Computer upgrading/buying questions.

G

g33k

New Member
Ok, I have a computer I bought about a year and a half to two years ago. I'll try and keep it short...
I bought this computer from a friend, and it worked well. Soon after I received the computer I realized he put an AMD Athlon XP 2200+ in it when he said he was putting a Athlon XP 3000 (I think that's the one, it's been a while...). He had already sold the processor he said he'd give me, and he never offered any compensation. It ran fine for a while, but never quite cut it. Halo lags, along with other games I play.
Anyway, that's the story behind my computer. Needless to say, I don't plan on dealing with him again. *whew* On to the good stuff...

So, here are my specs:
computerspecs.jpg


I'm a gamer and would like to even play Halo 2 if my budget can afford it.
I need a computer that can run vista well, because all the games now-a-days must have Vista. I'd also like the computer to run great and not lag when playing games like Halo, AA, and other fast pace shooters.

I'm 18, work at a fast food place (for now), and make about $180-$250
a week at my current rate. I can't really pay more than $500-$600.
The lower the price the sooner I can buy/upgrade. Anything that makes it easier on the wallet :P. I know computers out-date pretty fast, and I'm not made out of money. I will buy the more expensive product over a cheaper one, however, if it means getting more for my money.

I don't really have any computer building experience but I'm a fast learner when it comes to electronics. I'm even considering going into the computer field for my career...

So, based off everything here, my computer specs, income, etc...
What should I do? Upgrade? Buy a new computer? Get a custom somewhere? Or is it really so much cheaper and better to build my own?

Thanks to anyone who can help me out! :D
 
First of all, building is always the cheaper option, so build one. In your case, you should buy a new motherboard, a new processor, new ram, and a new video card. keep the old case (assuming its good), the harddrive(s), cd/dvd drives, and monitor and use all that with your new pc. my friend did the same thing and it cost him around $350 for a new mobo, a dual core processor, 1 gig of ram, a new case, and a good mid range video card.
 
K, thanks for the input. I do have a good case for it, and that's a great idea about using the same drives and stuff. I've been reading a lot about RAM, mobo's, and such, but I'm still not familiar enough to know exactly what to type of mobo, processor, or video card to buy.
Any suggestions? Any specific sites or books I could check out that'd be really helpful?

Also, anyone else who would like to give their input would be great too! I'll take all the tips I can get!
:)
 
Are you in US? if you are try www.newegg.com

a good mobo are now those with P35 chipset or 680i (if you are going to run dual video cards)

for RAM, go for 2GB in dual channel (2x1GB)

as for video cards, it is the 8800gts (get the 320mb one if you don't really have the money, otherwise try going for the 640mb) or if you really got the money, get the 8800gtx (if a steep price but if you want the latest this is it)
 
Cosidering your budget, here's some suggestions:

Motherboard: No SLI or RAID, but an affordable option.

Processor: Another affordable option, and overclocks like crazy (from what I've heard)

Video Card: Don't spare any expense on a GPU. Try to strech your budget, if possible.

RAM: With memory, you have a ton of affordable options. This is what I recommend.

Power Supply: I'm guessing you'll need a new one.

These options may be above your budget. Newegg is the best site in the U.S. for PC hardware. Check out the site, and find a configruation that fits your needs.

Have Fun! :D
 
mep916 said:
Cosidering your budget, here's some suggestions:

Motherboard: No SLI or RAID, but an affordable option.

Processor: Another affordable option, and overclocks like crazy (from what I've heard)

Video Card: Don't spare any expense on a GPU. Try to strech your budget, if possible.

RAM: With memory, you have a ton of affordable options. This is what I recommend.

Power Supply: I'm guessing you'll need a new one.

These options may be above your budget. Newegg is the best site in the U.S. for PC hardware. Check out the site, and find a configruation that fits your needs.

Have Fun! :D
Click to expand...

CPU, get a E4400 for $3-4 more.
GPU: I have heard EVGA have step-up program in US. May worth to get a 8600GT to start with. Then step up to 8800GTS within 90 days
 
 
First off, yes, I'm in the USA.;)

daisymtc said:
CPU, get a E4400 for $3-4 more.
GPU: I have heard EVGA have step-up program in US. May worth to get a 8600GT to start with. Then step up to 8800GTS within 90 days
Click to expand...
First question: Why would you recommend me getting the 8600GT and step up to the 8800GTS so soon? Why not straight to the 8800GTS?


As for the processors; should I go Intel over AMD? It sure looks like everyone here likes them better. I don't mind, I'm open to change...

I see the E2180 is almost the exact same as the more expensive E4400. The only difference I SEE is the L2 cache. So, is there something I'm missing? Is it just that the E4400 can OC a little better/more?
Oh, you (maroon1) said that it's because E4400 has mo stepping? I researched that, doesn't that mean it has better power/voltage control or something?


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115031&Tpk=e4500
CPU (or should I just get the E4400? It's $20 cheaper. Worth it to buy the 4500?)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188017
MOBO

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227124
RAM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130082
GFX (I really need a good card, so I think I'm going to have to go with the 8800GTS)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817159040
PSU

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135148
OPTICAL

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822210003
HDD

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119077
CASE

Does this look like a good build to everyone? (It's a lot of $$ for me, but if it's what it takes.... it'll take me a couple months to save up too....)

I know what OCing is, and I understand it (mostly), but I don't have the slightest experience...
Will it be easy enough to learn?

Thanks for the help so far everyone!!


*Another thing; do I need to buy any cables/cords? Anything else to go with this setup? Do I need to buy an OS? (Vista?)
 
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g33k,

I didn't say that E4400 overclocks better

I said that E2180 overclocks better than E4300 because E2180 has M0 stepping

Some E4400 are M0 stepping and some are not. So, if you get one it might not be M0 stepping

However, all E4300 are NOT M0 stepping

All E4500 and E2180 are M0 stepping
 
g33k said:
First off, yes, I'm in the USA.;)


First question: Why would you recommend me getting the 8600GT and step up to the 8800GTS so soon? Why not straight to the 8800GTS?


As for the processors; should I go Intel over AMD? It sure looks like everyone here likes them better. I don't mind, I'm open to change...

I see the E2180 is almost the exact same as the more expensive E4400. The only difference I SEE is the L2 cache. So, is there something I'm missing? Is it just that the E4400 can OC a little better/more?
Oh, you (maroon1) said that it's because E4400 has mo stepping? I researched that, doesn't that mean it has better power/voltage control or something?


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115031&Tpk=e4500
CPU (or should I just get the E4400? It's $20 cheaper. Worth it to buy the 4500?)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188017
MOBO

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227124
RAM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130082
GFX (I really need a good card, so I think I'm going to have to go with the 8800GTS)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817159040
PSU

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135148
OPTICAL

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822210003
HDD

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119077
CASE

Does this look like a good build to everyone? (It's a lot of $$ for me, but if it's what it takes.... it'll take me a couple months to save up too....)

I know what OCing is, and I understand it (mostly), but I don't have the slightest experience...
Will it be easy enough to learn?

Thanks for the help so far everyone!!


*Another thing; do I need to buy any cables/cords? Anything else to go with this setup? Do I need to buy an OS? (Vista?)
Click to expand...

You say you can get $600 for the PC. It would be difficult to get 8800 within that sort of budget. However, as you working in the fastfood store for another 2 months, you will have that extra cash for upgrade to 8800. As far as I remember, EVGA step up program allow you upgrade to another GPU by only paying their difference of $$.
 
Last edited:
Ok, thanks for clearing that up Maroon1.

Daisy, that's really cool. I just found that step-up program you talked about. I'll probably do that then. Thanks for the tip, never would have thought of that or found it! :)
 
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