Computer Swap + New Build and needing advice

[duanehaas]

Here's what I got and I'm looking to update these machines to be good (but not top of the line). If I could, I would like to get a new case for the HTPC and swap some of the internals to that system (while possibly reusing some of the old pieces) and making a relatively new computer for my gaming/everyday use computer. Keep it around $750-$850 if possible. No operating systems needed. Any combination is appreciated (e.g. Using the Q9300 in the HTPC and getting a new core i5 w/ motherboard for the new computer while reusing the 8800gt and buying a new 8800gt for SLI, or keeping the Q9300 for the gaming/everyday comp and upgrading to a new video card, swapping the 8800gt to the HTPC and getting a new dual core processor and MB). I would also personally like to have more storage in the gaming computer and/or a faster hard drive in the HTPC (quick boot ups in the living room and primarily used for HD video viewing). I don't have any special preferences for AMD vs. Intel, or NVidia vs. ATI. Lemme know if you need any other information and Thanks for the help guys!



I have a Gateway FX7026 Gaming Desktop with these stats -

Processor - Intel Core 2 Quad Q9300(2.5GHz)

Memory - 4GB DDR2 667

Hard Drive - 640GB(2 x 320GB) SATA 7200rpm

Optical Drive - 18X DVD±R/RW SuperMulti Drive featuring Labelflash Technology

Graphics - NVIDIA GeForce 8800GT (w/ 512MB on board memory)

Operating System - Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit

Motherboard (Not Original) - Gigabyte G41M-ES2L

CPU Fan Cooler - Cooler Master RR-910-HTX3-G1 Hyper TX3 CPU Cooler




I also have a rather old HTPC (5-6 yrs) that is running this right now -

Case - Cooler Master Cavalier 4 (in black and pretty ugly as I messed it up and had to pull off the front flip down panel)

Hard Drive - 250 GB (name not known)

Optical Drive - BenQ DVD LS DW1655 ATA Device

Analog TV Tuner Card - NVIDIA® DualTV MCE analog TV tuner card

Digital TV Tuner Card - AVerTVHD MCE A180

Motherboard - MSI K8NGM2-FID 939 NVIDIA GeForce 6150 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard

Processor - AMD Athlon 64 3200+ / 2 GHz - Socket 939 - L2 512 KB

Video Card - PNY Verto GeForce 7900 GS

Ram - 2GB (Not a clue what vendor or speeds)

Power Supply - Antec earthwatts EA500 500W Continuous Power ATX12V

Operating System - Windows 7 Ultimate 32 Bit

 

[duanehaas]

Ok so here is what I have thought up for a transfer/new build. I got it to $530.38 before rebates ($65 in rebates) Let me know what you all think or if I am better off switching to something else -

New Build

Reused Parts -

Processor - Intel Core 2 Quad Q9300(2.5GHz)

CPU Fan Cooler - Cooler Master RR-910-HTX3-G1 Hyper TX3 CPU Cooler

Optical Drive - 18X DVD±R/RW SuperMulti Drive featuring Labelflash Technology

Case - Cooler Master Cavalier 4 (in black and pretty ugly as I messed it up and had to pull off the front flip down panel) Its in a cabinet so I don't care what it looks like

Hard Drive - 640GB(2 x 320GB) SATA 7200rpm

New Parts -

Motherboard - GIGABYTE GA-EP45T-USB3P LGA 775 Intel P45 USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

Memory - A-DATA 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit

Video Card - GeForce 9800 GT 512MB 256-bit DDR3

PSU - OCZ StealthXStream OCZ600SXS 600W

HTPC -

Reused - Motherboard (Not Original) - Gigabyte G41M-ES2L

Memory - 4GB DDR2 667

Graphics - NVIDIA GeForce 8800GT (w/ 512MB on board memory)

Optical Drive - BenQ DVD LS DW1655 ATA Device

Power Supply - Antec earthwatts EA500 500W Continuous Power ATX12V

Analog TV Tuner Card - NVIDIA® DualTV MCE analog TV tuner card

Digital TV Tuner Card - AVerTVHD MCE A180

Hard Drive - 250 GB Maxtor

New Parts -

Case - nMEDIAPC Black Aluminum / Steel HTPC 3000B ATX Media Center / HTPC Case

CPU - Intel Pentium Dual-Core E5400