which upgrade path to take...

[AmongTheChosenX]

Alright so heres the dillemma...

m sister needs a new PC. Her Pentium 4 1.7 ghz is still chuggin, but it is really starting to show its age. She does not have alot of money (and I'm trying to sell her old stuff off). I'm figuring that she shouldn't need to spend more than $30 on to pof $50 she can get for her older parts...


She has a hard drive, 512 MB stick of PC3200 RAM (will work temporarily till i cna get her another 512 sick), a case, fans, Power Supply, CD Burner, etc. so all she needs is the Motherboard, CPU, and GPU so she can play call of duty 4...

I can go a few different routes...

1. I have an old Athlon XP 1700+ DUT3C sitting in my basement. I know that this one in this computer is running great, running steady at almost 2.3 ghz, i have never seen Windows XP Pro load so fast (were talking boot times of about 60-70 seconds).
I could pair that with a cheaper video card like a 9800 or something, and it will run COD4 fine (the 9600XT does a decent job of it)

2. I can go for a 754 Setup. Looking at possibly an Athlon 64 with an Nforce 3 or Nforce 4 motherboard for overclocking. the nforce 4 would have PCI Express, which might be a very viable option, and thus not limiting her on future upgrades, where as the Athlon XP setup will be a problem for upgrading.

3. Socket 939. I have an Opteron 146 in my basement, i'll sell it off to her for like $15, and then find a good Nforce 4 939 motherboard with PCI Express, and then pair that with a 7600GS or something of that kind (ATI equivilant). I know 939 systems will overclock very well, and most likely last her for about another 5 years, considering how she uses her computer...

4. Pentium 4 setup... this does not seem viable, but I could do either a 478 northwood setup, or a cheapo 775 setup with a 915 or 925X chipset, and pair it with a Pentium 4 530 prescott (I know, it runs so hot)...


What do you guys think would be the most cost effective option? Rememer, I'm not looking at alot of money to spend, this is strictly a low budget half-overhaul, and she only needs the Mobo, CPU, and GPU, possibly a second 512MB DDR1 stick if theres money leftover.

 

[deadken]

I'd think that option:

#1 is too similar to what she has now to really be called an 'upgrade'. I realize that a CPU running @ 2.3 would be a big difference compared to a 1.7Ghz CPU, but it really is more of the same in terms of technology. It most certainly would be cheapest, but I don't think it would last long.

#2 is a decent solution for a few years. I am currently running (4) 754 rigs and I'd say that they are still the best bang-for-the-buck, but other platforms are challenging that.Seriously, Newegg has an ATI based Mobo and 3200+ CPU for $60 AMIR. It has a PCI-e slot, but good luck finding a card for $20 shipped (the only amount left in your budget). I do remember seeing a BFG 6200 for $13 shipped AMIR, but I doubt that will do you much good.

#3 is the best way that I see to go since you are giving her the CPU at such a discount. Match up a used Mobo and a used Video card and she has something for now that has room to grow later (dual core and whatever new video card later). Combo deals in the For Sale/Trade forums will be your best chance to stay in budget.

#4 I don't know about pricing for these. Take a look in the forums, but I don't know if you will find what you want for the price you want.

Whatever way you go, considering getting more Ram soon. I can't imagine gaming with 512mb anymore unless the game is older then BF2.

 

[AmongTheChosenX]

yeah i think the 939 would be the best upgradability option for her.

and the RAM i'd prolly get her for her birthday in 2 months.

 

[mnewxcv]

yep #3