New Build (First Build) - Need Help Deciding

[enmar884]

I have been debating upgrading my graphics card to something not too expensive, say a 4670 HD, in order to not completely flop on any game I try to play. Then I thought, what's the point of a new graphics card if, even if I run better, I'm still looking at this old CRT. So I decided I needed a new monitor. I'm looking at either the 22" Acer X223Wbd or the 19" Acer X193WBd. I was wondering if I should go ahead and upgrade my just the graphics card and the monitor, or if I should go ahead and upgrade the rest of my system to keep up with today's standards. I'm afraid that getting a new graphics card won't be enough to keep my system on its feet/running as best it could in today's games, etc. Here's my 5-year-old system:

My System
DELL Dimension 4700
Windows XP SP3
P4 3.0GHz
1.5GB PC2-5300 (667MHz) DDR2 SDRAM
80 GB HD
Radeon X300/X550 Series
SB Audigy 2 Sound card

If I were to build a new system, I don't exactly have a huge budget. I'm not looking to get the absolute best parts, just ones that are fairly good, and can run most games with good settings. Here are some parts I was looking at:

New Build
http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=9721832


OCZ GameXStream OCZ600GXSSLI 600W ATX12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply - Retail - $94.99

LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model GH22LS30 - OEM - $25.99

SAPPHIRE 100255L Radeon HD 4670 512MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail (Too weak?) - $79.99

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM - $54.99

GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail - $119.99

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W - $164.99

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) - $49.99

Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower - $69.95



Total: $740.88 (with vista)
With 19" Monitor: $870
With 22" Monitor: $910

What do you think of this build? Is there something I should consider spending a little extra on that would prove to be a good upgrade? Or is there something I should consider down-grading that could save me some cash and not hurt my performance much? Which monitor should I get?

 

[micahtheman13]

well for the Hard Drive I would go with Western Digital. people on Toms hardware are almost always against Seagate. If the psu goes then it can take everything else with it. I would go with a WD like this one.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136113

 

[angry_ducky]

I think it would be worth upgrading your video card. I recently upgraded to a Radeon HD 2600 and 2GB RAM from an X600 and 1GB RAM, and I've been pretty happy with the performance increase. A Radeon HD 4670 would be a good fit for your system; you'll be able to play new games at moderate settings, and it should work with the power supply of your Dell.

If you do build a new system, I'd go for a bigger hard drive, a different power supply, and a faster video card.

 

[micahtheman13]

I agree with angry_ducky on the Power supply. Like I said earlier if your psu goes then it can take eveything with it

 

[enmar884]

Alright so a WD hard drive rather than a Seagate, and for a PSU..something like this?

PC P&C 610W 83% Efficiency
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703005

And maybe a 4850 HD rather than a 4670?

 

[infeckted]

Heres the power supply I'm planning on getting for 79.99 after rebates with 750 Watts of power:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341011

Also, I say upgrade the hard drive. You can easily find one with 500GB for $10-$15 more

such as this one, but its out of stock:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136320

 

[enmar884]

For some reason I can't open those URLs, it says they're not valid.

Nvm, just copied and pasted.

 

[infeckted]

And I'd get this ram too, its $5 more but the speed 1066. The one you chose was 800



http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231226

 

[enmar884]

Shouldn't I only get 1066 if I'm going to be overclocking a lot?

 

[infeckted]

Nah, 1066 is just gonna run a bit faster than 800

 

[geofelt]

A e8400 based system is good.

For gaming, the vga card is all important. I see you are undecided on this. Get the best one that you feel comfortable buying.
I would suggest a EVGA unit so you can trade it in within 90 days using their "step up" program if you should feel you want more.
Start with the 9600GT which is a small step above the 4670.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130360
I would also look for vga cards with dual slot coolers because they get the heat our of the case instead of recirculating it.
I won't buy any other kind.

I like the mobo.
PCP&C silencer610 is a great psu.
DDR2-800 is fine, faster is a waste of cash. Corsair 4gb kit for $25 after rebate:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145184
I like the Antec 300.
Vista-64 would work well

Spend extra on a great monitor, it is one of the few "future proof" ps purchases you can make today.
---good luck---

 

[angry_ducky]

Heres the power supply I'm planning on getting for 79.99 after rebates with 750 Watts of power:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341011

Also, I say upgrade the hard drive. You can easily find one with 500GB for $10-$15 more

such as this one, but its out of stock:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136320

Pretty much any Corsair or PC Power & Cooling unit will work; they're all great PSUs.

 

[enmar884]

Thanks for your help guys (or gals, but that is impossible on teh intornetz), appreciate it.