Slowly Building, What First?!

[smackbomb1216]

So yes, as I said in the summary, I am fully replacing my machine that I built on a budget awhile back, and I am a moderate gamer, and use my comp for every use imaginable. I know I am going the AMD 64 Bit proc route, with SLI and the like, but have to go piece by piece due to budget woes. I have to get started or else it will never happen, so i would like opinions on what components I should invest in first, components that will stay around for a while while DFI and Asus etc. sort out (improve) the specs in their mobos etc. What is a safe bet to invest in? RAM, The 6800 Ultras, The case, power supply? What do you think. I hope this is a clear question, it is 6:30 AM, and I am tanked, but have been mulling over making this quite possibly completely idiotic post for hours. I am dying to start the component buildup process, but do not want to toss down $500 for a piece of hardware that in 3 months I will kick myself for buying when the hot new item blows mine out of the water. If you cant think of anything, or this was a waste of your time, feel free to flame my silly as*. However, as this is my most respected site and forums, I am willing to bet I will recieve some great advice. Also, know that I am thinking of going all out on this machine.

 

[JMWarren]

My Advice,

Don't buy ANYTHING till you can afford to buy it all. With the exceptions of a CASE and PSU, if their on sale. Everything else will doubtless only decrease in price. Whats the point in buying a 6800 now if you can't use it?

Mike

 

[3NF]

Originally posted by: JMWarren
My Advice,

Don't buy ANYTHING till you can afford to buy it all. With the exceptions of a CASE and PSU, if their on sale. Everything else will doubtless only decrease in price. Whats the point in buying a 6800 now if you can't use it?

Mike

Good advice Instead of buying the part now, just save the money until you have enough to buy everything you want. Or, if you know how to use credit wisely, just put everything on a credit card, and pay them back

 

[Lonyo]

Easiest things to buy early:
Case and PSU first.
RAM next (since the prices fluctuate a lot, they could go up or down).
Motherboard. (Prices don't usually change a huge amount unless something new is right around the corner)
CPU/Graphics card.

 

[RussianSensation]

I wouldn't go SLI right now. It all depends on what your budget is.

You should keep in mind to wait for Venice processors to become available.
MSI or DFI Nf4 mobos are fine.
Go with 1 gig of Gskill or Twinmos Value VX chips ram on newegg. They should let you maintain 2-2-2 tight timings with the DFI board.
for PCIe, $290 X800XL is probably a good choice without having to blow $500 or more when R520 radeon is going to come out real soon.
PSU - Enermax 495, Tagan 480, OCZ Modstream 520 should be fine.

DVD burner?
Speakers?
Sound card?
Monitor?

Not sure how important these are for you.

 

[jenneth]

There are some good advices here.

 

[DaveyTN]

I agree with the other posts here. Why buy components now (that you won't be able to use) when you could buy them later when they are cheaper (and you will be able to use them). Just be sure to save your $$$s so you will have enough to buy everything all at once - Of course that is easier said than done.

 

[magomago]

the only thing I would consider buying now would just be ram...I remember way back when 512 megs could be had 55 a stick...and then prices rocketed to like 100 dollars a stick....and now its back down again.

But yeah, wait till you have the money FIRST.....if you do it peice by peice you will find your prices will drop a lot...

oh and regardless what setup you buy prices will still drop So don't expect something to hold its value