Looking for input and advice for upgrading

[nitric0]

Hey guys I have decided to upgrade some component since my system is just too slow to run games or movies.
Right now I have a
AMD 64 3200+
DFI LanParty ut nf4 Ultra-D
BFG 9800GT 512MB
2x512MB OCZ RAM
Raidmax ATX Case
Western Digital 80GB HDD
500W PSU

My budget is $200~ (I can go as high as $220 with shipping and such)

I have decided to purchase just a motherboard, processor and RAM. I've picked out the following for my system:

Processor: AMD Athlon II X2 250 Regor 3.0GHz 2 x 1MB L2 Cache Socket AM3 65W Dual-Core Processor

Motherboard: ASUS M4N68T-M AM3 NVIDIA Geforce 7025/nForce 630a Micro ATX AMD Motherboard

RAM: GeIL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10660) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model GV34GB1333C9DC

OR

If I switch my CPU and RAM with

AMD Athlon II X4 620 Propus 2.6GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103706

and

Crucial Ballistix 2GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Desktop Memory Model BL25664BN1337
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148304


with the same motherboard. which would be the better buy?
Which one will be better? Dual Core w 4GB RAM or Quad Core w 2GB RAM.

Will a microATX mobo fit inside an ATX case? i've heard you can but just wanted to double check.

what do you guys think? I can get better for my budget or is this as good as it gets for $200? Will a 500W PSU power the system? thanks for any input

 

[treefrog07]

Looks like good choices. The microATX will fit, but you may to move the motherboard stand-off screws.

 

[nitric0]

Looks like good choices. The microATX will fit, but you may to move the motherboard stand-off screws.

Do I have to mod the case in anyway?

 

[nitric0]

If I switch my CPU and RAM with

AMD Athlon II X4 620 Propus 2.6GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103706

and

Crucial Ballistix 2GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Desktop Memory Model BL25664BN1337
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148304

Which one will be better? Dual Core w 4GB RAM or Quad Core w 2GB RAM.

 

[False_Dmitry_II]

A triple core with 4GB of RAM and parting out the old CPU/mobo together (there's a section for that) and the old RAM on ebay.

I'd go with this mobo instead though
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813135265

Or if you could stretch it one of the 770 chipset or higher stuff.

But yeah, with that graphics card and the rest of your current system... Let's just say you'll see a bunch better out of it after doing that.

Edit: no you wont need to modify the case. just possibly move the things that the mobo is screwed into.

 

[Onus]

Assuming the PSU came with the case, it's not good for anywhere near 500W; 400W would be optimistic. Fortunately, your system probably doesn't use 250W loaded.
These were chokemax PSUs: http://www.corsair.com/cinema/movie.aspx?id=622747
Just don't plan on a major video card upgrade until you've replaced it.
There's a killer deal today on an Antec 620W Neo-Eco PSU at Newegg; $55 - $15 if you play the rebate game and win. It's bigger than you'd need, but impossible to beat for that price.

 

[nitric0]

I actually bought the PSU a year ago. Forgot the company but it was around $70. I just wanted to know which is better for gaming. QuadCore w 2GB RAM or Dual Core with 4GB Ram. is quad core even necessary for gaming? I know it's better for futures-sake

 

[Onus]

Oh, well then your PSU is probably reasonable.
I'd get the quad. You can always add more RAM when your budget allows.

 

[nitric0]

Oh, well then your PSU is probably reasonable.
I'd get the quad. You can always add more RAM when your budget allows.

I am reading some of the newegg customer reviews and people keep repeating how this isn't build for gaming since it lacks L3 cache ( I don't even know what that is) Any input on that?

 

[Onus]

Look at the last $650 SBM article to see just how competent an Athlon II X3 440 was for gaming; no cache, and did quite well.

 

[False_Dmitry_II]

In the benchmarks that cache seems to do the most good for winrar and similar things. In gaming it doesn't seem like there's alot of a difference.

 

[nitric0]

Look at the last $650 SBM article to see just how competent an Athlon II X3 440 was for gaming; no cache, and did quite well.

So Quad Core is the best way to go in my situation?

 

[Onus]

Yes, or the X3 if you need to save some money.