Hardware Questions

[NiX]

I just bought myself a new case/psu+mobo. Just trying to figure out what's best to put in it. I was looking at tiger direct and they have "Corsair Value Select." Now, I've learned that Value, SE and SE ME MX Type R kind of names aren't usually good. Anyone know anything about this line of RAM? $146 for 512 seems to be a good deal to me (Canadian, keep this in mind.) If it's anything like the past "SE" type shit I've bought, I won't go for it.

Also, no limit on budget, what's the best video card to get? (Not getting it for another month or two.)

Edit: One last thing: Are DVD Player/CD Burner combo drives bad? Should I just buy them seperately? If combos are good, who makes the best one?

[Kenrick]

If there's really no limit on budget, NVidia's new line (6800 I think) should be coming out real soon.  ATI will of course counter with their next line of Radeon's.  Look to spend about $500 though if you're going latest/greatest.

[cevik]

Edit: One last thing: Are DVD Player/CD Burner combo drives bad? Should I just buy them seperately? If combos are good, who makes the best one?

I have a samsung DVD player/CD burner that burns at 48x and I love it.. has been the best CD burner I've ever had..

[NiX]

If there's really no limit on budget, NVidia's new line (6800 I think) should be coming out real soon.  ATI will of course counter with their next line of Radeon's.  Look to spend about $500 though if you're going latest/greatest.

I'm looking at a review of the 6800U on Toms right now. 2 fucking ATX cables? That means a new PSU. Somewhere around 500W to handle the behemoth power. I think I'll wait to see what ATI releases. If it's the same, I'll just cash in on the price drop for the 9800XT.

[Hanzii]

Edit: One last thing: Are DVD Player/CD Burner combo drives bad? Should I just buy them seperately? If combos are good, who makes the best one?

Both BenQ and Pioneer has new models out/just about out which will be firmware upgradeable so they can burn doublesided DVD's.
Rumors has it, that the NEC 25000, which I just bought, will be the same, but I doubt it.
As far of it being a combo goes - I have no problems, it's a brilliant drive.

[Kenrick]

The pioneer combo is the best rated out there right now, it's what i'm gonna put in my system.  Was gonna go with 2 drives, but it's really not necessary nowadays.

[cevik]

I'd like to point out that NiX mentioned a combination dvd reader/cd burner, not a dvd burner.  My other bay has a sony DVD+/-R/RW drive that works well, but I'd personally wait for the dual layer stuff comes out before I got a dvd burner.. or at least I'd make damn sure that my drive would be firmware upgradeable.

[Glamdring]

I just bought myself a new case/psu+mobo. Just trying to figure out what's best to put in it. I was looking at tiger direct and they have "Corsair Value Select." Now, I've learned that Value, SE and SE ME MX Type R kind of names aren't usually good. Anyone know anything about this line of RAM? $146 for 512 seems to be a good deal to me (Canadian, keep this in mind.) If it's anything like the past "SE" type shit I've bought, I won't go for it.

Also, no limit on budget, what's the best video card to get? (Not getting it for another month or two.)

Edit: One last thing: Are DVD Player/CD Burner combo drives bad? Should I just buy them seperately? If combos are good, who makes the best one?

Personally, I'd say that splurging on a massive video card and at the same time skimping on ram is not the way to go.  I would get Kingston HyperX way before I ever spent money on Corsair Value and the best bang for the buck card to go along with it is a Radeon 9600XT.  If you think you may want to do some video stuff go ahead and get the 9600XT AIW card.

Just my opinion really.  I've always been more of a sucker for great ram and best value video cards though.

[UD_Delt]

Anyone know much about the Radeon 9500 line of cards? I thought the 9500 was a better line than than the 9600 but I want to make sure.

I'm looking at this refurb card from NewEgg:

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?submit=manufactory&catalog=48&manufactory=1340&Type=Refurbish&sortby=14&order=1

Thanks

[Venkman]

I think I'll wait to see what ATI releases. If it's the same, I'll just cash in on the price drop for the 9800XT.

Might not have to wait long.

[Glamdring]

Anyone know much about the Radeon 9500 line of cards? I thought the 9500 was a better line than than the 9600 but I want to make sure.

I'm looking at this refurb card from NewEgg:

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?submit=manufactory&catalog=48&manufactory=1340&Type=Refurbish&sortby=14&order=1

Thanks

The 9500 Pro is better than the 9600 Pro.  The XT line is better than the 9500 Pro though.

[NiX]

I have a Biostar M7NCD (nForce 2 400) and I was wondering if it's worth it (or if I'm able) to go for a Dual Channel DDR kit? (Probably 512x2.)
What's the benefit of ECC registered RAM?

I think I'm going to get an Athlon XP 3000+ and a Radeon 9600XT, would there be a bottleneck using those two?

I'm torn between LG and Samsung for DVD Reader/CD Burner. Anyone had any experience with either?

[Nebu]

Anyone know much about the Radeon 9500 line of cards?

I have a 9500 Pro and while it's an adequate card, I'd recommend spending a little more and grabbing a 9800.  For the additional cash it's a nice jump in performance.  Also, with the new cards hitting soon, you should be able to buy a 9800 (128 version) for around $200.  Best bang-for-the-buck in my opinion.

[Glamdring]

Yup, people are selling their 9800 Pro's on anandtech for ~$195 right now.  I'm tempted to dump my 9500 Pro and get one of those now.