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Looking for opinions on my future desktop

post #1 of 12
9/2/04 at 9:51am
Thread Starter 
Let me list the specs, but then I've got a few questions:

Case ( Raidmax 268 ATX Mid-Tower Case w/350W Power Supply Black )
Power Supply ( 500 Watt Power Supply )
Processor ( AMD® Athlon-64 3400+ CPU w/ Hyper Transport Technology )
Processor Cooling ( Certified CPU Fan and Heatsink + 2 Extra Case Fans )
Motherboard ( Asus K8V Deluxe Via-K8T800 Chipset w/5.1 Sound, LAN, IEEE-1394, USB 2.0 8x AGP Motherboard )
Memory ( 1024 MB [512MB X2] DDR-400 PC3200 Memory Module Major Brand )
Video Card ( [**Hot**] Nvidia GeForce 6800-Ultra 256MB w/DVI + TV Out 8x AGP Video (req. 500W system power) )
Hard Drive ( 200 GB HARD DRIVE [Serial-ATA] Western Digital 200 GB 7200 RPM SATA 8MB Cache Hard Drive )
2nd Hard Drive ( None )
Raid Controller ( None )
Raid Configuration ( None )
CD/DVD Drive ( None )
CD-RW/DVD-RW Drive ( Pioneer DVR-108 Dual Format/Double Layer 16X DVD±R/±RW + CD-R/RW Drive Black )
Sound Card ( 3D Wave Stereo Sound Onboard )
Speaker System ( 600W PMPO 3 PCS Super Bass Subwoofer Speaker System )
Fax Modem ( None )
Network Card ( 10/100 Network Onboard )
Floppy Drive ( None )
Zip Drive ( None )
Monitor ( None )
Keyboard ( PS/2 104 Key Windows 98 Keyboard Beige )
Mouse ( Microsoft IntelliMouse 1.1A USB Internet Mouse Beige )
Meter Display ( Thermal Temperature LCD Display Black )
Flash Media Reader/Writer ( 6-In-1 Internal Flash Media Card Reader/Writer Black )
Case Lighting ( Neon Light Blue )
Case Round Cable ( None )
USB Port ( Build-in USB 2.0 Ports )
IEEE-1394 Fire Wire Card ( IEEE-1394 Firewire PCI Card w/Cable + Software )
TV Tuner ( None )
Video Camera ( None )
Scanner ( None )
Headset ( None )
Printer ( None )
Printer Cable ( None )
Operation System ( MS Windows XP Home Edition )

Now I need some opinions:
1.) Do you think it's worthwhile upgrading to the 939 pin athlon64 processor/motherboard? Is there any performance beneifet?
2.) The price difference between the GT and Ultra 6800 is over $100, how much more performance will I see with the Ultra?
3.) The motherboard supports 5.1 surround sound, should I put in a better sound card? I don't know much about sound cards, would someone tell me that greatest advantages that the better ones offer?
4.) Network cards? I don't know much about them. I see a list of different options. What advantages will the more expensive ones offer me?
5.) What speaker system, in your opinion, is the best for around $130?

Thanks for your time guys; this really means a lot to me
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post #2 of 12
9/2/04 at 12:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tourney2112
1.) Do you think it's worthwhile upgrading to the 939 pin athlon64 processor/motherboard? Is there any performance beneifet?
From what I've read there are, but some people don't think its worth it. If you want optimal performance for just a little while then go 939, although some people are waiting for the pci-express and ddr2 motherboards. I suggest 754 if its cheaper unless the price difference if negligible.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tourney2112
2.) The price difference between the GT and Ultra 6800 is over $100, how much more performance will I see with the Ultra?
http://graphics.tomshardware.com/gra...t_high_quality

It seems that unless you go beyond 1024x768, the benchmarks between the two are perhaps negligible in Doom 3.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tourney2112
3.) The motherboard supports 5.1 surround sound, should I put in a better sound card? I don't know much about sound cards, would someone tell me that greatest advantages that the better ones offer?
I don't know much either so take this answer with a truckful of salt. A while back I remember reading an article about how it actually affects benchmarks (though very slightly). But 5.1 surround sound should be good enough (hopefully its supports EAX) and most gamers want the best sound to hear which direction the footsteps of their enemy is coming from.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tourney2112
4.) Network cards? I don't know much about them. I see a list of different options. What advantages will the more expensive ones offer me?
Another question I don't have a good answer for I'd just pick whatever people consider the most dependable card on the newegg reviews to cut down on the possibility of a headache when I install it.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tourney2112
5.) What speaker system, in your opinion, is the best for around $130?
http://www6.tomshardware.com/consume...peaker-20.html

The Logitech Z-5300 is probably your best bet with the 2nd best noise level at 5.1 and costs $139 at newegg.
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post #3 of 12
9/2/04 at 1:10pm
OK here is the deal I got $1000 to upgrade my desktop

What Imust have

Asus MB
Nvidia Graphics Card
AMD Althalon 64
DVD+/-RW

this is what I have come up with so far.

Lite-On 12X DVD±RW Drive
OCZ Enhanced Latency Series Dual Channel Kit 184 Pin 1GB(512MBx2)
ASUS "K8V" K8T800
AMD Athlon 64 2800+
eVGA nVIDIA GeForce 6800GT

TOTAL $994.99


Any comments or suggestions on that set up may be a while before I get the money to do it but I was jsut wondering what you guys thought of this particular setup.
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post #4 of 12
9/2/04 at 1:10pm
You do not need a network card with that motherboard.
You'd better take Xp Pro. Or do it 'the other way'
Dunno about the climate in the US but more fans always rock And with 500W power and enough amps (hopefully!) it should be fine. I run 7 fans in a lower specced system but I live in thailand

Overall, that config looks very nice and will definitely play everything right now
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post #5 of 12
9/2/04 at 1:37pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tourney2112
Now I need some opinions:
1.) Do you think it's worthwhile upgrading to the 939 pin athlon64 processor/motherboard? Is there any performance beneifet?
I am one of those people that do not think it is worth the money .. yet. Until Windows 64 comes out, stick with an Athlon XP... i have the 3200+ and it rocks out...cost me only $90 for the mobo (ASUS a7n8X-X) and $160 with the processor.. (but i sold my 2400+ and got $50 for it so it really only cost me $110)…it will probably be a year before the new windows platform comes out… you can always upgrade later when prices come down…

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tourney2112
2.) The price difference between the GT and Ultra 6800 is over $100, how much more performance will I see with the Ultra?
People will argue that there is a huge difference. I've seen both on display at comp shows and at compUSA and I can't tell the difference when I'm running through the jungle in FarCry... i went with the X800 PRO over the XT...and I am happy

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tourney2112
3.) The motherboard supports 5.1 surround sound, should I put in a better sound card? I don't know much about sound cards, would someone tell me that greatest advantages that the better ones offer?
Unless you are planning on setting up some serious speakers for gaming/watching movies on your monitor the 5.1 cards are not worth it...i have SoundBlaster Live with a four piece speaker setup and I can get surround sound if i want it... but i don't like it with games and i dont watch many movies on my PC...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tourney2112
4.) Network cards? I don't know much about them. I see a list of different options. What advantages will the more expensive ones offer me?
Good question and I'm not really sure. I find it hard to believe your connection will be THAT much faster if you buy a $10 Ethernet vs a $50 Ethernet...maybe file transfers are faster...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tourney2112
5.) What speaker system, in your opinion, is the best for around $130?
Cambridge Soundworks 4 piece speaker with sub, cost me $90, but that was two years ago... my speakers are loud as hell and perfect for everything...
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post #6 of 12
9/2/04 at 1:42pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Braingoo
OK here is the deal I got $1000 to upgrade my desktop

What Imust have

Asus MB
Nvidia Graphics Card
AMD Althalon 64
DVD+/-RW

this is what I have come up with so far.

Lite-On 12X DVD±RW Drive
OCZ Enhanced Latency Series Dual Channel Kit 184 Pin 1GB(512MBx2)
ASUS "K8V" K8T800
AMD Athlon 64 2800+
eVGA nVIDIA GeForce 6800GT

TOTAL $994.99


Any comments or suggestions on that set up may be a while before I get the money to do it but I was jsut wondering what you guys thought of this particular setup.
I hate it...just kidding.

Like I said before when everyone asks this question, get the XP 3200+ over the 64. You'll be fine with it, and then when you can really utilize the 64 bit platform...go for it. It's not gonna kill you to wait...and youre saving money that can be spent on other things...

I personally buy ATI over nVidia so you can guess where thats goin'...

I like the DVD burner and i was thinking about getting one myself...im gonna wait a while so the 12 speeds come down in price...

good choice on memory
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post #7 of 12
9/2/04 at 2:15pm
Thread Starter 
thanks guys, those Z5300's look pretty nice. I won't be upgrading to 939 and it looks like the GT might be a better decision. Once again, thank you. It's always nice to have the opinions of others.
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post #8 of 12
9/2/04 at 2:47pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dukefrukem
I hate it...just kidding.

Like I said before when everyone asks this question, get the XP 3200+ over the 64. You'll be fine with it, and then when you can really utilize the 64 bit platform...go for it. It's not gonna kill you to wait...and youre saving money that can be spent on other things...

I personally buy ATI over nVidia so you can guess where thats goin'...

I like the DVD burner and i was thinking about getting one myself...im gonna wait a while so the 12 speeds come down in price...

good choice on memory
I would agree on teh ATI but I have used ATIs for years now and I want to go with something diferent. Dont get me wrong I love ATI cards i just want to have the expereince of owning an Nvidia for once. that and I won a big Nvidia stiker at the Lan party and I need to use it. Besides all my games have the Nvidia logo at the begins claming it was made for thier card s I just want to se how valid that claim is! If im going Nvidia though I want eh best hence the 6800GT i would hav rather waited on PCI-E SLI 6800s but that seems to far off.
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post #9 of 12
9/2/04 at 2:56pm
Thread Starter 
One more question guys:
I can either upgrade to the athlon64 3700+ or go with the 6800 ultra so which will perform better?

3700+ & 6800 GT
3400+ & 6800 Ultra

Keep in mind that the ultra only gets about 3 fps on average more than the GT. So, which will be the better performer?
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post #10 of 12
9/2/04 at 4:39pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tourney2112
One more question guys:
I can either upgrade to the athlon64 3700+ or go with the 6800 ultra so which will perform better?

3700+ & 6800 GT
3400+ & 6800 Ultra

Keep in mind that the ultra only gets about 3 fps on average more than the GT. So, which will be the better performer?
I would go with the 3700 and the GT
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post #11 of 12
9/2/04 at 9:09pm
as would I...
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post #12 of 12
9/2/04 at 10:10pm
Thread Starter 
Sounds good. thanks
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