Need Help on Upgrade

[cyber_hawke]

I currently have an Asus A7N8x2 motherboard, with a Barton 2800 CPU and 1GB of 333 Ram. I also have a 7600 GS video board.

I would like to upgrade my system but really don't know where the cost/benefit sweet spot is. I have been looking at several sales sites, like egghead....but am lost. Should I consider going to a 939 form or something else? I think I should move to 2GB RAM, but am lost from there.

Any help would really be appreciated.

 

[cyber_hawke]

I do have a relatively OK case with three fans and an ANTEC 450W power supply. New DVD, keyboard, etc.

Thanks :lol:

 

[enforcerfx]

You could consider a Core 2 Duo setup. Whats your price range?

 

[cyber_hawke]

Core 2 Duo....OK, now I know what the C2D I have been reading about stands for. I would like to stay around $1K...but willing to go up or down depending on the system. I don't want to be on the leading edge of speed/technology, but usually there is a price sweet spot somewhere behind that edge. I just don't know where to start. Guess I need a MOBO, CPU, Mem, and since the newer boards are PCI, will need a new video card. I don't know if my 450Watt power supply will be enough, and guess I won't need my sound card any more since it appears that most MOBOs are coming with good sound.....any ideas? :?:

 

[yas]

You need to give more details about what you want exactly. Do you plan on ocerclocking? Do you want to play the latest games? Anyways this is what i would recomend and you might want to have a look at it:

intel C2D E6400 $220

abit AB9 pro $140
or
gigabyte DS3 $140

2 x 1gb 667mhz DDR2 ram any good make like corsair or OCZ for example

I think you could leave your gfx card if you want or if not then you could go with the ati 1950 pro which is like a stop off before getting a DX10 card in the futur. Your PSU should be fine as well

 

[cyber_hawke]

OK, I know I sound like I need a "stupid stamp", (and I probably do).

What is 667MHz DDR2 RAM? Do I look for that on a marketplace like egghead or does it have another number?

Also my current 7600 is an AGP slot card (?). I thot I needed to upgrade to a PCI slot card. Are there different type PCI slots?

Is the ati 1950 like the nvidia 7950? My 7600 keeps asking for me to connect it in the SLI mode....think it needs 2 boards to do that.

 

[yas]

667mhz is basically the bus speed that the ram has to send info the northbridge. You wont need higher than that unless you plan on serious overclokcing.

For the graphics card you will need a PCIe slot so you will need a new graphics card. As I said if you can afford it I would advise the ati 1950pro. It compares to the 7900GS but beats it in everyway although no it is not as good as the 7950. what do you think?

 

[cyber_hawke]

OK, went to egghead and found the C2D E6400, for $218. Also found the two motherboards. They looked about the same (hah, like I know what to look for!). Is there anything that I should be looking for to differentiate between the two of them? Also found the RAM, I thought that low latency was better, but couldn't find any latency numbers...the corsair 2x1gb 667 DDR2 PC5300 is what you were talking about???? Again what should I be looking for to differentiate between the ones being offered????

Finally the video card...Found the 1950 PRO from ATI.....my son claims the 7950 is DX10 or is it 10DX compatible.....is the 1950 PRO???? Apparantly VISTA is right around the corner (whatever and whenever that is) and if I upgrade, then I need to be compatible to that.....did I get that right? :?

 

[cyber_hawke]

In looking at the video cards, which card is better the X1950PRO or the 7950GT? They seem to be in the same price bracket (within $10). Is there a better card here or are they the same? According to the story in Toms, the X1950 should be going for around $180, but egghead has it for $269.99....should I be shopping at a different place??????

 

[AMDThunder]

In looking at the video cards, which card is better the X1950PRO or the 7950GT? They seem to be in the same price bracket (within $10). Is there a better card here or are they the same? According to the story in Toms, the X1950 should be going for around $180, but egghead has it for $269.99....should I be shopping at a different place??????

Yes, either newegg.com, or pricegrabber.com to start. The X1950Pro isn't $180 any more.
X1950Pro at newegg
And try this mobo.
Gigabyte 965P-S3

Start with newegg. Best prices and shipping fees.

 

[NoLiMiT]

also the only DX10 card right now is the 8800 series...... also like this card
auto-$20 and $20 MIR....extra little boost per buck