Yet Another Computer Building Thread
Thansal
The New Scum Join Date: 2002-08-22 Member: 1215Members, Constellation
The New Scum Join Date: 2002-08-22 Member: 1215Members, Constellation
<div class="IPBDescription">I need help</div> ok, so I have decided that it is time to start upgrading my computer, however I need to do it on a budget.
Basicaly I am saying that I can spend no more than $500 (and I don't want to spend that much if possible) so I need the most bang for my buck, and to reuse my old hardware when ever I can.
My current system Specs:
MoBo:
ABIT KT133
CPU:
AMD Athalon 1.1 Gig TBird Socket A
RAM:
DIMM 1: Kingston SDRAM PC133 256megs
DIMM 2: SDRAM PC142 256megs
GFX Card:
Geforce 4 Ti 4200 64 megs ram
Sound Card:
SBLive! (I will probably be keeping this as I see no real reason to upgrade)
Powersuply: 300W
I don't know what my power suply is.
I will also be picking up a DVD burner (to replace my CD burner)
So, any help would be muchly apreciated!
Basicaly I am saying that I can spend no more than $500 (and I don't want to spend that much if possible) so I need the most bang for my buck, and to reuse my old hardware when ever I can.
My current system Specs:
MoBo:
ABIT KT133
CPU:
AMD Athalon 1.1 Gig TBird Socket A
RAM:
DIMM 1: Kingston SDRAM PC133 256megs
DIMM 2: SDRAM PC142 256megs
GFX Card:
Geforce 4 Ti 4200 64 megs ram
Sound Card:
SBLive! (I will probably be keeping this as I see no real reason to upgrade)
Powersuply: 300W
I don't know what my power suply is.
I will also be picking up a DVD burner (to replace my CD burner)
So, any help would be muchly apreciated!
Comments
First, does the $500 include the cost of the DVD burner?
If not, try these:
CPU: <a href='http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-103-377&depa=1' target='_blank'>AMD Athlon 2800XP</a> $147
Mobo: <a href='http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-131-501&depa=1' target='_blank'>Asus A7V880</a> $72
RAM: <a href='http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=20-145-477&depa=1' target='_blank'>Corsair 512mb PC3200 (2 x 256)</a> $93
Video: <a href='http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-128-188&depa=1' target='_blank'>Gainward FX5700Ultra</a> $188
Total=$500
Ever.
Get a Radeon 9600 or something, I see Talesin is reading the thread, he'll probably say the same (only in 50000 paragraphs).
Seriously, nothing in the old system is really save-able excepting the sound card, optical drives and hard drives... the RAM is SDR (and swapping to DDR makes a *big* difference), the mobo can only support SDR, and you technically *might* be able to keep the 1.1 T-Bird, but there's no real reason to, and it's more of a hassle to find a newer mobo (DDR) that can support an older processor like that.
Seriously, nothing in the old system is really save-able excepting the sound card, optical drives and hard drives... the RAM is SDR (and swapping to DDR makes a *big* difference), the mobo can only support SDR, and you technically *might* be able to keep the 1.1 T-Bird, but there's no real reason to, and it's more of a hassle to find a newer mobo (DDR) that can support an older processor like that. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
The drop in processor costs means you will probably save more money just getting new memory and a new processor rather than trying to find one that supports your old HW.
The cheapest memory is the most popular memory. SDR prices have been increasing ever since DDR has been mass produced.
I am also guessing that I will need more then a 300W powersuply if I do upgrade all of these things?
oh, and do I want to pick up an anthalon 64 or xp.
I am sorta outa the loop on where tech is atm due to real life <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->
oh, and what do people think about these types of bundles:
<a href='http://www.mwave.com/mwave/ProdMBBUNDLE-XP.hmx?updepts=BUNAMDCPU&DNAME=Motherboard+Bundles+By+AMD+CPU' target='_blank'>http://www.mwave.com/mwave/ProdMBBUNDLE-XP...dles+By+AMD+CPU</a>
(Note I like MWave, just a personal thing, I have had only good dealing with em, and with the bundels I can save some $$)
Get this
Abit NF7pro (if its still called pro) (80 something)
athlon xp 2800+ (140ish I believe)
1gig corsair xms (200ish i think)
Radeon 9800 pro (196)
This is over your budget by like 100 bucks but if you can SAVE A LITTLE MORE....you can do it easily.
spooooge
It isn't the saving thing, it is more that I have to also save money for other things (like upcoming holidays)
/me pokes around some more using MWAVE bundles.
and If I get lazy I can have them assemble it all and test it for $9.... (or not)
oh, and I am compleatly open to getting any card, I have used NVidia simply b/c I have been given them for xmas and such <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->
Edit: I can get the mobo, cpu, and memory (kingston instead of corsair) for $289 instead of $312 If I buy an MWave bundle
and CWAGS Comes out to:
$389 (ussing kingston again, and a ABIT NF7-M-MB (as I didn't see one listed as pro, I just nabed the most expensive one
Get an Athlon 2500+ Barton, and invest 30 bucks in a kickass volcano cooler and OC it to 3200+
I tend to break what ever I am working on, thus I stay away from overclocking anything.
Heck, I can never install a gfx card with out breaking everything, and generaly taking 2 days to get it to work <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/smile-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
I can also shave off ALOT of $$ by buying things OEM (If I remember correctly, that is basicaly buying the piece and NOTHING else, aka, I need to pick up a fan if I want to do that for my CPU)
oh, and where do you people see 9800pros for sale at $200? I am seeing like $230 (unless it is the OEM powered by ati from MWave)
here is my shoping list, I am basicaly going with what spooge recomended (though I realised I had some more $$ so I decided to up the RAM to 1Gig)
so here we go:
<a href='http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=13-131-501&depa=0&manufactory=BROWSE' target='_blank'>ASUS "A7V880" VIA KT880</a> $72
<a href='http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=19-103-377&depa=0&manufactory=BROWSE' target='_blank'>AMD Athlon XP 2800+</a> $139
<a href='http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=20-145-440&depa=0&manufactory=BROWSE' target='_blank'>Corsair Value Select Dual Pack 1Gig (2X512) DDR PC-3200 OEM</a> $157
<a href='http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=14-102-361&depa=0&manufactory=BROWSE' target='_blank'>ATI RADEON 9800 PRO Video Card, 256MB DDR</a> $269
the final questions are:
Am I being an idiot and screwing some thing up?
I need a new PSU probably, don't I? (as my old one is 300W), what should I get?
Total (including S&H): $640.97
thank you to any one who can help this idiot out <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/smile-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
Wouldn't that meen that any new ram would be incompatible with his mobo?
Thansal, the list looks good. Personally I'd want a 350 or 400W PSU, but you might be able to squeak by with only a 300. The R9800 Pro will *tell* you if it's underpowered. If it's marginally underpowered is the dangerous part. It'll think it's cool, so won't alert you... but performance will degrade.
Besides, a whole new CASE with a 400W PSU is like... $20 at Fry's. :b
Again, good call with the VIA, AMD, and ATI. Winning combo for me, so far.
Though on the hard drive side, AVOID the damned IBM DeskStar series. The guys who did a bundle deal on my Ath64 tossed one in, and it's starting to die after less than a year. :b
as I can get great shipping from newegg, any suggestions for a new case/PSU?
<a href='http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=11-164-012&depa=0' target='_blank'>http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc....-164-012&depa=0</a> (cheapest with 2 fans)
I tihnk I am gona try and do this right this time, buy some ZipTies from work and actualy keep my cords in order....
Get an Athlon 2500+ Barton, and invest 30 bucks in a kickass volcano cooler and OC it to 3200+ <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
*tv commerical style*
I tried it, and it works! <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/biggrin-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
Agreed. Running an:
-AMD Athlon 64 3000+
-VIA K8M800
-ATi Radeon 9600.
And this thing can fly.
Still, can anyone answer me questions on Cases/PSUs?
I figgure I probably want a case with a 400W PSU, and 2 case fans, any comments?
I again, know nothing about casses/PSUs