Upgrading a 2006 system

Budget? Assuming you've got quite a bit (and would like the option to Crossfire):

CPU: X4 955 $161
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-790XTA-UD4 $140
RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws 2x2 GB 1600 mhz CAS Latency 7 $115
GPU: HD 5870 $395

Total: $905. This board is $140 outside of combos and has a lot of combos with other AM3 CPUs (including the one below).

If you're on a tight budget (and don't want Crossfire):

CPU/Mobo: X3 425 and Gigabyte GA-770TA-UD3 $147 after rebate
RAM: Same as above
GPU: HD 5770 $153 after rebate

Total: $415. The board in this one is $85 after rebate outside of combos, and can be used with the X4 955 if you don't want to Crossfire.

There are many, many possible builds between these two budgets, one good build above the top one and one decent build below the $415.

sorry, I read the forum guidelines just after I posted. I dont have a specific budget. I am looking for a good bang for the buck so I dont really want to spend say 40 pct of the budget whatever it is to get an additional 7 pct performance improvement.

I just found the email with the then current system pricing of what I am running now-

11-129-166 CASE ANTEC | P150 SIL 430W RT 1 $138.98 $138.98


13-131-540 MB ASUS A8N-SLI Premium NF4SLI 939 1 $163.49 $163.49
For Asus Tech Support, Please Call 502-995-0883 or http://helpdesk.asus.com/


VGA replaced - I bought the wrong card


20-227-210 MEM 1Gx2|D400 OCZ4002048ELDCPE-K R 1 $199.99 $199.99
For Tech support call: 408 986 8400 or email support@ocztechnology.com


22-148-111 HD 250G|ST 7K 8M SATA2 ST3250824AS 2 $98.00 $196.00
This item is serviced by the SeaGate. Please call 800 -732-4283 for service.

23-126-167 KB LOGITCH|INTERNET PRO BLACK PS2% 1 $9.98 $9.98


27-131-356 DVD BURNER PLXTOR PX-740A/SW 1 $80.99 $80.99




Subtotal $838.42
Tax $0.00
Shipping and Handling charge $55.96
Amount Paid $894.38

Sincere thank you for all of your help

Thanks. This is a great starting point for me to look into these

Ok...I don't care what you paid for it back then unless that's what you want to pay for it now (in which case go with the first configuration I posted).

How about at least giving us a range? And what you plan to do with the computer. And the monitor's resolution. And everything else from the guidelines.

I just posted that because I was happy with the price/performance of those at the time and so I would be willing to spend the same. The monitor is new, 24inch Acer with good specs but I dont have the details handy. I will review the guidelines after doing some more research so I dont waste your time. thanks for the help.

That's what wasn't clear. The $900 you'd spend on the X4 955/5870 would give great price/performance. As long as the monitor's resolution is 1900x, you won't be wasting the GPU's power. If it's 1600x, an HD 5850 would be more than enough for the future, the 5770 would be enough for now.