Need Critique Along With Questions

PA Jeeper

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Okay I am in the process of upgrading my one desktop and I need some advice as well as some questions answered. I plain on retaining my OS (WinXP), memory (for now), DVD Rom, DVD burner, floppy, media reader, USB PCI card and my old ATX case (it has an intake and out-take 80mm fans). I will be upgrading my mobo/processor, power supply and along with a new video card.

Products I am considering upgrading with do not need to be the newest or fastest as this will be mainly a home PC but I will plain on doing some moderate gaming. Upgrading with the following… mobo/cpu combo (info here), power supply (info here), PCI slot fan (info here) and video card (info here).

Obviously I am trying to set up with SLI, along with future upgrades in mind. The near future upgrades will be an addition of another XFX GeForce 8500GT and of course more ram.

My questions are as follows…

■Please critique my upgrades but keep in mind I am not after the newest and best.
■I currently have 1 gig of DDR ram; will be using all 4 slots on mobo, but it is just DDR ram not dual channel DDR ram. From my knowledge that is an option on the mobo and I should be able to run regular pc2700 to pc3200 DDR ram (not dual channel DDR ram) with this board correct?
■Is it okay to mix ram manufactures, I see no problem as long as it isnt really low end, and even mixing different speeds say 333 and 400 MHz, I know it isnt recommended but it should work and it would just revert to the slowest speed, the 333 MHz for all the ram correct? Because a future upgrade will be of adding two gig strips of either pc2700 or pc 3200 ram to go along with two existing 256 strips of pc2700 ram using the 4 slots up once again.
■How is that PCI slot fan, mainly purchasing for additional cooling for the video card(s).
■Will that power supply be able to handle my current load along with the future upgrade of adding the additional video card and more ram?

I tried to keep the upgrade with budget and performance in mind, leaning more towards budget. I would appreciate quick replies so that I can take advantage of rebates. Thank You for taking your time to help in advance to anyone willing to help me.
 

ethel

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If I was you I would get an AM2 board and swallow the extra cost of the DDR2 RAM you will need. Socket 939 is getting pretty old now, as is DDR and you will find it hard / expensive to upgrade your CPU and RAM in the future if you go 939. RAM is seriously cheap right now so this is a good time to buy some.

Finally that graphics card is seriously weak. If you are intending to play games you'd be better off getting a 7600GT or even a X1950PRO if you can stretch to that.

For someone on a low budget, I don't see the need for a PCI fan either - you already have intake and outtake fans.
 

grieve

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I agree with the above posts 100%

Also... the SLI MB seems like a good deal but unless you plan to run the 2 best vid cards on the market, then SLI is a waste of cash and effort as 1 top card beats 2 mid cards for the same price.

My personal opinion is don’t get SLI unless your getting crazy with money… like 2* 8800gtx.

You should post your budget, and see what options you’ll get.
 

coldmast

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I currently have 1 gig of DDR ram; will be using all 4 slots on mobo, but it is just DDR ram not dual channel DDR ram. From my knowledge that is an option on the mobo and I should be able to run regular pc2700 to pc3200 DDR ram (not dual channel DDR ram) with this board correct?

[:coldmast]

Dual Channel Architecture
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dual-channel_architecture

O bviously I am trying to set up with SLI, along with future upgrades in mind. The near future upgrades will be an addition of another XFX GeForce 8500GT and of course more ram.

that PSU might "crap out" on SLI (for the 8800GS) newegg comment, right for the price, it's the price that it should be.

I tried to keep the upgrade with budget and performance in mind
nope, just budget

Budget: 150 + 60 + 15 + 70 = $295

can you list all of your components that still work? {and reason for upgrading: games, old system FUBAR}
 

PA Jeeper

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Thanks for all replies as well as taking it easy on me as I already know that these arent the best components (I know they are outdated) for an upgrade. This will mainly be a second home PC with moderate gaming.

I guess I shouldve mentioned my budget, 300-500 dollars, as that would help anyone willing to point me in the right direction. I need a mobo (ATX), CPU (AMD X2), video card, power supply and I guess better ram if I go with the newer socket.

Okay, that wikipedia backs up what I already thought (thanks coldmast), so I am correct by thinking on mixing ddr ram even with different ram speed (which I know isnt the best route). And it should work as the ram would be backwards compatible and would just downgrade to the lowest speed of the lowest stick of ram, correct?

Thanks once again for anyone willing to take the time to help.
 

ethel

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Here's a nice build for you:

GIGABYTE GA-M61P-S3 Socket AM2 NVIDIA GeForce 6100 Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128034
+
AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ 2.2GHz Socket AM2 Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103741
Comb o Price: $146.98 (or for $15 more you can get a 4600+)

SUPER TALENT 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit T8UX2GC5
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820609226
Pr ice - $81.99 (told you RAM was cheap)

SAPPHIRE 100186L Radeon X1950XT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 VIVO HDCP Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102067
Price - $164.99 - $20 MIR = $144.99 (unbelievable price)

FSP Group (Fortron Source) AX500-PN ATX2.2 500Watts Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817104037
Pric e - $64.99 (very solid PSU)

Total Price: 458.95 + shipping

Good luck!
 

PA Jeeper

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Thanks for the recommendation to the 4600+ CPU/MOBO combo deals they have! For a mere few dollars more I am all about it.


Secondly, yes the RAM is cheap and a far cry from what I originally spent on this PC years ago, what is the difference between these two brands and does either one of you have any personal experience with either product?


SUPER TALENT 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit T8UX2GC5

or

Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail


I am leaning more towards Crucial Ballistix because of the warranty. With these rebates I believe you have pieced together a very nice upgrade for me well within my budget. Thank you both for your help, I appreciate it.
 

ethel

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I picked the Super Talent because it's DDR2 800, it's cheap and this is a budget build, no other reason.

The Crucial is also DDR2 800 but it has better timings and will probably overclock better.

Personally I've always bought value RAM as you don't get very much performance difference for the extra money - it's more about the CPU and graphics card.

The warranty is certainly something to consider - but if you are only paying $80 why add $40 for a longer warranty?
 

PA Jeeper

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With the rebate they are currently offering the Crucial can be had for the same price including shipping, I figured for the addition of a 2 year warranty I would wait for the rebate.
 

coldmast

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because of the $45 US Mail-in rebate makes it an easier choice. {he is already filling in rebates for other things}

Ethel is right, value ram is good enough, just as long as you test it (any ram) before the store's return policy is up.
 

ethel

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Oh gosh, I didn't see that - in which case snap it up - it's a great deal!
 

Yoosty

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The Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail Cas Latency 4 is best choice in ram. It uses the Micron D9 memory chip modules. You can not go wrong with this ram.