Upgrading my system, need help

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dragoon38900

New Member
Hello all. I am currently planning to finally upgrade my computer. Basically, I need a faster computer, larger disk size, more ram, the works. I need it so that I can start an animation that my group is currently trying to complete (also Ive always wanted to try new games...) . On my current system, Im using a Amd Duran (1.3 Ghz), 256mb ram, a wopping 8 gigs of hardrive space (being sarcastic here), and only god knows what video card i use. Basically, its old (yes, laugh at it) and this wouldnt really be an "upgrade", more like a "replacment". I need a system that can run programs like Adobe Premiere Pro, Photoshop, Image Ready, etc, all at almost the same time. Also, it should be able to handle the new games out there.



First off, Im not really a computer hardware kind of guy, so please bare with my ignorance of the whole topic...



Ok, I have a budget of a maximum of $1100, but i REALLY dont want to spend it all. I did some research, and Ive come up with this system:



http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103562 - PROCESSOR: AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800 -$295

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131530 - Motherboard: ASUS A8N-E Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra ATX AMD - $92.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822136009 - Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar RE WD1600YD 160GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache Serial ATA150 -$85

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145527 - Ram: CORSAIR ValueSelect 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM Unbuffered DDR2 533 (PC2 4200) Dual Channel Kit System Memory - $150

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130275 - Video Card: eVGA 256-A8-N507 Geforce 7800GS 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 AGP 4X/8X -$284.99

Total - $907.98



Is this a good system? Am I missing anything? Is getting the 7800 worth it (for an example, a 6800 still has 256 mb...)? How about the dual cores? Do these seem compatible with each other? Also, would this system make a noise problem? Are there things that I should be aware of before buying anything? Is getting more hard drive space worth it for making animations (not 3d), but I guess this question is pretty much based on the person... Is getting 2 gigs of ram worth the trouble? (I heard that getting 4 gigs of ram shows little difference nowadays compared to 2 gigs, is this true?)



If there are better brands that would give more bang for the buck, please suggest them. This is my first attempt to build a computer, so please excuse my lack of knowledge... Im just not experianced with the new technology, as all my computers (im upgrading my crappiest one, btw....one of them is pretty good actually, a dell though, but its not really "mine", so...) are pretty much old.

Edit (thanks to filip-matijevic and ceewi1 for the input) :

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103562 - PROCESSOR: AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800 -$295
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131530 - Motherboard: ASUS A8N-E Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra ATX AMD - $92.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822136010 - Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar RE WD1600YD 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache Serial ATA150 -$95
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814150139 - Videocard: XFX GeForce 7900 GT EXTREME 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - $315.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145486 - CORSAIR XMS 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Unbuffered DDR 400 (PC 3200) Dual Channel Kit System Memory - $165
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817189003 - PSU: XCLIO XClio 450BL 450W - $43.99

Total - $1006.98
So far, I only have $100 to input, and I really hope I can fit in enough for a new Monitor, at least 19 inch. (CRT of course).

I was just wondering, how much would this system handle before you find any hints of slowing down/lag/etc? Or in other words, what would someone be doing on the computer before it slows down? (I dont know if that came out right...)
 
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Your motherboard doesn't support DDR2 RAM, you need 184-pin memory sticks (DDR), get Corsair ValueSelect DDR400 PC3200 (2x1GB sticks) instead of the unsupported DDR2 memory

EDIT: also your Video Card is incompatible, you need a PCI-Express 16X video card not AGP interfaced
 
Is this a good system?
Click to expand...
Yes, and filip-matijevic's suggestions will round it out nicely.
Am I missing anything?
Click to expand...
A power supply, and a case
Is getting the 7800 worth it (for an example, a 6800 still has 256 mb...)?
Click to expand...
There's a lot more to video cards than video memory. The 7900GT is a great choice.
How about the dual cores?
Click to expand...
I'd strongly recommend it
Do these seem compatible with each other?
Click to expand...
As filip-matijevic pointed out, the video card and RAM need to be changed
Also, would this system make a noise problem?
Click to expand...
Depends on what you define by problem, but it should be fine.
Is getting more hard drive space worth it for making animations (not 3d), but I guess this question is pretty much based on the person...
Click to expand...
So true, but the 250GB version of the drive is only $10 more. Well worth it, IMO.
Is getting 2 gigs of ram worth the trouble?
Click to expand...
With a system like that, it's well worth it
I heard that getting 4 gigs of ram shows little difference nowadays compared to 2 gigs, is this true?
Click to expand...
Yes, after 2GB, there's really no significant performance increase
 
A power supply, and a case
Click to expand...

About that, I did say I was "upgrading" my system, so I already have a case and power supply (unless theres more to it than that...)

So true, but the 250GB version of the drive is only $10 more. Well worth it, IMO.
Click to expand...

Wow, I didnt notice that 90 more gigs would only cost $10 more. Definitly worth it.

Final Price - $962.99

Thanks guys.
 
dragoon38900 said:
About that, I did say I was "upgrading" my system, so I already have a case and power supply (unless theres more to it than that...)
Click to expand...
Yeah, there's more to it than that - your old case should be all right, but your power supply is most likely incompatible, and would be insufficient to power your new system even if it were.
 
Yeah, there's more to it than that - your old case should be all right, but your power supply is most likely incompatible, and would be insufficient to power your new system even if it were.
Click to expand...

My power supply is a Colors-It AC input: 230/115 VAC 50/60 H2 10/64 Model:400u, 400 Watts, And it looks like this: http://www.atrixcase.com/details_show.asp?list=PS-CI400
or this:
http://www.colors-it.us/details_show.asp?list=PS-CI400
(same thing)

It doesnt say it on the PSU itself, but based on those images, its the PS-CI400.

Is that compatible?
 
From what I can find about that PSU (and it's not much), it seems to be +12V@20A, with a 20-pin connector. I wouldn't try powering that system with that PSU.
 
Specs.jpg


Couldnt get a photo but I hope this helps...
 
OK, obviously not the one I thought it is. I wouldn't use it on your new system though, it's really not sufficient, even worse if the motherboard connector is a 20-pin (which I suspect).
 
How exactly do you find out what pin it is?

Anyways, what PSU would you suggest me getting? I dont want anything too pricey, just something that will get the job done sufficiently. I'll try to look one up myself, I just dont know what kind of specs to look for (and what brand is known to be reliable). I looked at the PSU 101, and it seems that many of the recommended one are 20-pin. hmmmm...
 
dragoon38900 said:
How exactly do you find out what pin it is?
Click to expand...
Pull out the main power connector on the motherboard and count the number of pins. Even if it is a 24pin, though, I wouldn't use it.
Anyways, what PSU would you suggest me getting? I dont want anything too pricey, just something that will get the job done sufficiently. I'll try to look one up myself, I just dont know what kind of specs to look for (and what brand is known to be reliable). I looked at the PSU 101, and it seems that many of the recommended one are 20-pin. hmmmm...
Click to expand...
Hehe, time for an update Praetor :P :P (only joking, I know you've got more important things to do)
The X-Clio 450BL looks superb for the price.
Something like the Antec TPII-480 is better, but not necessary.
 
Hmm, would you guys think I can get a good new monitor (CRT) with the amount of money I have left over? ($1100-$1006.98=$99.02...dont forget shipping...wow I really cant afford anything else if I choose this system, I might have to downgrade some stuff...) Im thinking I can only afford to get a 17-inch, but do you guys know if I can afford maybe a 19? or perhaps a 21? I need it to have a max resolution of at least 1280 by 1024 (1600 by 1400 would be great, but then again I have to factor in if I would actually use that res if all Im getting is a 17 inch). My current CRT is a 15-inch, max res of 1280 by 1024, but lets just say its a straint to the eyes when in that setting.

Hopefully, the prices will go down by the time I purchase them, which is in about 3 months (Im upgrading it for my birthday ;) )
 
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