Need help Deciding if the upgrades are worth the Money...............

[Missing the point]

Ok, I am making a new computer, because I need another one http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

I have decided to go the Duron route, and that is not going to change.

Note: All the prices are in CDN Dollars!

Here is a list of the basic components that I am getting:

$131 AMD Duron 650
$230 Asus A7V W/out sound
$209 128MB PC100 Ram
$299 Asus V6800 DDR Pure
$249 Maxtor 30.7GB 7200RPM Hard Drive
$ 60 Sound Blaster Live!
$ 30 CD Rom
$ 15 Floppy Drive

Option Packages:

1. AMD Duron 700 + $37
2. 256 MB PC100 Ram + $209
3. Asus V6800 64M Video Card + $45
4. Asus V7700 Pure 64M + $240

What do you think?

Should I just get it, without any option packages, or what one(s) should I choose?

Also, Is there anything else you think I should add to this? Anything I need to upgrade?

Please help, since I will be getting this system tomorrow hopefully http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

Also, what cooler is good with the Duron? I know Socket 370 coolers DO NOT work, so what do?

Thanks for any info!

[cyclone2]

Looks good to me, should perform similar to my 566@850 Cel,128meg,V6800 pure,MX300 etc.
If you are a gamer it will smoke! And the prices seem as good as any in BC. eg; http://www.atic.ca/store/product$/frameset.htm in Vancouver. The only extra I would consider is the 700 (never can get enough) or get a burner! http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

[Missing the point]

Ya don't think i should get more RAM or a better Video card? Or are they not worth the extra money?

[Missing the point]

Since the edit button doesn't seem to be working on my post, I will just post a reply to add stuff:

I looked at that link you showed, and I remembered a few vid cards as my options:

Voodoo 5 5500 w/64Megs AGP $395
CreativeAnnihilator2 GeForce-II GTS 32M AGP $390


Also, should I use the Asus A7V or the Abit KT7 Motherboard? There is almost no price difference.......

[Dputiger]

Since SDRAM will be continuing to go up in price, I might spend the money now for more of it, but I wouldn't bother with the 64 meg version of either card.

The big problem with the GeForce cards (except the Ultra) isn't their lack of memory but their lack of bandwidth. Stick with a 32 meg version and wait for prices to drop. Or, fo rabout 200, pick up a Radeon.

[Missing the point]

I really don't want a radeon too much, but you think that the 64 meg versions are not worth it?

Ok, then what about the Creative one, it is 32 meg, but it ain't any less really than the 64 meg V5 5500....

I am getting confused :p

[Warthog]

You wouldn't need 256mb RAM unless you were doing intense graphic work.

I'd get a CD-RW drive instead of a regular CD-ROM. At least get a DVD - they aren't that expensive.

I'm assuming you already have a monitor.

Warthog

[plucky duck]

Looks pretty good.

If you're not running anything too graphics intensive, I'd suggest you hold back on 256megs of ram and just stick with 128mb for now. Ram prices goes up and down and up and down...it'll go down sooner or later, that is if you can wait.

Another is to ditch the CDROM for a DVD or CDRW instead, if you don't already have either.

If time isn't all that important to you, I'd suggest ordering a few of these items online @ Onvia.com, save on tax and shipping. Go thru pointclick.com and get another 10% off your purchases. There's also a $50 off $300 coupon at www.techdeals.net (http://www.techdeals.net) I believe.

Don't bother gettin' those 64mb Geforce's, they're definitely not worth your money in most cases and the performance increase is neglible to nil.

Have fun!
Plucky

[Missing the point]

Thank you!

I wrote on the sheet, that I want 128 megs of ram, unless I am getting Win 2k, then I am getting 256 http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/biggrin.gif

I am not getting a CDRW right now, because my Mom promised me that she was gonna get me a good one for christmas, and If I added it to this one, it would add 350 bucks easily! That is outta my range http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/frown.gif
I really don't have any need for a DVD drive, I don't watch DVD's, and don't intend to.......

I put the Voodoo V5500 on the list for a video card http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/biggrin.gif

[Warthog]

my Mom promised me that she was gonna get me a good one for christmas

A good one, eh? One word: Plextor
http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

Warthog

[cyclone2]

The question when it comes to video cards these days is "bang for the buck" your choice, I made mine http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif
Check out this review of 8-9 cards http://www.gamecenter.com/Hardware/Roundup/3dcage/
Oh yeah- get PC133 ram not 100, Im sure you are gunna O'clock it!

[This message has been edited by cyclone2 (edited 08-26-2000).]

[Missing the point]

Warthog: I would not buy anything BUT a plextor http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif I know their reputation http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Also, Why do I need PC133 ram, when It is a Duron, and I am just gonna set the mult differently anyway? It is most likely not gonna go over 110fsb........

I will check out that review, thank you http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

[BBA]

Well...If you want the ABSOLUTE BANG for your buck, get the cheapest 64M GeForce2 you can find and convert it into a Quadro Pro.

This gives you HARDWARE Anti-Alias and all other Quadro features. ( Q3A at 1024x768 full 32bit all details/sun/sky/textures and 4X FSAA timedemo demo001 at 90+ FPS!)

V5 6000 can't keep up with that.

Or, you could go ALL OUT and get a GeForce2 ULTRA and convert it... ( $450 US )

[This message has been edited by BBA (edited 08-26-2000).]

[Missing the point]

Is there any articles I can read about converting it to Quadro?

I have only heard of this, I don't know what it does, or anything, so http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

Please http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

[Missing the point]

Ok, I found a article on it, and it says that it will not improve gaming at all, it is just for high-end Graphics. I am not gonna be doing any of that :p

I think I am gonna stick with my V5 5500

[Ruahrc]

IMHO- I'd go with the GeForce line of cards instead of the V5.

After experiencing FSAA (If only on a "humble" GeForce MX) the diffference in visual quality is nice- but at resolutions of 1024x768+ you don't really notice it. Plus, the only time I really appreciated it was when I was watching the 3DM2000 demo. I looked for every edge I could find, and was blown away by the difference.

But in all reality, the last thing you would want to do would be examining your screen looking for edges that are smooth when the enemy lurks in the shadows trying to kill you =).

To me, the features of the GeForce line of cards outweighs the FSAA of the Voodoo5 and make it a better choice.

Just my two cents.

Ruahrc

[Missing the point]

Yeah, I was just reading up on the Voodoo 5, and I noticed that PC Magazine noticed that the textures were smoothed out a lot, but the framerate went from 45-29!!! That is definitly unacceptable.

I am going GTS baby http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/biggrin.gif