I need to upgrade with only 1,000 in cash. Does this work?

[johnboard21]

Edit: Below is what I have already purchased. Updated to help others. This includes which includes my current DVD and sound card. Below that is my original post.

$44.99
COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel, SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

$134.99
GIGABYTE GA-965P-DS3 Socket T (LGA 775) Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

$169.99
SAPPHIRE 100189L Radeon X1900GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 VIVO HDCP Video Card - Retail

$129.99
SeaSonic S12 Energy Plus SS-550HT ATX12V/ EPS12V 550W Power Supply - Retail

$217.00
Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 Conroe 2.13GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6400 - Retail

$274.99
SUPER TALENT 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model

$74.99
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD2500KS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

$5.99
Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - OEM

$39.99
Scythe SCNJ-1100P CPU Cooling Fan - Retail

Subtotal: $1,092.92

-------------------------------------------------------------------------



Currently using AGP card and chepo MOBO/RAM
Here's my plan

Intel Core 2 Duo 6400
EVGA GeForce 7600
1 Gig RAM (2 pc 512) DDR2 533
Abit AB9 MOBO
Case/500W power supply

Can I get this for 1,000 end price? If I have room to upgrade anything, what should get upgraded?

I'll throw into this my current IDE hard drive and IDE DVD ROM, and everything else. When I get more $$$ I'll swap the IDE for SATA on RAID.

A few questions:
The MOBO says it has an IDE port. Will it be ok using my IDE hard drives on this computer/mobo?

How bad is it not getting a card ready for DX10? Could I fit one that would work with it into my price range?

Thanks.

PS: I mainly use my computer for programming and gaming.

 

[apt403]

A few questions:
The MOBO says it has an IDE port. Will it be ok using my IDE hard drives on this computer/mobo?

How bad is it not getting a card ready for DX10? Could I fit one that would work with it into my price range?

if you use the IDE port for an HDD how do you plan on using optical drives? as far as DX10 goes youve got some time before its a must have. if you go the AMD route you might be able to fit an 8800gts in the build. can you give us a link to case/psu? bundled psu's are rarely any good.

 

[johnboard21]

I was going to Master/Slave it like I currently do. Will that not work? The stuff was going to come from Monarch Computers. I hadn't thought too much about the power supply. I was just going to pick one that got good reviews which could also fit within my budget.

The reports I see on dual core vs anything AMD has puts dual core way ahead. Would I loose more than I gain going to AMD with 8800gts?

 

[apt403]

you would lose a bit of performance compared to getting a c2d and an 8800gts, but if by getting that card instead of the 7600, you'll see insane boosts in gaming and still stay in budget. unless your muliti-tasking a whole lot or most of your apps are muliti-threaded, a dual core AMD cpu will perform about as well as a c2d.

 

[trixst4r]

Wouldn't really suggest dropping money on a 8800GTS on a budge build. Let's not forget power consumption for the 8800GTS and most likely cheaping out a cheap PSU for the build.

stick with the C2D and maybe look for a 1900GT to fit the bill? Drop to a 6300, buy a S3 (good Ocing, not sure about AB9 and not sure if this will save u money either).

just my opinion.

 

[johnboard21]

I read a Tom's Hardware article that said you need a top of the line processor to get the most out of your 8800. I figure I could get a graphics card that's still very good, but get a DX10 one later which is easier to upgrade than the processor.

I'm scared about over clocking given I don't have much experience.

Is the RAM ok?

Thanks for the help so far.

 

[apt403]

Is the RAM ok?

you mean for oc-ing? eh, it'll work, but you should get some faster stuff, DDR2-800 and faster is perferable. i got this stuff, i should be able to get to 3ghz with my E6300 (and scythe infinity for cooling) if i wanted too.

 

[johnboard21]

The ram looks really nice, but seems too expensive for my budget. What about budget ram?

 

[johnboard21]

I've changed my setup to the following found on NewEgg

$139
GIGABYTE 3D AURORA GZ-FSCA1-ANB Black Aluminum ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail

$129
GIGABYTE GA-965P-DS3 Socket T (LGA 775) Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

$219
POWERCOLOR X1950 PRO Extreme 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Extreme Edition Video Card With AC Cooling - Retail

$119
OCZ GameXStream OCZ600GXSSLI ATX12V 600W Power Supply - Retail


$217
Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 Conroe 2.13GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6400 - Retail

$274
SUPER TALENT 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model T800UX2GC4 - Retail

$47.99
ZALMAN CNPS9500 AT 2 Ball CPU Cooling Fan/Heatsink - Retail

Puts me at 1149 before shipping, which is just a tad over budget. I'm wondering how wonderful that 800MHz RAM is and if maybe I could do with a cheaper graphics card(?)

 

[sprite]

I've changed my setup to the following found on NewEgg

$139
GIGABYTE 3D AURORA GZ-FSCA1-ANB Black Aluminum ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail

$129
GIGABYTE GA-965P-DS3 Socket T (LGA 775) Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

$219
POWERCOLOR X1950 PRO Extreme 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Extreme Edition Video Card With AC Cooling - Retail

$119
OCZ GameXStream OCZ600GXSSLI ATX12V 600W Power Supply - Retail


$217
Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 Conroe 2.13GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6400 - Retail

$274
SUPER TALENT 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model T800UX2GC4 - Retail

$47.99
ZALMAN CNPS9500 AT 2 Ball CPU Cooling Fan/Heatsink - Retail

Puts me at 1149 before shipping, which is just a tad over budget. I'm wondering how wonderful that 800MHz RAM is and if maybe I could do with a cheaper graphics card(?)

Excellent choices. You could drop the case down to a Tsunami or something and drop to the Gigabyte S3 to save some money.

 

[sprite]

I've changed my setup to the following found on NewEgg

$139
GIGABYTE 3D AURORA GZ-FSCA1-ANB Black Aluminum ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail

$129
GIGABYTE GA-965P-DS3 Socket T (LGA 775) Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

$219
POWERCOLOR X1950 PRO Extreme 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Extreme Edition Video Card With AC Cooling - Retail

$119
OCZ GameXStream OCZ600GXSSLI ATX12V 600W Power Supply - Retail


$217
Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 Conroe 2.13GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6400 - Retail

$274
SUPER TALENT 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model T800UX2GC4 - Retail

$47.99
ZALMAN CNPS9500 AT 2 Ball CPU Cooling Fan/Heatsink - Retail

Puts me at 1149 before shipping, which is just a tad over budget. I'm wondering how wonderful that 800MHz RAM is and if maybe I could do with a cheaper graphics card(?)

Excellent choices, that RAM is highly rated and you should be able to hit at least 3GHz with it and the Zalman fan. That graphics card is a lot better than the 7600GT and sometimes beats the 7900GT should be a good choice for gaming until DX10 cards become mainstream. You could drop the case down to a Tsunami or something and drop to the Gigabyte S3 to save some money.

Sorry for double post

 

[johnboard21]

Do you mean this tsunami here for 115?

If I drop my motherboard, what do I get in it's place. I am using IDE for a while and liked the layout of the IDE port on that motherboard. What would you recommend?

Thanks.

 

[qwertycopter]

Okay, you didn't say if you're overclocking. If not, then you don't need to spend so much on 2GB RAM (stick to the ~$200 kits), you don't need the $50 heatsink (use stock; stock is even fine for moderate overclocks), and you could spend less on a case that is still decent ($40-$90 less).

I'm assuming you're getting that PSU to be ready for DX10 cards (overkill for your suggested rig). If that is the case, then why not step down a notch on this gfx card ($150 range). You'll save money you can spend on DX10 cards. Also, if you go for one of the massive 11" DX10 cards, they won't fit in your selected case without cutting some metal. It'll hang way over the 8.3" width motherboard, running smack dab into the non-removable HDD tray. It looks like you're futuring proofing, that's why I gotta say either get a compatible case, or get a cheap one now and when you upgrade to DX10 get a case to accomidate.

 

[yas]

Like they said get a gigabyte S3 to save a few $. If you plan on OCing then keep the ram and HSF but if you dont then get cheaper 533value ram and stick with stock heatsink.

 

[nibenentt]

Get the gigabyte S3 same layout and expansion slots as as the DS3, but without the solid capacitors, and a different wired network controller built in.

Every connector is in the exact same spot as the DS3 on the S3.

Just waiting to get the price from my supplier for the DS3 and then will decide which of the Gigabyte S3 and Gigabyte DS3 motherboards to get for my build in a weeks time. (down to these two as i need three PCI slots.)

If your planning on over clocking to 3GHz or more (on the E6400) go for the DDR2 800, but if leaving stock or only over clocking to E6700 speeds (2.66GHz) go DDR2 667, as its cheaper and barely slower. At 3.2GHz processor overclock the DDR2 800 would give a 1:1 FSB:Memory ratio and at 2.66 the DDR2 667 would give a 1:1 FSB:Memory ratio. The reason i went DDR2 667 with my E6600 is so at 3GHz (9*333) planned overclock a few months in runs at this 1:1 FSB:Memory ratio to give lower latency from the mismatch in clocks of ram and fsb that other speeds of ram would give.

 

[johnboard21]

Given all the above suggestions I'm now at here:

$49.99
COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UB Black /Blue Aluminum Bezel , SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

$124.99
GIGABYTE GA-965P-S3 Socket T (LGA 775) Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

$129.99
eVGA 256-P2-N615-TX GeForce 7600GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail

$119.99
OCZ GameXStream OCZ600GXSSLI ATX12V 600W Power Supply - Retail

$217.00
Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 Conroe 2.13GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6400 - Retail

$106.99
CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB (2 x 512MB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Desktop Memory Model VS1GBKIT667D2 - Retail

Subtotal: $748.95

Puts me below, which isn't bad. I plan to upgrade to DX10 when it comes out, and RAID SATA later as well. Anything I'm skimping on too much?

Thanks for the help so far!

 

[johnboard21]

Edit: Double post demons

 

[johnboard21]

I don't know if this warrants another thread or not, but am I a fool for not overclocking to the max?

 

[ValueDriven]

Generally good choices.

Why not consider an E6300 @ @$182 shipped? Especially with that MB & RAM and CPU cooler, you should be able to OC strongly. Anybody's reasoning for sticking with the E6400? :?: Both have same cache and apparently OC about the same. (See HardForum Intel Dualcore OC Database.)

If you want, put your HD's on the MB IDE connector and move your IDE CD/DVD burners to a PCI card. Card maybe not as fast but neither are the IDE CD/DVD burners. Usually not very costly ($). The down side is that you use/lose a PCI slot for other PCI uses (soundcards, etc). Anyone's comments on this? :?:

You should always research your internet vendors. :!: Newegg is great! Look at forums (TOMS, Anandtech, Sharkey come to mind), resellerratings and Seach engines for complaints. WRT Monarch has apparently had some issues. See various forums and the BBB http://www.atlanta.bbb.org/commonreport...lanta&compid=4000343&language=&code=GC. Paste in the address and type their security image, got me to their BBB page. Obviously, people with complaints generally post more than contented purchasers. Also depends on the criticality of the $ amount to you, i.e., if you can afford to risk $X on what looks like the world's best deal, maybe you'll have a good experience...maybe not(?).

Finally as an example only, I'm also shopping sales for a sytem to build relatively inexpensively. (PLEASE don't comment on my selections unless it's meant to help the original thread) From OUTPOST (FRY'S) I picked up an ANTEC P180B case for $90, and took a flyer (not the best PS rep) on the ANTEC HeNeo 550 modular PS for $70 (shipped). Both arrived very quickly in good condition. I got the EVGA 7600GT from CircuitCity for $90 AMR (shipped), no problem-o so far (I'm not a gamer). I decided to upgrade my HDs and purchased a 150GB WD Raptor from Newegg for $195 AMR (shipped), usual great service. (Alternative, two Seagate 320GB 7200.10 for $95 each.) For the last piece so far, I ordered a Tuniq Tower 120 CPU cooler last night from SVC for $64 shipped (a little more than I wanted to pay, but these are difficult right now to find in stock). I have previously ordered from them w/o problem, hope for the same here. Last pieces are the most critical -- MB, CPU & Mem. Thinking Asus P5B Deluxe Wifi, Intel E6300 and 2 GB dual-channel of undetermined OC capable RAM. Estimating $225 AMR for RAM (probably a little low), Hardware comes to $1100. Add about $140 for WINDOWS XP Professional OEM full version w/ VISTA BUSINESS rebate coupon from Newegg.

 

[-silencer-]

Get a Scythe Ninja (currently discounted to only $40) heatsink, and upgrade the RAM to Corsair XMS2 DDR2-800C5 (currently discounted to $124). Also, the Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3 is only $130 right now, so get that instead of the S3. For power supplies, I'd rather have the Corsair (SeaSonic) 520W for $120 - SeaSonic is the best combination of silence, power efficiency, and stability, and 520W is more than enough for SLI/overclocking.

Yes, if you're going Core2Duo, overclock it. It's free power with plenty of headroom for improvement..

 

[johnboard21]

Thanks for the help so far:

I was going to put my HD and DVD on the same IDE connection Master/Slave. I'm not sure why I'm sticking with the 6300 rather than the 6400. The dif isn't that much between them in price, but if you say they are the same thing when it comes to overclocking then that may not matter.

I'm probably going to go with NewEgg for all my stuff. They came recommended from a friend. And if I can get it all from one place, it's only one box I have to wait for!

The Corsair SeaSonic gets good reviews so I'll switch to that for my PS, I'm just worried that 520 won't be enough when I get the DX10 card. And silence is golden

The Scythe Ninja looked big. It is only $10 from the Zalman I had before. Is it a better buy? Would a better case be worth it for overclocking, or am I ok with an average case and the fan.

Here's what I'm at right now.

$49.99
COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UB Black /Blue Aluminum Bezel , SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

$129.99
GIGABYTE GA-965P-DS3 Socket T (LGA 775) Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

$129.99
eVGA 256-P2-N615-TX GeForce 7600GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail

$119.99
CORSAIR HX520w ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 520W Power Supply - Retail

$217.00
Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 Conroe 2.13GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6400 - Retail

$124.00
CORSAIR XMS2 1GB (2 x 512MB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X1024A-6400 - Retail

$39.99
Scythe SCNJ-1100P CPU Cooling Fan - Retail

Subtotal: $810.95


Still some room to grow, if it'll help.

Thanks!

 

[Featherstone]

If you're going to be gaming (sorry if you mentioned something about this, didnt have time to read all of the posts) I would consider getting an x1900GT instead for $176 shipped

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?DEPA=0&type=&Description=X1900GT&Submit=ENE&N=0&Ntk=all&Go.x=0&Go.y=0

Benchmark examples

HL2- x1900GT: 50 fps
7600GT: 28 fps

Oblivioin- x1900GT: 23 fps
7600GT: 13 fps

Prey- x1900GT: 47 fps
7600GT: 32 fps


Just some random benches from THG

http://www23.tomshardware.com/graphics.html?modelx=33&model1=529&model2=549&chart=214



You're also going to want some AS5 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835100007

Also, it sounds like you are planning on upgrading this computer for a while, I would get 1 stick of 1GB ram instead of 2 512's in order to keep memory slots free

If you like the corsair

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145153


also here is some OCZ and G.SKill

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820231085

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820227123



Also here is a cheaper (108 shipped) more powerful Antec Power supply, I getting this, or something close to this would let you upgrade more in the future without worrying about power issues

Antec 650W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817371001

Well, theres my suggestions...

 

[johnboard21]

Thanks for the suggestion. I think the X1900GT is indeed a good upper/middle card for my system, which brings me to $850

 

[johnboard21]

I thought 2x512 would run faster than 1x1024. Is it a little or a lot faster? If just a little, then I'll get the 1x1024.

The Antec 650W seems to get decent reviews, but the Corsair SeaSonic seems to get better reviews as well as being silent. Of course if it doesn't work for my future system, then better reviews are mute.

Thanks!

 

[rdhood]

Currently using AGP card and chepo MOBO/RAM
Here's my plan

Intel Core 2 Duo 6400
EVGA GeForce 7600
1 Gig RAM (2 pc 512) DDR2 533
Abit AB9 MOBO
Case/500W power supply

Can I get this for 1,000 end price? If I have room to upgrade anything, what should get upgraded?

.

Get DDR2 800 memory instead of 533

Get GF 7900GS instead of 7600 . They are about $30 more than the 7600GT( 7900s have been on sale a lot lately, and are only a little more than 7600 but about 50% better performance)

I'd personally go for one of those gigabyte S3 boards. They are about $30 less than the Abit.

Get one of the Ultra V 500 for free at frys.com right now.

I think you have enough left for one or two of those 320GB Seagate .10 SATAII drives (been going for about $70-90).