PC upgrade or Laptop

[Peet]

Hello everyone,
I would like to upgrade my system to a newer one, and I don't know what to buy. I was thinking about buying a laptop because it's lighter, don't use much space, and probably more reliable than desktop PCs. What's your opinion about it? An 500W PSU will be enough? Any suggestions, advices are more then welcomed
Thanks. Peet
This is my current system:

Asus A7V600-X
AMD Sempron 2600+@1833 mhz (Socket A)
2*512 MB DDr1-400 mhz ram(512 Pqi and 512 Aeneon)
Radeon 9550 (AGP)
WD 250Gb HDD 7200 rpm, 8mb cache
LG combo
MSI Dvd burner

I would like to upgrade it to this one:

ASUS M2A VM HDMI -> 107$
ATHLON 64 X2 4800+ ->188$
CORSAIR TWIN 2X2048-5400 C4 ->115$
GAINWARD BLISS 8600 GT GOLDEN SAMPLE ->204$
ASUS DVD BURNER ->44$
FRONTIER CASE(500W PSU included) ->45$
I would keep my HDD from my current system.
Total: 703$

Or buy one of the following laptops.
ACER AS5102WLMi Vista -> 1075$
http://shopit.ro/sisteme/notebook/acer/as5102wlmi-vista/
ACER AS5112WLMi160GB -> 1405$
http://shopit.ro/sisteme/notebook/acer/as5112wlmi160gb/
HP Compaq nx6325 TL-60->1244$
http://shopit.ro/sisteme/notebook/hp/compaq-nx632-tl-60/

 

[darksidedragon]

I'd definately say that desktops are more reliable. Crucially, it's much easier to get drivers for desktop parts (many laptop users have to get unofficial drivers for Nvidia laptop cards).
What are you intending to use the system for?
When getting a case, don't bother getting one with an include PSU unless you know that the PSU is from a decent brand. Most generic cases come with generic PSUs that are pretty rubbish.

 

[Peet]

I use my current pc for listening to music, wathcing movies, surfing on the internet, chatting on yahoo messenger,skype, DVD and CD burning, and some gaming(NFS Carbon,GTA San andreas and some other.)
What do you think of these?
Asus TA-683 case -> 32$
Thermaltake W0101RE PSU -> 112$
This would push the PC's price up to 802$

 

[darksidedragon]

The Thermaltake is a good choice - solid PSU. You could always get a case you like and a separate PSU.
I'm not sure about the 8600GT. ATI cards are better for video playback, and the X1950's are good enough for the games you listed. You could always wait till later in this month when AMD release the R600 generation of cards. As you mainly use the computer for media, an AMD/ATI graphics card would be better suited to your needs.
Also, if you're not afraid to overclock, I'd recommend getting an Intel E4300 processor. The E4300 is cheap and overclocks easily.
Finally, how much do you use your DVD burner? If you use it as little as I do, you may as well carry your current one over and save a bit of $$ there.

 

[goldragon_70]

Get a sapphire x1950xt. Better fore gaming and you can find it on newegg for about $200 and then you have the mail in rebate too.

 

[Peet]

I had quite a few problems with ATI cards ( driver problems and now something else with my 9550), this is why I thought Nvidia cards only. I won't overclock my CPU, cause I'll lose my warranty for it( and I'm not much an expert in overclocking), and I'm very satisfied with how my current CPU performed so I'll stick with AMD.
I'm from Romania, so I don't think that Newegg will ship it to Romania, if so it would take a lot of time, and money.
Peet

 

[Peet]

By the way the X1950 PRO costs 255$(the cheapest) in Romania, and around 200$ is the maximum that I'd like to spend on the GPU.
I'd like to sell my current system except my HDD this is why I thought buying a new DVD burner.

 

[goldragon_70]

I had quite a few problems with ATI cards ( driver problems and now something else with my 9550), this is why I thought Nvidia cards only. I won't overclock my CPU, cause I'll lose my warranty for it( and I'm not much an expert in overclocking), and I'm very satisfied with how my current CPU performed so I'll stick with AMD.
I'm from Romania, so I don't think that Newegg will ship it to Romania, if so it would take a lot of time, and money.
Peet

Then go with something in the 7XXX of nvidea, the 8600 just isn't worth it.

 

[Peet]

I found a 7900 Gs for 186$

 

[goldragon_70]

That's a better choice for your price range.

 

[Peet]

Thanks. What's your opinion about the laptops? Which one is better and what would you get(PC or Laptop)?

 

[goldragon_70]

For portability, conveyance, room, and power intake a laptop is great, but only stable if you don't try to upgrade it, so you would be better off building the way you are going to use it until you replace the whole thing.

For upgradeability, price, performance, and overall stability under pressure a Desktop will work better.

It really depends on how you’re going to use your hardware and what for.

 

[Peet]

I'm not planning to upgrade it for another 2 or 3 years. I already wrote how I'm going to use it. Generally I replace the whole system after 3 years. Upgrading the PC is cheaper but worth it better than a laptop?
Thanks Peet

 

[goldragon_70]

well...., it's a kinda sorta thing. Really your going to get more power for the price with a desktop, and you will be able to play newer games in two years without worrying about weather or not your computer can handle it, but with the games your playing you may not have that problem, if you get a higher end laptop, but you will be paying a good price for it. It really depends on if you ever want to get a really high-end game in a few years.

 

[Peet]

Desktop PC then Thanks for the advices guys

 

[Peet]

Just one more question. The 550w thermaltake PSU will be enough for the system I listed?

 

[goldragon_70]

It's enough that you will have some head room if you want to add another few drives, or a better card (If you have the connectors for it).

 

[melarcky]

everything besides the VGA sounds good i wouldnt go under a GF 8600GTS ifi were you

 

[Peet]

What about the 8600 Gt? The GTS version is too expensive fro me.

 

[melarcky]

well its ok it will be equal to a GF6800 in DX9 so i dont even know what it will be in Dx10