Should i build one?

[alexdahobo08]

Should i
1. build a new one
2. buy a new one
3. just get new parts

Motherboard: Asus P4S800D-E
Power Supply: ATX 12V 420 Watt
RAM: 3gb
CPU: Intel Pentium 4 2.80GHz
HD's: 80gb a 30gb
Graphics Card: ATI Radeon 9600/x1050

I dont want to spend more then $300 im only 15 turning 16 in december. im going to get a job within a few months. I think my best bet would be to buy some new parts replace them with the old ones. i mainly just want to be able to play some games on my pc. i have a 360 and thats what i have most games for but when Starcraft 2 and Diablo 3 come out i want them for my PC. If i should get new parts please leave a link to the exact item and also remember im only going to spend $300 im not looking to get the best products out there just the average ones.

I would be happy if you could be very specific as to what to get.

Thanks!

 

[Proximon]

You have no upgrade path, I'm sorry to say.

You motherboard does not support modern graphics cards. it has no PCI-E slot, only AGP.

So, to upgrade, at a bare minimum, you would need:

MB
CPU
RAM
Video card

Your power supply is likely old and will need replacing as well.

 

[aevm]

You can spend $125 for an HD 3850 AGP, but that's about it. It's way better than what you have.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102730

However, it's a bit of a waste considering that a HD 4850 PCI-E that costs $10 more is twice as fast. Maybe you're better off waiting until you can afford a new MB/CPU/PSU/RAM/GPU. Something like P5Q Pro/E8500/650TX/4GB DDR2-800/HD 4850 is about $600 at newegg right now.

 

[aevm]

BTW, ATI recommends a 450W or greater with 30A on the 12V rail for that HD 3850 AGP.
http://www.sapphiretech.com/us/products/products_overview.php?gpid=227&grp=2

It might work with your current PSU, but it's not guaranteed. One more reason IMO to wait until you've saved enough for a new build.

 

[ohiou_grad_06]

I think it's possible.....

HEC 585 watt PSU...not the greatest but it's 25, free shipping, 2 12v+ rails, 19 amps on one, 20 on the other. If you keep the system light, I think you'd be ok.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817339009

WD 250gb hard drive, 45 bucks, also free shipping.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136010

PC chips socket AM2+ motherboard, 40 bucks.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813185113

A DATA DDR2 800 mhz memory, 2gb kit for 26 and free shipping.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211165

AMD Athlon 5000+ x2 processor, 59.00

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103211

ATI Radeon 4670 80 bucks. Free shipping, also has a 15 dollar mail in rebate.


If my figuring is right, that should put you right at 275 bucks for that setup, go to 260 after you have the rebate back for the video card. But figure to bump up to say 290 or so after all shipping is counted. Would not be the fastest build, but would completely blow away what you've got.


*EDIT* It's amazing to me what you can get with 300 dollars now. I was looking up a cheap gaming rig for a guy I go to church with, and around 550-600 you can do a setup similar to the one I'm showing you with a monitor, mouse/keyboard, OS, etc.

 

[aevm]

Wow...

There's also a HD 4830 for $95. 640 stream processors (as opposed to 320 in the $80 HD 4670).

 

[ohiou_grad_06]

Ae, you sound suprised?? Lol. I do agree with aevm on one thing, the 4830 would be a better card if you can swing it.

 

[alexdahobo08]

Well thanks guys for all the help i think im going to go ahead and save money up after xmas i should have like $400 and then ill build myself a new one.

thanks again

 

[aevm]

Keep an eye out for Black Friday sales at newegg and amazon this week, it might help.