buying custom pc please help

[hard]

hello, hope peeps can advice me on my hopeful next spending spree.
my current spec is:
amd64 3200+ - 1gb ram - 6600GT
i am a gamer mainly and have got a budget of no more than £550
and since my search started the intel and amd dual cores are popping up within my price range. so i am unsure what to turn to, i know dual wouldnt be used in games for a while, but im seeing everywhere GET IT!! so my problem lies wether to buy high as i can single core if so intel or amd? or go dual and if so which pentium D,dual core 2,amd64 dual?
also within my new pc i am hoping to keep my gigabyte 6600GT 128mb (this be ok) its pci-e as this will keep cost down. thanks for reading and i hope i get some good advice on this merry christmas

 

[floppybootstomp]

Dual core CPU's, as desirable as they are, aren't the be-all and end-all of everything.

They are great for multi-tasking but if gaming is your priority and you're budget-conscious, consider a single core setup.

Let's assume you're going to keep the 6600GT 128Mb pci-e grafix card. Not a top range card nowadays so consider an upgrade in the near future. Keep it only to save money.

Basically, you have two choices, Intel or AMD.

AMD offer the AM2 single core or dual core CPU's and the only Intel CPU's worth getting atm are the Core 2 Duo models.

For both upgrade options you'll need to buy the following:

1) CPU
2) Motherboard
3) Memory

Both systems use DDR2 RAM, and you currently have DDR memory, with a socket 939 motherboard & CPU.

You may be able to sell your old components to help fund the new purchase.

I can list a few options on parts to buy, with links, but let me know which path you want to go down.

For years I was an AMD enthusiast but right now Intel seem to be the best choice (shock horror ) I never thought I'd see the day

Anyways, have a think and come back and post here.

 

[chelseafc2005]

Or flops he could stay with his socket 939 system and get an fx processor (there arent too many of them left but you can find them)


So that is a very powerfull chip which you can use your current motherboard and ram with so that would then leave a fair amount of money left to upgrade your graphics card to which would be very nice and powerfull


I saw one of the fx's at ebuyer the other day nicely marked down and nwo with the january sales hitting us i think it could go down even further in price

 

[floppybootstomp]

Or flops he could stay with his socket 939 system and get an fx processor (there arent too many of them left but you can find them)


So that is a very powerfull chip which you can use your current motherboard and ram with so that would then leave a fair amount of money left to upgrade your graphics card to which would be very nice and powerfull


I saw one of the fx's at ebuyer the other day nicely marked down and nwo with the january sales hitting us i think it could go down even further in price

Aye, good idea

FX CPU & improved grafix would actually be a better gaming option, come to think of it.

 

[Rush]

By hard

hello, hope peeps can advice me on my hopeful next spending spree.
my current spec is:
amd64 3200+ - 1gb ram - 6600GT
i am a gamer mainly and have got a budget of no more than £550

same as mine m8. (I`m in the process of upgrading )I suggest selling the 6600gt £40-£45 on ebay) and getting a 7800GT (£80-£90 ebay) and maybe a 3500 or 3800 single core (£55-£80 ebay). This should be good enough for a while for an outlay of maybe £90 or so. If you dont do ebay google around a bit m8

I also recommend you check out ebuyer....they are good

 

[floppybootstomp]

Here you go, £1.32 over budget inc postage.

Components tailored to fit price before peeps start saying 'this is better than that'

 

[chelseafc2005]

or you could go with the
amd fx 57-£350
Same gpu as flops reccomends-£130



with £70 to spare to spend on ram or what ever you want and that is a very very good chip used to retail at over £600

 

[Adywebb]

I think for the £550 budget I would stick with Flops recommendation - the 2GB of RAM swings it for me

 

[hard]

midway thought!!

hello, why thanks for your comments so far. maybe i need to add to this, the pc i have now apart from the gfx card, the rest is going to be for my girls b/day for her bedroom (swapping 6600 for my old 5200). so i will need new case,hd,dvd writer etc. this fx chip which your right chaps is bees knees i cant get as to be able to afford the little stuff. i have priced up on pc_specialist site (is this a known site and decent) they seem very good on price. also why does it seem the you can get the dual core 2 cheaper than pentium D. 1 last thing the amd single core i thought went upto 4200/4600 all i see is 3800 max from my browsing?
thanks again