Need a LOT of help! pc just melted

[chrisc3]

Ok guys, i know this site has some genius's and i require your assistance! My current Desktop PC just died on me (officially) and i'm writing this on my laptop knowing that i need to buy a new system since my PC randomly shut off, smells bad and the CPU is burning hot.

The last time i upgraded anything on my PC was when AMD Athlon 64 bit chips were JUST coming out and cost a fortune. I had purchased an AMD 3200+ with 512mb dual channel and an Asus A7NBX-E deluxe motherboard. Other specs i can think of:
ATI Radeon 9600XT video card
530W power supply

hmm yea thats about it

Ever since that date, i have been out of tune with recent technology and need to upgrade (fast). Im a gamer, not hardcore and dont need all the insane of insane videocards, but i play MMORPGS, counterstrike, warcraft and such.. With a budget of roughly 800-1000$CAN, what would i be able to get? Im supposing my harddrives, videocards, and everything else should be re-usable?

i appreciate ALL POSTS. Thanks!

 

[Dade_0182]

Lets see some pictures of the old rig...

 

[ZozZoz]

Smells bad eh? My work computer also smelled bad once. Turned out that the company we ordered from, specifically the assembly team - didnt remove the protective coating on the base of the heatsink )).
but i digress...

keep the keyboard, mouse, power supply, case, harddrives.

You'd have to upgrade the Videocard however, the CPU and the ram .
A popular combination on the forums seems to be the following:

C2D E6300 or 6400,
Gigabyte DS3 Motherboard
Tuniq Tower Heatsink
and some RAM (800 for those bent on overclocking) or 533-667 for mild or no overclocks.

As for the video: its up to you coz I don't know what camp (ATI or NV) you belong to. Just don't throw out more than CAD300 on it.

 

[mkaibear]

It really depends what actually has died.

It's possible that the PSU has gone and to be honest I'd tell you to buy a new one anyway, it's just not worth the risk.

Other than that I'd agree with ZozZoz about specs.