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Gaming Build Upgrade

W

wirex

n00b
Joined
Jun 9, 2010
Messages
25
1) What will you be doing with this PC?

Gaming primarily

2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?

$<350 and yes (Canadian)

3) Where do you live?

Canada

4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. "Everything" is not a valid answer. Please list out all the parts you'll need.

CPU (unless it's worthwhile to keep an x2 6000+)
RAM
Mobo
Case
OS (Leave that out of the budget though)

5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.

Graphics: 7800gt
PSU: OCZ 700w (I think)
CD Drive
Harddrive

6) Will you be overclocking?

Unlikely

7) What size monitor do you have and/or plan to have?

22" (1680x1050)

8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?

Within the next week or two

9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? etc.

SATA and the other basics

10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If yes, what OS? 32bit or 64bit?

No, will purchase 7 64bit. (Again not part of the overall budget mentioned)



Additonal notes:

May be able to get a used 9800gtx from a friend for $50 (again not part of budget) but just putting it out there, no need to purchase a new graphics card for now....

My friend has been enjoying SC2 beta, however since we found a bad stick of ram (kept bsod'ing, and now reduced to 2gb) we've seen the game crash constantly, doesn't seem to affect other applications, but he wants to upgrade and get back into it...
 
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If gaming is all you do then your GPU is the limiting factor. You said you have an x2 6000+ which is old, but the 7800gt is just as old. If you can get that 9800GTX for $50 then grab it. They aren't the greatest cards but at that price you can't really argue with the performance you get.

Is your budget completely fixed or could you stretch it a bit more?
 
 
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Shadow song, yes I realize that the graphics is a huge bottleneck, I will try to get that graphics card since I know that $50 it can't really be beat, however, I think the SC2 game crashing has to do with something else besides the graphics card...

Hossdaddy thanks for the suggestion, that was something very similar to what I recommended, and i totally forgot about the combo deals that could save a fair amount of money, but is a dual core really any good these days? I was leaning a bit more towards the X3 440...
 
wirex said:
Shadow song, yes I realize that the graphics is a huge bottleneck, I will try to get that graphics card since I know that $50 it can't really be beat, however, I think the SC2 game crashing has to do with something else besides the graphics card...

Hossdaddy thanks for the suggestion, that was something very similar to what I recommended, and i totally forgot about the combo deals that could save a fair amount of money, but is a dual core really any good these days? I was leaning a bit more towards the X3 440...
Click to expand...

A fast dual core like the X2 555 is still adequate for most games out there. With that said, the X3 440 can't hurt.
 
I'm curious as to which particular model of OCZ PSU you have and how long you've had it for.

There's nothing more I can add in regards to this particular upgrade, but you should also consider things that you may end up replacing in the near future.
 
wirex said:
Shadow song, yes I realize that the graphics is a huge bottleneck, I will try to get that graphics card since I know that $50 it can't really be beat, however, I think the SC2 game crashing has to do with something else besides the graphics card...

Hossdaddy thanks for the suggestion, that was something very similar to what I recommended, and i totally forgot about the combo deals that could save a fair amount of money, but is a dual core really any good these days? I was leaning a bit more towards the X3 440...
Click to expand...

that cpu has a 75% chance to unlock to a full quad core. If not it should overclock to 3.6 or 3.8 which will handle anything very well.
 
I think it's the 700w Gamestream power supply, I'm not at all interested in replacing it at this time, when it dies I will have to come around and get something else, but hopefully that doesn't happen for a while...

Hoss thanks for the suggestion, but this build is for a friend who will not overclock/unlock CPUs, what would be the best option at stock speeds?
 
What motherboard do you have now.. it may be worthwhile to get a newer am2+ phenom & devote more of your budget elsewhere assuming that your mobo will support it. Also what ram are you currently using.
 
Well it's an HP build, but the BSOD'ing is coming back and we pretty much want to get rid of anything that might have caused it (ram, harddrive, overheating, whatever)

Anyways after some more research I was able to find a NZXT M59 case for $50 freeshipping/tax

And to go along with that, we are getting the x3 440 combo'd with an MSi 770 mobo for $134. Also getting the Gskill ram.


Thanks everyone
 
if you are going to be playing any game from the last 3 yrs that 7800gt will be a bottleneck for the system. I would definitely start saving for a gpu upgrade.
 
Yeah I realize the gpu is a bottleneck, but right now the computer will not be able to play through a short game of SC2... As soon as it's running stable I will worry about adding a more powerful graphics card... It may come within the next month or so, I'm considering an MSi GTS 250 for $87 after rebates... But if I can hold out longer I'm aiming for something along the lines of a 5750 or better/dx11 capable...
 
wirex said:
I think it's the 700w Gamestream power supply, I'm not at all interested in replacing it at this time, when it dies I will have to come around and get something else, but hopefully that doesn't happen for a while...
Click to expand...

Again, how old is it? Here's why that question is relevant.

If you've had the PSU for more than two years, you need to seriously consider buying a new PSU for your friend in the near future. It's not worth the risk.
 
Go with this. This should deliver for your budget. For now, just reuse your 7800GT or buy that 9800GTX for $50

OCZ Gold 4GB DDR3 1066 + AMD Athlon II X3 440 both for $151.98
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.441618

MSI 740GM-P25 AM3 AMD 740G Micro ATX for $54.99
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130288

Rosewill R101-P-BK 120mm Fan MicroATX for $29.99
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147112

Antec NEO ECO 520C 520W for $64.99
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371030

Total: $301.95 + $27.47(shipping) = $329.42
 
HardwareGuru said:
Go with this. This should deliver for your budget. For now, just reuse your 7800GT or buy that 9800GTX for $50

OCZ Gold 4GB DDR3 1066 + AMD Athlon II X3 440 both for $151.98
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.441618

MSI 740GM-P25 AM3 AMD 740G Micro ATX for $54.99
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130288

Rosewill R101-P-BK 120mm Fan MicroATX for $29.99
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147112

Antec NEO ECO 520C 520W for $64.99
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371030

Total: $301.95 + $27.47(shipping) = $329.42
Click to expand...

only one problem HardwareGuru, here in Canada we have a 13% HST so its more like $302 + $39.26 + $27 shipping = $368.26.

If you can get to a Canada Compters (20 some locations across Ontario assuming you are in Ontario)

AMD Athlon II X4 635 (95W) Quad Core Socket AM3, 2.9GHz $114.99

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series DDR3 1600MHz (PC3-12800) 4GB (2x2GB) $105.99

BIOSTAR A770E3 Socket AM3 AMD 770 + SB710 $57.99

Cooler Master Elite 335 Black Mid Tower $42.99

Total: $321.96 + tax
 
Man, 1 of the reasons why I can't stand configuring builds for Canada. LoL. The combo deals not that good on OldEgg.
 
HardwareGuru said:
Man, 1 of the reasons why I can't stand configuring builds for Canada. LoL. The combo deals not that good on OldEgg.
Click to expand...

I've found that Canadian build list tends to take at least twice as long to make than an American, British, or Australian build list. Just a random remark :D
 
Danny Bui said:
I've found that Canadian build list tends to take at least twice as long to make than an American, British, or Australian build list. Just a random remark :D
Click to expand...

I Think a good portion of that may be because alot of us know what combo's are hot without having to actually search through them. Its just a matter of adding the right parts to the cart.
 
Danny Bui said:
I've found that Canadian build list tends to take at least twice as long to make than an American, British, or Australian build list. Just a random remark :D
Click to expand...

How do you figure? You are only using newegg.ca? The biggest difference in the 2 sites is 1) less combo deals 2) very few free shipping deals.
 
hossdaddy said:
How do you figure? You are only using newegg.ca? The biggest difference in the 2 sites is 1) less combo deals 2) very few free shipping deals.
Click to expand...

That's the two reasons why it takes me longer to find the right build for Canadians.

Also, when I have to use NCIX, that takes even longer as NCIX has this stupid practice of listing all their AR prices rather than the actual price of the product. Keep getting confused and slowed down like that.
 
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