I'm going to buy a new computer, and I want your advice

[LeX]

I need some second opinions....
I'm not a serious gamer, so I don't need to waste too much money on cutting-edge video cards, but I would like to be able to play recent games without lag and gag. Basically, I just want it to run fast and smooth for un-extensive normal daily life usage.

Currently I have this setup in mind:

CPU: AMD Athlon64 3000+ (939)
Motherboard: undecided -- Asus or MSI or Gigabyte?
RAM: Kingston 512MB x2
HDD: WD 120GB SATAII
Video: undecided -- ATI or nVIDIA?

So what I'd like to know is, which motherboard do you recommend? Brand, model, and reason? Are there better brands than the ones I chose? If so, in what way is it more superior?

Thanks in advance.

[Robert]

I'd get a MSI or Gigabyte. Right now I have an MSI board and it gives me no grief. Good board.

For a personal note, I'd get a Seagate HDD and not a Western Digital. I've found Seagate to be a solid company and their products are top notch.

And for Video, ATI!!

[Yellowmc]

Totally agreed, I always use Seagate and they are very solid. For the video, It would probably depend on what you will do with it but I would say most people would go for ATI.

I would also say I go for Gigabyte with the motherboard.

[Blitz-Host]

from past exsprice i would not touch MSI ever again. Whast your buget for this pc?

[LeX]

Aside from reports and internet surfing, I will also play a game or two, photoshop things, and edit video clips from time to time. In short, I'm going to use it for everything, but nothing specific.

So what is the advantage of ATI over nVIDIA?

Budget wise, nothing over US$700

[T^2]

I think you should get a nVIDIA 6600. I personally like nVIDIA over ATI but it is ture that ATI provides more performance on certain games; however, graphic rendering wise i believe nVIDIA beats ATi. As for mobo, I would recommend ASUS; solid performance and excellent company.

O and I think you should get PCI Express, it'll be a tad more expensive but its worth it.

[aggiedude]

I don't know much about motherboards or Video cards but I do know about the nVida rep so I suggest them b/c I know ppl who use them..It looks like you got a good setup in mind!

[Matt8]

I suggest this motherboard if you do not wish for PCI express:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131510

Or if you wish for PCI Express:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131523

Why? I have one of them andl ove them.

[WL-Michael]

Just keep it AMD all the way! Thats all I have to say!

[Blitz-Host]

Just keep it AMD all the way! Thats all I have to say!

i agree!

[uploadsendinc]

amd for me too!

[leatherchair]

amd for me (amd3600)
yes, but my nividia keeps on making the screen black, then it comes back up with a meseup screen. :P
well,i duno, it say not compatible with windows xp pro so i dunno

[daxriggz2004]

I prefer nvidia graphics cards. I have an old card in my desktop and it still runs smoothly, so I've never looked to fix what wasn't broken.

[veggie1232]

lol well, you dont need to spend alot of money i bought a computer for 300 dollers at fry's and it works fine i used to be a big gamer i ran counterstrike, World war craft, diablo 2, and other games and it worked fine just make sure you have decent ram :)