What should I upgrade?

V

Volk

Limp Gawd
Joined
Mar 20, 2003
Messages
169
Here's what I have:

AMD64 X2 3800
ASUS A8N-SLI
BFG 8800 GTS OC 320MB (rmad my 7900, random artifacts and black screens, got this)
1GB (2x512) DDR CORSAIR PC3200 (BH5)
WD RAPTOR 74GB

What is the cheapest most bang for the buck upgrade? 2 more GBs of DDR ram are going for $80ish, can I just throw these in with my current ram? Or would you advise getting a new mobo that can support DDR2/3 ram? I also need a new PSU as my current one is running 12 rails at 11.

Thanks.
 
12 rails at what? Please give us the specific brand and model (as well as total wattage) of the PSU you're using.

Additionally, please tell us the monitor you're using (as well as the resolution you use), as well as what you currently use the computer for. It would also help us if we knew the maximum amount that you could afford for all of your planned upgrades.
 
lol sorry, I use it for gaming and some photoshop. 19" lcd 1280x1024 resolution, and looking to spend around $300 for everything. Here's the voltages:

psu.jpg


Thanks.
 
Never trust software voltage reading. They are rarely accurate. The best/cost effective way to measure voltages is with a multimeter.

And you didn't answer one of tiraides' question: What PSU do you have?

And yes you can use 2GB of DDR RAM with your system.
 
If it's $300, you can do this:

Mobo/CPU/Memory/PS upgrade

Based on NewEggs prices:

Mobo - Intel based P35 mobo such as the Gigabyte GA-P35 DS3L for $90
CPU - Intel Core 2 E4500 at 2.2ghz for $125
Memory - 2 x 1 gig DDR2 800 G. Skill Ram for $45
PS - 400 watt Silverstone ST400 for $35 after rebate. *(If, your current PS is too weak)

Total - $295 w/o shipping.

Stick with that 8800GTS 320MB card for now. It should be fine running games at 1280 x 1024 res. If you want to stick with your current setup, just have your RAM at 2gigs (2x1gig) get a better PS if yours is not up to par and I would increase the HDD to a larger drive like at least a 320gig SATA 300. No sense upgrading your cpu as your current setup is an outdated socket 939 cpu/mobo setup.
 
You can sell your current hardware to help offset the cost of the upgrade, btw. That may give you more money to work with. Again, what PSU do you have? :p
 
here's my 2 cents;

cpu: AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ Windsor 3.0GHz Socket AM2 125W Dual-Core $154.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103773

mobo: Open Box: ASUS M2A-VM AM2 AMD 690G Micro ATX AMD $38.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131172R

ram: A-DATA 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 $44.99 - $10 mir
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211066

psu: SeaSonic SS-500ES ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 500W $69.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151040

Total: $308.96 - $10 mir + shipping

GL!
 
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