Well, we HAVE already established that I am a University student, and "stretched for cash" usually goes with that
I was able to convince him to let me use the 1440x900 monitor
Regardless, the motherboard has a bunch of problems. USB ports don't work properly, PCI slot doesn't work at all, sometimes it doesn't start up if there are devices plugged into USB ports. I need a new motherboard.
If I decide to wait to buy a Haswell processor, I will only have spent a total of $60 on the motherboard to re-use the Athlon II X4 635. Like you said, that's not a big deal. And all the other parts I buy will be re-usable.
My goal was to a) learn how to and build a computer and b) have a high-end computer. But I don't really need a high end computer, because I've realized Dolphin is luxury. And I'm worried about my very first computer being overwhelming! Don't be disappointed! It's not like I am NEVER going to buy a high end computer, probably once the current processor isn't able to play games well anymore I will plunk down the cash to get a Haswell (which may very well be next year) It's only a $60 hit, it's not a big deal.
And I'm beginning to think that I don't even really need a really high end computer! The game I most want to play, Okami, can't be played in Dolphin well no matter what the hardware is. The games that I own can run easily with the current Athlon II processor. I have a Wii. Do I want to spend an extra $400 on the luxury of playing a Wii in 1080p? I can always do it later, it's just the processor + motherboard are half the cost of the entire system, and I have a perfectly functional processor for PC gaming.
Eh, I'll go with 650 Ti. Cheapest option, can play all my PC games very well, is good enough for Dolphin when I eventually need it, if something significantly better comes along (like Maxwell or the next generation of Radeon), I wouldn't have spent as much.
I was able to convince him to let me use the 1440x900 monitor
Regardless, the motherboard has a bunch of problems. USB ports don't work properly, PCI slot doesn't work at all, sometimes it doesn't start up if there are devices plugged into USB ports. I need a new motherboard.
If I decide to wait to buy a Haswell processor, I will only have spent a total of $60 on the motherboard to re-use the Athlon II X4 635. Like you said, that's not a big deal. And all the other parts I buy will be re-usable.
My goal was to a) learn how to and build a computer and b) have a high-end computer. But I don't really need a high end computer, because I've realized Dolphin is luxury. And I'm worried about my very first computer being overwhelming! Don't be disappointed! It's not like I am NEVER going to buy a high end computer, probably once the current processor isn't able to play games well anymore I will plunk down the cash to get a Haswell (which may very well be next year) It's only a $60 hit, it's not a big deal.
And I'm beginning to think that I don't even really need a really high end computer! The game I most want to play, Okami, can't be played in Dolphin well no matter what the hardware is. The games that I own can run easily with the current Athlon II processor. I have a Wii. Do I want to spend an extra $400 on the luxury of playing a Wii in 1080p? I can always do it later, it's just the processor + motherboard are half the cost of the entire system, and I have a perfectly functional processor for PC gaming.
Eh, I'll go with 650 Ti. Cheapest option, can play all my PC games very well, is good enough for Dolphin when I eventually need it, if something significantly better comes along (like Maxwell or the next generation of Radeon), I wouldn't have spent as much.