It's probably time for an upgrade...

[kapster]

Voog those look like great choices. Other thing I would consider is some type of aftermarket cooler. I currently have the cheaper Abit IP-35E and its a great value if you dont need raid. But I heard they discountinued it.

[Suppermick]

Originally Posted by voogru

So, for the past two and a half years I've been chugging along with my current system:

1. Single core Athlon 4000+ (biggest mistake I ever made, should have went dual core!)
2. Abit AN8 Motherboard
3. 2GB OCZ Ram

It has served me well, but it's just time for it to go sleep with the fishes.

You see, I put quite a heavy tax on a system.

My task bar usually ends up looking a little something like this.

But a majority of the time, I'm running:

1. Multiple instances of Microsoft Visual Studio 2005
2. A TF2 Client
3. TF2 Dedicated server instance (with MSVC attached as a debugger in edit & continue mode)
4. That little thing we call... Steam.

And then all of my normal programs (Remote Desktop, IRC, FTP, AIM, STEAM, HLSW, etc etc.)

I'm sure you know what happens when you alt-tab out of TF2. Well, think about that.

Except you’re also running a dedicated server instance and applying code changes (compiling).

Oh, and dont forget your using 2.4GB of memory. On a system with 2GB of memory.

Yeah. Not fun.

So who wants to help me upgrade?

Right now, this is what I am looking at:

CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115017
MOTHERBOARD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813127030
RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145176

I'm not even going to bother with the video card, because I need a CPU/MEM/MOBO more then anything and I'll worry about the video card later. I'm fine with my current video card which is a 7800GT and runs TF2 respectively.

Though, I need help upgrading. So from now until I finally get an upgrade, anybody who donates $10 or more will receive a special 'flag' on their account. (Donation must be $10 or more in a single transaction)

This flag will give access to additional donator features once they are in. You see what I have been doing with party hats; you just wait and see what other aces I have up my sleeve.

I will most likely give donators with this flag access to an entity created especially for them. It will be non-gameplay enhancing but something fun, and only people who donate during this time will receive it. After I finally manage an upgrade, no one else will get this particular flag on their account. So these people will have access to features not everyone will be able to receive.

I'm always open to suggestions on what to give donators. And I'll try to do anything that’s possible.

The whole idea here is to run a server like no other community, a faster system would enable me to work faster and pump out more code.

ooh you're still going to newegg.com? They don't always have the lowest prices.

If I may make a suggestion, at Pricewatch.com it offers the LOWEST prices it can find for items.

Your cpu 277 at newegg?
http://www.pricewatch.com/microproce...quad_q6600.htm
243 on pricewatch (plus free shipping!)


And 2GB of DDR2 6400 RAM starts off at 38
http://www.pricewatch.com/system_mem...2-6400_2gb.htm

your motherboard, though....Can't beat that price! =p

Anyway, for all my computer needs, I visit pricewatch.com. Too many great deals, especially on Mobo+CPU combos! hope that helps =)

[BloodBall]

*Message brought to you by pricewatch.com*

[G2]

I use froogle and newegg at the same time. Newegg won though on my last buying spree. And sometimes, the fact that newegg's customer service rocks is worth paying a few more dollars.

[Suppermick]

Originally Posted by BloodBall

*Message brought to you by pricewatch.com*

haha I just don't see the point in paying more than you need to. =p

[Valthonis]

Holy Balls @ Your taskbar D:


I might donate again, who knows!?

[sib]

i would check the manual for that motherboard to make sure the ram you chose works with it, sadly those abit boards are rather picky when it comes to ram. Also the ICH9R Controller does NOT like duel western digital drives in raid 0, it will constanty give you writing errors and blue screen your rig.

[MastahKillah]

Ah like that. Well then, on the other hand if my donation contributes even a little towards fixing those probs, by all means.

*Donated*

[The Exterminator]

I second the recommendation on the Gigabyte P35-DS3L, as I have the P35-DS3R (it's big brother) and it's a champ of a board.

Q6600 is an obvious choice, but you might also look into the E8400.

I'd recommend this for RAM, as I use the same set (except the 2x1GB variant), and it seems to be very friendly with gigabyte boards.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820227199

I might throw in a donation Would it count for reserved slot?

[dafox]

voo is already booking his tickets to barbados