New Hardware... What should I buy?

[skrimp]

**** my computer really sux!!!

I really need to upgrade my computer now, but it's a huge
step for me since it will cost about 900 bucks and that's quite
a lot of money if you are a student. Therefore I need to make
sure that I get the right parts!:wow: And this is supposed to
be a gamin' machine! ;)

I had something like this in mind:

Cpu: Amd Athlon XP 3000+ 2.167GHz, 333MHz
MBoard: EPoX 8RDA3+ nForce2 Ultra400
HDD: Maxtor D-Max Plus 9 120GB 8MB 333MHz
Memory: Corsair Value S PC3200 DDR-DIMM 512MB
Graphic: Sapphire Radeon 9600XT Atlantis 128M DDR

I am not sure about the graphics but from what I've heard it's
supposed to be one of the better.

[kane2g]

getting the cheaper 2500 or 2800 barton (333) cores will help fit in the budget. They overclock very well too.
As far as the memory goes, get 2 sticks of 256 and run them in dual channel mode. I personally use Kingston HyperX, but any quality memory is good. Some people may tell you to get 3500, which is OK if you can fit into budget :D
HTH

[Legolas371]

I personally would wait and hold out a few more days if i were you. The new prescotts are going to be nicely budgeted and you will be able to get your hands on a nice 3.0 prescott for $218. about maybe $10 more than your barton. The prescotts are going to have a 1 mb cache and a 800mhz fsb. That will be a very nice value processor. They are releasing feb 2nd. Just my:2cents: I agree w/ kane on the dual channel though. Whether you go intel or not that will be your best bet. Wiggo has a 9600XT Sapphire and he says he loves his. This is all just my opinion however. This thread will prolly rain down with amd fan boys now. Keep in mind i have nothing against amd just trying to help ya out. As for a new motherboard i wouldn't know what to tell you to fit your budget to go with the prescotts because the only boards out are high end boards:( Good luck with building that system:D

[Soulburner]

[kane2g]

newegg has a 9600xt with 650/400 :D