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7.0

Gaming System minimum requirements longevity?

Asked by redhorse in Miscellaneous Games, Gaming World, 3D-Studio 3D Graphics Software

I am fixing to spend no more than $600 to buy my Dad a "PC Only" for gaming purposes.
I am figuring like this:
AMD Athlon K7-600MHz(or 700Mhz?) Slot A Processor
GigaByte K7IXE/R 200MHz ATX Motherboard
128MB 168-Pin PC-133(or PC-100?) SDRAM
Western Digital 15.3GB Ultra ATA/66 7200RPM Hard Drive
Creative(Sound Blaster)PCI 128 Sound Card
NVIDIA GeForce MX 32MB 3D Video Card
ACER 50x CDROM
No monitor, keyboard, or mouse.

Questions are as follows, and pertain mainly to current & future gaming "minimum requirements":

Obviously, I am shooting for him to be able to buy/play the maximum amount of games fpor as long as possible.

1) I could get the 700MHz CPU & still stay within his budget, but should I just go for the 600MHz CPU and save the extra money for a better other component, such as faster RAM, HD, or Video Card?

2) I noticed there is also a "Socket A" type Athlon, called "Thunderbird", which does not seem to be a noticeable difference in price. Should I be basing the system around "Socket A", instead of "Slot A"?

3) Is the "GigaByte K7IXE/R 200MHz ATX Motherboard" about the best choice for my application?
(Obviously, a "Socket A" type processor would require a different type motherboard, if I go that route.)

4) What type of RAM should I be getting?
PC100?
PC133?
Or should I get PC150, since the motherboard actually goes up to 200MHz FSB?

5) PCI128 Sound card should be sufficient for all games, right? In answering this one, please keep in mind, I am asking are there really any games in the mainstream, that would not work, because of this card?

6) NVIDIA GeForce MX 32MB 3D Video Card?
Should I be aiming higher for him?
This card is more than I have myself even, and I was thinking that, game wise, it should last him a while as far as whatever he decides to buy.
Am I thinking right?

7) Are there any good sites that show good comparisons of what is really needed these days & the days to come?

8) Should not be a problem using his same old 15 inch SVGA Monitor, right?
(He doesn't want a new monitor.)

9) Finally, I have found quite a few sites that look like they have the components that I am mentioning & they will "customize". However, In the past I have ordered many parts, some from companies that don't send parts in such great condition and/or don't have such a good "return policy". Do you know of any reputable dealers that you can recommend?
(DELL, COMPAQ, GATEWAY, etc. do NOT do what I call customizing to MY specifications.)

I call myself somewhat of a Computer Geek, compared to my friends & family, but Video requirements throw me the most and I can't really keep up!

Please try to be as informative as you can & I will base my grading on the information provided. I am in kind of a crunch for time, so please hurry. I would like an answer from a real Gamer, that is knowledgeable about system requirements, but I must stay within a budget of $600 before shipping/handling. All the items that I mentioned above are within that budget.

Thanks,
Red.

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Gaming System minimum requirements longevity?

Asked by redhorse in Miscellaneous Games, Gaming World, 3D-Studio 3D Graphics Software

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