DamienVryce

Hello all,

This post ended up being longer than I initially expected, the short version is my current specs are listed below, should I upgrade now or wait a while and build a new comp.

I am in a bit of a dilemma at this point and this looks like a good forum so I am hoping to get some advice I have not been successful getting on my own so far.

I have a computer that I had a friend help build about four years ago. I have always had various issues with this computer, but it has generally been pretty good to me. I am getting to the point where it doesn't quite perform up to the standards I would like, so I am now trying to decide what to do.

The primary issues I have been having with this computer are as follows. It just doesn't perform up to par (bad fps in games, programs running slower than i would like, etc). I have been having periodic blue screens for what appear to be unrelated and random issues and time, ranging from opening Itunes to just sitting in a game doing nothing whatsoever that stresses my computer. I have had days where I get 3+ bsod's and then I can go for weeks without getting a single one. I have also had significant crashing issues with various programs, most notably games such as world of warcraft. I have spent a ton of time trying to figure out what could be causing my issues. I have updated all drivers, replaced ram, fully redone the cooling in my case, along with malware and such scans followed by defragging.

I live in the US and am pretty open on what I do. My preference would be to spend the least amount of money for a decent upgrade, and I would prefer to do the upgrade sooner rather than later. If I end up choosing to just get a whole new system, I may have to wait a while. I would be ok waiting to upgrade if that will definitely be the best choice because I would hate to waste money and time on this already outdated system if it won't last me a fairly decent while longer.

The most stressful thing i use this computer for is gaming, mostly World of Warcraft at this point. Ideally I would like to just upgrade my existing system for $200 or less, but if I build a new computer I won't want to spend much more than $1000.

I am at work so my specs are being listed from memory, will update when I get home if I can't remember everything.

Mobo- Msi K7n2 delta-ilsr
processor- Athlon Xp 3200+
ram- 2x 1gig sticks pc3200 (I think kingston valueram but may have changed when i upgraded)
HDD- seagate 160gig 7200rpm SATA
Case- Antec sonata 1. http://www.antec.com/us/productDetails.php?ProdID=15138
Psu- built in True Power 380watt
Soundcard- Soundblaster Audigy Value (I think this is the correct model)
Video- ATI Radeon 9800pro 128mb
OS- Windows Xp sp2
Everything is running at installed settings- I have not overclocked or done any such modifications due to lack of knowledge and interest in doing so.

From the research I have done, I feel my best upgrade for this existing computer would be the video card. I think my processor will be limiting me, but I can not replace that without basically building a new computer. This mobo only has an AGP slot, so I am also fairly limited on my options on my upgrades for vid cards. If I do choose to upgrade my video card, I believe I will also have to upgrade my psu. This 380w just doesn't seem like enough from what I have read.

It appears that some of the newer Radeon agp cards would be my best bet- ranging from the hd2600xt and possibly up to the x1950pro (if I want to spend a little bit more). In either case it looks like I would be well off to upgrade to the 550-650w range on the psu. There are quite a few reasonably priced choices from good brand names in this category.

If upgrading my system looks like a reasonably good idea, I can order the parts tomorrow and be up and running better than ever likely by the mid-end of next week (which holds its own appeal to me).

Alternatively, if it looks like upgrading will just be a waste of my time, I will be running into some other decisions. I have not had good luck with this computer having had my friend do most of the building for me (I don't think he tried very hard to do a good job). I do not have any important software such as windows xp to my name to install. I do have all the other parts such as monitor (hp 22" wide screen lcd, beautiful), keyboard, mouse, speakers, etc. All I would need would be from the case in.

If I wait and just start from scratch, Just buying a premade computer holds the appeal to me of having a pro build a computer that definitely (hopefully) will work without issues. I feel confident that I am capable and intelligent enough to do my research and build a computer from the ground up myself, but I just don't know that I will have sufficient time to do the initial research, as well as figuring out what I did wrong (if anything) after getting it done.

So, I guess my question boils down to should I upgrade my existing comp or just wait and upgrade to a new system as I can afford it? If I go with waiting, any suggestions on websites I should work with for getting a prebuilt comp for a reasonable price? If suggesting building my own system, I am very open to suggestions for what to look at, again I am looking at preferably staying around $1000 but could probably make do going up as high as $1500 if it would definitely be a worthwhile expenditure.

Thank you to any who choose to read through this book I have written and take the time to reply, any advice is appreciated.

daisymtc

I will say getting a new PC.
But it depends if you want to keep the the current one as a second PC.
It is likely that you can keep your case/ Optical drive/ HDD/ Windows.
What you need to do is bring the rest to the current spec.
E.g. Q6600 + GA-P35-DS3L + 2 x 1GB DDR2 800 RAM + 8800GT + quality 500W PSU.
You are talking about $600-650

Respital

I'd say just to build a whole new computer.
BUT.
Intel should be coming out with a new socket later this year...
my suggestion would be to wait for the new socket and processors to arrive..
possibly new video cards too.

Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't it better to build a computer at the end of a year then at the beginning of a year?

I built my computer in December last year and it runs great, only cost like
$1100 Cad, my friend built his in may of last year i know mine is newer but his seemed to get outdated faster...or maybe thats just because he's with amd.


Hope this helps.
Sorry for going a little off topic..

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/My Rig:/
/Case :/ Antec Sonata III
/Power Supply :/ Antec Earthquake 500W
/Motherboard :/ Gigabyte P35-DSR3
/Processor :/ Intel E6850@3.4Ghz
/Ram :/ Consair 2x 1 Gb 800mhz
/Video Card :/ Zotac 8800 GT

/3DMark06 Score :/ 11730

reddevil6

yea build
OS $89.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116056
CPU $209.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115037
CPU cooler $26.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835186134
MOBO $169.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...2E16813128080R
Ram $45.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820227089
Video card $164.99 after MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814103050
PSU $74.99 after MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817341010
Case $119.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811133132
HDD $94.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136073
now that is a solid build for that price i would say best build for money you could get 1 more of them video cards an run crossfire that PSU is powerfull enough for it.
if u wanted to you could OC that CPU to 4.0GHz+
i would deffently get this build.
this is one of the best $1000 builds i have seen.

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oscaryu1

Replace the RAM with XMS2, then it'll be good.

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