TChemin

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Apr 26, 2010
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18,510
Hi everyone, so I'm making a trip to the US and I want to pick up some upgrades for my ageing pc that can't keep up with the newer games anymore.

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Before the 12th of May

BUDGET RANGE: 250-500 $ Before rebates.

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming (Battlefield Bad Company 2, Napoleon Total War, Assassin's Creed 2)

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Keyboard, mouse, monitor (LG Flatron L1960TR 19inch LCD), speakers, OS (Windows XP Home)

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com


OVERCLOCKING:Maybe
SLI OR CROSSFIRE:Maybe

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1280x1024

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: These are the parts that I currently have
AMD Athlon 64 3200+ MMX 3D Now 2Ghz
GeForce Nvidia 8600 GTS 256 MB
Bios Phoenix Award Bio V600 PG
Memory 1536 RAM MB (should be 2GB)
Power supply Axxyon Legends P520 Watts

Thanks !
P.S. How safe is it for parts to go through the airport meaning will scans ruin them ?
 

cmcghee358

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Is there any wiggle room on that budget?

For games like BC2, you're going to need a semi overhaul bud.
 
Hmm BC2 on a budget and since u on just a 1280 x 1024 i would hit something like

AthlonII X3
770/785 or low cost 790GX mobo
HD 5670 and dun cut corners getting something lesser in this department (better + within budget = yay)
2-4 GB DDR3 1333/1600
edit: Axxyon Legends P520 PSU - sounds dodgy to me lol
 
"How safe is it for parts to go through the airport meaning will scans ruin them ?"

The scan won't damage your computer components. The problems, which you will probably get, are...
1. Becoming a terror suspect, if those things got scanned by some idiots in the airport and recognized as potential detonation controller components for explosives.


2. Tax problems (on arrival) when you come back from US.
This happens very often. Meaning you have to pay extra tax, which could make those bught things a lot more expensive.
 

TChemin

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Apr 26, 2010
3
0
18,510
Thanks for the answers:

cmcghee358: Budget is tight but i'm sure I can raise it, I'm guessing that I'll have to change graphic and cpu then ? What would you propose for a semi overhaul, if it's good value then i'm willing to pay up considering how old my computer is. I don't need spectacular graphics but just want to be able to play BFBC2 on average settings. Thanks

batuchka: Monitor resolution isn't too important. Yeah the Axxyon is dodgy got it installed at a local shop without asking questions (http://novasia-technology.com/HTML/Decoupes/PSU2008.htm). Thanks for the suggestions I'll look those up.

quanyu210379: Hopefully it won't cause too many problems with checked in suitcases but thanks for the heads up I'll take that into consideration.
 

cmcghee358

Distinguished


You will need a new CPU, motherboard, GPU and RAM.

So thats basically a guts overhaul.

CPU: 75.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103724&cm_re=Athlon_II_x_3-_-19-103-724-_-Product

GPU: 150.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131330&cm_re=Radeon_5770-_-14-131-330-_-Product

Motherboard: 50.00 after 10 MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138179

RAM 4 GB: 109.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231193&cm_re=G._Skill_DDr3-_-20-231-193-_-Product

Total 384.00 MINIMUM (see below for recommendations)

Antec Earthwatts 430W PSU: 60.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371034&cm_re=antec_earthwatts_power_supply-_-17-371-034-_-Product

500 GB HDD: 55.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181&Tpk=Samsung%20Spinpoint%20F3%20500


Total price 499.00 before shipping.

Hey I did it!