Partial Rebuild - second opinion please?

[FIGJAM]

Hi all,

I'm getting a new graphics card, but I have an old AGP motherboard so it looks like I'll be much better off buying a new motherboard and processor and switching to a PCI-Express card.

My current system is:
CPU: AMD Athlon, 1.75ghz
Mainboard: MSI, KM4M-V MS-7061, Socket A
Mem: 1280mb, DDR333
HDD: 40gb
Video: nVidia Geforce 4 MX440
OS: Windows XP Home
Power: Premier LC-B350ATX, 350W, 16A

Someone has recommended that I get the following components, could anyone have a look over it and give their opinion?

Motherboard
Processor
Cooler
Graphics Card

And also, if possible, can anyone recommend reliable UK based websites that I can get them from?

Many thanks
D.

 

[g-paw]

First that's last generation, current AMD is AM2 and that board is 939. What is you budget? How do you plan on using the machine? About the only things you could use from the old machine would be your hdd and case but would likely need a new PSU. Do you want to keep the old machine as a backup and build from scratch?

 

[CmdPT]

I would stay away from 939's if you have to go with AMD go with AM2. But its pretty hard to determine anything or even help you if you didn't say what you're budget is.

 

[ProdigyMS]

I would definately go with AM2, you can get a really nice cpu for cheap with the price cuts... But you'll need new ram, which isn't too expensive anymore, you can pick up a gig of DDR2 800 mhz for around $70.

 

[Mondoman]

I'd stick with a good quality chipset and avoid VIA/SIS/similar.

 

[FIGJAM]

Oh yes the budget, sorry completely forgot! I'm looking to spend £150-200, so about $300-350? Perhaps a little more if necessary/ if I get seduced by thoughts of how well the games will run...

I will be using it to play Pro Evolution Soccer and a few FPS's like FEAR.

I was planning to keep as much as possible from my current system, but that probably won't be much judging from the responses so far!

 

[alcattle]

You are going to need a much better video card to play F.E.A.R., I have read that games need to play about 25 FPS to be playable, and to get that needs a X1900 or 7900 level card. Not sure about other games but F.E.A.R. is one of the most graphically demanding ones.

 

[rammedstein]

cmon, your talking maxxed out graphics and stuff, but seriously, go for somehtign like a AM2 x2 3600+, a cheapo mainboard, no need to get a new cooler, get a gig of ddr2-667 (ddr2-667 usually runs ddr2800 easy), a x1650pro or something of the like. that would be fine for you, but you may need a new psu.

 

[g-paw]

Oh yes the budget, sorry completely forgot! I'm looking to spend £150-200, so about $300-350? Perhaps a little more if necessary/ if I get seduced by thoughts of how well the games will run...

I will be using it to play Pro Evolution Soccer and a few FPS's like FEAR.

I was planning to keep as much as possible from my current system, but that probably won't be much judging from the responses so far!

If you can live with your old machine until you have about $500, sorry not sure of the conversion rate, you'd be better off. Even with the price drop for AMD it will be tough to go AM2 dual core, which I really think is your best bet, for $350 with a graphic card and PSU. I don't think the 350w be enough. A 40GB hard drive would be fine for the OS and programs, will give you very little storage. The problem is that new programs and hardware are more resource intensive and "future proofing" really in large part comes down to this.

 

[Dahak]

Get up to date motherboard and processor(AM2).Do not get a 7300le.Instead get a 7900gs or an X1950pro.You'll also need to buy some ddr2 667 memory as the older ddr1 memory does not fit that new AM2 motherboards.Also consider purchasing a new power supply.Around 550watts with 30amps min. on the 12volt rail.And although I currently have last years mb and processor(s-939),I am building a new system over the next month.Starting with an X2 5600+.Anyways,that's my opinion.Goodluck.

Dahak

AMD X2-4400+@2.6 TOLEDO
EVGA NF4 SLI MB
2X EVGA 7950GT KO IN SLI
4X 512MB CRUCIAL BALLISTIX DDR500
WD300GIG HD/SAMSUNG 250GIG HD
ACER 22IN WIDESCREEN LCD 1600X1200
THERMALTAKE TOUGHPOWER 850WATT PSU
COOLERMASTER MINI R120
3DMARK05 13,471

 

[ProdigyMS]

You are going to need a much better video card to play F.E.A.R., I have read that games need to play about 25 FPS to be playable, and to get that needs a X1900 or 7900 level card. Not sure about other games but F.E.A.R. is one of the most graphically demanding ones.

FEAR isn't that demanding. I run my X850XT PE on it with all setting at maximum.

 

[alcattle]

What kind of FPS do you get? They took F.E.A.R. off Tom's VGA chart, so I looked at the review of 7900/x1900 level cards and they were barely hitting 20 FPS.