Building a new rig - suggestions?

[aegis]

1. cuda
2. bigger monitors
3. antialiasing
4. physx

[Argh]

OK, found a 250GTS, quad-core Phenom, Asus mobo and 2GB DDR2 6400(still running XP, may upgrade to 7 later) for under $400.

Are there any really compelling reasons to spend another $100 going to a 260+? Should I seriously consider AMD? From what I'm seeing, it looks like I have to go up to ATi's 5570 to have something a lot faster than a 250.

[aegis]

how big of a monitor?

[Argh]

22" wide, standard dimensions, native resolution is 1600/1200.

[aegis]

gts 250 is even great on a 24" 1920x1200 - what's your current card?

[Argh]

7800GS, last of the AGP. I really am running dinosaur hardware at this point, hence why I'm considering spending money on an upgrade

This is what I'm considering:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications ... u=C19-6032

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications ... u=B69-3218

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications ... 1028%20OEM
(it's the last thing I have that isn't SATA yet)

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications ... =E145-0250

Total = $393.97

I already have a PSU that can handle it, I have SATA HDs already, so I'm thinking this is the deal, if I don't want to go over $500. Haven't shopped it around a lot yet, can probably save a few bucks, if shipping doesn't nullify the savings.

[Forboding Angel]

I sent this to someone else already, but it may be useful.

mobo: http://microcenter.com/single_product_r ... id=0312588 $80
Phenom2 processor 2.8ghz Triple Core: http://microcenter.com/single_product_r ... id=0316182 $120
ocz(the best memory you can get) ddr3 4gb dual channel ungauged: http://microcenter.com/single_product_r ... id=0317775 $110
evga (3-5yr warranty) GTS 250 1gb ddr3 pcie: http://microcenter.com/single_product_r ... id=0320474 $160

Total: $470

Use your previous optical and hard drives (and case... the board is a microatx so it will definitely fit) and you have essentially a super rig(close enough anyway ). Also, the gigabyte boards are essentially bulletproof, so don't be skittish about getting a microatx, trust me, the gigabyte microatx boards are built to last.

[aegis]

ddr3 is not conducive to a budget build >_<

argh, you'd probably do pretty okay with that. quad vs dual/triple depends on what you'll be doing. many people will be very happy with a less expensive dual core. I, however, find myself maxing out my quad often

[Argh]

I don't think it'll make a difference for me, still using XP, but I wanted PCIe 2.0 and possibly DDR3 in the future, and I'm considering updating to Windows 7... and the choices there get pretty narrow. Wanted to have some wiggle-room for the future, basically, while keeping it on-budget.

I do a lot of stuff that maxes out my Athlon XP, so I figure I'm probably going to see an almost 100% improvement there, even with XP, just due to faster bus and RAM and faster overall clock. I mean, I'm using DDR400... lol...

I think I'll go ahead and spend the $$$, it's time to finally have a decent rig again.

[Sheekel]

DDR2 and DDR3 kits have pretty much reached price parity these days. Not only that, but DDR3 is slowly taking over the market. DDR2 will likely become more expensive as DDR3 demand increases and DDR2 production wanes.