Simviation Forums

Okay everyone.  I've read your replies, and I've taken your advice into consideration.

How about this setup?  Would this be any better?

- Gigabyte GA-8IPE775 G  Motherboard
- Intel Pentium-4 Processor 540 3.4 GHz
- Hyper-Threading Technology
- Dual Channel DDR memory support
- Built-in 6 Channel Audio
- 8X AGP and 5xPCI slots
- Eight USB 2.0 Ports, 3 ports IEEE1394
- 2 Serial ATA 150 and ATA133 Controllers
- Marvell 8001 (GIGABIT) LAN
- SATA 150MB/s data transfer rate w/RAID 0/1
- ATX Mid Tower 420 Watt Case

Then it would just be a matter of finding the perfect card to put in there.  I can keep my existing gig of RAM, which would give me a little extra leverage with the wife.  lol  (j/k btw...she's awesome when it comes to my frivalous spending!)

With this CPU, or faster?

Intel Socket 775 Pentium 4 640 3.2G/800/2M Prescott HT EIST EM64T XD C

Can you find a mainboard with that chipset and PCIe instead of 5 PCI slots and AGP?

Or do you need the 5 PCI slots for some reason?

With this CPU, or faster?

Intel Socket 775 Pentium 4 640 3.2G/800/2M Prescott HT EIST EM64T XD C

Hmm?  The one I listed is a 3.4  How do you mean?

As for PCIe v. AGP, I could prolly find one with PCIe, I'm just not sure if that's the way I want to go or if I'd rather stick with AGP.

I'll look around and see what I can find.

Its 3.4 but look at the model 640 compared to 540, the 640 has a 2 Mb L2 Cache and is 64 bit ready you are going to see better performance from the bigger cache than 200 more Mhz. PCI-E WILL take over AGP in the VERY near futre and as far as I see it AGP is a very bad investment you could make right now, why PCI-E? More power, Bandwith, and it will take over AGP. What does AGP have going for it: The way of the dinosaurs. Please don't buy things that will be obsolete in a matter of months AGP is not the way to go if you want any really good upgrade possibilities.

Its 3.4 but look at the model 640 compared to 540, the 640 has a 2 Mb L2 Cache and is 64 bit ready you are going to see better performance from the bigger cache than 200 more Mhz. PCI-E WILL take over AGP in the VERY near futre and as far as I see it AGP is a very bad investment you could make right now, why PCI-E? More power, Bandwith, and it will take over AGP. What does AGP have going for it: The way of the dinosaurs. Please don't buy things that will be obsolete in a matter of months AGP is not the way to go if you want any really good upgrade possibilities.

What he said!

Go with the 640. Its intel's 2nd to best CPU behind the extreme editions.

Budget isn't too much of a concern, as long as it's reasonable.  (I'm not poor, but I'm very cheap.  lol)

I'll look at your suggestions and modify from there.  Thanks!  You guys are a tremendous help!

hyperion,

maybe we should swap shoes.  I am poor being that i'm in the Marine Corps and married.  since your cheap i'll give you my budget and you can give me yours.  I think that would alieviate both our problems.  lol.  

Seeing as how you're a Marine, it's tempting!  lol

Ooh rah.