i'm currently running a first generation, Slot A amd athlon 500 on a SD11 motherboard with 1mb L2 cache. 196mb ram, and crappy 16mb pci vid card. Due to the 1mb cache, the computer acts much quicker than any 500 i've ever used, it actually acts more like my girlfriends 1.4ghz celeron laptop. Could have alot to do with that i have a 7200rpm HD too though. Anyway, it's getting a little out dated, and here is what i'm looking to update to. Any thoughts on it are appreciated.
1.Biostar M7VIP motherboard with Athlon XP 1900 processor
2. a decent video card with an RCA tv out option(any ideas? like to keep it under 150 tops)
3. 256mb ram
4. A cdrw drive to compliment my current DVD player

I already have a soundblaster live with digital out, and the reason i want a TV out is that way i can run a complete, dolby digital DVD system from my computer. Also, i would like the video card to have 64mb ram to run some of the newer decent games out there. My only problem is, i havn't used one single newer computer that i have been as happy with as mine. As far as program load times, even the newer ones my friends have dont seem to beet it at all. Also, i can't stand the "bubble look" of the new windows XP home, i absolutely HATE it. Is professional any better?? The only reason i find my current computer lacking is with the newer games and programs. I'm also a closet computer geek and i absolutely have to have a almost state of the art computer. Thanks for your help
RYan

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83 300SD.......sold
96 integra SE....sold
99 a4 quattro....sold
2001 IS300.......sold
2002 330i.........current.
2004 highlander limited....current.