Extend the life of an old Intel

Really its time for an upgrade. Save your 125 bucks and put it towards equipment that you can use into the future, that AGP card will be not a great deal faster than new integrated systems. However, please post your full system specs using PC Wizard (FILE, SAVE AS, copy text into this thead).

You're better off saving another $50 and putting $250 towards a platform upgrade such as this:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Intel-Co...28841991?pt=AU_Components&hash=item20b82bf507
 
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I dont need a new system, its only gonna last me like 2 years and thats just for TF2 and such... why buy something you dont need.
 
Because AGP is a very small step up from integrated, and a waste of money. The Core i3 has integrated graphics which ok, and the processor is a million times faster. You also have upgrade potential with a new platform. Go ahead, but buying an AGP card for that system is trully flushing money down the toilet.

As I said, for 50 bucks more you are in 2011, not 2001. REmember, the processor and memory is in many cases much more important for gaming and definitely more important for day to day computing. An i3 system will not be unusable in 5 years, but your current system will be.

But if you are committed to throwing 125 bucks at a computer that is basically rubbish go for it, but I know where my 100 - 300 would be spent. Its worth saving I think.

All in all, games are more CPU intensive than they used to be, time for a platform upgrade, but if you do decide to flog a dead horse, get the Radeon HD 3850 AGP instead.
 
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reading reviews, the 4650 will do the job fine for what he wants...so why spend another 200 bucks on a more expensive solution that will do the same thing? go for the gigabyte 4650. most source games arent really demanding so i feel in this case spending more money would be a waste.
 
It wont do the same thing. Its like renovating a house that is on a landslide. Yeah, its cheaper now, but in the long run its false economics. Especially when you can get the A8 from AMD or the i3 2100 based systems that will do better, have an upgrade path and will run all other applications into the medium future. That cannot be said for a AGP based system.

His max budget for his current system is 200. It just strikes me as stupid to spend up to 200 on a crappy computer when he can easily rip out the mobo, cpu and ram, and for 50 bucks more get a 1155 socket intel i3 system or AMD's new A8 based system. Both of which are somewhat future proofed (as far as can be), and much smarter than dropping another 130 or whatever for very minimal return. Secondly reading the review of a 4650 is pointless unless we know what CPU he has, as TF2 and other modern games are much more CPU intensive. I am very doubtful this is a wise decision.

But the OP can do whatever he wants of course, that is fine, its just not the smartest use of what clearly is limited funds.
 
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Okay, if you really feel strongly about this, get me a system for under 250, that is better than playing on this.. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161337


My current GPU is ATI Radeon 9550 <--- The 4670 would be a huge upgrade and run what I want... I am playing games like Company of Heroes, Team Fortress 2, LoL, and the like. Nothing like Crysis. (Mostly RTS or Valve games.)

Other system specs:
Mobo: Intel D865PERL
CPU: Intel P4 3.2ghz
HardDrive: Old, 320gb
PSU: Dynex 400W (Have a 600W i could use)
Ram: 3gb
 
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I thought you had a 600W PSU?

derangedyeti said:
I have a PSU already, 600W...
Click to expand...

The Dynex 400W is actually a rebranded Hunkey Green 450W and their circuitry is identical and at the same time rubbish.

You will need a new PSU regardless of your decision which does make it difficult. Any graphics card you install (AGP or PCIe) will need a better PSU, period. Why?

Due to its old ATX design standards, that PSU dedicates 12V+2 (15A) for the CPU only. That leaves only 12V+1 (14A) to the rest of the 12V system. In theory that is 168W max. At this point the PSU either shuts down of explodes (as does its exact cousin the Huntkey 450W).

Now given the TDP of a HD4650 (RV730) is 75W or less (6.25A) you have only around 75W to keep the rest of your system running happily, thats at MAX.

Essentially for any discrete graphics card I don't recommend anything other than a total of 20A available. This is minimum.

So as you can see a new PSU is needed (see EDIT * below).

So, to answer your question you can get:

PSU *: $30 ($6 shipping) Cooler Master 400W that can provide 23A on the 12V rail (not great but much better) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171042&cm_re=400W-_-17-171-042-_-Product

Motherboard: $70 (Free shipping) - Biostar H67 motherboard which supports Core i3, i5 & i7 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138310&cm_re=h67-_-13-138-310-_-Product

RAM: $45 (Free shipping) - 2GB DDR3 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148243&cm_re=ddr_3-_-20-148-243-_-Product

CPU: $125 (Free shipping) - Core i3 2100- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...078&cm_re=core_i3_2100-_-19-115-078-_-Product

GPU: $65 (Free shipping) - HD5570 PCIe - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150485

I know the total is above $250 being $340, but you get a new PSU as well *. Something that is needed regardless.

The above items are for illustration only, but you can see (without the PSU) you are only spending $60 more than your budget and getting a much, much, much better and faster system. One that will take you into the next 5 years with upgrade room (you can go to Core i7 (LGA1155) and any PCIe graphics card provided you have a sufficiently powered PSU). Btw the HD5570 will belt anything you are considering now.

Sell you current mobo, cpu and ram and get may be $50? That makes it net $256 ($306 worst case) in real terms. But now you have a fast, up to date massively more powerful computer, and you haven't wasted $125 on a AGP graphics card.

Re-use your current hard drives, case etc.

*edit* you have changed your post so you have a 600W PSU afterall, please post specs, but assuming you can use that, you now have the above computer for $270 without selling anything. Not bad i reckon. Totally worth the extra $150 over the cost of the AGP card.
 
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Awesome well thats a very very good PSU and it will support any GPU you wish to buy.

I think you will agree that a platform upgrade might be the best bet. Just do some research and post what you intend to consider and we can review. ;) Unless you have a retail copy of Windows, don't forget to include a copy of Windows 7 64bit too beacuse it usually (not always) needs a new key when upgrading the motherboard.

So in summary:

  1. GPU: $65 (Free shipping) - HD5570 PCIe (faster than the HD4650 PCIe version)
  2. CPU: $125 (Free shipping) - Core i3 2100
  3. RAM: $45 (Free shipping) - 2GB DDR3
  4. Motherboard: $70 (Free shipping)
  5. Windows 7 64 bit - $94 (Free shipping)
$400, brand new, smack down system. Yes its $150 over what you wanted, but you now have some great gear, that is now very modern and will take you into the future with upgrade paths. The beauty about this system is it supports DX11, and in a year you can upgrade your graphics card to whatever you want, and then a year or two after that, pick yourself up a nice Core i7 which will still toast any game. Your bang for buck is about 1000 times greater than an AGP card.

The other alternative is to replace the i3 with an i5 CPU, and don't buy the graphics card at all. The H67 chipset will allow the onboard (i5 CPU) graphics solution (Intel's HD3000 graphics) http://www.anandtech.com/show/4083/...core-i7-2600k-i5-2500k-core-i3-2100-tested/10 will play the games you want without the graphics card. What this means is that in the future you can add a graphics card (discrete) where desired, AND then you will have a great CPU as well.

Point is, you can either get a graphics card and i3 (with embedded - but rubbish - HD2000 graphics), or an i5 (HD3000 graphics) - without a GPU - for about the same price (1 dollar more).

Core i5 (2310) - $189 2500

So: [$400 - $65 (Hd5570) - $125 (i3)] + $189 (i5) = $401.

2 options, both great and both better than your AGP idea. The i5 option would be my choice.
 
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Heres what I have
MOBO: 70
GPU: 75
CPU: 125
Rebate: -15
=
255

Is my RAM transferrable? Because that would be great.

EDIT: It says my current MOBO has a 184 pin socket. I am assuming no?
 
No mate, you need DD3. You have SDRAM which is ancient. Read my updated post (above).

Please post everything you are considering (with links) and ill personally check them for you. As a minimum you need all 3, CPU, RAM and mobo.

I have also asked another excellent member (StrangleHold) of the Computer Forum community to review this thread. ;)
 
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I actually have some spare money on my Paypal that I can buy the RAM with seperately, so...

The i5 and mobo=
$259
Ram bought seperately and PSU is already in my possesion and HDD is transferabble, and a friend has a legal copy of win7 for me (from a university)
 
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Just to be sure, post exact specs of what you intend to buy, with links.

Don't forget Windows unless you have other ways around that ;)

But it looks like a win to me. Please take the time to post full computer specs for intended build. You may also need some thermal paste.

The exciting thing will be, you can now save up for a spanking GPU in the future knowing full well it will work ;)

Edit * - hang on hang on.

That mobo doesn't have an IDE connector for your old hard drive.

Let me see if I can find one that does. Secondly, don't forget you will need to reinstall WIndows regardless, and you will probably need to reactivate it. Understand>?

SO:

Post every piece of kit you are putting in the computer (preferably with links). Also, don't buy anything until i get this build verified.
 
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Ok, can you use PC Wizard (in my sig) to post your system specs in full? Unfortunately the new chipsets don't support IDE (the connection to your old Hard Drive). I am assuming that it is IDE connector, but the PC Wizard report will verify this.

That is probably ok anyway as you need to install Windows again anyway, and hard drives are likely to fail at this age.

So, bugger, but you have to add a SATA drive too! Sorry.

List all your parts, and inlclude this: 320GB SATA II drive.
 
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Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138308

CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115089

GPU: integrated

Memory: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148334

PSU: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Corsair...68656&skuId=1073679&st=power supply&cp=1&lp=1
^ Also in my possesion

HDD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136074
^ I have that as of now (forgot I had to get a new HDD awhile go)

I have a external fan also that plugs in through USB. I dont know the model.
 
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Ok sweet, you don't need a new HD. Good. You will need to reinstall windows though, so back everything up first.

THat all looks great to me. Wait until Strangle has a look too.

Just for some expectation managment. The HD3000 graphics on the i5 CPU will play MW2and other games at reduced settings and will play the games you mentioned above fine. But it wont play max or anyting.

I also repeat my comment about windows.

But hey, that system looks sweet.

Dont forget to get Arctic SIlver thermal paste, and research how to build computers if you are unsure.

Also, wait prior to purchase to get Strangle or another trusted CF member to check the compatiability etc ok?
 
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