Need a good combo deal

[Mick_C]

Hey gang,
I'm finally ready to bite the bullet and update my POS system!

[congo]

I've rarely ever seen a decent Combo deal in a high performance rig, though some specialist stores have offered them. Typically there is ....................... OOPS!

"Speeds and performance aren't important here"

[Mick_C]

Wow, thanks for input congo. These boards would suite me well, but I'm not sure about the integrated graphics, that can be a bother. I mispoke regarding "combo". Then it dawned on me that combo usually means "integrated" when speaking of Mobos (sound,vid,lan). I've got good peripherals, RAID/VID/LAN.

[congo]

I'm sorry I couldn't be more specific, but I have no idea what your planned use for the PC is. EXTREME heat and stress? You aren't seriously considering re-entry with this rig are you?

The onboard nVidia RAID controller has a very low overhead from what I've read, my system has 2 controllers, I'll be setting up my RAID on the nVidia controller.

AMD hasn't made this progress on their own, it's the core of enthusiasts that have been financing them by buying their products, and nVidia have been responsible in part by designing excellent chipsets that support the platform.

The nForce2 chipset made it for AMD, it was innovative and timely. Since then, nVidia have produced several excellent chipsets in quick succession with improvements and a great variety of options for board makers.

Design limitations on AMD processors severely limited the high core speeds found on Intel cpu's. AMD were forced to "think" their way out of that conundrum and used "smart" technology to stay competitive, whether by luck or planning or both, this has paid dividends and forced Intel to do likewise or lose the race for technological supremacy. It's been a close battle with the lead changing a few times over the last several few years or so.

A similar sparring war has been going on with ATI and nVidia in the graphics department, with the lead switching between camps and innovation reaching new heights constantly.

The winner is..........................................




































us, the end users.

[Mick_C]

[quote]I'm sorry I couldn't be more specific, but I have no idea what your planned use for the PC is. EXTREME heat and stress? You aren't seriously considering re-entry with this rig are you?...

The winner is..........................................
us, the end users.

[Politically Incorrect]

Don't know if this tid bit will help but I had a 7 hour long multiplayer Call of Duty 2 frag fest last weekend, and after that amount of time my CPU maintained 39*C, highest it hit was 45*C, video cards maintained 48*C never exceeding 50*C !!!
Don't ever watch temps (so assume that those numbers are good) often but figured 7 hours of hardcore gaming should have given the system  a run for its money

[Mick_C]

[quote]Don't know if this tid bit will help but I had a 7 hour long multiplayer Call of Duty 2 frag fest last weekend, and after that amount of time my CPU maintained 39*C, highest it hit was 45*C, video cards maintained 48*C never exceeding 50*C !!!
Don't ever watch temps (so assume that those numbers are good) often but figured 7 hours of hardcore gaming should have given the system

[4_Series_Scania]

If you know of a good combo Mobo, CPU, RAM deal for around $160-$220 max on the net could you shoot a link at me? I would greatly appreciate your advise and help.
Mick  

Here you go.
Overclockers UK (They do mail order) or, look for the same kit in the US and compare prices, I'd imagine its cheaper over the pond.

AMD Athlon Sempron 64 2600 Retail / Abit KU8 / 512MB Corsair PC3200 PC3200 - Bundle (BU-024-OK)
Corsair 512MB DDR Value Select PC3200 CAS2.5 (VS512MB400) (MY-042-CS)
Abit KU8 ULI M1689 (Socket 754) Motherboard (MB-081-AB)
AMD Sempron 64 2600+ 1.6GHz (Socket 754) CPU - Retail (CP-139-AM)

[Mick_C]

[quote]

Here you go.
Overclockers UK (They do mail order) or, look for the same kit in the US and compare prices, I'd imagine its cheaper over the pond.

[4_Series_Scania]

Wow, Thanks 4_Series_Scania. I will tuck this away for reference. I'll be putting the rest of the money on High end Video, RAID, and New monitor. These are gonna cost a chunk so this is why I'm kinda looking cheap for core items. Thanks again!  ;) This would get me by for a while, if all goes well, this time next yr I can dump a tad more money into a decent high end sys.  :D
Mick

I'd consider a more middle of the road option in that case, its pretty pointless having slow core components such as the CPU & RAM with high end Graphics cards, the faster the CPU the better the GFX card will perform.....

You'd be far better off with a more balanced rig, consider an AMD Athlon 64 double the RAM but something more mid range in the graphics department (Such as a Geforce 6600GT / 6800) using something "High end" such as a 7800 card would be a waste of money as you would'nt be getting the best from it.

I'm sure others will concur with me.

Edit, a mate of mine has recently purchased a second hand Monitor (21 inch!) off e-bay for

[Mick_C]

[quote]

I'd consider a more middle of the road option in that case, its pretty pointless having slow core components such as the CPU & RAM with high end Graphics cards, the faster the CPU the better the GFX card will perform.....

You'd be far better off with a more balanced rig, consider an AMD Athlon 64 double the RAM but something more mid range in the graphics department (Such as a Geforce 6600GT / 6800) using something "High end" such as a 7800 card would be a waste of money as you would'nt be getting the best from it.

I'm sure others will concur with me.

[4_Series_Scania]

You give excellent advice 4_Series_Scania.

Thanks. - I Just don't want you to make the mistakes I've made in the past....  ;)

Thanks to everyone for talking me back to my senses!  8)
Mick

Get back into in the Cafe and loose them again!  ;)

[congo]

As I said above, study the chipset and base your buying decision on that, it's a lot easier to upgrade a system if it has a decent mainboard.

If you have a sub-standard chipset, it makes upgrading a lot harder mentally, not just physically, you start to rationalise.......... "Hmmm. this piece of crap mainboard is not going to show a big improvement with that upgrade" ,

[Mick_C]

Thanks congo, I'm really swamped tonight, been a long difficult day. But I will jump on these tomorrow and get a good look at them.
Thanks again friend,
Mick  ;)