$200....What Should I buy?!?!

stamsek

stamsek

[H]F Junkie
Joined
Nov 2, 2005
Messages
15,467
Alright, I've been allocated $200 to spend as I see fit. Below are the spec's of my current system. I'm trying to figure out what I could really utilize. I have no idea what to upgrade....help....

Cooler Master CM Stacker
ASUS A8N-SLI Premium
AMD Athlon64 X2 3800+
OCZ El Platinum Revision 2 2x512mb pc3200 (2-2-2-5)
eVGA 7800GT 256mb PCI-E
OCZ 520w Powerstream

2x80GB Hitachi 7200rpm 8mb cache SATA 3.0Gb/s in RAID 0 for the OS
320GB WD Caviar 7200rpm SATA 3.0Gb/s 16mb cache
200GB Maxtor 7200rpm 8mb cache SATA
80GB External 7200rpm Maxtor USB 2.0
160GB Maxtor 7200rpm 8mb cache PATA

NEC DVD-Burner 16x
DVD-Rom
I'm using dual 17" CRT's

CompClean3.jpg
 
I think that you would benifit most from upgrading your ram. Get 2x1gb and then do something with the old memory.
 
Do you have a router? I know that's not directly an upgrade to your system, but... Just a thought. Otherwise I'd also recommend a memory upgrade as underdone did.
 
I picked up a Linksys WRT54G router last week and I'm very happy with my CRT's as I game quite a bit. As for RAM, I was thinking about going to 2GB, but not sure if the money is worth the increased performance. Mainly, because I am unsure how much of an increase in performance I'll see.
 
with all the new games coming out 2gb is really a boost. going from 1gb to 2gb while playing BF2 is night and day if you ask me.
 
The memory is tempting....think now maybe office equipment like a nice chair or something. But that will only cost $75 or so, then maybe I can get quiter fans like the stealths or panflows......or maybe I'll just run out and impulse buy!!! haha
 
buy a cheap S754 mobo, CPU and case and make yourself a file server.
 
Jstamsek said:
As for RAM, I was thinking about going to 2GB, but not sure if the money is worth the increased performance. Mainly, because I am unsure how much of an increase in performance I'll see.
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What games do you normally play?
 
Too bad you didn't have a little bit more money, then you could afford a new network card

 
filthysanchez said:
200 dollars worth of mountain dew?
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Done!!! j/k As for games, I play F.E.A.R., HL2, UT2K4, Far Cry, Ultimate Spider-man, Flat Out 2, ect ect
 
Jstamsek said:
Done!!! j/k As for games, I play F.E.A.R., HL2, UT2K4, Far Cry, Ultimate Spider-man, Flat Out 2, ect ect
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Out of the list you gave FEAR would benifit the most from upgrading your memory and a growing number of other games will too.
 
Yeah, I have the Creative Inspire 5.1 speakers. I was wondering how much better the audio would sound if I purchased an X-Fi soundcard.
 
The 500's were $105 shipped, and I sold my x-fi used for 90 shipped 3 weeks ago ( I needed cash, but it's an awesome setup!)
 
Definitely buy a new sound card. Maybe a decent set of headphones, like the Sennheisser HD280Pros
 
i have some RF wireless sennheisers.
they have a decent sound, but it’s not audiophile quality.
 
I wouldn't spend money on ram....unused ram is wasted ram. Your system looks rather solid apart from having your OS on a raid 0. I had my last rig set up similar to yours, and I can say that my current rig is just as responsive not operating off an array.

So, if I were going to upgrade anything, I'd get a larger external hd to back up the stuff I just couldn't stand to lose (80gigs isn't shit). The prices are really good right now (price/gb). Another thought would be to just get odd and end stuff you could use.....a flash drive, nice headphones were mentioned before, wireless mouse and keyboard, the chair you mentioned, or open a Roth IRA. Don't let the dough burn a hole in your pocket....making it work towards your future would be a better investment than spending it on depreciating hardware :p Think about it.

You could start a folding farm and spend hundreds a month on electricity! :D That would take care of those 200 bucks in a hurry!
 
Sir_Loin said:
I wouldn't spend money on ram....unused ram is wasted ram. Your system looks rather solid apart from having your OS on a raid 0. I had my last rig set up similar to yours, and I can say that my current rig is just as responsive not operating off an array.

So, if I were going to upgrade anything, I'd get a larger external hd to back up the stuff I just couldn't stand to lose (80gigs isn't shit). The prices are really good right now (price/gb). Another thought would be to just get odd and end stuff you could use.....a flash drive, nice headphones were mentioned before, wireless mouse and keyboard, the chair you mentioned, or open a Roth IRA. Don't let the dough burn a hole in your pocket....making it work towards your future would be a better investment than spending it on depreciating hardware :p Think about it.

You could start a folding farm and spend hundreds a month on electricity! :D That would take care of those 200 bucks in a hurry!
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Great suggestions everyone. I really appreciate it and all was taken into consideration. However, I just got back from spending $200.09. You like that, nine cents over. haha. I will repost later tonight or tomorrow with pictures of all what I purchased. I believe I squeezed a lot for the amount I spent!
 
DVD Player = $59.41
Executive Chair + Chair Mat + 75 DVD-R + 25 CD-R = $86.57
1GB USB Flash Drive = $54.11

Total = $200.09

chairmat.jpg

Chair and Mat

flashdrive.jpg

Flash Drive

dvdplayer.jpg

Love it, plays DiVX and XViD.

media.jpg

I couldn't believe the media was only $14.99 plus tax. Crazy!


So how do you guys think I did?
 
Meh, I wouldn't have bought the USB drive, and I am wondering on the quality of those DVD-R's. I would check those with Nero Infotool or something similar to find out the manfacturer of those DVD's to make sure they are good. Otherwise it seems like a decent purchase.
 
mdameron said:
X-fi and Audio Technica ATH-A500's has my vote!
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I am using the exact same stuff. lol, anyway I would get a TV tuner card or usb box and some airsoft guns.

Edit: a little late I guess, oh well
 
BMWlover said:
I am using the exact same stuff. lol, anyway I would get a TV tuner card or usb box and some airsoft guns.

Edit: a little late I guess, oh well
Click to expand...

Better late then never! I'm still keeping my eye on this thread. (I did keep reciepts. :-P )
 
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