APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Within the next week
BUDGET RANGE: Technically unlimited, based more of the level of the parts than the price, see commentary for more info
SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Downloads, gaming, movies, general internet usage, word processing/office work (hardly)
PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Mouse, keyboard, monitor. See commentary for more info.
PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg.ca, Futureshop.ca
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Canada
PARTS PREFERENCES: Brand loyal to ATI and somewhat to AMD for processors but won't handicap my rig if the quality of Intel/Nvidia can supersede it.
OVERCLOCKING: No
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: No
MONITOR RESOLUTION: Currently 1680x1050, may upgrade post-build
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Looking to keep things quiet if possible, the computer is based in my bedroom so leaving it on overnight would be preferential (not possible now).
So this is my current rig:
OS: Microsoft XP Home 32 bit
Processor: 3.40 gigahertz Intel Pentium D
Motherboard: Intel Corporation D945GNT AAC96324-403
Graphics Card: Radeon X1950 Pro 512Mb
RAM: 2 sticks of 512 MB DDR2, 2 sticks of 1 Gb DDR2
Optical: 2 CD/DVD Drives
Hard drives: Primary 160GB, Secondary 320GB
This is what I know for sure what I want to upgrade to:
OS: Microsoft Windows 7 64 bit
RAM: 4 (or more) GB's of DDR3 RAM
Optical: Keep 1 CD/DVD Optical Drive and add a Blu-Ray drive
Hard drives: Swap Primary harddrive to the 320GB and throw in a 500 or higher Secondary
Graphics: Card should output HDMI (will need a new monitor but I can get that on my own and not necessary immediately)
Commentary:
Now I'm new to the computer building process but looking to do this with the help of a friend. I'm thinking I'm going to need to upgrade the motherboard to get a newer CPU in. I'm just not 100% of what's compatible with what. Hardware isn't totally my forte (hence the building help). Other things I'm looking for help with is considering swapping the primary drive with a new SSD 60 GB one. The reasoning would be as currently my OS is installed on the primary with most programs installed on the secondary. I'm using 50 GB of the 160 GB currently so it wouldn't be to hard to slim that down even less and throw it on an SSD if it would speed up boot time. I just don't know if it actually would? I'm also a bit of a multi-tasker so I get easily frustrated when things bog down because of it. That's why I also suggested using 4 GB of RAM or even maybe more? Examples would be alt-tabing out of games, running multiple videos (not as common), burning media while surfing the net/downloading, etc.
Here's my main issues/thoughts. I bought the current computer from my brother's friend who owns a computer shop. What I didn't realize until literally half an hour ago is the case. It's this Aopen one. The thing is, is that it has it's own PSU already in it as well as a placement for that side vent. I just don't know is this going to be an issue if I try and upgrade the PSU? Or the other question is, will I need to upgrade it? Also with that vent, will it again change things if I try and upgrade the motherboard in regards to placements.
As for the budget/parts level comment earlier. I am a gamer, though admittedly less-so on the PC as time goes by. Right now I'm mostly just running Left 4 Dead 1+2 as well as Starcraft 2. If I could run Starcraft 2 at near max levels or even just around high, I would be content. I definitely don't need a setup to run Crysis 2 at max or anything insane like that. I've heard good things about the Phenom II, though if there's anyway I can get out of upgrading the motherboard, ie sticking with a Intel processor I would go with that. I'm just thinking the whole thing is probably old enough I might as well replace the whole motherboard. Again a lot of it comes down to this being a first-build for me (I've done little things so far, added the second hard drive, optical drive, swapped out RAM) so while I will have some help, I'm trying to keep the difficulty level down.
BUDGET RANGE: Technically unlimited, based more of the level of the parts than the price, see commentary for more info
SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Downloads, gaming, movies, general internet usage, word processing/office work (hardly)
PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Mouse, keyboard, monitor. See commentary for more info.
PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg.ca, Futureshop.ca
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Canada
PARTS PREFERENCES: Brand loyal to ATI and somewhat to AMD for processors but won't handicap my rig if the quality of Intel/Nvidia can supersede it.
OVERCLOCKING: No
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: No
MONITOR RESOLUTION: Currently 1680x1050, may upgrade post-build
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Looking to keep things quiet if possible, the computer is based in my bedroom so leaving it on overnight would be preferential (not possible now).
So this is my current rig:
OS: Microsoft XP Home 32 bit
Processor: 3.40 gigahertz Intel Pentium D
Motherboard: Intel Corporation D945GNT AAC96324-403
Graphics Card: Radeon X1950 Pro 512Mb
RAM: 2 sticks of 512 MB DDR2, 2 sticks of 1 Gb DDR2
Optical: 2 CD/DVD Drives
Hard drives: Primary 160GB, Secondary 320GB
This is what I know for sure what I want to upgrade to:
OS: Microsoft Windows 7 64 bit
RAM: 4 (or more) GB's of DDR3 RAM
Optical: Keep 1 CD/DVD Optical Drive and add a Blu-Ray drive
Hard drives: Swap Primary harddrive to the 320GB and throw in a 500 or higher Secondary
Graphics: Card should output HDMI (will need a new monitor but I can get that on my own and not necessary immediately)
Commentary:
Now I'm new to the computer building process but looking to do this with the help of a friend. I'm thinking I'm going to need to upgrade the motherboard to get a newer CPU in. I'm just not 100% of what's compatible with what. Hardware isn't totally my forte (hence the building help). Other things I'm looking for help with is considering swapping the primary drive with a new SSD 60 GB one. The reasoning would be as currently my OS is installed on the primary with most programs installed on the secondary. I'm using 50 GB of the 160 GB currently so it wouldn't be to hard to slim that down even less and throw it on an SSD if it would speed up boot time. I just don't know if it actually would? I'm also a bit of a multi-tasker so I get easily frustrated when things bog down because of it. That's why I also suggested using 4 GB of RAM or even maybe more? Examples would be alt-tabing out of games, running multiple videos (not as common), burning media while surfing the net/downloading, etc.
Here's my main issues/thoughts. I bought the current computer from my brother's friend who owns a computer shop. What I didn't realize until literally half an hour ago is the case. It's this Aopen one. The thing is, is that it has it's own PSU already in it as well as a placement for that side vent. I just don't know is this going to be an issue if I try and upgrade the PSU? Or the other question is, will I need to upgrade it? Also with that vent, will it again change things if I try and upgrade the motherboard in regards to placements.
As for the budget/parts level comment earlier. I am a gamer, though admittedly less-so on the PC as time goes by. Right now I'm mostly just running Left 4 Dead 1+2 as well as Starcraft 2. If I could run Starcraft 2 at near max levels or even just around high, I would be content. I definitely don't need a setup to run Crysis 2 at max or anything insane like that. I've heard good things about the Phenom II, though if there's anyway I can get out of upgrading the motherboard, ie sticking with a Intel processor I would go with that. I'm just thinking the whole thing is probably old enough I might as well replace the whole motherboard. Again a lot of it comes down to this being a first-build for me (I've done little things so far, added the second hard drive, optical drive, swapped out RAM) so while I will have some help, I'm trying to keep the difficulty level down.
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