is considered stable and is an all-around good board. It sounds like all of the talk around here is about the MSI K7T Pro-A, which I assume means it's a popular board. Is this a RAID board? I don't plan to use a RAID configuration, just 1 HD. All I need is 5 PCI slots and the standard options.
Here is where I'd like some input. Please post your input, regardless which board you think I should get. As I mentioned before, I need both a motherboard, and 128MB PC133 RAM. I would really, really appreciate it if someone could give direct links to a site which sells both (I've had trouble finding motherboards at reliable merchants, even with search engines. I know the quality of RAM is important, so I'm willing to spend a little more for good RAM. My price limit for the RAM and mobo is around $300. You help is VERY much appreciated.
I was thinking of getting the motherboard and RAM first. I can buy the other components before the end of the year. It looks like a 1.1GHz athlon thunderbird is the way to go, but I really don't know anything about the current motherboards. I'd get anything which is considered stable and is an all-around good board. It sounds like all of the talk around here is about the MSI K7T Pro-A, which I assume means it's a popular board. Is this a RAID board? I don't plan to use a RAID configuration, just 1 HD. All I need is 5 PCI slots and the standard options.
Here is where I'd like some input. Please post your input, regardless which board you think I should get. As I mentioned before, I need both a motherboard, and 128MB PC133 RAM. I would really, really appreciate it if someone could give direct links to a site which sells both (I've had trouble finding motherboards at reliable merchants, even with search engines. I know the quality of RAM is important, so I'm willing to spend a little more for good RAM. My price limit for the RAM and mobo is around $300. You help is VERY much appreciated.