Upgrading my Aging system.

C

CmaN3

Limp Gawd
Joined
Aug 5, 2004
Messages
368
So right now im running an old a64 3400, 1 gb of ram and a 9600 XT which is definately showing its age. I'm looking at replacing it with something like this:

Asus M2N AM2

Gigabyte 8600GT

A64 X2 4000+ Brisbane

Corsair XMS2 2gb

WD 250GB x2

I'm shaky on the Mobo and Video card. I havent really been keeping up with things so I just picked what sounded sorta nice. That with fans and other miscellaneous items comes to ~$470. This will be used for gaming, Source Engine, maybe crysis, fear, stalker . Now I've got a 400W FSP power supply, I'm curious If that will be enough for this? It isnt to old. If i dont have to replace that I can stretch my budget and pick up an 8800. I've also been looking at intel, something along the lines of E2200, P35 Gigabyte DS3L and 2 gigs of crucial. Budget for this is around $600 tops, might be able to stretch that. I've already a case and such.

My biggest question is if my FSP will have enough power for an 8800 or 8600. Becuase if it doesnt I'll have to go lower to pick up a new one.

Thanks.
 
don't go with the 8600 if anything, either the 8800 or the 3870/3850
now, in regards to your power supply being enough or not, how many amps does it have on the 12V rail? because in order to run an 8800gt you'll need at least 26
 
The FSP is not a power supply that I'd recommend. Since you need one on the cheap I suggest either the Xclio Goodpower 500 watt PSU or the Corsair 450VX.

Without cutting too many corners, here's a sample configuration (all prices based off of NewEgg, for simplicity's sake):

Corsair 450VX power supply - $80 (with $10 mail-in rebate)
Intel E2160 processor - $80
Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L motherboard - $97
G.Skill 2GB (2x1GB) DDR2 800 dual channel kit - $47
Western Digital 320GB SATA/300 hard drive - $80
VisionTek HD 3850 256MB video card - $170

Subtotal (not including shipping/taxes) - $554 (with a $10 mail-in rebate)

If you want to make this into a decent gaming rig, I'd suggest increasing your budget by at least $100. That way, you could purchase either an 8800GT or an HD 3870 and bump the PSU up to a more powerful one, like the Corsair 550VX.

Before I forget, what monitor do you have? And what (else, besides the case) are you planning on reusing?
 
I've got an 18 inch IBM CRT. I plan on reusing my case and CD drives. I'll definately upgrade to that HDD though, I'd rather have one than two. I havent been keeping up on new stuff is my problem.

I know that when i bought my FSP they were generally considered pretty good, and the one I have now has been powering my system flawlessly for over a year. The one I have has two 18A 12v rails though.

As for price limit, I just threw $600 out there becuase I know people always go over :p. I can go more than $600, its just means I have to wait longer, possibly until tax returns get here. If I do go with the 8800GT though, how much of a performance difference will there be? I plan on this lasting me for a while.

Thanks guys.
 
You have to remember, I'm using a 9600XT, which is what, 3, 4 generations old? I'm not much on eye candy, I just want something that will last me a while into the future. Probably have to last through college.
 
if your not much of a eye candy person then id go with a 3850 or 3870. they have direct x 10.1 so theyll be good for the "future".. w/e that is. the 3850 alone performs alot better than the 8600gts and u can find a 3850 256mb from bestbuy for $143.99 right now. only catch is, is that its online only. it also has lifetime warranty which is good.
 
So after reading review I've decided to go with the 8800GT and the build that Tiraides came up with. Should come to around $650ish, which isnt to bad. Just means it'll take a few extra weeks, damned car payments.
 
CmaN3 said:
So after reading review I've decided to go with the 8800GT and the build that Tiraides came up with. Should come to around $650ish, which isnt to bad. Just means it'll take a few extra weeks, damned car payments.
Click to expand...

Let me start by (re)stating:

tiraides said:
If you want to make this into a decent gaming rig, I'd suggest increasing your budget by at least $100. That way, you could purchase either an 8800GT or an HD 3870 and bump the PSU up to a more powerful one, like the Corsair 550VX.
Click to expand...

To make this easier/cheaper on you, get everything from two places -- NewEgg and ZipZoomFly.

Get these from ZipZoomFly:

Corsair 550VX power supply - $96 (with $15 mail-in rebate)
Western Digital 320GB hard drive - $80
Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L motherboard - $90

Subtotal - $266

The Corsair PSU and the Western Digital HDD both come with free shipping, so you're only really being charged for the motherboard.

Get these from NewEgg:

EVGA GeForce 8800GT 512MB video card - $270
Intel E2160 processor - $80
G.Skill 2GB (2x1GB) DDR2 800 dual channel kit - $47

Subtotal - $397

Total (not including shipping/taxes) - $663

If you want to knock the price back down to the sub-$650 range (before shipping/taxes), swap out the WD 320GB hard drive with a Seagate 250GB drive ($70) and swap out the G.Skill kit for the A-DATA kit ($43).
 
Oh I planned on buying from both places, I've built a few computers in the past :). Does anyone know where I can get a buntch of motherboard standoffs? Preferably the plastic clip ones, I know motherboards sometimes come with them but they usually come with the stupid metal ones which are a PITA.

Thanks guys. Gonna start ordering parts tomorrow :D
 
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