PC case and Chip?

[Thug541]

HEy i'm new to these boards but have already gotten some help in a short few days. But basically, my power supply in my sony computer seems to be making its last strides (it makes these clicking noises that sounds like its trying to restart, and my system pauses anytime this happens) and also, PCI-e seems to be the future, so i decided might as well update my cpu and motherboard. So basically, i'm looking for some advice on a good case, a new cpu and motherboard. JUst hoping u guys can give me some suggestion. I'm not looking to break the bank, but i dont' want to go the cheap route either. Thanks in advance guys.

 

[DCIScouts]

One of the easiest things to do is go with a processor and motherboard combo, saves you a little money, and then you know that you're getting the right processor for your mobo... More on the other stuff later...

 

[dragon2309]

Go here and scroll down and look at the bit that says "Amazing Bundle Deals"

http://www.ebuyer.co.uk/customer/pr...2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=82819

 

[mgoldb2]

i decided might as well update my cpu and motherboard. So basically, i'm looking for some advice on a good case, a new cpu and motherboard. JUst hoping u guys can give me some suggestion. I'm not looking to break the bank, but i dont' want to go the cheap route either. Thanks in advance guys.

Please provide

A) your budget
B) what you will be using this computer for
C) do you want amd or intel or either one fine with you.

 

[Thug541]

a. Never shopped for these parts only before...but looking at some random prices.....mid range mother boards seem to be going at around $150...case varied a lot but lets add another $100....plus cpu....i'd say i'd like to be around $500 at the end of the day.

b. Video games (half life 2, battlefield 2) and video editing (sony vegas)

c. Doesn't matter. I would say intel just because they seem easier to understand in terms of ghz, but people have some nice things to say about amd's and i heard u can overclock them pretty well.

 

[mgoldb2]

From your first post am gussing that you want pci-e so am choosing boards with pci-e.

AMD Option

Motherboard
MSI K8N Neo4 Platinum Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra $132
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=13-130-484&depa=1

CPU
AMD Athlon 64 3500+ Venice $267
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103533

Case
I left $100 for the case of you choise

Total:500

You could get a athlon 64 3200+ venice for $190 instead but I showing you what the best stuff you can get for your $500. It up to you if you acturally need the jump from 3200+ to 3500+.

Intel Option

I dont know if you want to use your old ram or new ram so I give you options for ddr and ddr2 on the intel system

Motherboard that needs DDR2 option
ASUS P5LD2 Socket T (LGA 775) Intel 945P ATX $130
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131538
Motheboard that needs DDR option
ASUS P5GD1 Socket T (LGA 775) Intel 915P $102
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131503

CPU
intel Pentium D 820 Smithfield 800MHz $260
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819116213
or
intel Pentium 4 540J Prescott 800MHz $209
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819116201

Hard to say which one of these 2 cpus I would go with. the p4 is 3.2ghz compare to the pd 2.8ghz(dual core) so in today games the 3.2ghz might do better but once games are made multithreaded almost certainly the fact that the pd 2.8ghz is dual core will make it better for those games. I say the Pd is better for the future.

Case
I left around $100 again for it.

For gaming I personally perfer the amd. Even thoe the dual core a bit temping. In case you want to know athlon also have dual core but they start at around $550 for lowest model.

 

[Thug541]

Hmmm very helpful thanks.....excuse my noobishness, but can i not use my Ram on my old computer on an AMD setup?

Edit: also, my current harddrive would make a transistion to amd fine? that is without a xp reinstall?

 

[mgoldb2]

but can i not use my Ram on my old computer on an AMD setup?

All skt 939 computer use DDR ram. Most likly yes you can use you ram from your old computer in a AMD setup. Unless you have a really old computer and using sdram.

Intel skt 775 have motherboards that use DDR and other that use DDR2 and a few that have both but you cant use both at the same time.

EDIT:

Edit: also, my current harddrive would make a transistion to amd fine? that is without a xp reinstall?

On both intel and amd most likly you going to have to reinstall windows. Windows xp usually dont like the motherboard changing.

 

[Thug541]

Ok, and the windows i have is from my Sony boot up disk.....would that still work? or would i need a fresh copy of xp?

 

[mgoldb2]

Ok, and the windows i have is from my Sony boot up disk.....would that still work? or would i need a fresh copy of xp?

not 100 percent certain but there a good chance you would need a fresh copy of xp. Most OEM manufactors make there restore disk only work on there computers.

 

[Thug541]

Alright....thanks for the info. Damn, i hate reinstalling windows....done it twice and i always manage to mess up some data transfer when saving all my files.