Took me awhile, too. Before, I couldn't get it to boot to Windows and it would normally hang. I finally decided to try a new hard drive before I took it somewhere, and it worked like a charm. Here are its current specs: -Using Windows XP Home Edition -Geforce 8600GT Graphics Card -2 Gigs of RAM (Two 1 GB sticks) -AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ -320 GB hard drive The only old parts I am using is the disc drives, everything else had to be replaced. Personally, I am just glad the ASUS motherboard did much better, since I wasn't able to get a cable connection without a USB cord and sound without a sound card on the old Chaintech board. In all, I spent about 750 on it. It also plays games without a hitch. S.T.A.L.K.E.R, a game that normally would have done poorly on my old system was able to preform on this new computer at max settings on every single thing. I really want to try Oblivion on it, but I sold the PC version a few months back (Might pick it up again, since it is a good benchmark).
Very nice system. I was thinking of replacing my 3800+ with an X2 4200+, but I don't think it would make a huge difference. It's socket 939. How much was a 8600?
It was about $150 at Circuit City, and it is working really well. I was able to play the Unreal Tournament 3 demo with max settings with everything at 60 FPS. My X2 6000+ cost a little more, but was well worth it, since everything is extremely fast.
I was looking at an 8600GT before I bought my 7900GS, but I read that the 7900GS outperformed on everything due to a higher memory bandwidth. From what people have told me, though, updated drivers have definitely sped things up for the 8 series. Glad to hear things are working well for you.
Yeah, I was considering upgrading to a 8600 from 7900GS, but 7900 is suppose to be better. I think it's my CPU that needs a boost, and I do need to boost from 1GB>2GB of RAM, specially with Vista. IDK if a 4200+ X2 will beat a 3800+ a lot though.
so what was the total figure for the box you ve built (+ VAT please)? I m interested in changing my hardware subject to costs.
Asus M2N4-SLI Motherboard: 94.00 AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core Processor 6000+ : 169:00 Geforce 8600GT: 150.00 OCZ OCZ2G8002GK 2GB Kit DDR2-800 PC2-6400 Gold Gamer eXtreme XTC Edition Dual Channel Memory: 100.00 Western Digital 320 GB Hard Drive: 100.00 Case: 50.00 Fan: 20.00 Total: 683.00 before shipping and Taxes After Shipping and Taxes: Around $750.00 The RAM, CPU, and motherboard I ordered off of Zipzoomfly because they do not charge tax. I got the case from Newegg for 50.00+25.00 for delivery and Taxes. I got the graphics card from Circuit City at a .9% sales tax that they have in Tennessee. The hard drive I got yesterday at Best Buy on sale, and the fan I got at Circuit City as well. I recommend Zipzoomfly.com for the parts that are hard to fine (Used them 5 times and never had any issues or late deliveries). Some things, such as the hard drives can be found in stores for cheaper then online. The fan was me just being lazy and not wanting to order it online (I dare say it would be much more cheaper online). Newegg is OK, but the tax issue is why I don't buy from them.
wow, what a price! I d definetely buy it at that pricepoint. Although i must admit, I don't have the time to put such a powerful piece of hardware to the use it deserves except for the odd weekend, so 750$ would still be a financial move that wouldn't be fully justified.
The RAM would benefit you much more than a CPU upgrade. 1 GB isn't a lot these days, and the CPU speed difference you're looking at is negligible. If you really felt you needed to upgrade the CPU I'd at least aim for something 5000+.
Yeah, the fastest 939 X2 is 4200 I think, so I don't think it'd help much, or at all. i'll have to get some more RAM, I didn't know there was a big performance leap going to 2GB. I have good RAM too, the Ballistix stuff, I'll just get another GB of that then.
4600 4800 also FX2 Think they quite rare mind. I got the 4200 as at the time could not find any others in stock. Havent used it as I need to reflasj my sodding bios but dont have anyway of doing it on Ubuntu.
