$500 burning a hole in my pocket

[LA_MERC_eX1|eS' ch1|d]

Here be da dealio, I signed up for a computer course and $500 of the money I paid is supposed to go towards a new computer for said course. It's on an American Express credit card that they give to you. My teacher said they want to see atleast part of the money spent on computer parts if not the whole thing.

The computer they recommend is ok and a pretty good deal but I figured I might just get something for my present computer. I've thought about getting a second Raptor drive so I can set up Raid, maybe get a new and/or second video card, or water cooling my gear.

Asus A8N-SLI Premium mobo
3700+ San Diego core
2x1Gb Corsair XMS 3500
7800GT XFX 256
36Gb Raptor
120Gb Maxtor (thanks again Dirge)
20in Dell Ultrasharp Widescreen
Logitech 518MX Gaming Mouse

Here's where everyone can give me input and ideas on what, if anything, I should get.

[LA_MERC_Wetzny]

Why not get yourself a nice piece of A$$?? :stick...

[Rollout]

An 8800 GTX would be a noticable upgrade, I had your setup with two 7800 GT's in SLI and this 1 card kicks'em, but that is more than $500.

Andy had me upgrade from a San Diego core (great proc by the way), to the X2 version 4800+ with dual San Diegos, that is noticable, but not as much as the 8800 GTX.

I don't have RAID, but I do have the 150 G Raptor, which is nice, but no faster than yours, just larger.

If it was me i would get the 8800 GTX, the visual improvement is marginal at best, but the smooth game play(when my network cooperates, is awesome), ALL seetings are max with a 12.. x 10.. res with NEVER a stutter.

There you go buddy, my 2 cents :) I'm glad you have to choose, and not me!!!

[Rollout]

Well David, then there's that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :) Yeah Baby, rid'em cowboy!!!!! Ooppps, I thought I was back in the "T" bar!!!!!! ( . ) ( . ) :) :) :)

[Chi_Townz]

I agree with the vid card.... AND you can find the 88s cheeper now! So may youll have enough for Wetzies A$$!:heart3

[LA_MERC_eX1|eS' ch1|d]

Most of the rentable a$$ won't accept plastic, unless it's a boob job, so that's not gonna work.

I looked at upgrading my processor but I have the 939 socket so I'm limited in processor choice. I also looked at the 150 Raptor because the window is l33t but I think I'd rather do a Raid just so I have some experience with setting up a Raid, if I'm going with a new hard drive.

[LA_MERC_Andyconda]

I agree with Roolout. The video card jump to the 8800 would be nice. I'm hooking up my new system right now. I'm installing everything on my new raptor 150Gb hard rive. I went to teh AM2 socket. 5400+ dual core X2 AMD socket AM2. I have dual 7900GTX's in SLI which is probably just as good as Rollouts 8800GTX with the exception he's single card with a little better image quality and I have to suck up a lot of juice in SLI. I also upgraded my RAM from 2 GB of PC3200 DDR to 2 Gb of PC6500 DDR2. So far the machine is snapping right along like a monster. I was unhappy with my ASUS A8N32 SLI Deluxe becuase I such a hard time with bios updates accepting the X2 processor and an 8800 vid card (And still do if someone wants to buy it from me with a dual core 4800 X2 proc for really cheap. Old 939 pin) So far the ASUS M8N32SLI Deluxe is fairing way better. Well enough of my crap, I would say 8800 looks like your best upgrade for around the 500 mard.

[LA_MERC_eX1|eS' ch1|d]

Check this thing out

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/5474/cpu-ult-03/Ultra_ChillTec_Thermo_Electric_CPU_Cooler_ULT33186 .html

[LA_MERC_Drax]

I have the 8800 GTS, it works well for me, and its around 300 or so.

[Big_ch33se]

I really need to get into the workins of puters cause you guys just made my brain hurt. :cheese1

[LA_MERC_Dragonlady[s]]

Why not get yourself a nice piece of A$$?? :stick...


OMG>>>>>> LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Do I have to go and remind yall on how when you buy umm hmm someones ummm :moon1: that you don't know where it's been or..... well never mind.... You boys....

[LA_MERC_Dragonlady[s]]

']Well David, then there's that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :) Yeah Baby, rid'em cowboy!!!!! Ooppps, I thought I was back in the "T" bar!!!!!! ( . ) ( . ) :) :) :)


OMG again.... Don't make me tell you whats in those places!!!!! *Coodies & germs* eeeewwwwww

[Rollout]

But we LIKE "Coodies & Germs"!!!!!!

And exactly how would you KNOW what IS in those places??? Dragons got some splaynin' to do when he gets back :)

P.S. GREAT icon in your thread!!!!!!! heheheheheh :)_

[LA_MERC_Dragonlady[s]]

eeewwwww nasty!!!! blahhhh...


Yeah thats me in the pic.