Video Card and RAM Upgrades

[Taem]

Short:
nVidia GeForce 6800 ($300) or nVidia GeForce 6800 GT ($400)
2x 256MB PC800 RDRAM ($250)

There's your $500 - $600. I'd go for the higher video card, but the choice is yours. It's worth the extra dough, though. Very much so.
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I was also in the need of an upgrade and decided to put togeather my own computer and buy the components I needed; see my story:

http://www.lurkerlounge.com/forums/index...topic=5385

I don't agree with your listed prices for those items (see my links below). After my experience in building computers, yes they can be cheaper if have reusable components from your old computer, and yes they can be more powerful for a lot less money if you get the right components, but buying a complete (new) computer saves tons of headaches, not to mention you have a wide option list of warrenties for upcomming problems and live tecj-support.

6600 Video Card with SLI: Leadtek WinFast PX6600GT TDH with nVIDIA's 6600GT chipset, 128MB DDR3 Memory PCI Express Video Card with SLI ($171.20).

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdes...08R&DEPA=0

1GB DDR Memory Stick: Kingston 1GB PC 3200 400 MHz 2x512MB Dual Channel Model #KVR400X64C3AK2/1G ($139.99 - $99.99 after rebate)

http://shop4.outpost.com/product/3956148...IN_RSLT_PG

Motherboard: Asus A8N-SLI Deluxe Socket 939 Motherboard (249.99)

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdes...524&DEPA=0

Proccessor: AMD Athlon 64 3200+ ADA3200BIBOX-939 ($169.00)

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdes...83R&DEPA=0

Computers keep on improving. For a new computer that will last at least 5-years before becomming obselete, PCI-express video card capability is a must. So is DDR RAM memory; I recommend no less than 2GB of DDR RAM in newer computers. A good quality, high-end video card can run about $399.00 to $699.00. A good 939-socket motherboard/2Ghz+ propccessor combo can run anywhere from $299.99 to $599.99 upwards depending on what you want it to do. RAM will cost around $179.99-$299.99. If you choose to build your own with completly new components, you will have to consider: Tower (with fans), power-supply, ROM and floppy drives, (possible) tower fitting connector cable, hard-drive(s) (more than one required if you want RAID or SATA), a NIC card, optical mouse, keyboard, 5.1 satelite speakers, and a 17" to 19" moniter (I recommend CRT for low price and FPS quality). You also might want to consider a printer (I got a refirbished printer/scanner/copier/fax machine combo for about $200.00), printer ink, printer paper, CD & DVD-r/wr+ discs, and a modem. All-in-all, building a completly new computer with all the components you want will cost you hundreds, maybe even thousands more than buying a brand new name-bran computer.

If you already have most of the computers components and just want a memory, motherboard, and possibly video card upgrade, I'd get two nVidia 6600's video cards with SLI on an Asus motherboard with SLI and an AMD 64 3200+ proccessor. This set-up will run you about $901.38 starting price and will be more powerful than the most powerful (and expensive) video card to date. You will still need more components to complete this set-up.

A powerful new computer with everything you need and want (except SLI) at an affordible price will cost you anywhere from $800 w/out a monitor or printer, to $2,500 (the works).