New Hometheatre/gaming computer/upgrade

lostpike

Distinguished
Mar 6, 2010
78
0
18,630
APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: 1-2months

BUDGET RANGE: trying to stay around $400-500. I have $1000 to upgrade my desktop and buy a 11-15" ultralight/netbook with HDMI with a ok graphics card. Before / After Rebates- not a big fan of mail in rebates

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT:
1. Watching Movies on a 46" TV
2. Games(currently playing WOW, Dragon Age and Fallout 3)
3. Surfing net
4. home office items

PARTS NOT REQUIRED:
My current computer has these parts which could be reused:
PROCESSOOR:
AMD Athlon™ 64 x2 Dual Core Processor 6000+ 3.00GHZ

MOTHERBOARD:
Asus M3N78-VM Socket AM2+/ GeForce 8200/ DDR2-1066/ Hybrid SLI/ HDMI/ A&V&GbE/ MATX Motherboard

GRAPHICS CARD
Currently using motherboards onboard GeForce 8200.

RAM
4gig Ram DDR2 800

HARD DRIVE
Western Digital 300gig hard drive WDC WD3200AAKS-75VYA0 ATA Device
-Also have a 1TB External Drive

CD DVD DRIVE
TSSTcorp CDDVDW SH-S202G ATA Device

POWER SUPPLY
-Corsair TX650w Power Supply

OPERATING SYSTEM
-Windows 7 64bit Professional

MOUSE/KEYBOARD/MONITOR
Have a Logitech Wireless keyboard and mouse with a very long range. I mostly use my 46" Sony Bravia TV 1080hp 12-mhz as a monitor.

PRINTER
-In need of a Laser Jet printer. This can wait though.

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS Any US store. Newegg.com, compusa.com (have a store still locally).

PARTS PREFERENCES: I would love to be able to upgrade to an i7. Been told by a friend he can get one for me for $200.

OVERCLOCKING: Never done it before... Maybe SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe

MONITOR RESOLUTION: (e.g.: 1024x768, 1280x1024, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1920x1080, 1920x1200) 1920x1080. Will be using two monitors. One is my 46" Sony Bravia 1080hp 120mhz TV.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
My goal is to upgrade my computer into something I can use as a great home theatre and game system and also be able to afford a lightweight gaming/work notebook to take on the go. Thanks for your help in advance!
 

lostpike

Distinguished
Mar 6, 2010
78
0
18,630
Thank you for your quick reply! I have a couple of questions:

1. The motherboard does not state it supports DDR3 1600. Would this motherboard be better?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188051&cm_re=micro_sli-_-13-188-051-_-Product

2. I found this for ram. Is there any difference?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227365

3. What about this case?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133044&cm_re=lanbox-_-11-133-044-_-Product

4. Finally, will I need any extra coolant?


 

osu43130

Distinguished
Jan 14, 2010
372
0
18,810
1) EVGA makes good boards but I tend to stick with Gigabyte or Asus right now. As well as that board does not look like it supports USB3 and Sata 6. As far as the Ram goes the only thing you have to do is set the timing in bios to get it to work all it will do is default to a slower speed until this is done.

2) It is a little slower then the Ram I provided in my link. Also from what I have heard OCZ sometimes has issues with certain mother boards. If you go with that ram check both the Mobo manufactures site as well as the OCZ site and make sure that it is compatible.

3) For one the Mobo will not fit in that case it needs a Micro ATX board. Second, I really do not know much about that case other then what size mobo it needs. Lastly I just suggested a quality, inexpensive case with good airflow that will provide everything you really need.

4) I am assuming you mean cooler. If you are planning on Over clocking then I suggest this cooler. AND THANK GOD THE PRICE WENT BACK DOWN........It is the cheapest I have seen it with out a sale.
 

lostpike

Distinguished
Mar 6, 2010
78
0
18,630
Thanks again. First time builder so this is very helpful. I will have a i7-930 within a week and will slowly start putting this together. Guess I will be the cooler right now also!