Buying new PC

My current PC's motherboard is dieing and I'm running at half clock speed to stop it overheating <img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_razz.gif" alt=":P" title="Razz"> It's too old to simply upgrade, so I'm going to buy new parts. Everything else (case, PSU etc) is fine. What do you reckon of these?:

Asustek AM2 motherboard

AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ Looks FAST!

Crucial 2x512mb RAM (1gb RAM)

GeForce 8800GT - I really want one of these, but it's the most expensive component...

Comes to about £345 and would be a very nice system, should last a long time so worth the money. I have an old Radeon 9800 Pro AGP graphics card but I don't think the motherboard supports AGP. Can anyone suggest a cheaper graphics card (~£100) that is PCI-Express?

I guess what it comes down to is if you can afford it or not.

If you can't afford it, I am sure you can find a mother board that supports AGP and PCI Express.

If you can afford it then go for it <img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_wink.gif" alt=";)" title="Wink" />

Actually that's an idea, a mobo with AGP and PCI express. Then I can always upgrade it when I can afford it.

You are in the UK i take it?

Have you thought about ebay? Probably not what you think of when you're buying a new machine but i've been thinking about buying one like these.

Good feedback. Most go for around 350-400 pounds, plus postage.

It doesnt come with an operating system though, it's one of the ways they keep their costs down.

Clicky

Heh, I could do but it looks a little TOO powerful! <img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_razz.gif" alt=":P" title="Razz" /> Also I don't need another full case, PSU etc... so I may as well save by not buying those again.

Oh I edited your post so it doesn't ridiculously widen the page <img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" title="Smile" />

Honestly, the 8800GT is basically THE best GPU price/performance wise at the moment. If you can afford it, I would definitely pick one up.

AMD Athlon 64 X2 5200+ is generally better price/performance than the X2 6000 (roughly 40~% price increase for 10~% performance increase) as far as CPUs go.

Also, do check how generic RAM compares to the 'Crucial' brand price wise. I have always used generic RAM and have never had a problem. (Every benchmark I've ever seen only shows 'high performance' RAM beating generic by 2 - 3~% at most.)

Beside that however, if you can afford the parts you've already listed, I'd say go for it. Would be a top machine.

Hmm... I checked out the 5200+ but I reckon when I'm already spending around the �350 mark I may as well get the best I can. The clock speed of the 6000+ is 15% faster so I'll probably stick with that one... I want this system to last me.

I agree <img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" title="Smile" />. If you're already spending that much you may as well go all the way.

Hope the new computer works out well.

One more thing... I can't find any PCI-Express sound cards, only PCI ones! Onboard sound really sucks, I have good quality headphones and before I've found you can hear the hard disk clicking and stuff from inteference.

I assume PCI-E isn't backwards compatible with PCI?

I'm surprised nobody's recommended Intel. Right now the Core 2 Duo's are more energy efficient and faster than AMD's at the same clockspeed.... I'm not sure if AMD still has the price advantage but if you're going to be paying for a high-end CPU why not get the current leader in the game? Also, it would probably go better with a GeForce since AMD is now going to focus on coming up with ways to exploit their new property (ATI)...

P.S. I seen that the 7600 GT's are going on clearance now for about USD $40, so get them while the getting's good (PCIe)