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Upgrading computer, need a little help.

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I was gonna buy a new computer later this year, but my HD on this one is starting to make nice grinding noises, so its time to upgrade. Need some ideas.

I have an Intel D865PERL with 2.6 CPU. I need a new AGP video card, with preferably 512 ram GDDR3 (must be ATI). I know there are a bunch of different makers of ATI cards now, I just don't know which is good. It also must run cool.

I need 2 gigs ram. DDR 400 PC 3200. I've seen lots of brands that vary in prices, but I don't know quality on them at all. I also don't know if coolers on them help at all.

I need a new HD, preferably SATA. Nothing too expensive, under $100, but still decent. (additional question, can you transfer data from an IDE hd to a SATA HD? I have IDE now and will want to transfer my stuff to the new drive. Any advice on that too?)

I need a new Power supply as well. I understand the new video cards take a lot of power so I figure anything from a 600-700W will work. Any ideas on what is best? The quieter the better. Also not over $100 if it can be helped.

So if any of you computer gurus can give me some advice I would muchly appreciate it.

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Might be worth staying with your first idea and still build your new computer later on in the year. Staying with your present board and cpu may limit you a little when it comes to some of the newer games. Nothing wrong with AGP per se but finding new and decent cards to plug into it will probably be increasingly difficult. I think the recently released ATI X1950pro is about the best you'll get, mind you pretty good card still. Your present board is also a socket 478 by the look of it so not much potential to add much there.

If you are ok holding off for your new dream machine, it might just be worth grabbing a new SATA hard drive (soon if your old one is starting to make nasty sounds) and using something along the lines of ghost to copy your present drive over You can always use the new drive in your next build.

Of course the main problem now is you have that upgrade itch.....

Karl

Reply to womble

Quote :

Of course the main problem now is you have that upgrade itch.....

Karl

Yah,

I really appreciate the reply womble, and i'll most likely go with this advice unless someone else offers another decent solution closer to my first intentions.

Also, what is "ghost" and is there somewhere you could direct me to look up the information?

Anyone else have any advice to offer?

Reply to naysayer

Quote :

I need a new HD, preferably SATA. Nothing too expensive, under $100, but still decent. (additional question, can you transfer data from an IDE hd to a SATA HD? I have IDE now and will want to transfer my stuff to the new drive. Any advice on that too?)

I would recommend the Seagate 7200.10 series. The 250 GB and 320 GB are both under $100:
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250820AS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - $69.99
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - $84.99

Western Digital is also a good choice, their 320 GB is the same price:
Western Digital Caviar SE WD3200AAJS 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - $84.99

As far as copying from IDE to SATA, just plug them into the same PC and use Windows (or DOS or Linux) to copy the files just like you would if they were all on the same HD.

Quote :

Also, what is "ghost" and is there somewhere you could direct me to look up the information?

Ghost is a tool (currently from Symantec/Norton) for making an image of a drive. It can be used to move the OS from one drive to another. Look here: www.ghost.com

You can also google or yahoo search for it, there's a ton of hits on either.

Reply to senor_bob

Ghost can be problematic if you try to clone your hard drive onto a new mobo. Generally requires a format. Ghost will, however, let you backup all your data files.....So you're realistically looking at a new, cheap system later and a fresh format/install of the OS. Then install your programs and copy over your data.

Ghost is great for cloning your drive (for the same system) and for file backup. Not so good for a new system, contrary to popular belief.

Try dropping in your old hard drive directly into a new system and watch the funny things it does.....if it actually makes it into Windows to begin with

Reply to skyguy

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