Upgrade advice

[Kloy_21]

hi guys, im just one of those guys whose been blinded from time to time with new technology, and I've been dying already for an upgrade. So far im still using an antiquated system, ive listed my specs, feel free to laugh, i just want to have a friendly advice on upgrading my system, Im thinking of upgrading my cpu, mobo, ram and videocard to have a performance boost that would last me for another 2-3 years probably, ive been eyeing for these components, E8400, GA-EP45-UD3P, 2x2GB OCZ Gold XTC DDR2-1066 and Radeon HD 4850 512MB. . . i would like to retain my hdd, case and PSU if it still ok in your opinion. or should I just save up and invest on a Core i7 cpu/mobo and upgrade later. I use my computer for basic word processing, media playback, some gaming like DotA, WoW and COD4. thanks in advance guys

P4 Socket 478 3.2Ghz (prescott)
MSI PT880 mainboard
Kingston Value RAM ddr 400 4x512Mb
XFX Geforce FX 5200 128MB
Seagate 320GB IDE 7200 rpm
Seagate 80GB SATA1
Antec Sonata Case with Earthwatts 500 PSU

 

[Multiplicity]

*Laughs at your antiquated system* Kidding. I had... well, still have, a system very similar to yours until I cleaned the slate and got a brand new system in December. It's an i7 based system and I am loving it. Personally, I'd recommend saving until you can afford an i7 based system because it will last longer than what you are eyeing so far. I don't know the PSU requirements the 4850 requires, but shouldn't ATi's website list power requirements? Might want to check there unless someone else chimes in who knows.

 

[Kloy_21]

thanks for the reply eh, anyway yeah. . . ive read that socket 775 days are numbered already but it is also at the lowest of its prices and damn heck a lot of choices for the budget consumers, i've also been thinking of an i7 upgrade, which would concern for further future-proofing of a system, but getting a mobo for 300$ is just too much for me now and an i7 system might be an overkill for my computing needs.

 

[IH8U]

Just a point here, don't bother with 1066 when buying a Core 2 anything (DDR2 800 works fine).

 

[Kloy_21]

oh ok thanks bro. il just get the DDR2-800 then.

 

[jitpublisher]

+1 on the DDR2 800mhz memory.
Dump the 1066, doesn't do a thing for you unless you are planning on overclocking the FSB past 400mhz, that is a huge overclock... (8400 runs @ 333mhz FSB) 1066 memory can cause you headaches getting your new rig to boot if the BIOS does not set it up correctly, which most of the time it will not.
Buy good 800mhz memory with the tightest timings you can find, and you are set.

 

[Kloy_21]

ok so out of my planned upgrade, RAM is the only thing i bought this weekend, i got the OCZ Reaper HPC 2x2GB DDR2-800. I hope that would be fine with the other components. I forgot to add that I won't be overclocking so I changed my motherboard to Asus P5QL-Pro

need your thoughts here guys. One of the retailers here told me that It would be hard for me to use a Radeon 4850 because my Sonata 3 case doesn't have that much ventilation, and my Earthwatts 500 PSU would be running pretty tight because the minimum for the card is 450 watts. . . need your help guys, TIA

target upgrade:

E8400
Asus P5QL-Pro
OCZ Reaper HPC 2x2GB DDR2-800
Radeon 4850 512MB

 

[Kloy_21]

with the help of my dad. . . i would be able to jump in the i7 bandwagon,

final specs listed below, need some advice guys for i would be getting the stuff later. no OC for me, just simple performance boost, casual gaming, some video encoding.

Core i7 920
Asus P6T
OCZ 2x3GB Gold XTC DDR3-1600mhz
EVGA 9800 GT 512MB

I would be retaining my Case and PSU (Antec Sonata III with EA500W) would this be sufficient enough for the rig?, HDD - Seagate 80GB SATA1, and Seagate 320GB IDE. Do I still need to upgrade and get another HD, probably a Caviar Black? thanks in advance guys. . .

 

[runmymouth]

get the 1333 ddr3...

 

[Kloy_21]

after all the discussions, i would be keeping my P4 computer and decided to build an all new computer. it'll be an i7 rig. ive already got the mobo, ram and video card. but Im still hoping to replace it with a GTX 260 or at least a 4870 1GB given that I will have a new case and PSU. need your reply guys, would this be good enough?

Core i7 920 -
Asus P6T Mobo - done
OCZ 2x3GB Platinum DDR3-1600mhz - done
EVGA 9800GT 512MB GDDR3 - hoping to be replaced
WD Caviar Black 500GB WD5001AALS
LG GGC-H20L BD-ROM/HD-DVD ROM/DVD Writer SATA
PC P&C Silencer 750watts S75CF
Antec Nine Hundred Gamer Case

 

[Kloy_21]

guys pls take a look at my proposed set-up. . . really need some feedback, ive returned my 9800 GT hoping it would be replaced soon with a better performing card probably GTX285. Id be retaining my old monitor which is an Acer AL2016WBbd and KB and mouse Logitech G15 (old version) and MX518 gaming mouse. prices are in canadian. TIA

Intel Core i7 920 (Promotional Cash Price) Quad-Core Socket LGA1366, 2.66Ghz, 4.8GT/s FSB, 8MB L3 Cache, 45nm (Retail Boxed) (BX80601920) $359.99

LG GGC-H20L Blu-Ray (Promotional Cash Price!!!) HD DVD Combo Drive BD-R 6x/HD DVD-Rom 3x/16x DVD+/-R Lightscribe SATA W/Software $144.99

WD1001FALS 1000G (Promotional Cash Price) Caviar Black SATAII 7200RPM 32MB Cache (OEM) $141.99

PC Power & Cooling (S75QB) (after $15 MIR 2/1 - 2/16 Promotional Cash Price!!!) Silencer 750 Quad 750W ATX V2.2 EPS12V 24PIN SLI Active PFC Power Supply Copper $130.99

Antec Nine Hundred (Promotional Cash Price !!!) Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case $119.99

OCZ (OCZ3P1600LV6GK) (Promotional Cash Price) DDR3 PC3-12800 1600MHz Platinum XTC 6GB(3x2048MB) Triple Channel Kits $214.99

Asus P6T (Promotional Cash Price) Socket 1366 Intel X58 + ICH10R Chipset CrossfireX / 3-Way SLI Dual-Channel Triple-Channel DDR3 2000/1800/1600(O.C,)/1333/1066Mhz 3x PCI-Express 2.0 x16 Dual GigaLAN 8 $305.99

BFG GTX285 (after $20 MIR 2/1 - 2/28 Promotional Cash Price) Geforce GTX285 $455.99

 

[Kloy_21]

Finally my new computer's done, thanks for all those who replied ^^ I'd be uploading some pics later hopefully, thanks to all the forum masters and insight providers. It just happened that I've almost read every thread here already for input ^^ thanks again guys =)

Final Set-up. . .

Core i7 920
Asus P6T Mobo
OCZ 3x2GB DDR3 1600mhz Platinum
BFG GTX 260 OC MAXCORE 55
LG GBC-H20L Blu-ray Combo
PC Power and Cooling S75QB SLI
WD 1TB Caviar Black SATAII WD1001FALS
CoolerMaster Storm Sniper Mid Tower Case
MS Vista Home Premium 64-Bit OEM
Acer AL2016WBBD 20 inch LCD Monitor (old)
Logitech G15 Gaming Keyboard (old version with blue LED)
Logitech MX 518 Gaming Optical Mouse (old)
Logitech Z-5500 5.1 Speakers

 

[Kloy_21]

here are the pics of my new rig ^^