So should i upgrade or just get a new computer entirely?

Rx_Matador

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Oct 27, 2009
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Subject pretty much says it all. My system specs are in my signature and if upgrade what should i upgrade? Trying to focus on RAM, CPU, GPU, and PSU.but if i go new i would like to focus on keeping it under $650 and here is the outline for the new build.

1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
Photoshop, Gaming, Web browsing, Movies, basic all around use. (more on the heavy gaming side.)
2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
$650 hopefully with shipping but not the end of the world if it goes over.
3) Where do you live?
New York
4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. Please be very specific.
Everything excluding extra peripheral things (like mouse keyboard etc...) and OS
5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
Just my OS
6) Will you be overclocking?
I might dabble nothing to serious though
7) What size monitor do you have and/or plan to have?
22" wide screen
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
When i gather the money.
9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? etc.
any little extra is a bonus but i don't really "need" anything other then the board itself.
10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license?
Yes.
If i go the new route i would like a smaller case then the sniper as much as i love it, it just isn't the best on desk case. Possibly go with either of these. Lancool PC-K58W or LIAN LI PC-7B. Any help is appreciated int his matter thank you in advance.
 
780a chipset with 4GB of DDR2 800? I'm thinking we can keep those,

firstly you want to wait: We're staring down the barrel of a loaded 384bit 512core monster called fermi. Its probably going to squash AMD pricing. We know the chips taped out an in production. The production numbers are low but I still expect to see a failed hard launch (like a firm launch or a amorphous solid launch) in late february or march.

bearing that in mind, I'd say your looking at a
new PSU + Phenom II X4 + HD 5.8k
==OR==
new PSU + PII X4 + HD 5.7k + 64GB SSD.

I'd personally urge you toward the latter
 
I would keep the ASUS Mobo and the DDR2 800 RAM. Your mobo can support the AMD Phenom II X4 955 with the Bios 2602 version. This is all you need for your upgrade. I would upgrade your PSU also.

XFX Radeon HD 5770 1GB + AMD Phenom X4 955BE Quad both for $329.99 w/free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.300822

Antec Truepower New TP-550 for $79.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371020

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB for $54.99 w/free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181

LIAN LI Lancool PC-K58W for $79.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112238

Subtotal: $544.96
Shipping: $24.68
Total: $569.64
 
that looks pretty good, but i was thinking about going with the nvidia route.
Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition - $165.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103674
Antec TruePower New TP-550 - $79.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371020
BFG Tech GeForce GTS 250 1GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814143211
Total
$374.98
With Shipping
$387.43
(the gts 250 should meet my gaming needs for the time being. Other then DX11 is there any big reasons to switch over to the ati hd5 series?)
is that looking like any good for the time being? I can wait on the case.
 
(the gts 250 should meet my gaming needs for the time being. Other then DX11 is there any big reasons to switch over to the ati hd5 series?)

Better price to performance ratio for one. The HD 5750 outperforms the GTS 250 IIRC yet only costs about about $3 more once you factor in shipping:
$140 - XFX HD-575X-ZNFC Radeon HD 5750 1GB PCI-E Video Card

With that said, if you do not care about a lifetime warranty but want a best price to performance video card, this HD 5770 is a better choice:
$155 - Sapphire 100283-2L Radeon HD 5770 1GB PCI-E Video Card

It's only $18 more than the GTS 250 once you factor in shipping but offers significantly more performance.
 
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