"Bang for the Buck" upgrade plan. Are my choices wise ones?

[BornToFrag]

Hi folks. Great forum you have here. I just stumbled on it after I decided I was going to try a DFI SLI mobo and I'm learning alot! Great pool of honest, knowledgeable people here. Kind of rare anymore.

 

My current gaming rig needs to have the Asus 'AGP' mobo replaced due to problems. I'm finally going to step up to PCI-e and get SLI ready (1 card now.. 1 later). I'd like to also get a nice bump in gaming frames and smoothness. I play BF2, FEAR, Q4, Oblivion, WoW and look forward to ET:QW and 2142.

 

Main goals after update: Overclock the 3500+, prepare for new games and maximize smoothness and frame rate on my shooters.

 

For the video card I'm thinking XFX 7900GT Xtreme

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16814150139

good choice?

 

For the mobo I want to try a semi-plain DFI SLI board. Maybe DFI nF4 SLI-D?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16813136158

Open to suggestion here. I dont need fancy. I need stable and cheap

 

The memory Im sketchy on. I like this OCZ for the price

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16820227210

Will this support OC'ing my 3500+ to its limits?

 

 

Thanks very much for any advice you can give. I'm open to suggestions. I'm hoping to make an order by tonight as two of these items go off sale at midnight.

 

'Frag

[red930]

That 7900GT has alot of potential of hitting 550+ core/ 1650+ memory. It would be nice getting another one maybe in 4-5 months though. The motherboard would be a nice start. Overclockable, stable, great voltages that money can buy. That memory kit will probably hit around 230-240MHz tops. I got the OCZ1024ELDCPE-K for my little brother's computer (ASUS A8R-MVP) and i'm hitting 236MHz on 2.5-3-3-7 2T 2.8v with it now. Good luck and make sure you post your results, take care.

[the_PC_Chef]

The board is a good choice, but I think you can get an SLI-DR for that price if you shop around. I've got the same card, but I haven't overclocked it yet. Still, Im very satisfied. All 7900GTs should do about the same if you plan on overclocking. I went w/ XFX cause it was the cheapest and cause of a rumor that they paid a little more for their chips to get better performance, but I know its probably B.S. EVGA has a better warranty and a step-up program you might want to look into.

[soundx98]

1st of all to the Forum!

 

Always nice to see an intelligent, well-worded 1st post with a complete signature.

 

I'd just like to echo Mack27's statements. Looks like you are gonna have some fun.

[BornToFrag]

Thanks for the quick replies and the warm welcome.

 

It sounds like the 7900gt is a good choice. They all OC roughly the same it sounds like.

 

The mobo re: going to a SLI-DR over the SLI-D.

Am I looking for a mobo that supports Sempron -or- 64 x2 (for future upgrades)

There are several DR's and other SLI boards. Im honestly a bit confused and behind the times on the current gear.

Maybe supply a link to the DR board i should be looking for?

 

With the memory i posted only being able to go to 230-240Mhz...will this be enough to OC my 3500+?

 

 

I assure you Im not being lazy on finding info here. I honestly either cant find it or i dont quite understand what i need. The sale prices end soon and Im trying to verify what im buying is the best for my money right now is all

 

Thanks again

'Frag

[BornToFrag]

Oh also..

 

Will the Antec True 550 psu run the new mobo and 7900GT ok? I've read the DFI boards need a "true native 24pin psu" and im not sure if i have that.

 

Im assuming I will need to upgrade the psu when i buy a second 7900GT and go SLI tho, right?

[the_PC_Chef]

I got my SLI-DR at Monarch.com for $99, but its a refurb. and not alot of people are comfortable w/ that. They have it new for $160. Here is a link to the recommeded PSU thread:

http://www.dfi-street.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10854

[BornToFrag]

OK i found my PSU on that list, thanks for the link. Thats one less purchase ill need to make :clap:

 

SO i think I've decided to get the XFX 7900gt as planned. The eVGA return policy isnt important to me really and they both have lifetime warranties..plus the XFX is much cheaper.

 

The ram i originally listed will also likely be bought. I figure if it limits my OC ability..i'll just change the divider from 1:1 to allow more FSB speed. I doubt id notice a difference anyways.

 

The mobo is still up in the air. I really dont want a refurb board so I may end up spending 160 for a new one. Im off to pick around in the mobo forums now for some more knowledge to help me decide

 

I'll check back here regualrly tonight for any input

[iamkoza]

OK i found my PSU on that list, thanks for the link. Thats one less purchase ill need to make :clap:

 

SO i think I've decided to get the XFX 7900gt as planned. The eVGA return policy isnt important to me really and they both have lifetime warranties..plus the XFX is much cheaper.

 

The ram i originally listed will also likely be bought. I figure if it limits my OC ability..i'll just change the divider from 1:1 to allow more FSB speed. I doubt id notice a difference anyways.

 

The mobo is still up in the air. I really dont want a refurb board so I may end up spending 160 for a new one. Im off to pick around in the mobo forums now for some more knowledge to help me decide

 

I'll check back here regualrly tonight for any input

 

perhaps if you loosen the timings you can get a high clock than 230-240, i was able to get 233 @ 2.5-3-3-7, i never tried to loosen them eany further... but at $136 after rebate, its a great deal. and like you said you can always run on a divider if needed to