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Which Motherboard and CPU for my system?

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Hi,

I have a Dell Dimension 9150. I want to upgrade the CPU as the Pentium D that it came with runs to hot and is too slow. I know that because it is a Dell the motherboard is not upgradable. I want to put it in a new case with a new CPU and motherboard. I also want to keep my old hardware in my new system. I currently have 3gb of DDR2 533mhz RAM and an Nvidia GeForce 9600gt graphics card. The rest of my system is stock. I use my system mostly for multimedia and some gaming.

Which Motherboard and CPU should I get? Also do I need a new PSU as mine is only 375 watt?

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How much are you willing to spend?

Reply to anonymousdude

you'll need to get a new case as well since dell uses DTX or BTX form factors, not the ATX standard which pretty much any mobo you can buy will be.

Reply to Helloworld_98

Yes I know about the issue with Dells. That is why I am getting a new case to pu the guts of my pc in.

I have a budget of $500. I want the motherboard to be reasonably upgradable and I need the CPU to be able to handle multiple programs and video editing. I will also use the PC for light gaming

Reply to finboss

To put what "guts" of your pc in?

You pretty much have to upgrade everything because even the ram is slow and 3gb doesnt make sense. Dual channel needs to run as 2gb or 4gb.

So new ram, mobo, cpu, psu, case. All you have is a hdd, a dvd drive and a mediocre video card.

Just build a new system.

Lesson learned. Dude, dont get a Dell.

Reply to zipzoomflyhigh

I have 2x 512 RAM modules and 2x 1gb Ram modules.

Reply to finboss

Start a new thread and title it "$500 multimedia and gaming PC". Let people know you have a hdd, video card and dvd drive. You can get some good suggestions on a new build. Sorry I dont have time right now.
You can build a pretty nice system with $500.


Message edited by zipzoomflyhigh on 08-11-2009 at 03:55:44 PM
Reply to zipzoomflyhigh

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811119104

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817341022

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231166

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.237632

$325 + 12.50 shipping (not including $25 rebate from OCZ) So really $300 + 12.50 shipping.

You could even move up to a nice AM3 quad core and DDR3 and still be under $500.


Message edited by zipzoomflyhigh on 08-11-2009 at 07:16:04 PM
Reply to zipzoomflyhigh

If you use your current HD, optical drive, and GPU this build fits your budget and needs.

 

Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811129042

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders w/ Tech Guarantee - OEM (Includes free Windows 7 updrade coupon)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6832116677

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] 11-129-042 $154.94 (Case + OS combo)

AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz 3 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Black Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103649 $119.00

GIGABYTE GA-MA770T-UD3P AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128392 $84.99

Patriot Viper 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model PVS34G1333LLK - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820220286 $78.99

CORSAIR CMPSU-400CX 400W ATX12V V2.2 80 PLUS Certified Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139008 $49.99 - $20.00 MIR

 

Total - $487.91 - $20 MIR

 

Keep in mind that the motherboard only has 1 IDE connector for a total of 2 devices. You could get a new SATA HD if you drop down to a dual core CPU. With this CPU, motherboard, and HD the total is just over your budget at $503.89.

 

AMD Phenom II X2 545 Callisto 3.0GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 80W Dual-Core Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103694

 

ASUS M4A785TD-V EVO AM3 AMD 785G HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131398

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.237631 $169.98 (CPU + motherboard combo)

 

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD3200AAKS 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] wd3200aaks $49.99


Message edited by shortstuff_mt on 08-11-2009 at 04:25:44 PM
Reply to shortstuff_mt

Yeah I'd recommend the 720BE too, its cheaper than a quad, uses less power and is great for gaming. With that you would also be on a AM3 platform w/ddr3 for the best future upgrade path.

It scores nearly as well in gaming as the 940BE or even the i7 920 with single and dual card configurations.

http://www.anandtech.com/mb/showdoc.aspx?i=3533


Message edited by zipzoomflyhigh on 08-11-2009 at 07:16:48 PM
Reply to zipzoomflyhigh

Thanks for the help everyone. All your advice has been extremely useful.

Reply to finboss
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