As mentioned in my other thread, I'm having some serious computer issues. I think it's just best to build a basically new machine. While it's mainly going to be used for general web browsing, I do play the occasional game (well, I regularly play WoW and I occasionally play other games).

What I had before was a 3.0ghz P4 and a Radeon 9800 Pro (128 mb ram). I'm looking for something that's as good or better, but definitely for something that will be expandable in the future (I got my last computer right when PCI-e came out and wasn't really affordable, so I was stuck with AGP).

So I guess my main questions are these:

Intel or AMD?

ATI or nVidia?

and then what mobo would best suit whatever the choices may be.


Any thoughts?

1/16/2006 5:58:12 PM

Price range?

1/16/2006 6:00:12 PM

I would like to spend no more than about $600, but that isn't set in stone (and it doesn't mean I feel any particular need to spend that much if it isn't necessary).

1/16/2006 6:09:39 PM

a $1200 computer with better, more quality parts or two shitty $600 computers?

1/16/2006 6:38:54 PM

The only shitty part in my last computer was perhaps the motherboard, which was a part of the asus barebones kit thing.

1/16/2006 6:44:38 PM

AMD. If you can afford it, go ahead and get a 64-bit processor.

ATI or nVidia.. up to you really.. nvidia has the fastest cards, but you may find an ATI card that outperforms a lower gen nvidia card for cheaper..
If you extensively use any DXVA software (tv tuners, dvd players, hdtv decoders, etc.) then look at the x1k series from ATI.

I've heard nothing but horror stories about chipset fans not working after a while on newer ASUS mobos. I just recently got an EPoX motherboard and love it. Has a lot of features, and the onboard audio is great, even has SPDIF connections.. Another good one is DFI, especially their lanparty boards. Great for overclocking.

[Edited on January 16, 2006 at 7:03 PM. Reason : ]

1/16/2006 7:03:23 PM