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What should be changed (if anything?)

yeah, surprize surprize, I want a AMD. Don't worry my Intel system goes like so:

Pentium D @ 2.8GHz
1 gig memory
250GB SATA hard drive
16x DVD writer etc...
Pretty much on board everything else

It is a Gateway special from Costco that came with a rather nice 19" monitor as well for $1500 CDN. That AMD doesn't come with any monitor what so ever.


Should I go with Windows XP x64 as of yet? I didn't hear good things when it first came out and never paid much attention to it afterwards. Still the same problems or is it getting better?

Thanks for any help!


BTW, This system is for VERY LIGHT gaming and lots of multitasking/internet browsing/backing up DVD etc... if that makes any difference now.

Stick with 32-bit Windows. You may get the Home version to save costs. Windows x86-64 is Pro only.

You just sounded like you will have lots of apps open, but not necessary "multitasking" that the X2s will eat through. Of course, creamy smooth experience is highly desired. You already put 2GB of RAM to deal with the many apps, so it's ok.

I will be a bit concerned about the video card. It is dilemma time, should you wait for the 7600? Or even get an 6800GS instead of the GTO for SM3.0? It's just too close for all the next gen value offerings.

Why are you buying a CD-RW? Use the DVR-110D for burning all of your shiny discs. If it ever wears out, there will be something better available to replace it.

Are the 250GB hard-drives a bit better bargain than the 300GB models?

One more thing: just to avoid any potential problems with nForce 4, just get a drive like WD or Seagate, or even Hitachi.

Flying Fox wrote:

Stick with 32-bit Windows. You may get the Home version to save costs. Windows x86-64 is Pro only.

You just sounded like you will have lots of apps open, but not necessary "multitasking" that the X2s will eat through. Of course, creamy smooth experience is highly desired. You already put 2GB of RAM to deal with the many apps, so it's ok.

I will be a bit concerned about the video card. It is dilemma time, should you wait for the 7600? Or even get an 6800GS instead of the GTO for SM3.0? It's just too close for all the next gen value offerings.

Well, not really. I plan to do some video editing and stuff like that. The GTO^2 can be soft modded to x850 speeds I believe and that sure will be good enough for me. Remember, its not gonna be some hardcore gaming machine. Maybe like Enemy Territory and that new free game they are making....Quakewars? yeah, well whatever. I think I can dig up some Rainbow Six Raven Shield and a couple others like that. Oh Halo too.

JustAnEngineer wrote:

Why are you buying a CD-RW? Use the DVR-110D for burning all of your shiny discs. If it ever wears out, there will be something better available to replace it.

Are the 250GB hard-drives a bit better bargain than the 300GB models?

yeah, but I could be burning a CD and a DVD at the same time.

Flying Fox wrote:

One more thing: just to avoid any potential problems with nForce 4, just get a drive like WD or Seagate, or even Hitachi.

Done and done.

the_silver_bullet24 wrote:

Well, not really. I plan to do some video editing and stuff like that. The GTO^2 can be soft modded to x850 speeds I believe and that sure will be good enough for me. Remember, its not gonna be some hardcore gaming machine. Maybe like Enemy Territory and that new free game they are making....Quakewars? yeah, well whatever. I think I can dig up some Rainbow Six Raven Shield and a couple others like that. Oh Halo too.

The X2 will be fine.

At this point with even ATI onboard for SM3.0, you have 6200, 6600, 6800, 7800 on the green side, plus, X1300, X1600, X1800, X1900 (and all their variants) on the market, I really question the wisdom of getting a non-SM3.0 capable card. If that GTO^2 were < CAD$200 (then it can become throwaway soon), sure, but that's just me.

Flying Fox wrote:

At this point with even ATI onboard for SM3.0, you have 6200, 6600, 6800, 7800 on the green side, plus, X1300, X1600, X1800, X1900 (and all their variants) on the market, I really question the wisdom of getting a non-SM3.0 capable card. If that GTO^2 were < CAD$200 (then it can become throwaway soon), sure, but that's just me.

Yeah but Dual DVI doesn't come cheaper, does it?

the_silver_bullet24 wrote:

Yeah but Dual DVI doesn't come cheaper, does it?

Do you really need 2 DVI ports? Now that I have a widescreen, I don't see an immediate need for 2 DVI LCDs anymore.

the_silver_bullet24 wrote:

JustAnEngineer wrote:

Why are you buying a CD-RW? Use the DVR-110D for burning all of your shiny discs. If it ever wears out, there will be something better available to replace it

yeah, but I could be burning a CD and a DVD at the same time.

Then you should buy two DVD burners, IMO.

Flying Fox wrote:

the_silver_bullet24 wrote:

Yeah but Dual DVI doesn't come cheaper, does it?

Do you really need 2 DVI ports? Now that I have a widescreen, I don't see an immediate need for 2 DVI LCDs anymore.

Kinda.

JustAnEngineer wrote:

the_silver_bullet24 wrote:

JustAnEngineer wrote:

Why are you buying a CD-RW? Use the DVR-110D for burning all of your shiny discs. If it ever wears out, there will be something better available to replace it

yeah, but I could be burning a CD and a DVD at the same time.

Then you should buy two DVD burners, IMO.

yeah, maybe.

Any other suggestions for a motherboard or is that Abit AN8 good enough? Or should I go with the non-SLI Fatal1ty version?

That abit board should work just dandy..its a good board.