New Build Advice

[Frostygills]

Hi, I've wanted to build my own for a good 4 years but never had the balls to do so, allways found a nice pre-built box to fill my needs at the time. But now, I want to bite the bullet... please could any of you provide some advice guidance as to my selections.

First off I have no idea what CPU, Mobo or GFX card to get, I was told earlier this year to hold off building my own, until PCI-E had come out with DDR2, but now it's almost here, it doesn't really seem the price increase is worth it. (Feel free to diagree!)

So I'm left with the normal options AMD or Intel, ATI or Nivdia. I have normally plumed for a Intel with Nivdia, but do I make the switch over. I'm quite confused by all the choices of CPU's and GFX cards, and really don't which is better than the other.

This is what I have come up with so far:

(1)AMD FX53 or AMD 64 3800+
Plus what mobo to would best suit either of these, Asus A8v Deluxe, maybe?

(2)Intel EE 3.2 or P4 3.4 800mhz HT
Also which mobo again would best suit either of these?
Is the EE worth the extra 200+ quid?

(3)x800xt or 6800 Ultra
Plus there are tons of makes for each of these, is any make better than the other? I like the look of the Asus ver of the X800 and the XFX version of the 6800, any views?

Finally with RAM is it worth paying a lil extra for Corsair?

I think I can pretty much manage to find the other bits and bobs in the build myself.

BTW, what the opinion on Alienware machines? (Just incase I wuss out again!)

Thanks in advance.

Frosty

[Michael]

Of course you should build your own PC, where's the fun in just buying one?
So, to start, what is the spec of your current system?

[Stewart]

)So I'm left with the normal options AMD or Intel, ATI or Nivdia. I have normally plumed for a Intel with Nivdia, but do I make the switch over. I'm quite confused by all the choices of CPU's and GFX cards, and really don't which is better than the other.

This is what I have come up with so far:

(1)AMD FX53 or AMD 64 3800+
Plus what mobo to would best suit either of these, Asus A8v Deluxe, maybe?

Great, if you want to spend £500 on a CPU. Maybe a 939 socket Athlon64 3500+ at about £350? Still going to fly. Asus A8V Wireless Deluxe is getting top reviews, but its very similar to the Abit AV8, both in name and performance.

(2)Intel EE 3.2 or P4 3.4 800mhz HT
Also which mobo again would best suit either of these?
Is the EE worth the extra 200+ quid?

I'd go for the high end Athlon64s personally (well, the almost top end 3500+ as I mentioned).

(3)x800xt or 6800 Ultra
Plus there are tons of makes for each of these, is any make better than the other? I like the look of the Asus ver of the X800 and the XFX version of the 6800, any views?

X800XT is the better card for my money. Less power issues, runs cooler, holds its own against the 6800Ultra (and then some), great card. Very little diference between the card makers really.

Finally with RAM is it worth paying a lil extra for Corsair?

Maybe for overclocking high-end Pentiums, but the amount you pay for high end Corsair stuff, compared to 2 sticks of Crucial or TwinMos compared to the actual gains, are small.

BTW, what the opinion on Alienware machines? (Just incase I wuss out again!)

Overpriced nonsense for those with lots of cash but little taste or sense.

[Frostygills]

My current PC is a dog for playing games on P4 2.7, ti4200 256 and 768mb ram. Sounds not too bad, but the case is constantly hot and does not perform as I thought it would. (pre built and has steadly got worse over the last year or so!)

Ok, well I think I'm settled on either a AMD 3700 SKT 754 or the 3500 SKT 939, is one SKT better than the other?

I've heard that the XT800xt will not support pixel Shader 3.0 is that true? if so, doesn't that mean the 6800 ultra has a longer life in it?

[LouG]

Think it depends if game developers decide to use pixel shader 3 or not.

[Kenny2001]

I try to stick to one manufacture if i can, for example if i have an asus motherbord i try to use an asus gfx card but thats just me

[nibbler]

alienware are about as overpriced as they come

[mikemikemi]

Holy thread resurrection batman

I thought old threads would get closed?

[nibbler]

rofl i didnt see date, I thought it was strange spec :L

[scaryjim]

I thought old threads would get closed?

I believe there's a discussion happening about auto-closing old threads, but it doesn't happen at the minute. Thread revival seems to be happening a lot recently... perhaps we've been invaded by a marauding band of clerics?

(they've been casting "Raise Thread" ...? I'll get my coat )

[Pob255]