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Tom's Hardware > Forum > Homebuilt Systems > General Homebuilt > Cheap Upgrade - Looking for advice/suggestions

Cheap Upgrade - Looking for advice/suggestions

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sebastian7   06-21-2008 at 08:30:09 PM

I'm wanting to upgrade the family computer, because it is getting old. I would just like some advice on what kind of motherboard to get. I would like one with only 1 pci express slot, because I don't want to fool with SLI, and 1 pci-x slot will save space. This computer is just for some simple multiplayer like Unreal Tournament 3 @ 1024x768. I'd like to stay under $200 for the upgrade.

 

Thanks and here is what I've chosen so far:

 

Processor:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103258

 

Graphics Card:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814125070

 

Motherboard: ???

 

EDIT: I forgot to mention that I'd like to reuse my DDR 1 if I can.

 

That's all I'm going to upgrade for now.


Message edited by sebastian7 on 06-21-2008 at 08:37:09 PM
------------------------------ Asus M2N4-SLI Athlon X2 5200 - Stock Frequency Corsair XMS2 DDR2 800 2GB
EVGA 8800GTS 320 Silverstone Zeus 600 Watt 2x75GB WD Raptors in RAID 0
Windows XP 32Bit
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Phrexianghoul   06-21-2008 at 10:02:40 PM
- 0 +

What are the specs of the family machine now?

Reply to Phrexianghoul
Phrexianghoul   06-21-2008 at 10:47:20 PM
- 0 +

From what i am seeing now. You can have a PCI-e board but not the PCI-x. The reason, i think, is that PCI-x has been reserved for just server based motherboards. So my suggestion for a motherboard is this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813138111

Also, i'm sorry my friend, but you will have to forgo DDR1. I believe this comes from the new socket design of AMD. DDR1 worked on socket 939, which is now discontinued. The newer AM2 socket supports DDR2 and up, which matches your processor selection. so my suggestion for RAM is this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231098

I run with this exact same memory in my own system. I haven't had any problems with it and for the price it's hard to beat.

With these for items you will come close to the $200 mark. My other area of concern is with the power supply. I'm not so much worried about the wattage, but more with the available connections from the PSU. To be on the safe side i would also suggest a new PSU as well. Mostly to ensure that you have the proper connections for your new hardware. Happy buying.

Reply to Phrexianghoul
sebastian7   06-21-2008 at 11:34:08 PM
- 0 +

EDIT: Sorry, hit the post button on accident.

Alright, thanks a lot. I figured I'd have to give up the DDR, when I looked for a DDR motherboard - there aren't any good ones. (I wasn't aware of the DDR and socket 939 correlation either, thanks for that).

Here are the current specs:

ASUS A7N8X-E - Athlon XP 2800+ - 1GB DDR - Radeon 9800Pro

Also, this current build crashes a lot and I think it's the power supply. I'm probably going to replace it too.


Message edited by sebastian7 on 06-21-2008 at 11:36:58 PM
------------------------------ Asus M2N4-SLI Athlon X2 5200 - Stock Frequency Corsair XMS2 DDR2 800 2GB
EVGA 8800GTS 320 Silverstone Zeus 600 Watt 2x75GB WD Raptors in RAID 0
Windows XP 32Bit
 Reply to sebastian7
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