Wait or upgrade?

[FingolfinKing]

I've resolved myself to upgrading my computer...a lot. In fact I'm just gonna be building an entirely new rig...so it's not really an upgrade. I intend to go pretty all-out with this one, with the exception of something like SLi.

My question is whether it would be beneficial (I'm not in any particular hurry) to wait for the next GPUs before upgrading. Along with this, won't new processors also be releasing? I've been out of the tech loop for about a year now, so I don't really know where everything is.

I've decided that optimally I'd like quad-core, unless there is a better dual core alternative. Obviously, I'd like 2+ gigs of RAM. I'd like the single highest end video card, I don't care if it's Nvidia/ATI.

If I were to buy now I'm thinking:

2gb RAM
8800Ultra
XFX 680i mobo
6600 Quad-core

then 700 W power supply.

What would you recommend? It really depends on how long I'd need to wait in relation to how the prices are looking.

Thanks.

-Fingolfin

[=98=]

8800Ultra is an epic waste of money. It may be the best, but you'll pay through the nose...

[FingolfinKing]

Fair enough. I was wondering about the massive price myself. I assume that you think I should wait until after Xmas for the next build?

[DeadlyMACD]

Intel has just begun releasing 45nm cpus, the Penryns, and AMD will release the Phenom line soon. Waiting for performance reviews and prices on these new processors is probably a good idea.
Today the best price-performance GPUs are the 8800GT(out of stock currently, $250-320), and ATIs new 3870 ($220).
As for motherboards, theres the newer P35 chipset (or X38 for Crossfire) from Intel.

[FingolfinKing]

Alright. Thanks. I'm looking for the top-end video btw...unfortunately that's not price-performance but I'm willing to drop the extra cash for the 8800GTX or comparable.

Any word on when the next GPUs release?

[DeadlyMACD]

Not sure about release dates. Theres rumors about new cards before and after Xmas.
The latest cards changed the market, offering performance near the high end cards for less money because new manufacturing processes/smaller die sizes are being used.
So we expect Nvidia/ATI to start offering newer, high end cards in the near future.

[Scinto]

Alright. Thanks. I'm looking for the top-end video btw...unfortunately that's not price-performance but I'm willing to drop the extra cash for the 8800GTX or comparable.

Any word on when the next GPUs release?

next month a new GTS 640mb coming on the same chipset as the 8800GT (G92) its rumored to rival the ultra for a fraction of the cost

[JustMe0171]

like alex said ultra is throwin your money away. and IMO go to 3 gig of ram, and if its gonna be vista go to 4gig high speed as possible.

[FingolfinKing]

Alright, so I've decided to wait on the video card. I'll be getting 3-4 gigs of RAM now.

[JustMe0171]

Alright, so I've decided to wait on the video card. I'll be getting 3-4 gigs of RAM now.

if its xp dont go to 4, 3 is enough

4 for vista

i dont know why but xp doesnt work with 4 gig,i actually know some that had put 4 gig & had to take one out

[FingolfinKing]

It'll be Vista since I've got that lying around.

[Scinto]

be sure its 64bit else 4gb+ would be wasted,

32bit will only register 3gb or so

[JustMe0171]

be sure its 64bit else 4gb+ would be wasted,

32bit will only register 3gb or so

even if its vista? i knew xp didnt like 4gb, but i thought vista loved it.

[=98=]

32bit of any OS incl. Vista is limited to something like 3.2gb of memory. 64bit on the other hand can a lot, lot more.

[JustMe0171]

32bit of any OS incl. Vista is limited to something like 3.2gb of memory. 64bit on the other hand can a lot, lot more.

Tanks for da info, i didnt know