[Solved] Need Recommendations for PC Upgrade

if you get a new mobo it almost always requires an clean os install

Complete re-installation of the operating system, usually including a wipe of the hard drive so you will want to back up any important data to another storage medium beforehand as it will likely be wiped from the hard drive during the installation.

That's not a bad computer for $300, but keep in mind, you won't have many upgrade options (though for that price, you'd be hard pressed to build a computer better than that). If that doesn't matter to you, then this computer should suit you fine. The performance increase of this computer in comparison to your current one should be on the order of more than 50% in single-threaded operations, plus you'll have a second core.

Heres a question. . . Regarding Graphics Cards. In your opinion, what is best to have? An Integrated Chipset or PCI Card type?

I would think the PCI type because then you can upgrade?

Also, ATI vs. Nvidia?

Pepperman's recommendation was for ATI, but that pc I was looking at has Nvidia. I also found a pc at Frys that is the same as the one listed above, but it has a bigger hard drive, more memory and a PCI type Nvidia Graphics card. It sells for $419.99 vs. $299.99.

Building my own computer would be fine, but I don't feel comfortable if soldering is involved in the build.

Thanks for the tip on gaming with Windows 7. I'm not sure that would be an issue. I'm not what you would call an avid gamer. Meaning I don't play Call of Duty or any of those games. I do play poker online (no for real money). I also have a child that plays Toontown all of the time. Thats where most of the issues are. We are often kicked out right in the middle of doing something. Toontown's technical help seems to point towards graphic cards and mobo's, drivers etc.

I appreciate all of your inputs.

pepperman, Here are a couple of options to take a look at that would be in my price range.

I appreciate your input.
Thanks again.

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Acer Desktop PC with AMD Athlon II X2 215, 4GB, 750GB HD, Nvidia GF 210 Graphics & Windows 7 HP
FRYS.com Item # 6059148 Acer
$419.99

Stay productive and get creative with the Acer® AX1301-U9052 small form factor PC. This dynamic and sleek entertainment center is 1/3 the size of a normal PC and features AMD Athlon II X2 dual-core performance, powerful NVIDIA® graphics, 4GB memory, the new Windows® 7 Home Premium and great media features that make it easy to power through tasks, explore the Internet and enjoy more of your digital media and entertainment.
Shipping: Call for Availability
Store Pickup: Available

Specifications:
Processor
Model: AMD Athlon™ II X2 215 Dual-Core Processor
Speed: 2.70GHz
# of Cores: 2
Cache: 2x512KB L2 Cache
Bus Speed: 4000MHz Front Side Bus
Chipset: NVIDIA GeForce 9200

Memory:
Size: 4GB
Type: DDR2
Speed: 800MHz
Total Slots: 2 DIMM
Open Slots: 0

Storage
Hard Drive: 750GB, 7200RPM, SATA
Optical Drive: 16X DVD?R/RW SuperMulti Drive - Write Max: 16X DVD?R, 6X DVD-RW, 8X DVD+RW, 8X DVD?R DL, 5X DVD-RAM, 48X CD-R, 32X CD-RW Read Max: 16X DVD-ROM, 40X CD-ROM
Media Drive: Multi-in-1 Digital Media Card Reader: CompactFlash® (Type I and II), CF+™ Microdrive, MultiMediaCard (MMC), Reduced-Size MultiMediaCard (RSMMC), Secure Digital™ (SD) Card, xD-Picture Card™, Memory Stick®, Memory Stick PRO™

Graphics
Type: PCI-Express x16 Video Card
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce G210
Memory: 512MB DDR2
Ports: DVI, HDMI

Sound
Type: High Definition Audio
Channels: 5.1

USB
Front USB: 5
Back USB: 4

Networking
Wired: 10/100/1000 Base-T

Accessories:
Keyboard: USB Keyboard
Mouse: Optical Mouse

Expansion:
Slots: 1 PCI Expressx1 (Open)
1 PCI Expressx16 (Occupied)

Bays: 1 External 5.25" (Occupied)
1 Internal 3.5" (1 Occupied)

Size
Dimensions: 13.9"(L) x 3.9"(W) x 10.4" (H)
Weight: 12 Pounds

Software
Operating System: Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium 64-bit

Applications: Acer eRecovery Management
Adobe Flash Player
Adobe Reader
CyberLink PowerDVD
eSOBI
Google Toolbar
McAfee Internet Security Suite 2009
Microsoft Works
Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007 (Trial Version)
MyWinLocker
Nero 9 Essentials

Warranty:
Warranty: 1 Year Limited

Additional Info:
Model: AX1301-U9052
Part Number: PT.SCM02.008
UPC: 099802295943

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HP s5220f Desktop PC with Intel Pentium Dual Core Processor E5300, 4GB, 640GB HD & Windows 7 HP
FRYS.com Item#: 6060098
$399.99

Performance anywhere you need it

The HP Slimline offers a powerful PC where space is at a premium. Perfect for a small office or dorm, it can handle all your computing needs, like e-mail, word processing and more.(10) And the Slimline is flexible, so you can easily add or upgrade features and functions. The HP Slimline's sleek, modern styling, with chrome and accent lighting, looks great in any room.

Backed by HP's award-winning Total Care service and support
Sophisticated styling gives the Slimline the look of a top-price PC
Protected by Norton Internet Security 2009: Protect your PC out of the box
The front-panel 6-in-1 memory card reader makes it easy to transfer photos, music, and other files to and from your digital camera and other peripheral devices.
The SuperMulti DVD burner with LightScribe technology lets you create custom, silkscreen-quality labels and artwork directly onto LightScribe-enabled CD and DVD discs
Limit 1 per Household.
(when purchased between 11/20/2009 and 11/24/2009)

Specifications:
Processor
Model: Intel® Pentium™ Dual Core Processor E5300
Speed: 2.6GHz
# of Cores: 2
Cache: 2MB L2 Cache
Bus Speed: 800MHz Front Side Bus
Chipset: Intel® G31 Express

Memory:
Size: 4GB
Type: DDR2
Speed: PC2-6400
Total Slots: 2 DIMM
Open Slots: 0

Storage
Hard Drive: 640GB, 7200RPM, SATA
Optical Drive: Super Multi DVD/CD Burner with Lightscribe Technology
Media Drive: 6 in 1: xD, MMC, SD, SDHC, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, MMC+

Graphics
Type: Motherboard Integrated
GPU: Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 3100
Memory: 64MB to 256MB Shared
Ports: VGA

Sound
Type: High Definition Audio
Channels: 6
Front Ports: Headphone
Back Ports: Microphone, Line-In, Line-Out

USB
Front USB: 2
Back USB: 4

Networking
Wired: 10/100/1000 Base-T

Accessories:
Keyboard: HP USB Keyboard
Mouse: HP USB Mouse

Expansion:
Slots: 1 PCI Expressx1 (Occupied)
1 PCI Expressx16 (Open)

Bays: 1 External 5.25" (Occupied)
1 Internal 3.5" (Occupied)

Size
Dimensions: 15.91"(L) x 4.43"(W) x 12.24" (H)
Weight: 10.45 Pounds (approx)

Software
Operating System: Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium 64-bit - makes everyday tasks simple — and makes new things possible.

Photo/Video: HP MediaSmart Software Suite: Your one stop multimedia & entertainment center to create photo slideshows, share personal videos, listen to your favorite music playlists and watch DVD Movies

Entertainment: Cyberlink DVD Suite Deluxe: Automatically fix and edit videos and create CDs and DVDs. Edit, burn and archive data to discs.

Productivity: Microsoft Works 9: Includes a word processor, spreadsheet, database and calender
Microsoft Office Home & Student Edition 2007 - 60 day trial version
HP Total Care Advisor 3.2: HP Advisor makes your PC easier to use -view your status at a glance, access support, discover more ways to use your PC, and navigate easily to your favorite software and services.

PC Security: Norton Internet Security 2009: Protect your PC out of the box. (60 days of complimentary live updates)

Warranty/Support
Warranty: 1 Year Limited
Tech Support: 1 Year, 24x7 Support online or Toll Free Phone

Additional Info:
Model: s5220f
Part Number: NY542AA#ABA
UPC: 884962290415

Thanks pepperman,

The Acer is the one I was leaning towards. Being that it was basically the same as that first one I asked you about that was $299.99.

For $120 more I would get a bigger hard drive (320GB vs. 750GB), more memory (3GB vs. 4GB) and dedicated graphics card (Integrated GeForce 9200 vs. PCI-E GeForce G210).

Now hopefully I havent waited to long and they will still have them in stock. If not, I may still go with your original recommendation and build it myself with the parts you suggested.

Thanks pepperman for all your help.