My Try.

[NighEve*{MEOW}*]

I was inspired by Smooth's thread and his putting a computer together.
I decided that I wanted to try and to that.   I have helped a bit on a couple of home machines and eveninstalled components.  My husband can run a farm but he depends on others for computer needs.  The others include a good friend that is a computer guru and has forgotten more than most people know.  The good news is he is always upgrading his systems to the latest thing and wanting to unload his "old" components.  These old components are still hot items I think...at least they are usually far beyound what we have at that time.

So far I have:
KT800 Pro MO  (VT8237) with a Ethalon 64-2800 2G. Processor.
Built n sound card and net card.

GeForce 6800ultra 256mb

AspireATX-as520w-12v Power supply.
 
1.5 Gigs ram.

Windows XP Pro.

Looking for :
I am looking for a good case. The one I have now is a good tower with the clear side.  I'm not rich and need a deal on it too. Black or silver of course.  I may gert a cheaper case and put the present set-up in it and use this tower however.
Also loking for a gread CD-RW and DVD-RW.. gonna have to save a bit of money for these. My speaker system is not important as long as I can attach headphones.

Not to picky on minitor and once again I cant afford a lot. But suggestions will be appreciated on any of these items.  I would appreciate letting me know what works for you.

I think I know about the drivers and chipsets that I have to down load etc.  We will see later LOL .

[Smooth*{MEOW}*]

Hey Eve.  As far as cases are concerned, look into Thermaltake, Lian-Li, Coolermaster, and Antec.  Those are the major case brands.  I own a Thermaltake.  That 6800 should be good for a while, no need to upgrade to a 7 series if you're happy with what you have.

[NighEve*{MEOW}*]

Thanks

[THEKATZ*{MEOW}*]

Oh this is going to be fun!  I too will venture here in the next few months at AMD.  Though $buck$ wise, I don't think I will go extreme.  Though I will be looking into the future and buying accordingly as to what may change.  As for now, there is smoke on the horizon and 64bit is the next generation, no doubt.  PCIe is here to stay and will open up even further but not in the near future.  So as for that 7800gt SLI and other very pricey components, I will surely be able to go that rout in the future but may instead look at the less expensive graphics and so on.  I figure the biggest investments will be MB and RAM, secondary for the time being will be CPU, PSU and graphics.  So again, I am watching you guys.  This is great.

[Smooth*{MEOW}*]

TK, what are you running for a video card now?  PCI-E ?  If the 7 series is out of your price range, I'd look at the 6800GS.  Solid performing card from what I've read, for a sub-200 bucks PCI-E.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?N=2010380048+70002357+70002443&Submit=ENE&SubCategory=48

On the other hand, if you're an overclocker, you could go with a baseline 7800GT and clock it up some.  Personally I prefer the factory overclocked cards, that way I know they can take stress.  This is what I got:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130256

Many manufacturers offer multiple versions of a card, with varying clocks, components, capabilities, etc.  EVGA offers 4 "different" 7800GT models.  A baseline card, two overclocked versions, and a version that comes with a mobo.

I don't really consider the "extreme" versions of cards like the 7800GTX.  The difference between a GT and a GTX is so minimal in my opinion that by the time it becomes beneficial, a new line will be out.


As for socket types:  This is a wierd time for AMD users.  Socket 939, what I have, is still a viable solution and will be for some time.  But the M2 is due out this spring, and no doubt it will be pricey at first.  I expect a price drop then in the 939 equipment.

[Smooth*{MEOW}*]

http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=2587

http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=2476

[Kat*{MEOW}*]

NighEve, being very budget concious myself, I would suggest using your present case for the new build, and getting a cheap mid tower to put the old stuff in.  A good Antec Solution case is about $50 without a PS.  Powmax makes some decent cases in the $30 range with out PSU.   I've used them for some less expensive builds and found them to be good quality, just not fancy.  While I like thew looks of the expensive LanLi, Cooler Master, and Antec cases, I just can't seem to justify the expense, when my old Antec 1040 still does the job.

As for DVD-R/RW's there are any number of good ones out there for well under $100. 

TK, if you are not into waiting for socket M2 in Q2 2006, then socket 939 would be the way to go.  A good socket 939 board with support for SLI with a 3500 CPU and a PCI-e 6800GS as well as 2 gig of RAM will handle anything out there right now.  It will also leave you an upgrade path to faster CPU and newer vid card and even SLI in the future.  I can see three to 4 years out of a machine like that, and that's about the best we can hope for now a days.

Your big key is going to be the power supply.  You need to allow overhead for upgrades over the next couple of years.  IMHO, anything less than 550watts is just not going to cut it long term.  I posted some links on PSU info a while ago.  If they are gone let me know and I'll repost them. 

[NighEve*{MEOW}*]

At home I am presently on Pentium4 2.4 Ghz (1.50 Gig Ram)/Radeonx800 Pro (256 meg ram). Creative cd-RW and a generic CD.  Creative sound card.  Not sure if I want to take that out of this case. 
I like the Radeons a lot.  Really better than the GeForce's only because I had trouble with a GeForce4 once.
I'd like to keep it in the case untill try out the new stuff.

i do know the above MO wont run the GeForce 6800gt so it probably wont run the new GeForceUltra

You guys know any thing about Raedon over GeForce?  Not sure I get the ATI/ADA bah bah ..I jsut know that soeme things dont work with other s LOL

[Smooth*{MEOW}*]

Here's a write up on some 6800GS cards.

http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=2683

They do benchmark these cards against a X800GTO for reference there Eve, so you can get somewhat of an idea of where it stands.  I don't know a whole lot about ATI as I've never used them personally.

[NighEve*{MEOW}*]

Thanks so much smooth..I am understaning things a bit better but I must confess I'm lost a lot of times.  In the past I have depended on a friend to guide me through this kinda stuff.   It's interesting and I like being able to do some things by myself so I am trying to learn. .   Any and all help is appreciated.

[Smooth*{MEOW}*]

NP, I found myself in the same situation since I had not done an upgrade in a long time.

[NighEve*{MEOW}*]

Well I ventured into uncharted territory. I put he mother board n the case.  I did okay ..drpppe dthe screws and used the wrong ones at first..but nothing realy major bad.  Oh I dint punchout the little holes for the builtin sound card..had to remove ti and do that.  But he bad things is my nice 520W poser supply plug doesnt fit my mother board's plug.

[Smooth*{MEOW}*]

Is the power supply's main connector a 20 pin, 24 pin, or 20+4 pin Eve?

[NighEve*{MEOW}*]

two rows of 12..i guess a 24..the MB has (two rows of 10) =20

[NighEve*{MEOW}*]

Got my box..it's a Coolmaster .  Centurion5 CAC T05.. Black with blue.

http://www.silentpcreview.com/article200-page1.html

Mine has window. $79.00 with no power supply..shold have gotten power supply LOL