"Upgrade" my "old" system?

[TechnicalFreak]

Hi

Well I sorta want to "upgrade" it's hardware parts. First I'll tell you everything about the system so far and what I already have in it.

Mobo: ASUS K8N-E Deluxe (SATA Raid support , AGP8x , Dual Channel support(memory).

Graphics card: NoName(can't remember), ATi 9800SE works perfect with 8 pipelines, needs memory cooling (already have Arctic Cooler v1.2 installed).

Sound: Hercules Digifire 7.1 (otherwise built in on mobo 7.1 sndcard).

Memory: Samsung 2x512Mb DDR (Dual Channel).

HDD: Seagate Barracuda 120Gb (has never let me down for so many years!) PATA.

CD/DVD: CD-CDRW-LiteOn /DVD-LG.

CPU: AMD Athlon64 3000+ (@2041Mhz) / stock cooler.

PSU: Thermaltake Butterfly 480W.

Case: NoNamer , normal "Midi" tower. I call it "Custom Junk" (pics coming shortly!).

Other: 2 80x80 fans in rear and 2 80x80 fans in front + 1 80x80 fan on top. Smaller fans cooling HDD.


So what can I upgrade? Btw.. I think the Socket is 754 or something like that. I could also think of getting second hand parts for it , we do have something called "Blocket" where people sell new and used things (everything from cars to toilets!).


Thankful for any replies

[Urbklr]

Do you have a budget??

[keakar]

Do you have a budget??

you have to give us a budget and some idea of the intended purpose of the system would be needed as well

is it for non gaming, light gaming, heavy gaming, or serious gaming with the newest games coming out

[TechnicalFreak]

Oops, sorry. Well ok, I'll have to make the budget in €uro's (if it's ok?)..
About 530€uros as budget.

[choppy]

with that budget you may as well build a new and much MUCH better system!

[cdawall]

if you want to keep on the same socket it has to be 939 if it has dual channel support get a 7800/7900GS or 7950GT or X1950PRO AGP card and 2X1gb of DDR400

also i assume that since its s939 i would recommend a 3800X2 or opteron 165 or higher

[Scrizz]

you can build a new system with that budget.
new system will pwn your old one

[Urbklr]

Yea...Build a new one! You can build a pretty good computer for that much money, and it would destroy your current one;)

[cdawall]

i agree i didnt see your budget post build a new system!

[TechnicalFreak]

with that budget you may as well build a new and much MUCH better system!

True. But I can't build "THE" system that I want for that money.. Only the cpu would cost almost the entire "budget" I listed.

[ShadowFold]

Sorry but how much is that in $?

[Widjaja]

530 euros is a fair bit of cash where I come from.

I'd look for a C2D system to get best bang for buck and sell the card, mobo, cpu, ram and possibly the PSU.

Of course the system would be mid-range for that kind of cash but you will be able to upgrade unlike my 939 rig which is pretty much maxxed out atm unless I buy a new motherboard and GPU to take it to PCI-E.

[TechnicalFreak]

Ok..
I have been looking thru various prices, and I think I just have found a setup for a reasonable price:

Mobo: MSI P35 NEO-F iP35.
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6600.
Memory: Kingston 2x1024Mb PC6400 (2Gb total, and to a killer price!).
HDD: Seagate Barracuda 160Gb SATA2/8Mb cache.
Graphicscard: MSI GeForce 8600GT 256Mb PCI-E.
PSU: Xilence 600W ATX12V V2.2.

Total : 574 €uros.

I'm very unsure about the graphics card, since I have NEVER had a GeForce card in my life
(seriously). Also I am very unsure about the CPU and the mobo aswell. Since I have never had an Intel cpu ever before..

But ok, it went a little bit high (stupid swedish prices :mad: ) But this is what I would guess it would "look" like.

[TechnicalFreak]

Sorry but how much is that in $?

It is 770$ (+-1$).

[wiak]

socket 939 still is good loong after it was released :P
a socket 939 X2 3800+ @ 2.6ghz is as fast as X2 5000+ on socket AM2

[jpierce55]

If you are a gamer buy a good g-card and a cheap x2 processor/mobo, that makes more sense than a $$processor and low g-card.

[TechnicalFreak]

If you are a gamer buy a good g-card and a cheap x2 processor/mobo, that makes more sense than a $$processor and low g-card.

But then what should I get?? I feel "lost" when looking at Intel's processors.. Not to mention the graphics cards of today. I picked that cpu because the price was rather low (well I thought it was low).

The most games I play theese days are BF1942 w. DesertCombat mod and TotalA2 (or Supreme Commander as everyone else calls it...)

[rick22]

I would go intel.775.you could get a Asus p5n e sli mobo for 124.00 or a Dfi blood-iron p35 mobo for 109.00...then get a Intel chip e6550 conroe 2.33 for 169.00..thats a good start ..all Newegg prices..


P.S. I have the Dfi blood-iron and the mobo rocks...

[Darren]

TechnicalFreak, it might be cheaper to go AMD, cheapo AM2 motherboard and a 6000+ X2, that way you can put the money saved in a better graphics cards such as the 3850 or 3870. Forget the geforce 8600 series. But it depends what you want the system for, gaming or office work?

[rick22]

TechnicalFreak, it might be cheaper to go AMD, cheapo AM2 motherboard and a 6000+ X2, that way you can put the money saved in a better graphics cards such as the 3850 or 3870. Forget the geforce 8600 series. But it depends what you want the system for, gaming or office work?



He has 770.00 the intel parts would only be around 300 ..you can get a Sapphire radeon hd 2900pro for 170.00 ..

[jpierce55]

He really should get a psu with the upgrades, 480 watt Thermaltake, I have read bad things about Thermaltake.

If you go Intel, buy one of their cheaper dual cores and a mobo that will support the quads. I suggest an 8800gt graphics card and good ram.

http://www.ncixus.com/products/27328/88YFF6HUFEXX/Galaxy%20Technology/
http://www.ncixus.com/products/24495/P5K/ASUS/ how about an open box mobo?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211174 ok ram

I don't know what a good dual core Intel is, and PSU's are something you can read up on.

[cdawall]

were did you read bad things about Tt i have never had an issue with mine!

[kwchang007]

Ok..
I have been looking thru various prices, and I think I just have found a setup for a reasonable price:

Mobo: MSI P35 NEO-F iP35.
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6600.
Memory: Kingston 2x1024Mb PC6400 (2Gb total, and to a killer price!).
HDD: Seagate Barracuda 160Gb SATA2/8Mb cache.
Graphicscard: MSI GeForce 8600GT 256Mb PCI-E.
PSU: Xilence 600W ATX12V V2.2.

Total : 574 €uros.

I'm very unsure about the graphics card, since I have NEVER had a GeForce card in my life
(seriously). Also I am very unsure about the CPU and the mobo aswell. Since I have never had an Intel cpu ever before..

But ok, it went a little bit high (stupid swedish prices :mad: ) But this is what I would guess it would "look" like.

That would be a very good build. If possible try and find a e6750 instead of the e6600 because the 6750 is a G0 stepping and while it doesn't have as high of a multi, it's defiantly a good overclocker. Unless it's more expensive of course. Idk much about the motherboard, the graphics card is good, the hdd is good. The ram, if you can get crucial they overclock better, if you don't want to overclock the ones you picked are fine (actually idk how they overclock, but kingston is a good brand). Psu, never heard of xilence before. Of course these are little things, except for the psu, might be good might be bad idk.

[ShadowFold]

With 770$ you can build a comp with a E2200, P35, DDR2-800 and a HD 3850. Thats a kick ass rig right there.

[TechnicalFreak]

were did you read bad things about Tt i have never had an issue with mine!


Me neither.. Never failed me for 3-4 years now.

[TechnicalFreak]

What's Newegg? Never heard of it before.. Sapphire Radeon HD2900pro? Can only find the 2900XT (and that one is too expensive!)

[Paulieg]

Try these guys. They have reasonable prices, and they ship worldwide. Oh, and within your budget, I would get a e2160 or e2180, or an e4500 matched with a 8800GT.

http://www.ncix.com/

[TechnicalFreak]

TechnicalFreak, it might be cheaper to go AMD, cheapo AM2 motherboard and a 6000+ X2, that way you can put the money saved in a better graphics cards such as the 3850 or 3870. Forget the geforce 8600 series. But it depends what you want the system for, gaming or office work?

Ok , a system with that parts would look like this:
Mobo : Gigabyte GA-M57SLI-S4 nForce 570 SLI MCP.
Memory : Kingston 2x1024Mb (2Gb, real low price..).
CPU : AMD Athlon64 X2 Dual-Core 6000+.
Graphicscard : PowerColor Radeon HD3870 512MB DDR4.
HDD : Seagate Barracuda 160GB (SATA2).
PSU : Xion AXP 630W ATX 2.2.

Total : 5373:-SEK / 565€uros / 827US$ / 413£.

[Darren]

Ok , a system with that parts would look like this:
Mobo : Gigabyte GA-M57SLI-S4 nForce 570 SLI MCP.
Memory : Kingston 2x1024Mb (2Gb, real low price..).
CPU : AMD Athlon64 X2 Dual-Core 6000+.
Graphicscard : PowerColor Radeon HD3870 512MB DDR4.
HDD : Seagate Barracuda 160GB (SATA2).
PSU : Xion AXP 630W ATX 2.2.

Total : 5373:-SEK / 565€uros / 827US$ / 413£.

Looks good so far. Athlon 6000+/6400 x2 if your running stock. Or Black Edition 5000+/6400+ x2 if you plan to over clock. Personally I'd get the non Black Edition as a stable overclock is never guaranteed especially on a budget motherboard. Secondly If you have enough money left over, I'd seriously invest in 4GB DDR2 ram opposed to 2GB as ram is at its cheapest and its one less hassle when operating systems go all 64bit.

[TechnicalFreak]

Looks good so far. Athlon 6000+/6400 x2 if your running stock. Or Black Edition 5000+/6400+ x2 if you plan to over clock. Personally I'd get the non Black Edition as a stable overclock is never guaranteed especially on a budget motherboard. Secondly If you have enough money left over, I'd seriously invest in 4GB DDR2 ram opposed to 2GB as ram is at its cheapest and its one less hassle when operating systems go all 64bit.

Yes , that is true. Ram modules are very cheap indeed (even here). But then I have to save up some money. Perhaps then I could maybe even go RAID (found some disks that are cheap aswell). I have had a RAID system earlier, and had it so 2 disks were "mirrored" and 2 disks for "speed".

I am not so sure about this 64bit OS , I already have XP Pro (Original + license) and I thought that one was expensive..

[TechnicalFreak]

I saw something from ATi called "Crossfire" is this similar to nVidia's SLI, and must I have a special mobo just for that??

[Darren]

I saw something from ATi called "Crossfire" is this similar to nVidia's SLI, and must I have a special mobo just for that??

Crossfire is ATI's attempt at SLI. Gigabyte GA-M57SLI-S4 nForce 570 SLI MCP supports SLI so if you want to run dual cards they have to be NVIDIA cards.

The best crossfire deal at the moment is two ATI 3850's because when crossfired they are faster than the 8800GT/GTS and almost as fast as the GTX - one 8800GTX is between 210-270 UK pounds, where as two 3850's are 200 UK pounds and perform almost as fast when utilizing crossfire.

Interesting 3850 crossfire reviews:
http://reviews.cnet.com/graphics-cards/ati-radeon-hd-3850/4505-8902_7-32745241.html
http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/diamond_viper_hd3850_crossfire/11.htm (FEAR and NFS benchmark in particular)

I had a more recent review which showed the 3850 crossfire in a better light but I can't find it now! But honestly if you go the crossfire route I think your better off getting the 3870 and sticking another 3870 a year.