Upgrades under $300

[enzo matrix]

I'm looking to upgrade my current system. Currently my costs, including the 13% tax in ontario, adds up to $302.84. I would prefer to get my parts from Canada Computers as it is nearby and inexpensive. I hope to purchase before the new year.

Basically, I would like advice on where I can cut costs. $300 is the absolute most I am willing to spend including tax so umm... $265 without. If I could bring this number below $200 or $150 that would be... magical... but unexpected. Do not include mail in rebates, especially since my purchase time is yet to be determined.

I do want: a new cpu, new graphics card, new case, new power supply. The sound level is important to me, as I have to sleep about 3 metres away from it.

I use my computer for gaming: COD4, Far Cry 2, Fallout 3, Crysis etc. I really don't care about resolution or settings too much, I just want to bring most modern games to playable framerates on minimum settings at 1280*720, preferably. But I don't mind going down to 800*600 if I have to.

This is my current build:
Asus motherboard 1xPCI-e 16x, Nvidia 8200m, socket AM2+
AMD Athlon 64 3200+ OC to 2.6GHz
I use the integrated graphics
2x1GB Mushkin DDR2-6400 (the silver stuff)
A really old Antec 300W PSU that has started clicking
160GB 7200rpm HDD (seagate I believe)

The items I've been looking at:

CPU: Athlon IIx2 240
http://www.canadacomputers.com/index.php?do=ShowProduct&cmd=pd&pid=025110&cid=CPU.907

Powercolor Radeon 4670
http://www.canadacomputers.com/index.php?do=ShowProduct&cmd=pd&pid=026655&cid=VDC.243.272

OCZ 500W
http://www.canadacomputers.com/index.php?do=ShowProduct&cmd=pd&pid=016235&cid=PSU.731

Antec 300
http://www.canadacomputers.com/index.php?do=ShowProduct&cmd=pd&pid=018460&cid=CAS.664

Thanks in advance for any advice!

 

[thepinkpanther]

well you'll save about $13 with this one

http://www.canadacomputers.com/index.php?do=ShowProduct&cmd=pd&pid=021415&cid=VDC.243.272

it has half the memory but i dont think u will need more than 512 mb. I dont know if they have a "black friday" in canada, but if they do wait a while longer.

 

[enzo matrix]

Yep. The reason I didn't pick that one was because it is out of stock even online. Likely an item that will never return to in stock; I've been watching it for a couple months now.

 

[daggs]

and this? http://www.canadacomputers.com/index.php?do=ShowProduct&cmd=pd&pid=026465&cid=VDC.243.272 for 64.99? hurry, there is only one at stock left...

 

[daggs]

61.99, sorry

 

[enzo matrix]

Thanks for the response guys, but I'm looking more for ideas on changing the actual parts of my upgrade. For example, a cheaper power supply model, case or a different radeon model that would be a better deal for my needs. Currently, the parts I have listed are the best deals for their models that are in stock in my area.

 

[obsidian86]

antec 200 a bit cheaper

 

[enzo matrix]

Thanks obsidian86 that might work. Anyone have ideas on even cheaper cases that are good enough quality, have good enough cooling and are relatively quiet under that price?

 

[ohiou_grad_06]

Did you see this case?

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4435003&CatId=1509

I'm not Canadian, but cooler master is supposed to make a decent case.

 

[enzo matrix]

Thanks for your responses. If everything works out I should be able to upgrade decently for under $200. The antec 300 and the OCZ 500W PSU I will get. I like that the antec 300 has some quiet fans that can be switched to 3 different speeds. Bought second hand, I can get an Athlon 4400+ and a radeon 3870 for a total of about $60-80, hopefully by the new year. How to I make this thread "solved"?