Upgrading My PC, need advice! (PLEASE)

[ladic]

First of all, I'm a computer Noob, so I don't know much about upgrading PC's, but a friend of mine is coming in 6weeks to visit, and he can install the new parts.

This is what I currently Have on my PC:

Processor: AMD XP 1800+
Motherboard: Abit KT7/KT7 - RAID
Ram: 768mb pc-100 (crucial)
Video Card: Gainward G-Force 3 ti200 64mb
OS: Windows ME


This is what I was thinking of upgrading to:

Motherboard: ($54)
ECS L7S7A2 SiS 746 Chipset ATX Motherboard - RETAIL
Specifications:
Supported CPU: (Socket A) AMD Athlon XP CPU
Chipset: SiS 746 & SiS 963
FSB:266/333MHz
RAM:3xDIMM DDR400/333/266/200 Max 3GB (2GB Max for DDR400)
IDE:2xUltra DMA 66/100/133
Slots:5xPCI slots, 1xAGP(8X), No CNR Slot
Ports:4xUSB, 2xPS2, 1xLPT,2 xCOM, and Audio Ports
Onboard Audio:C-Media CMI9738/4CH AC'97 CODEC
Onboard LAN: PHYceiver 10/100Mbs
Included ECS 6-in-1 reader

CPU: ($92)
AMD ATHLON XP 2500+ "Barton" 333 FSB PROCESSOR CPU- RETAIL
Specifications:
CPU: 1.83 GHz
Type: XP 2500 Barton Core
Cache: 512K L2, 128K L1, Total 640KB
BUS: 333MHz
Socket A
Retail Box (Heatsink and Fan included)


RAM:
I'm gonna buy some Kingston ram from bestbuy 512mb PC2700, they have them for $40 for each stick.

Video Card:
Probably a ATI Radeon 9600 PRO, but further down the line.


Now, my question is is there a better combination you guys recommend for around that price? or does that sound good and like a good upgrade?
Also, I have 2 HD's in my PC (20gig and 40gig) and DVD-Rom, CD-RW, and the new video card that I might buy. My current case has a 300watt powersupply, is that enough or should I get a 350watt case with powersupply?
does any of this cases look good? and can they fit the MB i listed?

Case 1: ($60)
Raidmax Model 278WSP(SILVER/SILVER) 10-bay Case w/ 350Watt Power Supply Retail Mirage Series Steel Mid-tower case with Built in 2.0 USB and 2 LED strip" Bubble Light'' in front. Aluminum Silver and Plastic Front Panel with Acrylic Cover. Clear Fan with side panel window. Attractive Streamline design.
Specifications:
Material: Zinc Plated Steel
Driver Bays: Exposed 4 X 5.25" - 2 X 3.5" Internal 4 X 3.5"
System Board: ATX / Baby ATX
Expansion Slot: 7 Slots
Standard Fans: 1 X 80mm Side Case Fan
Dimension: 16.2"(H) X 8"(W) X 17.8"(D)
350Watt Power Supply


Case 2: ($37)
Raidmax Black 10-Bay ATX Mid-Tower Case w/ Front USB 2.0, Model 289WBP(Black) - Retail
Specifications:
Material: Zinc Plated Steel
Driver Bays: Exposed 4 X 5.25" - 2 X 3.5" Internal 4 X 3.5"
System Board: ATX / Baby ATX
Expansion Slot: 7 Slots
Standard Fans: 2 X 80mm Side Case Fan
Optional Fans: 4 X 80mm (front) 1 X 60mm (rear)
Power Supply: 350W
Dimension: 16.2"(H) X 8"(W) X 17.8"(D)

Case 3: ($45)
Codegen 6082L-C9 (Silver/Blue) ATX Mid-Tower Case w/ Clear Side Panel, Front Light-Up Panel - Retail
Specifications:
Form Factor: ATX
Drive Bays: External 4 x 5.25", 2 x 3.5" Internal 5 x 3.5"
Expansion Slots: 7
USB/IO: 2 x USB + Audio/Mic
Case Fans: 2 x 80mm (rear/side panel see pics)
Power Supply: 350W
Approx Dimensions: 19" (L) x 7.68" (W) x 17.52" (H


So which of those cases is the best? will they fit the MB I listed? is there a better case you guys recommend for around that price?

Please let me know what u guys think, I need a lot of feedback.

thanks

 

[xeenrecoil]

Heya Ladic;

Well my friend it looks like your gonna build a new computer core, thats lots of fun.

Lets start with motherboard, you dont build a house on sand, so lets consider brand for a moment, i would reccomend an Asus mobo, they are hands down the best.
Dual channel memory is the way to go, twice the performance vs single channel solutions.

Next lets talk about CPU, you want to get the absolute fastest CPU you can for under $200, it will yield the best results for you.

Memory well thats an area of great debate but i say Buy AIB, http://www.buyaib.com , they have a great product, choose option C and pay the extra $15 for each module you wont be dissapointed.

Video Card im kinda partial to Asus for video Card also, try the v9280S-tvd, its a monster.

As far as case goes there is no substitute for thermal disipation, and configuration, i suggest a ThermalTake Xaser.

I hope i have helped.

XeeN

 

[ladic]

thanks for the info, but some of those items you reccomend are little over my budget =).
Btw, I use my PC just for gaming and surfing the web.

 

[Crashman]

Btw, I use my PC just for gaming and surfing the web.

LMAO! Gaming is about the hardest thing ANY PC will ever do, and it's the only reason most people in here need top performance!

MSI makes the best SiS and nForce2 chipset boards, hands down. You should look around and see what you can find in your price range.

<font color=blue>Watts mean squat if you don't have quality!</font color=blue>