Upgrade old system or build new one $700-$1000

[joleme]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: (1-2 months) BUDGET RANGE: (US$700-1000)

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: (gaming, watching movies/mp3s, video/photo editing)

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: (keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS, hard drive, optical drive)

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: (newegg.com, tigerdirect.com, open to good suggestions)

PARTS PREFERENCES: (no Full tower cases)

OVERCLOCKING: NO --- SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Open to ideas

MONITOR RESOLUTION: (1920x1200)

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: (already have a 26" monitor and a 300gb 10krpm velociraptor HD)
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I recently got a promotion and to celebrate I wanted to get a new computer. After Checking out a few things, I found I have this motherboard.

motherboard

It supports a quad core cpu and ddr3 ram, however I am not sure how good of a motherboard this would be if I were to put those into it, as well as a new video card. Also, I will need a new case and PSU as well.

I also have an evga 8800gts 512mb video card.
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I would like opinions on if I should ditch it all and just get a new mobo/cpu, ram, video card, case/psu. Or if I should keep my motherboard and upgrade the other pieces.

I do use a 64bit OS, and have liked the look of the 3x2gb ddr3 kits they have, which I don't think my mobo can handle since the specs say "Supports Dual Channel DDR3 1333/1066 (2 x DIMM slots) with max. capacity up to 8GB" I would need 2x4gb sticks.

If I have to upgrade it all, I was thinking of this........

motherboard ASUS Crosshair III Formula AM3 AMD 790FX ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
cpu AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor - Retail
as a combo deal it is $345

case Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
PSU Antec TruePower New TP-750 Blue 750W Continuous Power ATX12V V2.3 / EPS12V V2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
psu/case combo deal $155

RamPatriot Viper 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model PVT36G1333ELK - Retail $96
Video Card XFX HD-489A-ZDFC Radeon HD 4890 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail $195.... with the option of buying a second.

Total price before shipping: $790....... $985 with 2 video cards.
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I am definately open to any suggestions. Cheaper but just as effective PSU? Case that will definately hold everything? different mobo/cpu combo to go with a different video card?/etc. Also, I'd really like 6gb of ram, but I could live with 4, I have been for the past 2 years anyway.

Any help/suggestions would be great and I look forward to hearing from you all.

 

[Outlander_04]

Your mb uses dual channel ram kits . 2 x2 gig is what you need

The rest of it works , but the mb is expensive . Pretty much all fx 790 sereis chipset boards will perform equally

congratulations on the promotion

 

[hunter315]

Same case with more fans, same PSU, and oh yeah cheaper
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.216222

Also if you get this board instead you trade a PCI-E 1x slot for a PCI slot and a high end integrated sound chip for a lower quality but still pretty good one for $10 less
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131392
And when combo'd with a 955 it comes out to about 320 which saves you $25, its up to you if its worth it.

 

[joleme]

Same case with more fans, same PSU, and oh yeah cheaper
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.216222

Also if you get this board instead you trade a PCI-E 1x slot for a PCI slot and a high end integrated sound chip for a lower quality but still pretty good one for $10 less
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131392
And when combo'd with a 955 it comes out to about 320 which saves you $25, its up to you if its worth it.

I can't find where the case is cheaper than the one I found, though the case is a lot better looking all around to me.

the mobo seems good, I'll look into that one.

I'm hoping someone would have some input as to the video cards. Running 1 big one compared to 2 lower ones or vice versa.

 

[hunter315]

That case is cheaper with the combo with the power supply, if you are going to be getting that power supply and an antec 300 you can actually save a bit by getting the antec 300 illusions

 

[joleme]

Thinking of going with this ram since the 3x2gb kit won't work.... maybe 8gb worth.

good/bad for the motherboard?

Ram choice G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10600CL9D-4GBPK - Retail

 

[hunter315]

There are better, for $6 more you can get these OCZ with tighter timings
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227297

If you dont overclock they will get downclocked to 1333MHz but they will have very good timings.

 

[joleme]

There are better, for $6 more you can get these OCZ with tighter timings
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227297

If you dont overclock they will get downclocked to 1333MHz but they will have very good timings.

I'm coming from ddr2-800mhz, so even at 1333, thats fine with me

 

[joleme]

Here is the updated list so far....
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OCZ Ram OCZ Platinum 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ3P16004GK - Retail ---- 2 sets of it for total price of about $152
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motherboard ASUS Crosshair III Formula AM3 AMD 790FX ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
comboe'd with

Processor AMD Phenom II X4 945 Deneb 3.0GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor - Retail

for a total of $310
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Case Antec Three Hundred Illusion Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
combo with

PSU Antec TruePower New TP-750 750W Continuous Power ATX12V V2.3 / EPS12V V2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Retail

for a total of $180
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Video Card Sapphire ATI Radeon HD4870 1GB DDR5 2DVI PCI-Express Video Card, Retail........... One at first and maybe a 2nd for crossfire. $157 each
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Grand total of approximately $800 w/1 video card or $957 with 2.......

Look good to anyone else, or have I screwed something up?

 

[joleme]

no replies for a while, must be good then. Thanks for the help, those of you that replied.

thanks!