Small Upgrade - How Does It Look

[aShiQ]

Hey,

New to the forumz, however I have been reading around and well I guess it's time for me to do a small upgrade on my system nothing too big just now, anyway was wondering if the components looked good.

Current System:

Motherboard: ASUS A7N8X-LA
CPU: AMD Sempron 3300+ Socket A CPU, 400MHz, 512KB L2 Cache
Memory: Crappy PC2700 1024MB
Graphics Card: Sapphire X700 256MB AGP 8X
Power Supply: Rosewill RV300 ATX 300W Power Supply - Retail

Anyway the things, I am upgrading to will be...

Graphics Card: eVGA 256-A8-N506-AX Geforce 7800GS CO 256MB GDDR3 AGP 4X/8X Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16814130274

Memory: G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Unbuffered Dual Channel Kit System Memory Model F1-3200PHU2-2GBNS - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820231047

Power Supply: Thermaltake TR2 W0070 ATX 430W Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16817153023

DVDRW: SAMSUNG 16X DVD±R DVD Burner With 5X DVD-RAM Write and LightScribe Black ATA/ATAPI Model SH-S162L - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16827151118

So just wondering how everything looks, and if I should change anything. I really don't have a very big budget but around $550.

Anyway let me know how it looks and if anything will be a bottleneck or such. Also wondering if I should really upgrade the power supply not really looking to do it, if not needed.

Thank a lot

- aShiQ

 

[The_Prophecy]

Here's a better idea.... scrap the 7800GS (because that's probably going to be the best AGP card made..... Nvidia recently released the 7600GS but the 7800 beats it). You won't get the full potential of the 7800GS anyway because the CPU will be a big bottleneck.

Here are my suggestions for a new build:

CPU: AMD Athlon 64 3500+

Mobo: Asus M2N-E

RAM: G.Skill 2GB (2 x 1GB) DDR2-800

Video Card: eVGA Geforce 7600GS <--- Grab one of these for now, and then go after the DX 10 cards once they come out.

DVD Burner: NEC ND-3550A

Power Supply: Fortron Source 450W

Total before taxes and shipping: $560.46

 

[Wolfshadw]

Can't help but notice that's the same motherboard loaded in my Compaq Presario. If you do upgrade processor and motherboard, and you do have a Compaq case, you need to make sure the new motherboard fits in the case or you get a new case.

-Wolf sends

 

[Mondoman]

TP made some great choices. You will definitely notice the increased performance form the faster FSB/DDR2 & gfx. With the new MB, you can add on even more DDR2 RAM and upgrade PCIex gfx.
1 note: Personally, I would spend the $5 extra for the Samsung optical drive for the LightScribe & slightly faster speed.

 

[The_Prophecy]

Lightscribe is for lazy people...... get off your ass and label your disks yourself. Or if you're like me... you don't need to get off your ass, but you do have to label the disk.

 

[ethel]

If you're a gamer you should consider an X1800XT ($212 at newegg) and only 1GB RAM - that way you get much better graphics.

 

[The_Prophecy]

The ram will serve him better now, espeially if DX 10 is in his future.

 

[aShiQ]

Thanks for the advice TP I might actually go with what you said, expect change the dvdrw to a lightscribe... Not lazy just nice to have it if I ever need it, plus I don't mind the $5.00 premium.

As for the case, yup it's one of the HP ones, I hadn't thought of upgrading the mobo and cpu in the first place so didn't bother posting that, but now I just might need to get a case if the mobo can't be replaced... I'll measure it tomorrow.

I guess if my cpu will really be a bottle neck I'll go with the 7600GS, only reason I choose the 7800GS in the first place was because I heard it was the best current AGP card out.

Also I actually really need the ram, I do a lot of web design and stuff, and have tons of programs open.. Also gaming so it helps, I currently have 1024 and it's not really cutting it.

Also the system really is temporary, just upgrading it to run for a year or two then plan to upgrade to the latest and greatest... a Vista Capable, DX10 Card in SLI, with a C2D... but for the meantime this has to do.

Now the thing I have to worry about is that I placed a bid on eBay for the upgraded 3300+ processor which I am currently winning…, hopefully I don't win it now. :?

Thanks for the help guys.. I'll keep you updated should anything change.

- aShiQ

 

[aShiQ]

Was taking a look around for other graphics card and noticed this one..

eVGA 256-P2-N554-AX Geforce 7600GT KO 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130017

For about $145.99 after mail in rebate.. was wondering if I go with the AMD 64 would it be bottlenecked...?

Reason: I woudn't mind paying $36.00 extra for something that is better.

What do you guys think?

Thank You

- aShiQ

 

[The_Prophecy]

Assuming you're taking my advice about the new build, and can afford the extra cost, yes. That card would be a good choice.

 

[Fursecul]

The settup looks good just get a Leadtek 7600 GT EXTREME and you will de ok for some time,that's if you don'y wanna wait for DX10 cards

 

[The_Prophecy]

eVGA is a better brand IMO....

 

[aShiQ]

Yea... eVGA seems like the better brand to me too.

Anyway I am going with most of your setup; expect I changed the processor to something nicer...

New Setup:

Motherboard: ASUS M2N-E Socket AM2 NVIDIA nForce 570 Ultra MCP ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813131022

CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ Windsor 2000MHz HT Socket AM2 Dual Core Processor Model ADA3800IAA5CU - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16819103735

Memory: G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Unbuffered Dual Channel Kit System Memory Model F2-6400CL4D-2GBPK - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820231087

Graphics Card: eVGA 256-P2-N554-AX Geforce 7600GT KO 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16814130017

PSU: FSP Group (Fortron Source) AX450-PN, 12cm FAN, version 2.0, 2 SATA, PCI Express, 450W Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16817104954

DVDRW: SAMSUNG 16X DVD±R DVD Burner With 5X DVD-RAM Write and LightScribe Black ATA/ATAPI Model SH-S162L - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16827151118

Total: $688.46
Grand Total: $704.50

Doesn't seem like a bad deal and it will last me a while, plus I can upgrade to a DirectX 10 card a couple of months after they come along. Plus I have enough memory and processing power to do everything I need as well as handle Vista when that comes.

Wasn't actually planning on crossing $600.00 in the first place but if I can get a great system for a couple of extra dollars, I don't really mind.

Any thoughts?

Also was wondering would a C2D system be possible within this budget?

Thanks again.

- aShiQ

 

[The_Prophecy]

A Core 2 system would probably require more like $800-900.

 

[aShiQ]

Well than that's out of the question for now.

Anyway how does everything else here seem?

 

[The_Prophecy]

I worked it out.... using an E6300 and MSI P965 Neo-F, along with the same ram, power supply, dvd burner and video card, the build works out to $756.46. If this is simply too much, the AMD build will do fine.

Hae fun with the new rig.