Questions about upgrading

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Doronster195

New Member
So, I decided to finally upgrade my crappy 1.8ghz Pentium 4 from over 6 years ago.
Current Specs:
Pentium 4 - 1.8 Ghz
512MB SDRAM
80GB HDD 7200rpm
9gb HDD ???rpm
380 watt power supply
Radeon 9800 pro (128mb)
Sound Blaster Live! 24-bit
19" LCD monitor
SONY DVD/CD/DL Burner


Now my question.

I definatly need to get a new Motherboard, CPU and Ram. What are your suggestions on which brand and model I should buy?

Also, I'm kind thinking in the price range of 250-350$.

Thanks
 
What do you plan on doing with the pc? The video card isn't to bad. Make sure you load the OS on the 80gb drive, as the 9 is probably VERY old, and slow. You will also need a new PSU.
CPU, Motherboard, Ram, PSU
 
Mostly

I plan mostly gaming.

Lots of World of Warcraft, Valve games (Counter-Strike 1.6, Condition Zero, Half Life 2, Counter-Strike: Source), Fruity Loops (beat making software), iTunes (4000+ songs).

PSU's aren't expensive anyways.
 
Just a new cpu alone could see the $250-300 price range depending on vendor and model. The first question that will come up by most here would be what will you use the case for? Some complete systems in US retail stores will see a price now at $399 -450 for the low end stuff they pack in it. For a high end gaming machine the price tags can buy a good used auto!

AMD brand cpus usually see better performance reviews over Intel. Boards made by Asus and MSI seem to top the list while some prefer Gigabyte or DFI. I'm running the ATI Radeon 9550 256mb card here on a Socket A model board with only a annoying horizontal line seen coming down the screen while at a game's options menu. I should put the MSI card back in. Those are a little better at times. A new board will probably have PCI-Express however. That will see the $250-300 range as well.
 
I've looked at stores and i've seen prices. I just want to know what you guys can whip up at that price range to upgrade the computer.

My dad just got an HP for $800 (with a 19" monitor) that has 1gb ram, 200gb hdd, 2.8ghz pentium D, dvd burner, window xp MCE,
Alli want is a CPU, ram and mobo. For under $400. I'll worry about the PSU later.
 
Hope you have an account for used stuff at Ebay. You are looking at a new cpu along with board and memory. The lowest price seen lately for an AMD64 Atholon 3000+ was $145- at one vendor. A good board will run over $100 plus you want memory added to that? A Socket A board, used cpu on Ebay and someone's pair of 512mb used dimms would see that. Anything better will cost unfortunately. The alternative is to find a pc repair shop with a used system for sale that has a little more power then what you have now.
 
Doronster195 said:
What about this?
CPU = http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819116198 $166
MOBO = http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131542 $93
RAM = http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145573 $93

Subtotal = $352
Total (with cali tax) = $381.04

And yes, I have an eBay account, I'd rather not use ebay because as soon as you buy something you're stuck with it.
Click to expand...

Now add a PCI-Express video card and larger psu to that. The current system runs an AGP type card with a supply running under 400w. The 80gb drive will go well with the additional items there. Your total here still exceeds the $250-300 mark(ut oh! :confused: ).
 
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2297553&CatId=0
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1071020&Sku=ULT31664

thats $284.99 and then you have an $80 rebate on the mobo and $40 on the ram.

284.99-120=164.99

good so we have 186 to spend on a psu and video card. lets go hunting

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2156263&CatId=0

found it. and it comes with a free game. so thats $119.99-$40 rebate=$79.99

so $164.99+$79.99= $244.99

We have about $105 for a new PSU.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1273336&Tab=1&NoMapp=0

thats $69.99

grand total is $314.97 after rebates.

so it is $474.97 up front and then you have $160 in rebates.

another bargain found
 
I aleady have a Radeon 9800pro (128mb) with PCI express. Why would i need to buy another one? But besides that is the setup i posted good?
 
One thing wrong with way2evil's rebate session there is that you have to have more then the $250-300 amount onhand first to order and then wait for rebates to come in. That doesn't work if you don't more then $300- to start with. Meanwhile some people would say why not get a new 7900 GS or X1900 XTX over the 9800 Pro there. Do you need a new one? Probably not if you are going to run a normal system. For heavy gaming that will be a different story told there. I assume you are primarily after the basics and not high end. :)
 
I really don't see how a $200 Radeon 9800 pro PCI-E, is not a high-end graphics card. But i'm not changing it.

Anyways, I'll go to fry's and see what they offer come July 23rd (Conroe coming out, price drop).
 
Due to the fact that the Radeon 9800 Pro you currently have isn't the latest high ender out too many will rush in to say you need this or that card. Gee that gosh golly ole ATI Radeon 9550 AGP card seems to be working out here while the older MSI 128mb card never saw a horizontal line scrolling the screen when running games or apps. If you are not having any problems run with that card on a new board. Are you planning on a strictly gaming machine or just the occasional? That's where you would want to grab at the latest higher ender or simply wait until those price tags drop and save some "do - re' - me". :D
 
it was the best card like 3 years ago. as time goes along better stuff comes out. i remember when i paid 5 grand back in 99 whcih is like 15 grand now for a amd k6 and 128mb ram with a 6 gig hdd
 
way2evil said:
it was the best card like 3 years ago. as time goes along better stuff comes out. i remember when i paid 5 grand back in 99 whcih is like 15 grand now for a amd k6 and 128mb ram with a 6 gig hdd
Click to expand...

I can remember prices on the first HP laptops that came out right around that time. You were looking at roughly $5,999- depending on model. Now you pick up a low end that does more for 1/10th the cost.
 
If you are set on a specific model cpu you do some price comparison with a good number of vendors or even look at board/cpu bundles.
 
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