Please check this system out. I'm planning on ordering this!

[lightbulb8817]

I am about to close the deal on my Athlon XP 3000+ water cooled computer for $1100

This is what I want to purchase:
LITE-ON XJ-HD166S/XJ-HD165H 16X DVD ROM Drive - Retail $34
Lite On 52x32x52x Beige Color CDRW Drive LTR-52327S - Retail $40
Thermalright SLK-947-U $38
MAXTOR 120GB 7200RPM SATA HARD DRIVE MODEL # 6Y120M0 - OEM $110
Buffalo Technology 512MB 6 Layer PC3700 DDR Memory Module 32X8 (Winbond Module), DD466-512 - OEM X 2- $198
Intel Pentium 4 / 2.6CGHz 512k socket 478 Hyper Threading Technology 800 MHz FSB - RETAIL $205
POWERCOLOR ATI RADEON 9800 PRO 128MB DDR DVI+CRT+TV 8X AGP RETAIL

Total: $1094.47 including shipping.

Things I can easily replace/upgrade are heat sink, mobos, and memory (because of my field of work)... so I can skimp on those a bit.

I was thinking about going with the 2500+ and overclocking it, which would save me around $100... but I think I'll pass. I want to see what a 2.6C HT can do!

If things go well and it performs like a tiger, I'll put it in the classifieds and sell this baby for $1400 and start the process over.

Another thing I can probably do is hold off for a month... if not longer, but usually the money will be spent on something else I have a 2.4B @ 3.34Ghz, 1GB of HyperX PC3500, 160GB of WD/Maxtor storage space, and MSI ti4600 to keep me busy.

Any suggestions?

[Thunderbird1GHz]

1. dont get new ram, you already have good ram.
2. get a 2.8c, those oc much better
3. keep the ti4600, wait for HL2, the r420 will be out by then

[KaoTiK]

Why would you bother getting a new system right now?!

Your P4 at 3.34GHz and 1gb of HyperX 3500 is FINE for now. The only thing you should even be worrying about at all is your video card, unless all you want the new system for is benchmarking...

BTW, are you selling your ram? I wouldn't mind buying one of those sticks of HyperX 3500.

[lightbulb8817]

I think I will wait another month before I buy a new computer.

Tbird, I didn't say I wanted to upgrade, I said I wanted a whole new machine

And yes, I need this computer for benchmarking... I need to benchmark hardware for comparison, not for competition.

[eshbach]

sounds good to me, but i do agree that the 2.8C is a better chip.

[ranger2992]

2.8C for sure. 2.6C is a dog.

[lightbulb8817]

Hmmmm... I'll try to cut more corners so I can get the 2.8C. I can probably order the 9800 Pro off ebay.

[mikead_99]

lightbulb8817:

Hmmmm... I'll try to cut more corners so I can get the 2.8C. I can probably order the 9800 Pro off ebay.

If you can hold out for a week and a half or so the Intel pricecuts should take place. Then you will be able to get the 2.8c at the current 2.6c price, roughly.

[lightbulb8817]

Originally posted by mikead_99
If you can hold out for a week and a half or so the Intel pricecuts should take place. Then you will be able to get the 2.8c at the current 2.6c price, roughly.

Wow, I didn't even know about the price cuts! I can wait 2 weeks+.

[Highlander1]

Personally I would dump the Powercolor card and get an ATI 9800 Pro. The Powercolor is at the very bottom of the 9800 heap in performance and will surely show its limitations when overclocking. Just my opinion, I hope it helps. With the money you will save waiting for the price drops, you should be able to manage this.