300$ in upgrades. HELP =)

H

holinger

Limp Gawd
Joined
Nov 30, 2008
Messages
335
Ok, so I get to spend 300 dollars on some computer upgrades. I will go up to 400$ max on the upgrades. I've already got a hard drive. I've already got a graphics card. I've already got a disc drive. So, I need a case, a PSU, a motherboard, ram, and a processor.

I'm willing to buy from newegg, tigerdirect, other online distributers. I'm also willing to buy from hardforum members on the for sale/trade section. I want the motherboard to be good, with sli and what not so that in the future upgrading doesnt consist of getting a new motherboard and a new case like these upgrades do. (i'm using an old gateway so new motherboard and case are necessary)

1) I will be playing games on this computer. I play Counter strike source, and am looking into crysis, fallout, farcry
2) 300$ budget
3) I live in South Dakota, US
4) I need PSU, Motherboard, RAM, processor, case
5) I am reusing a dvd/cd burner and a graphics card
6) I am not sure about how overclocking works, but i may potentially do it
7) I use a LG l222wt 22 inch 16:10 1680x1050 monitor
8) buying parts asap
9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? etc. edit: turns out according to suggestions i dont want sli :p

EDIT
EDIT
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EDIT

I BOUGHT ALL THE PARTS NOW SO THIS IS WHAT I BOUGHT MANY USING THE AFTER-CHRISTMAS NEWEGG SALE.

Case: RAIDMAX SMILODON Extreme Black ATX-612WEB 85$ - 30$ rebate = 55$ free shipping


PSU:CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V 100$ - 20$rebate = 80$ free shipping


Processor: core 2 duo e7300 2.66ghz wolfdale 115$ free shipping


Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel = 120$ - 15$ rebate = 105$ + 6$ shipping = 111$


RAM: G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1000 (PC2 8000) Dual Channel 50$ free shipping


411$ =)


thanks =)
 
You don't really need SLI (or CrossFire) for the resolution you're using. Historically, CrossFire/SLI is a bad option for upgrading since there's normally a single video card capable of playing games well at up to a 1920x1200 resolution.

Additionally, $300 for the components that you want is cutting things a bit close -- especially if can't find the parts that you want used.

Before I continue any further, which video card are you going to reuse?
 
the video card i'm reusing is an nvidia 512mb card thats nothing special, but within 2 weeks of this upgrade i'm buying a 9600gt.... and sli isnt anything i want for now, rather a cheap upgrade in the future, plus the fact that chances are i'll be buying more monitors after the upgrades. using the hard forum i should be able to keep it in budget.
 
I recommend the p5q pro fr a mobo. It works rly well. Also with all the hardware u need I can only see at the lowest of around $400 not 300. Ya, agreed with triraides.
 
holinger said:
the video card i'm reusing is an nvidia 512mb card thats nothing special, but within 2 weeks of this upgrade i'm buying a 9600gt.... and sli isnt anything i want for now, rather a cheap upgrade in the future, plus the fact that chances are i'll be buying more monitors after the upgrades. using the hard forum i should be able to keep it in budget.
Click to expand...

The problem is that athe only good SLI motherboard worth buying costs $170, more than half your budget. More monitors does not necessarily require SLI. Unless you know for sure with absolute 100% certainty that you're gaming on a 24" monitor in exactly 6 months AND can get a 9600GT for cheap, don't bother with a SLI motherboard.
 
holinger said:
the video card i'm reusing is an nvidia 512mb card thats nothing special, but within 2 weeks of this upgrade i'm buying a 9600gt.... and sli isnt anything i want for now, rather a cheap upgrade in the future, plus the fact that chances are i'll be buying more monitors after the upgrades. using the hard forum i should be able to keep it in budget.
Click to expand...

Which monitors, and when? If you're not getting a monitor of at least 24 inches (or, a resolution of at least 1920x1200) any time within the next 12 months, then it's not worth considering SLI or CrossFire. Video cards are the fastest depreciating components in a system; within a year's time, there will be newer, better video cards out -- and some of them will be long the same price range as the 9600GT you're picking up.

With Intel's Core 2 lineup, it's better to go with one of the Intel-based chipsets as they run more stable compared to the NVIDIA SLI chipsets. The EVGA FTW series motherboards are the exception to that rule, but they still aren't as stable as an Intel P43- or P45-based board.

How long are you trying to make this build last?
 
I want the build to last at least 6 months as is, and then after that i want the upgrade to be simple... as in 1 or 2 parts... So i guess i'll drop the whole sli deal... is the suggested motherboard a good choice? next monitor wont be until at least may, maybe later... and itll be a 28 inch monitor... so i guess we dont need to factor that in quite yet. I'll take your guys' word for it and go with no sli. keep suggestions coming =) for now im posting that one motherboard the guy suggested as my current pick until someone says further
 
The P5Q Pro is a good choice for a motherboard, but for all that you need, it may be too expensive for you. The problem is that we can't really create a "balance" between getting parts that you won't have to upgrade later and keeping everything within your $300 budget. The 28 inch monitor becomes another thing to consider, as neither the card that you have now nor the 9600GT that you plan to purchase would be enough for gaming at that resolution. (FYI, the 9600GT also struggles with games at a 1680x1050 resolution -- in other words, it won't be a good choice for your current monitor.)
 
ok well... dont worry about the 9600gt atm... it was just what i had off the top of my head thought... I'll be concidering what graphics card to get later, and the one i currently have will not be used for any games other than css which requires basically nothing. Also if newegg is selling that psq pro for 115 i can imagine i can get it cheaper here on the forums. Also reading above i am willing to go up to 400$
 
EDIT


If anyone on here who really knows what they are talking about would add me at holinger91@hotmail.com and talk to me on msn thatd be great. I'm thinking instead of all this confusion if i go one on one with someone and get a entire upgrade figured out, i can post that, and then see what everyone else thinks. thanks!


even if u cant get on msn and talk to me feel free to keep ur opinions coming... i'll be looking at them all.
 
Intel Core 2 Duo E7300 CPU - $120 (FS)
Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R Intel P45 Motherboard - $115 (FS)
Cooler Master RC-590-KKN1-GP ATX Case - $60 (FS)
G.Skill F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ 2 x 2GB DDR2 800 RAM - $40 (FS)
BFG Tech LS-550 550W PSU - $67 (FS)
----
Total: $407 shipped plus tax

Alternatively you can go with this slightly slower and less overclockable setup:
Intel Pentium Dual Core E5200 CPU - $83 (FS)
MSI Neo3-F Intel P43 Motherboard - $85
Cooler Master RC-590-KKN1-GP ATX Case - $60 (FS)
G.Skill F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ 2 x 2GB DDR2 800 RAM - $40 (FS)
BFG Tech LS-550 550W PSU - $67 (FS)
----
Total: $335 plus tax and shipping.

In any case, I highly recommend getting that BFG PSU and G.Skill RAM. They're both relatively cheap but high quality parts. The BFG LS-550 PSU should be more than enough for most of your future upgrades. The G.Skill RAM costs $40 straight up without having to deal with a single rebate.

Also, unlike the case you chose, the Coolermaster case above has free shipping. In addition, that Coolermaster case is cheaper as well. That should cut down costs some considering that shipping from newegg for cases starts at $25. So you would essentially be paying $105 up front for that case.
 
I don't see why you would go for RAM with no rebates when there are a lot of rebates for RAM right now.
 
Jospeh said:
I don't see why you would go for RAM with no rebates when there are a lot of rebates for RAM right now.
Click to expand...

Because rebates are not guaranteed? Rebates can still be lost, ignored or reject even if you do everything right. Considering that some rebate companies have gone under in the past few weeks, there's even more of a reason to not take rebates at face value.

In addition, I can always get DDR2 1000 RAM, only 66Mhz slower than the DDR2 1066 RAM you chose, for $45 upfront right now whereas I would have to wait a month or more for that rebate check to arrive from OCZ. Assuming that it wasn't lost, ignored or rejected.

I don't go for RAM or just about any PC part whose after rebate prices are greater than or equal to the prices of similarly performing RAM that do not have rebates.
 
i've added some more things to the list... the psu seems kind of expensive to me, i think i'll look for one on hard forum or maybe even newegg. same with the processor so that it all stays within budget
 
Told ya it won't be near 300. That PSU is <$50 AR so that is a pretty good deal. Most decent PSU's for the pwr u need are around $50. Also, $80 for a processor is the cheapest u can get a dual-core for. If u can't afford it, it might be best to save up a little more. Danny is giving you all really good products for the cheapest he can find.
 
I don't have time to say what I want to say, but Danny's advice is solid. Listen to him.
 
I don't have MSN, and instead of confusing you more, just listen to tiraides. ;)
 
holinger said:
i've added some more things to the list... the psu seems kind of expensive to me, i think i'll look for one on hard forum or maybe even newegg.
Click to expand...

That PSU is actually on the CHEAP side. It's a high quality PSU for $67. I doubt you'll find a quality PSU for less than that even in the for sale/for trade forum or newegg. Trust me, that is one of the best bang for the buck PSU in terms of quality and power output. Newegg does not have anything like that right now in that price range.

Don't cheap out on the most important part of the PC, the PSU.
 
So I was thinking and what if I go for a single core psu for now. Is there any that are decently fast and cheaper that could do until I get a new monitor in six or so months? When I get a monitor I'll be getting a higher end CPU so if possible a single core would do
 
I like Dannys first option makes sense. But, I would just change the case to the CoolerMaster Elite 330 Chassis for $40 w/free shipping from Buy.com and get the faster DDR2 1000 RAM for $45.

Case - Cooler Master Elite 330 Chassis for $40.24 w/free shipping
http://www.buy.com/prod/cooler-mast...silver-cooler-master/q/loc/101/204561347.html

PSU - BFG LS-550 for $66.49($20 MIR) w/free shipping
http://www.buy.com/prod/bfg-tech-55...-eps12v-power-supply/q/loc/101/207955009.html

CPU - Intel Core 2 E7300(2.66ghz) for $120 w/free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115132

RAM - 4gig G.Skills DDR2 1000 for $45 w/free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231145

Mobo - GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R for $115($15 MIR) w/free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128359

Total: $386.73

With the Coolermaster Elite 330 case, you should have no problems installing a large video card.

Danny Bui said:
Intel Core 2 Duo E7300 CPU - $120 (FS)
Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R Intel P45 Motherboard - $115 (FS)
Cooler Master RC-590-KKN1-GP ATX Case - $60 (FS)
G.Skill F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ 2 x 2GB DDR2 800 RAM - $40 (FS)
BFG Tech LS-550 550W PSU - $67 (FS)
----
Total: $407 shipped plus tax

Alternatively you can go with this slightly slower and less overclockable setup:
Intel Pentium Dual Core E5200 CPU - $83 (FS)
MSI Neo3-F Intel P43 Motherboard - $85
Cooler Master RC-590-KKN1-GP ATX Case - $60 (FS)
G.Skill F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ 2 x 2GB DDR2 800 RAM - $40 (FS)
BFG Tech LS-550 550W PSU - $67 (FS)
----
Total: $335 plus tax and shipping.

In any case, I highly recommend getting that BFG PSU and G.Skill RAM. They're both relatively cheap but high quality parts. The BFG LS-550 PSU should be more than enough for most of your future upgrades. The G.Skill RAM costs $40 straight up without having to deal with a single rebate.

Also, unlike the case you chose, the Coolermaster case above has free shipping. In addition, that Coolermaster case is cheaper as well. That should cut down costs some considering that shipping from newegg for cases starts at $25. So you would essentially be paying $105 up front for that case.
Click to expand...
 
holinger said:
So I was thinking and what if I go for a single core psu for now. Is there any that are decently fast and cheaper that could do until I get a new monitor in six or so months? When I get a monitor I'll be getting a higher end CPU so if possible a single core would do
Click to expand...

You mean CPU? There aren't any cheap single core CPUs worth buying anymore. You can now get a dual-core, albeit a slow one, for $50 these days.
 
ok so i've got at least one of every part now... and they all seem pretty good... just wondering which of the 2 rams i should go for and which of the 2 motherboards i should go for. thanks!
 
Definitely the G.Skill RAM. As for the mobos, flip a coin.
 
i think i've got my build... newegg has the tempest case for 70 bucks free shipping... so maybe add 20 bucks
 
Million dollar question: Are you going to use eBay for most of your purchases?
 
million dollar answer... probably just the processor and possibly ram... hence they are the ones, in the first post, that say they can be cheaper on ebay.


its crazy how some things on ebay can be 30 dollars off... and others can be 40 dollars more lol
 
The key thing about eBay is "buyer beware." If you don't buy from an eBay seller that also has a(n online) store, the manufacturer warranties won't be honored (in addition to all of the usual eBay horror stories).

Stop using the after-rebate price; again, it doesn't work that way. Including shipping, how much would everything cost you at checkout?

Here's another choice for a good overclocking motherboard:

$85 - Gigabyte GA-EP43-DS3L (free shipping)
 
i know how ebay works. thanks. and i also know how rebates work. thanks. free shipping on the psu, free shipping on the cpu, free shipping on the ram, havent decided on a case yet so couldnt tell you shipping on that, 8 dollar shipping on the motherboard.
 
well christmas brought in another 135 dollars to add to the mix... i dunno if i should spend it on these parts or save it for a graphics card... decisions decisions
 
So there's no confusion, what's the most (now) that you can spend on this system?

And is your list (in the OP) the most current version?
 
You don't need DDR2 1000 RAM for overclocking the E7300. Drop down to the G.Skill DDR2 800 kit.

If you want to overclock, get a good CPU cooler. The Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro or the Xigmatek HDT-S963/S964 would work fine for your needs.

The case is really up to you, since you're the one who has to live with your decision. Personally, I'd go for the Elite 330 with its free shipping.

If you don't need or plan on using RAID, go with the GA-EP43-DS3L from Buy.com.

If you aren't keeping the BFG LS-550, you're crazy.

Later, after you've built everything, I suggest replacing the video card. One of the $200-$220 cards out now would easily run circles around your 9800GT, and it would allow you to run play your games at higher visual settings.
 
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