[Solved] Upgrade Advice

I'm looking for some advice on upgrading my Alienware Area 51 Desktop. I don't know a ton about computers and am a little intimidated about going through with this process, not to mention I'm not really sure on all the bells and whistles available on different upgrades.

The point of these upgrades is really for gaming (specifically Final Fantasy IV, once it comes out at the end of September). My current PC has served me well (a 7 year old A-51), but it just isn't going to hack it for much longer.

I have done a lot of online research and looked at a ton of reviews, but thought some more advice would be good. I would like to keep my budget around $500 (give or take) if possible, so we aren't talking top of the line parts here.

I have a nice ACER monitor, Creative Soundblaster Audio, Mouse, Keyboard, and figured I would simply use my A-51 Case (I hope it's compatible) as well as my power supply, and an extra video card fan I bought a year ago in the new rig. I have searched Newegg exhaustively and have come to the conclusion that this looks like the best I can do as far as coming up with upgrades goes. Are these compatible? Are there better options for what I'm trying to do at a better price line? Am I WAY in over my head?


CPU: Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor BX80605I5750 ($194.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115215

MB: ASUS Maximus III GENE LGA 1156 Intel P55 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard ($149.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131599

GPU: SAPPHIRE 100297L Radeon HD 5830 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card w/ ATI Eyefinity ($199.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102878

RAM: CORSAIR XMS3 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMX4GX3M2A1600C9 ($99.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820145260


I obviously went a bit over my budget, however a couple of the items combo at the moment to drop the price a little bit more, as well as some mail-in rebates. HELP!?

I dont think a new mb cpu ram and video card is called a upgrade... You are building a new system. but after 7 years it's time. Good Luck

lets have a look see @ your innards and the specs

Also, let me stress that this is the very tip top of my price point (if not over, my wife may very well kill me). If I can get slightly less potent parts without sacrificing much quality while dropping the price significantly I would seriously consider it.

Yes, I would be strangled I suppose. You know how it is. Kid in the candy shop effect. Anyway.

It's really funny, I originally had the 5770 board you picked out originally(the second one...btw, what is the difference between the 2? I know one is 2.0 and one is 2.1...but is that a big deal?)

As far as the ROG board is concerned...well, I don't know what that is actually. The board I picked got good ratings and I thought it was compatible, but if that's useless to me, then I don't want it. The PCI slots I'm not too worried about. I don't intend to add much down the road, expect maybe just to crossfire if it's a good idea.

I'll work on the pic of my innards. My wife has the cam with her atm at her work. However, here is a link with a guy who's case looks very similar to mine. His is one year newer, but they may be near identical.

http://www.originniche.com/forums/ [...] php?t=4467

And thanks for the welcome!

the vaporX version is clocked higher than the reference/original card and in this case has a slight edge over the 5770 in option 2.

PCI-E 2.0 and 2.1 are the same in essence but differ as the latter is the headway for PCI-E 3.0. PCI-E 2.1 are backwards compatible with PCI-E 2.0 slots. Read this.

ROG stand for Republic of Gamers i own one and they are the cream of the crop as far as hardware are concerned! Bragging rights, if you will. That board (and all their boards in that matter) will look awesome in a clear window case. In your case, you cant be a hardcore gaming dad or can you?

I own an Asus Rampage Extreme x48, its old but i loved everything in it! For your board, you can check the specs out here

Your welcome for the welcome!

AH!!!Your case is ATX. You can get a ATX board instead of a mATX board.

You know, i overlooked one important factor! What is your Acer's monitor size? and what wattage,Power supply you have right now ?

My monitor is 21" if I recall correctly...as far as PSU wattage....uh...um...idk.

a few years down the road you wont be interested in them, as you'll probably own a console...maybe. but the parts should last you a few more years *lol* you made an alienware desktop last for 7 years

oh wait, the other mobo is also a good route i lost track :S

now your budget is $510...you can get a good quality PSU with the extra cash

lol...yeah crossfiring the 5770 is a good route but i doubt yo'll find any ati 4 series card to crossfire after you've purchased the 1 above.

final list

CPU - http://www.dpbolvw.net/click-34639 [...] 6819115215

Mobo - http://www.dpbolvw.net/click-34639 [...] 6813131604

Ram - http://www.dpbolvw.net/click-34639 [...] 6820145260

Grafix Card - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] -_-Product or this, http://www.dpbolvw.net/click-34639 [...] -_-Product

all you ned is a PSU calculation

So i have to decide between the video cards effectively...hmm...IDK!!!

Apparently VRAM is going to be a must for this game. Is there a difference in the two? I can't find one.

PSU calculations with this setup in my current case would is appx. 350 apparently. I wonder if my PSU would work? Guess I'm gonna have to crack the case...

Aha! Ok.

get this

oops sorry!!!!!!

try this

lol, idk whats wrong... find this Item#:N82E16817341017

Finally!

Problem is with that PSU and the 5770 we are back to $650 LOL.

hmmm yeah, you need to understand if you want to crossfire or not. If your going to CF in the near fututre its best to stick with whats new. If you get a 5770 now, prices will fall once the 6 series come out. then you can buy it off cheap and crossfire them

I'd certainly be interested in it, but it won't be an option for a while.

so your sticking with the 4850?

I'm gonna leave it to my wife. If she is in a good mood I'll end up with the 5770...if not it will be the 4850, and if she is pissed, we just wasted a lot of time and effort and I apologize to you, kind sir.

Aye aye!

c'est la vie!