What should I replace Radeon X1650Pro with?

J

jstlvnlif

New Member
I was going to build another computer but have decided just to upgrade the one I have. I currently have the following:

Asus M2A-VM mobo
2 X 1gb DDR2 800 memory
AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 4000+ cpu
250 gig SATA HDD
LITE ON DVD-RW
Asus DVD-ROM
Radeon X1650Pro 512 mb PCI-E X 16

Here's what I am changing:
Adding OCZ Gold 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit to equal 4 gig RAM
Replacing CPU with AMD Phenom 9850 Black Edition 2.5GHz Socket AM2+ 125W Quad-Core Desktop Processor
Replacing HDD with Western Digital Caviar Green WD5000AADS 500GB SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive
Replacing video card

The thing is I don't want to spend more than $65 on a new card. Can I find a much better card than the one I have for that much or should I just keep the one I have? I appreciate your opinions. I usually buy my stuff from Newegg.
 
What is your power supply at the moment, and what are you going to be using the computer for? (Im thinking gaming). You won't be open to very many cards with $65, not taking in to account you might need to upgrade your power supply.
 
It's a 420 watt Raidmax - actually I don't game at all. Internet usage is about 90% of what it's used for. I watch a lot of stuff on the computer - shows I've missed, movies, things like that.
 
Last edited:
The Egyptian said:
good ram
but
Replacing CPU with AMD Phenom II X4 925 or Phenom II X2 555 BE SO MUCH BETTER THAN 9850
Replacing HDD with Western Digital Caviar BLACK OR BLUE ( better performance )
Replacing video card HD 4670
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102855&cm_re=4670-_-14-102-855-_-Product
Click to expand...

If he can get the CPU for the same price, yes, a 925 would be better.
+1 for caviar blue or black if it is to be the main drive, either that or a samsung F3 or Seagate .12 drive

For the video card, I don't think it would need to be replaced. Streaming videos doesn't need an all singing all dancing video card, integrated video or an old video card will be fine, like the one you have now. The $65 would be better spent on a power supply rather than video card I would say, get rid of the raidmax pile of crap before you go for a new video card.

You can get a pretty good deal atm on newegg for:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.524434

the hard drive would perform better than the caviar green would, the power supply is much better than the raidmax, and unless you are getting the hard drive used or refurbished, it should work out cheaper too, especially after rebates
 
jstlvnlif said:
I got the Western Digital hard drive on sale for $38.99 shipped. Too cheap to pass up.
Click to expand...

that is a pretty good deal :)

In that case, I would spend the money on just a PSU then,

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817256060

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139017

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371033

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151094

Any of those would be very good units and enough for what you need them for
 
Aastii said:
that is a pretty good deal :)

In that case, I would spend the money on just a PSU then,

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817256060

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139017

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371033

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151094

Any of those would be very good units and enough for what you need them for
Click to expand...

I think I will just keep the video card I have and replace the PSU. I think I'll be going with:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371033

Thanks for all of your all's opinions and help.
 
The Egyptian said:
Replacing CPU with AMD Phenom II X4 925 or Phenom II X2 555 BE SO MUCH BETTER THAN 9850
Click to expand...

Here are my choices Phenom wise:
Phenom IIX2 550( HDX550WFK2DGM),3.1GHz,512KB,rev.C3,80W,SocketAM3
Phenom IIX2 555( HDZ555WFK2DGM),3.2GHz,512KB,rev.C3,80W,SocketAM3
Phenom IIX3 705e (HD705EOCK3DGI),2.5GHz,65W,rev.C2,SocketAM3,Triple-Core
Phenom IIX3 715 (HDZ715WCJ3DGI),2.8GHz,95W,rev.C2,SocketAM2+,Triple-Core
Phenom IIX3 740 (HDZ740WFK3DGI),3.0GHz,95W,rev.C2,SocketAM3,Triple-Core
Phenom IIX4 820 (HDX820WFK4FGI),2.8GHz,95W,rev.C2,SocketAM3,Quad-Core
Phenom IIX4 905e (HD905EOCK4DGI),2.5GHz,65W,rev.C2,SocketAM3,Quad-Core
Phenom IIX4 910E(HD910EOCK4DGM),2.6GHz,65W,rev.C3,SocketAM3,Quad-Core
Phenom IIX4 925 (HDX925WFK4DGI),2.8GHz,95W,rev.C2,SocketAM3,Quad-Core
Phenom IIX4 945 (HDX945WFK4DGM),3.0GHz,2048KB,95W,rev.C3,SocketAM3,Quad-Core
Phenom X3 8250e (HD8250ODJ3BGH),1.9GHz,rev.B3,65W,SocketAM2+,Triple-Core
Phenom X3 8400 (HD8400WCJ3BGD),2.1GHz,rev.B2,95W,SocketAM2+,Triple-Core
Phenom X3 8450 (HD8450WCJ3BGH),2.1GHz,rev.B3,95W,SocketAM2+,Triple-Core
Phenom X3 8450e (HD8450ODJ3BGH),2.1GHz,rev.B3,65W,SocketAM2+,Triple-Core
Phenom X3 8550 (HD8550WCJ3BGH),2.2GHz,rev.B3,95W,SocketAM2+,Triple-Core
Phenom X3 8600(HD8600WCJ3BGD),2.3GHz,95W,rev.B2,SocketAM2+,Triple-Core
Phenom X3 8650 (HD8650WCJ3BGH),2.3GHz,95W,rev.B3,SocketAM2+,Triple-Core
Phenom X3 8750 (HD8750WCJ3BGH),2.4GHz,rev.B3,95W,SocketAM2+,Triple-Core
Phenom X3 8750 (HD875ZWCJ3BGH),2.4GHz,rev.B3,95W,SocketAM2+,Triple-Core
Phenom X3 8850 (HD8850WCJ3BGH),2.4GHz,rev.B3,95W,SocketAM2+,Triple-Core
Phenom X4 9100e (HD910OBJ4BGD),1.8GHz,65W,rev.B2,SocketAM2+,Quad-Core
Phenom X4 9150 (HD9150ODJ4BGH),1.8GHz,65W,rev.B3,SocketAM2+,Quad-Core
Phenom X4 9350 (HD9350ODJ4BGH),2.0GHz,65W,rev.B3,SocketAM2+,Quad-Core
Phenom X4 9450 (HD9450ODJ4BGH),2.1GHz,65W,rev.B3,SocketAM2+,Quad-Core
Phenom X4 9500 (HD9500WCJ4BGD),2.2GHz,rev.B2,95W,SocketAM2+,Quad-Core
Phenom X4 9550 (HD9550WCJ4BGH),2.2GHz,rev.B3,95W,SocketAM2+,Quad-Core
Phenom X4 9600 (HD9600WCJ4BGD),2.3GHz,95W,rev.B2,SocketAM2+,Quad-Core
Phenom X4 9600 (HD960ZWCJ4BGD),2.3GHz,95W,rev.B2,SocketAM2+,Quad-Core
Phenom X4 9650 (HD9650WCJ4BGH),2.3GHz,95W,rev.B3,SocketAM2+,Quad-Core
Phenom X4 9750 (HD9750WCJ4BGH),2.4GHz,95W,rev.B3,SocketAM2+,Quad-Core
Phenom X4 9850 (HD9850WCJ4BGH,rev.B3,SocketAM2+,Quad-Core
 
This video card is $33 after the rebate, but less than $50 if you dont bother with the rebate. It has an hdmi port if you want to hook it up to a more modern tv/monitor for better graphics. I know you don't game but the card is capable or doing so pretty well too.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102829

Don't get OCZ ram it has a high failure rate, as you can see from reading reviews. It has bad ratings.

This ram is the second best rated for 2x 1gb sticks. A-data is awesome, its comparable with g.skill and corsair (only companys i will buy form, besides mushkin but they are expensive sometimes).

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211066
 
Also, if im not mistaken, that board you have is an AM2 board, so none of these quad cores or any ofther phemon cpus will work. If your board is an am2+ then it can take certain phenoms, NOT phenom II's. Let me know what socket your board has and I can pick one that will work with it.

But the video card and ram I posted above will be great additions and wont need a new power supply or anything else.
 
kyleswitch said:
Also, if im not mistaken, that board you have is an AM2 board, so none of these quad cores or any ofther phemon cpus will work. If your board is an am2+ then it can take certain phenoms, NOT phenom II's. Let me know what socket your board has and I can pick one that will work with it.

But the video card and ram I posted above will be great additions and wont need a new power supply or anything else.
Click to expand...

The CPUs I listed are straight from the Asus websited for what processors will work for the motherboard.

I just ordered my new power supply yesterday. I got the Antec EarthWatts Green EA-380D Green 380W Continuous power ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply

My motherboard is a Asus M2A-VM
 
jstlvnlif said:
The CPUs I listed are straight from the Asus websited for what processors will work for the motherboard.

I just ordered my new power supply yesterday. I got the Antec EarthWatts Green EA-380D Green 380W Continuous power ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply

My motherboard is a Asus M2A-VM
Click to expand...

The only CPUs you can use are Athlon 64, Athlon 64FX or Athlon 64 x2

Basically nothing there worth upgrading to from what you have now, so if you wanted to upgrade your CPU, you would have to change motherboard too


@Kyleswitch, there is nothing wrong with OCZ memory. The DDR3 memory isn't the highest quality, but their DDR2 stuff is excellent stuff. Personally I've had more failures with Corsair memory than I have with OCZ.

I wouldn't bother upgrading anything else on the system to be completely honest, I would save up for an AM3 setup, you can get a much better one than what you have now for sub $200:

Mobo + CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.524355 $130

Memory: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820144478 $57


7800
 
Aastii said:
The only CPUs you can use are Athlon 64, Athlon 64FX or Athlon 64 x2

Basically nothing there worth upgrading to from what you have now, so if you wanted to upgrade your CPU, you would have to change motherboard too


@Kyleswitch, there is nothing wrong with OCZ memory. The DDR3 memory isn't the highest quality, but their DDR2 stuff is excellent stuff. Personally I've had more failures with Corsair memory than I have with OCZ.

I wouldn't bother upgrading anything else on the system to be completely honest, I would save up for an AM3 setup, you can get a much better one than what you have now for sub $200:

Mobo + CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.524355 $130

Memory: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820144478 $57


7800
Click to expand...

With the newest BIOS revision 5001 I can run the following AM3 CPUs. I'd rather just go with one of these instead of buying new mobo.

Athlon IIX2 215(ADX215OCK22GQ),2.7GHz,512KB,rev.C2,65W,SocketAM3
Athlon IIX2 240e(AD240EHDK23GQ),2.8GHz,1MB,rev.C2,45W,SocketAM3
Athlon IIX2 255(ADX255OCK23GM),3.1GHz,512KB,rev.C3,65W,SocketAM3
Athlon IIX3 405e(AD405EHDK32GM),2.3GHz,512KB,rev.C3,45W,SocketAM3
Athlon IIX3 440( ADX440WFK32GI),3.0GHz,512KB,rev.C2,95W,SocketAM3
Athlon IIX3 445( ADX445WFK32GM),3.1GHz,512KB,rev.C3,95W,SocketAM3
Athlon IIX4 605e(AD605EHDK42GM),2.3GHz,512KB,rev.C3,45W,SocketAM3
Athlon IIX4 635(ADX635WFK42GI),2.9GHz,512KB,rev.C2,95W,SocketAM3
Athlon IIX4 640(ADX640WFK42GM),3.0GHz,512KB,rev.C3,95W,SocketAM3
Phenom IIX2 550( HDX550WFK2DGM),3.1GHz,512KB,rev.C3,80W,SocketAM3
Phenom IIX2 555( HDZ555WFK2DGM),3.2GHz,512KB,rev.C3,80W,SocketAM3
Phenom IIX3 705e (HD705EOCK3DGI),2.5GHz,65W,rev.C2,SocketAM3,Triple-Core
Phenom IIX3 715 (HDZ715WCJ3DGI),2.8GHz,95W,rev.C2,SocketAM2+,Triple-Core
Phenom IIX3 740 (HDZ740WFK3DGI),3.0GHz,95W,rev.C2,SocketAM3,Triple-Core
Phenom IIX4 820 (HDX820WFK4FGI),2.8GHz,95W,rev.C2,SocketAM3,Quad-Core
Phenom IIX4 905e (HD905EOCK4DGI),2.5GHz,65W,rev.C2,SocketAM3,Quad-Core
Phenom IIX4 910E(HD910EOCK4DGM),2.6GHz,65W,rev.C3,SocketAM3,Quad-Core
Phenom IIX4 925 (HDX925WFK4DGI),2.8GHz,95W,rev.C2,SocketAM3,Quad-Core
Phenom IIX4 945 (HDX945WFK4DGM),3.0GHz,2048KB,95W,rev.C3,SocketAM3,Quad-Core


As you will see the CPU you listed in your combo can fit on the mobo I have. Here is the link to the Asus site that shows CPU compatibility.
Asus M2A-VM
 
Aaah alright, didn't realise there was a BIOS revision to support newer CPUs :o

The only downside to using an AM3 CPU in an AM2+ board is that HyperTransport speeds will be lower, so you won't be getting the full performance, but it will be a heck of an upgrade over your current CPU
 
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