CAA: Christian Anime Alliance

So yeah... I figured it was about time. I know I've got a lot of techie peers here, so I figured it wouldn't hurt to ask for additional input.

It's been getting to me for a while because I'm the type that's just got to run everything at full spec or I'm not happy. I'd thought about it when Doom 3 came out, really considered it when I played FEAR, and Oblivion was the kicker.

Here's my current rig:

Processor: AMD Athlonâ„¢ XP 2800+
Mainboard: Gigabyte GA-7N400-L
Total Memory : 1GB Corsair DDR400
Video Card: RADEON 9800 PRO
Power Supply: 520W
Hard Drives: Western Digital 80GB, 120GB, both IDE
Sound Card: Sound Blaster Audigy (yes, the first model)

So here's the real question: I've had my 9800 Pro for nearly three years now, so upgrading the video card is definitely the main choice. However, I was thinking... I could save money by getting an x800 Pro AGP, but given how I am about upgrading, I think it's time to make the jump to a new mobo with PCIe.

What I may just do is this: get a new processor and mobo now, and then just get a new video card in August.

Sooo... any recommendations on video card/cpu/mobos? I tend to prefer ATI cards, AMD processors (I'm considering an Athlon64), and I'm generally open for mobos that support aftermarket cpu fans as well as a good layout. My budget is around $400 total, though I can be conviced to put in $50 more if the benefits are obvious.

I didn't realize this until someone pointed it out to me, but if I'm going PCIe I have to upgrade them all at once. Yay.

Anyway, still taking recommendations on parts.

you wont need to upgrade them all at once, just most of them

i would say, get a
nvidia 7800gtx (or if financially possible a 7900) (i am generally an ATI person myself, but this generation of nvidia cards blows the 1800xt's away)
some type of pci-e asus mobo (just my personal preference)
and an amd athlon 64 X2 4200+ (or a 4800+ if possible)
another gig of ram (or 2 gigs of faster ram)

if you get that kind of stuff, you wont need to upgrade for a while, but its not cheap

[quote="glitch1501"]you wont need to upgrade them all at once, just most of them ]And um... what part of "my budget is $400" means I can get all of those? That's at least $1000 of hardware! I agree, it's all sweet stuff, but it goes WAAAAAY past my budget.

Actually, at this time I've got the following picked out:

Athlon 64 3500 (socket 939)
ASUS A8V-E SE mobo

That's about $250. Add a $200 video card, and I'll be rolling. I'm looking at the HIS ATI Radeon X800 GTO IceQ II Turbo 256MB, and thinking that might fit the bill.

your specs seem pretty decent. The ATI Radeon 9800 series is still pretty good for high-end gaming.

I'd just save money XD

This is probably not what you wanted to hear, but...

I actually gave up on PC based gaming because of the expense involved in getting new hardware. I'm waiting for the PS3 to come out, then I'll go that route. I used to have to upgrade my PC every 2-3 years to be able to play the latest games.

Now I just wait 5-6 years and buy the consols (1995 for PS1, 2000 for PS2 and 2006 for PS3). Even if the PS3 ends up being a grand, I've still saved over the long run.

Just a though.

Mithrandir wrote:This is probably not what you wanted to hear, but...

I actually gave up on PC based gaming because of the expense involved in getting new hardware. I'm waiting for the PS3 to come out, then I'll go that route. I used to have to upgrade my PC every 2-3 years to be able to play the latest games.

Now I just wait 5-6 years and buy the consols (1995 for PS1, 2000 for PS2 and 2006 for PS3). Even if the PS3 ends up being a grand, I've still saved over the long run.

Just a though.

Very wise advice, indeed. This isn't a typical upgrade for me though, as I usually do it in cycles, often spending no more than $150 a year on upgrades. This time, I'm making a format change, which unfortunately spikes the cost a bit. Yet next year I'll be going back to my standard cycle, so I'll be good again.

Besides, I love PC gaming too much. By far, I have the most PC games out of any of the systems I own, and I have a lot of them.

oh! sorry i didnt read that part, i just got so excited looking for the most expensive stuff lol....
i have an x800xt, its a great card, but your not going to be able to max out all the settings in oblivion (big deal lol?) it also doesnt support HDR (at least in oblivion)