I'm looking to upgrade from my ancient computer right now (to give you an idea of how old it is I'm running an AGP card with no PCI-E slot). Vid card is currently an ATI X850 AGP
By that you can tell I need a major system refresh. Looking for help from everyone here on components.
Other background info for the build. I'm building this primarily for gaming. I'm not a big FPS guy but play a lot of RTS games (Red Alert, upcoming Starcraft, etc..). I also play WoW and Warhammer online, etc.. (Fallout 3 is currently chugging on my computer at the lowest video settings (the radio from my pipboy actually stutters until I stop moving) ;-)
I have a 24" widescreen monitor if that helps at all. (1920x1200 resolution).
One other note, I will be also upgrading my wifes computer (as in the past she always received my "old" computer as I got new parts and upgraded mine. I've left the upgrade too long this time so its best to just go with 2 newer computers. She wants to be able to jump in and play some games from time to time (ie Spore, WoW, etc..). I will be re-using my case (Antec Super Lanboy Alluminum) and power supply but will also be picking up parts for her. If someone wants to reccomend decent parts for her upgrade it would also be appreciated. Otherwise primarily looking to get the best bang for my buck.
Live up in Canada and trying to keep the parts to around $1000 give or take a hundred or so. Hoping to keep the wifes part costs down a bit more (she has a 20" widescreen monitor) but still get her a decent PC (was thinking around 500-600 or so).
Here is what I have so far.
Case - Antec 300 - I don't want something flashy this time. Just a simple yet good case with no flashing LED's or anything like that. (Wife now gets the fancy blue LED fan on the lanboy).
Power Supply - Not really looked too much into this but was thinking 750 or higher. I'd prefer to err on the side of caution and have replaced a couple of these in my lifetime so want a half decent one.
Video Card - Not a huge fan of ATI cards (bad experiences with them) so am thinking I will go Nvidia this time. Planning on picking up a GTX 260 Core 216 (or if the budget won't allow going with a plain GTX 260). This isn't set in stone so if I can get a good enough deal or enough persuasion I would consider possibly a 4870 or something as well.
Motherboard - This is where I am stumped. Most of the motherboards look like they are Crossfire boards, but since I am probably going Nvidia I don't know where to go. Slim chance that I will ever crossfire or SLI the boards but never say never I guess. I have been told its best to try to stick with an Intel Chipset on the board but will see what suggestions all of you have here.
CPU - Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 - Don't think I need quad-core.. This could always get dropped to an E8400 if the money would be better spent elsewhere as well.
Memory - No idea on brands, etc.. I used to be up to date on all the latest timing, etc.. but haven't even looked at this kind of stuff in years. Going to go 2x2GB dual channel DDR2 but don't know after that. Running 32 bit XP so I know I'm wasting 1 of those gigs of ram essentially but want it there so I can upgrade easily enough (just not had any real need to jump up to Vista as of yet).
I think thats it. Look forward to seeing all of your suggestions here. Been trying to read through so many threads that names of motherboards, memory, etc are starting to run together.
For my wifes PC I was going to go with an E8400, 2x2 GB memory, 8800 or 9800 GT or GTX (or possibly try an ATI 4850), and a slightly older motherboard (maybe x38 chipset as I'm sure these come a lot cheaper than the newer boards).
Timing for all of this is before x-mas (planning on giving the list of components to my family and letting em pick and choose pieces to pick up for me).
Thanks everyone in advance. Sorry this turned into a novel but figured more information is better than not enough.
By that you can tell I need a major system refresh. Looking for help from everyone here on components.
Other background info for the build. I'm building this primarily for gaming. I'm not a big FPS guy but play a lot of RTS games (Red Alert, upcoming Starcraft, etc..). I also play WoW and Warhammer online, etc.. (Fallout 3 is currently chugging on my computer at the lowest video settings (the radio from my pipboy actually stutters until I stop moving) ;-)
I have a 24" widescreen monitor if that helps at all. (1920x1200 resolution).
One other note, I will be also upgrading my wifes computer (as in the past she always received my "old" computer as I got new parts and upgraded mine. I've left the upgrade too long this time so its best to just go with 2 newer computers. She wants to be able to jump in and play some games from time to time (ie Spore, WoW, etc..). I will be re-using my case (Antec Super Lanboy Alluminum) and power supply but will also be picking up parts for her. If someone wants to reccomend decent parts for her upgrade it would also be appreciated. Otherwise primarily looking to get the best bang for my buck.
Live up in Canada and trying to keep the parts to around $1000 give or take a hundred or so. Hoping to keep the wifes part costs down a bit more (she has a 20" widescreen monitor) but still get her a decent PC (was thinking around 500-600 or so).
Here is what I have so far.
Case - Antec 300 - I don't want something flashy this time. Just a simple yet good case with no flashing LED's or anything like that. (Wife now gets the fancy blue LED fan on the lanboy).
Power Supply - Not really looked too much into this but was thinking 750 or higher. I'd prefer to err on the side of caution and have replaced a couple of these in my lifetime so want a half decent one.
Video Card - Not a huge fan of ATI cards (bad experiences with them) so am thinking I will go Nvidia this time. Planning on picking up a GTX 260 Core 216 (or if the budget won't allow going with a plain GTX 260). This isn't set in stone so if I can get a good enough deal or enough persuasion I would consider possibly a 4870 or something as well.
Motherboard - This is where I am stumped. Most of the motherboards look like they are Crossfire boards, but since I am probably going Nvidia I don't know where to go. Slim chance that I will ever crossfire or SLI the boards but never say never I guess. I have been told its best to try to stick with an Intel Chipset on the board but will see what suggestions all of you have here.
CPU - Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 - Don't think I need quad-core.. This could always get dropped to an E8400 if the money would be better spent elsewhere as well.
Memory - No idea on brands, etc.. I used to be up to date on all the latest timing, etc.. but haven't even looked at this kind of stuff in years. Going to go 2x2GB dual channel DDR2 but don't know after that. Running 32 bit XP so I know I'm wasting 1 of those gigs of ram essentially but want it there so I can upgrade easily enough (just not had any real need to jump up to Vista as of yet).
I think thats it. Look forward to seeing all of your suggestions here. Been trying to read through so many threads that names of motherboards, memory, etc are starting to run together.
For my wifes PC I was going to go with an E8400, 2x2 GB memory, 8800 or 9800 GT or GTX (or possibly try an ATI 4850), and a slightly older motherboard (maybe x38 chipset as I'm sure these come a lot cheaper than the newer boards).
Timing for all of this is before x-mas (planning on giving the list of components to my family and letting em pick and choose pieces to pick up for me).
Thanks everyone in advance. Sorry this turned into a novel but figured more information is better than not enough.
NewEgg.ca is also alive and well but the pricing and sales there haven't been as impressive as the others just yet.
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