I recently acquired a XFX 9800GTX and intended to put it into my off the shelf Dell E521, it didn't fit. After some tinkering without case modification I knew my options...
1. start cuting/replacing parts (fan shroud and heat sync)
2. get a barebones case/motherboard and swap parts.
After some research (http://www.computerforum.com/147542-how-fit-9800-gtx-dell-e521.html)
I decided to go with option #2. So here is my dilemma. I don't want to drop a bunch of money and while I am a little computer savvy (I know most people in this forum can show me up) I am not afraid to admit when I am lost.
I know that my current processor will bottleneck the graphics card, but that is something I will live with for now. My goal is to spend as little as possible to get a new rig that uses this very nice card. So I want to try and get a board that will let me upgrade the CPU when I have the money to, and be able to use my current RAM but again, allow for an upgrade.
Motherboard needs to be AM2+ (unless AM3 supports Athlon64X2) and support DDR2 PC5300.
I look to upgrade beyond what is below, but these would be transferred from my current rig to make due until funds are arranged for further upgrades.
AMD 64 X2 Dual Core 3800+ (2Ghz)
2GB Ram (DDR2 PC5300)
Pretty pathetic, but the only game I play is America's Army (see, free game, I am cheap) and the rest is home/office type work and some internet browsing.
While I am fairly certain that a Case, Motherboard, and new heat transfer will satisfy my needs, I am unsure as to power. The above linked post says that the standard PSU in the E521 is a 305W unit. Everything else right now is stock, do I need to upgrade the PSU while I am at it or is that something to add to the top of my list of later upgrades?
Ideally, a case/mobo barbone kit would be fantastic, heat transfers and fans are sorta cheap.
Any help is appreciated, comments welcome, and insults might be returned
1. start cuting/replacing parts (fan shroud and heat sync)
2. get a barebones case/motherboard and swap parts.
After some research (http://www.computerforum.com/147542-how-fit-9800-gtx-dell-e521.html)
I decided to go with option #2. So here is my dilemma. I don't want to drop a bunch of money and while I am a little computer savvy (I know most people in this forum can show me up) I am not afraid to admit when I am lost.
I know that my current processor will bottleneck the graphics card, but that is something I will live with for now. My goal is to spend as little as possible to get a new rig that uses this very nice card. So I want to try and get a board that will let me upgrade the CPU when I have the money to, and be able to use my current RAM but again, allow for an upgrade.
Motherboard needs to be AM2+ (unless AM3 supports Athlon64X2) and support DDR2 PC5300.
I look to upgrade beyond what is below, but these would be transferred from my current rig to make due until funds are arranged for further upgrades.
AMD 64 X2 Dual Core 3800+ (2Ghz)
2GB Ram (DDR2 PC5300)
Pretty pathetic, but the only game I play is America's Army (see, free game, I am cheap) and the rest is home/office type work and some internet browsing.
While I am fairly certain that a Case, Motherboard, and new heat transfer will satisfy my needs, I am unsure as to power. The above linked post says that the standard PSU in the E521 is a 305W unit. Everything else right now is stock, do I need to upgrade the PSU while I am at it or is that something to add to the top of my list of later upgrades?
Ideally, a case/mobo barbone kit would be fantastic, heat transfers and fans are sorta cheap.
Any help is appreciated, comments welcome, and insults might be returned
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