What to replace first?

B

burro

Weaksauce
Joined
Aug 24, 2007
Messages
95
Hey guys, I'm looking to revamp this rig in a few months when my new job's income starts flowing in. Not many expensive changes, just looking to get some more reliable and well-worthy investments for folding and some gaming.

Specs:

Mobo: ASUS M2N-32 SLI Deluxe
CPU: AMD 5000+ X2
RAM: 2GB of Corsair DDR2-800Mhz xms2
HD: 250gb 7200rpm Seagate
Graphics: MSI 8600GTS OC
PSU: Noisetaker 2 600W

I was really looking into replacing the graphics card and/or getting a new motherboard fitted with an Intel Duo-Core. The new ATi 4850 really has me anxious.. the price/performance ratio is just unbelievable. Never seen something like it. I just have an itch to switch over to Intel, but it's much more pricey than grabbing a new video card. My motherboard is still extremely good considering its release date.. it's just been unreliable.
 
I'd just get the 4850 and wait and see how the nehalem turns out or if 45nm phenoms will work in your motherboard.
 
Sell your board and get a crossfire ready board, keep the 8600 GTS for a bit, pick up a 4870 or 4870 X2 in a month or two. still cheaper than starting over going Intel. Only recommending this because you said your board has been unreliable. Also, hint: Avoid ASUS like the plague.

I'm assuming that 5000+ is AM2?
 
Yeah, it's an AM2 board, but it's an old one. It does support the latest AMD processor, including the quad-core Phenoms, but you'll probably need to update your BIOS before hand.

However, since you've said that your board has become unreliable, listen to silent-circuit.
 
For gaming you need a much faster CPU and gfx card and whatever is required to support that.
If you get a DDR2 mobo, your ram is ok for an E8400 with a little overclock or any previous version CPU's clocked highly.
Your PSU should be fine as long as you dont go dual GPU.
 
I will have about $300 that I will willingly spend. Maybe a little more for a bit more "oomph."

I've been gaming since 2000, and got a 8600 GTS from a friend for free when my old 1950 XTX broke. Big loss in performance, but it was better than nothing.. that's for sure.

It is an AM2 processor, it's just been a while since I really listed my specs in an easy straightforward way so I may have left something out :)

I'm also checking out the 4870, I had no idea it was so cheap.. maybe that would be a good start. I will be upgrading the next part (mobo and/or cpu) not too long after that. Maybe 2 months afterwards. I'm looking into the Nehalem processor being my new one whenever it comes time for it.
 
Nehalem isn't going to be even borderline affordable (read: under $1000 for a chip) for at least 8-10 months if the current roadmap is adhered to, so I wouldn't be worrying about that right now.
 
I agree with Silents suggestions on the cpu/mobo upgrade. Since your current mobo is acting flakey, there is no sense upgrading the GPU. For $300, you can upgrade the CPU/MOBO to say an Intel E7200 cpu with an Intel P43/P45 chipset mobo. Though you're sill stuck with an 8600GTS video card, what's more important now is you will have a more stable and reliable system. Plus, it definitely blows that X2 5000+ cpu.
 
Decided I'm going to go a bit "go big or don't go at all" and get an E8500 with a p45 chipset mobo.. along with an Arctic Freezer 7 (unless Newegg is lying to me.. this thing is godlike)

My next question is: I really want a p45 mobo just so I can be a bit more modernized, but are there any good ones out that really stick out with Wi-Fi that anyone knows about? I currently use a Wi-Fi ASUS board so I don't want to have to set up a wireless card if it's difficult. I think I have this wireless card sitting around from a while ago when it was on sale for next to nothing: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16839121008 but if there's no mobo that really sticks out (and is somewhat cheap) and can't support my RAM or something.. then I guess I'll stick with ASUS although they've really damaged my computer and myself with all of its unreliability.
 
One, NewEgg lies. A lot. Or rather, the people writing the reviews, since many of them don't know what they're talking about. Take NewEgg reviews with a grain of salt, and check out a few hardware review sites (starting here, of course) for more answers.

There's really no P43/P45-based board at this time with an onboard wireless adapter. Or rather, none that I would recommend at this time (though I really don't know of any). If you're afraid to go back to Asus, you could also pick boards from Gigabyte, MSI, DFI, Foxconn, or Abit.

A few quick questions:

- How much, at most, are you willing to spend on all of your upgrades?
- Which monitor/resolution are you using?
- Which games are you planning to play?
- Do you plan on overclocking?
 
I'm willing to spend ~$350 for the cpu and mobo and whatever HSF I need. Probably about a $250 video card after that.
I'm using http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?Item=N82E16824014111 (a BenQ at 1280x1024)
I'm planning on playing Warhammer Online, the new WoW expansion, and hopefully a new FPS. Forget which one is the one everyone is talking about, but I'd like to have some good performance for the next year or 2.
I've overclocked mildly before and plan on doing it a bit more this time around.
 
E8400 - $160
Xigmatech HDT-S1283 + bolt thru kit - $50
ASUS P5Q Pro - $150
4GB (2x2GB) G.Skill DDR2-1000 - $90 (if needed)

Radeon HD4850 - $170
 
Thanks for the help everyone, I think silent just finished my question :) Love the help around here. You guys helped me build this rig two years ago and now you're helping me fix it up a bit XD

I actually just ordered the Xigmatek cooler because it's more universal and I can put it on my current processor :) Everything's looking to go very well. Thanks so much.
 
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