Its been a long time since Ive payed attention to any of this stuff and Im pretty confused with all the new offerings that are out there.

Im not looking to spend much, only around 300-350. This is what Im thinking about getting:

DFI nF4-DAGF motherboard:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813136160

Athlon 64 3000+ Venice
http://www.chiefvalue.com/app/productdetails.asp?submit=&item=19-103-537&ATT=Microprocessors%20PC&CMP=OTC-pr1c3watch

AOpen 6600 256MB video card:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16814135183


[Edited on October 7, 2005 at 2:44 PM. Reason : ]

10/7/2005 2:39:53 PM

looks decent, though if you are going to get that processor I would buy it from ZipZoomFly. They have free second day shipping and I have always had a great experience with them. Here is a link to it:

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80699-5

10/7/2005 2:49:23 PM

agreed, looks fine.

just make sure your PSU can handle all that hardware. if you have 350W or less you might want to make sure it's up to the task. even some older 400W could choke on a system like this if they're low quality.

10/7/2005 3:01:26 PM

I would recommend atleast getting an sli capable nf4 motherboard so you could upgrade in the future
I'd also get this video card instead http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814150098

[Edited on October 7, 2005 at 3:05 PM. Reason : d]

10/7/2005 3:03:06 PM

sli is good to have but kind of useless if you are not a gamer.

10/7/2005 3:06:02 PM

^^those things would put me over my budget unless I got them refurbished

How big is the performance difference between a 6600gt and the regular model?

And SLI is the two video cards thing, right? (If I ever have the desire to put two high end video cards in my system, I dont think getting a new mb would be too much of a problem).

Ive bought refurbs in the past without any problems. I might be willing to go through the hastle of buying some of this stuff refurbished if the performance diff. is worth it but if not I would rather just get them new.

[Edited on October 7, 2005 at 3:21 PM. Reason : ]

10/7/2005 3:20:25 PM

Here is something on the 6600gt
http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=2295

Also you do not have to use high end video cards for sli. As far as I know you should be able to buy another 6600/6600gt (which ever one you get) later and use it in tandem with the one you already own.

10/8/2005 11:30:55 AM

I already bought everything, I got the same MB and Processor (thanks for the zipzoomfly link) but I got a leadtek 6600gt refurbished from newegg for 112 instead of the AOpen 6600.

The performance diff was enough to warrant the purchase and even though its refurbished
Leadtek is supposed to be a pretty good brand so I expect it will work out pretty well.

I doubt I'll ever use SLI so I didnt bother with that.

10/8/2005 11:46:28 AM