- Apr 1, 2011
- 4
- 0
- 18,510
Approximate Purchase Date: Within 2 weeks
Budget Range: $300-$400 (or close)
System Usage from Most to Least Important: Internet, Flight Simulators, watching movies, editing/creating movies, gaming
Parts Not Required: Keyboard/mouse, monitors, video card, HDD and OS, POSSIBLY CPU cooler, POSSIBLY PSU
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com, tigerdirect.com
Country of Origin: USA
Parts Preferences: I would like to use an AMD CPU, side window mid tower case.
Overclocking: Yes
SLI or Crossfire: Maybe
Monitor Resolution: 2560X1600 on 30" monitor, 1280X1024 on 17"
Additional Comments:
I bought a Dell XPS 700 in 2006, all the reviews said it was awesome, and honestly it was. I had no complaints, a few minor issues with the SLI nVidia cards, added memory etc. Well this week the MOBO decided it was done, and NOW I have issues with Dell! Proprietary systems suck! Dell wants $467 for a new MOBO!! I feel I can build a machine for much less, as I don't need to buy ALL the parts.
I want to build as much performance as possible within my $300-$400 budget. I want to use as many parts from my XPS as I can, planning to keep the Monitors, HD and OS, video card, and RAM if possible. I would like to build an AMD system, and I would like the new system to have a little bling with a side window, and more performance than the XPS. Possibly even add water cooling, external automotive gauges, etc at a later date. ABSOLUTELY no MicroATX, fullsize stuff only.
Dell system came with:
Pentium D Presler 3.0 Ghz
2 512k DIMM DDR2 chips
Western Digital 250GB SATA hard drive running windows XP.
700w power supply (more on this later)
KILLER heat tube/fan CPU cooler (more later)
3007WFP 30" monitor capable of 2560X1600
I added:
2-1Gb of the same RAM for a total of 3 Gb RAM
XFX Raedon 1GB video card
XFX Raedon
a second monitor, Dell E177FP capable of 1280X1024
It is my understanding from reading here and other forum's that because of Dell's proprietary BS, I'll need to replace the case, MOBO, CPU and power supply. Correct me if I'm wrong.
ISSUES: I would like to save my current PSU to save some money, even if I have to change the plugs. Not sure if that will work. Also, I would like to keep the CPU cooler, however Dell mounts the chip at a 45* angle, and the heat tubes are all twisted, so that the cooling fins are back in line with the mobo.
Here's what I'm thinking I need to buy:
I REALLY like this CPU, planning to overclock as much as possible while being stable, 3.5 or so I'm guessing.
AMD Athalon II X3 Rana 3.2 Ghz
MOBO
ASRock 870 Xtreme
With those, my current memory won't work so:
GSkill 4GB Ripjaws
Case
Red Raidmax Tornado
Well, that's about it. Open to any and all suggestions, especially on the PSU and CPU cooler. I think with the parts I already have, and a few smart purchases I can end up with a pretty decent rig and not have a ton of money invested.
Thanks in advance gang!
Budget Range: $300-$400 (or close)
System Usage from Most to Least Important: Internet, Flight Simulators, watching movies, editing/creating movies, gaming
Parts Not Required: Keyboard/mouse, monitors, video card, HDD and OS, POSSIBLY CPU cooler, POSSIBLY PSU
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com, tigerdirect.com
Country of Origin: USA
Parts Preferences: I would like to use an AMD CPU, side window mid tower case.
Overclocking: Yes
SLI or Crossfire: Maybe
Monitor Resolution: 2560X1600 on 30" monitor, 1280X1024 on 17"
Additional Comments:
I bought a Dell XPS 700 in 2006, all the reviews said it was awesome, and honestly it was. I had no complaints, a few minor issues with the SLI nVidia cards, added memory etc. Well this week the MOBO decided it was done, and NOW I have issues with Dell! Proprietary systems suck! Dell wants $467 for a new MOBO!! I feel I can build a machine for much less, as I don't need to buy ALL the parts.
I want to build as much performance as possible within my $300-$400 budget. I want to use as many parts from my XPS as I can, planning to keep the Monitors, HD and OS, video card, and RAM if possible. I would like to build an AMD system, and I would like the new system to have a little bling with a side window, and more performance than the XPS. Possibly even add water cooling, external automotive gauges, etc at a later date. ABSOLUTELY no MicroATX, fullsize stuff only.
Dell system came with:
Pentium D Presler 3.0 Ghz
2 512k DIMM DDR2 chips
Western Digital 250GB SATA hard drive running windows XP.
700w power supply (more on this later)
KILLER heat tube/fan CPU cooler (more later)
3007WFP 30" monitor capable of 2560X1600
I added:
2-1Gb of the same RAM for a total of 3 Gb RAM
XFX Raedon 1GB video card
XFX Raedon
a second monitor, Dell E177FP capable of 1280X1024
It is my understanding from reading here and other forum's that because of Dell's proprietary BS, I'll need to replace the case, MOBO, CPU and power supply. Correct me if I'm wrong.
ISSUES: I would like to save my current PSU to save some money, even if I have to change the plugs. Not sure if that will work. Also, I would like to keep the CPU cooler, however Dell mounts the chip at a 45* angle, and the heat tubes are all twisted, so that the cooling fins are back in line with the mobo.
Here's what I'm thinking I need to buy:
I REALLY like this CPU, planning to overclock as much as possible while being stable, 3.5 or so I'm guessing.
AMD Athalon II X3 Rana 3.2 Ghz
MOBO
ASRock 870 Xtreme
With those, my current memory won't work so:
GSkill 4GB Ripjaws
Case
Red Raidmax Tornado
Well, that's about it. Open to any and all suggestions, especially on the PSU and CPU cooler. I think with the parts I already have, and a few smart purchases I can end up with a pretty decent rig and not have a ton of money invested.
Thanks in advance gang!
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