Upgrading system, would like some suggestions

[Nkosi]

ok, I'm gonna build basically a new system, already have my case, psu, ram, and maybe my video card, I cant decide whether or not I want to upgrade it.

Heres the deal, I want my new box to not just be filled with bargain parts, so I'm looking for a good mobo/proc combo (I'm not biased towards either AMD or Intel, I can go either way) I'm pretty much decided on a audigy 2zs for sound, the ram I already have is 2 sticks of 512 ddr pc 3500 fsb 433mhz, and my video card is an inno3d Geforce fx 5700 (256 mb ddr2)

First question: Mobo? who makes a solid mobo, and what processor should I get with it? I am alittle confused on the dual channel DDR mobo's but form my understanding, on a dual channel board my 1gb of ram will operate as if it is 2gb.

Second: My video card, should I stick with it? I don't know a lot about inno3d, is it a good brand? And is it worth upgrading, because I feel it's a pretty damn good card as is.

Lastly: Is it worth replacing my generic ram and paying extra to upgrade to a name brand DDR2 application? or should I stick with the ram I have and spend a lot getting a good mobo/proc?

I'm looking at a budget of about 1k for mobo, proc, and sound card, I'll be using my HDD's that I already have, and maybe my vid card, unless yall have better ideas.

Thansk in advance for you time/consideration.

[davidw]

First of all, welcome to XPC!

Originally posted by Nkosi
First question: Mobo? who makes a solid mobo, and what processor should I get with it? ASUS makes solid mobos. The processor depends on what direction you go in. Athlon XP, Athlon 64, Intel...

Second: My video card, should I stick with it? I don't know a lot about inno3d, is it a good brand? And is it worth upgrading, because I feel it's a pretty damn good card as is.If you feel like your video card works for you, keep it until the applications and programs you are running are in need of something that warrants an upgrade.

Lastly: Is it worth replacing my generic ram and paying extra to upgrade to a name brand DDR2 application? or should I stick with the ram I have and spend a lot getting a good mobo/proc?Sometimes generic brands work as well as or better than the premium brands. If you are using it, and have no problems but doubt it, run a memory tester. If you are satisfied with the results and show no errors, keep what you have. Unless the memory is faulty, it should work just fine. However, you also need to meet the requirements of your motherboard and processor. Depending on what you get in that area, is what you need to focus on with your memory. Some motherboards require ECC ram, others, require a certain speed, etc. You have ways of looking at this.

[Nkosi]

Alright, I need a good mobo suggestion, like actual model, needs to support athlon 64 cpu, and support my gig of ddr pc 3500 433mhz

[Shyguy]

I am alittle confused on the dual channel DDR mobo's but form my understanding, on a dual channel board my 1gb of ram will operate as if it is 2gb.


Not exactly.

Its more or less is similar to a Striped RAID array for a HD, the computer see's it more or less like a single stick of RAM, so if you have 2x512MB sticks in there, it'll think it has 1x1GB stick, but it'll have a higher bandwidth & lower latency (I read somewhere that larger size DIMMs like 1GB sticks usually have a higher latency than smaller ones?), I think?

It won't double your amount of RAM or performance either, but does give it an extra little boost. I think from what ive read is that Dual Channel is better or at least implemented better on Intel systems than AMD's, but that may have changed in teh past few months & with better Athlon 64 boards out or coming out, anybody else know?

[PresterJohn]

Originally posted by Shyguy
I think from what ive read is that Dual Channel is better or at least implemented better on Intel systems than AMD's

nope, not true...dual channel implements well for either processor. i would hazard a guess that intel systems might see a little more improvement but that's because of the inefficient way intel designed the memory controller on their chipsets.

as for mobo recommendations, goto to www.anandtech.com and look thru their monthly hardware wrapups on mobos and processors. they have some good choices for the high and mid-level buyer, ie. Abit, Asus, MSI, etc.