Here are my current specs, want to upgrade for under $500

[Vladimir Guerrero]

Was curious if I can still use the current case, trying to save money and upgrade rather than a completely brand-new build so I can play Team Fortress 2 and some other steam games, and install Vista or 7.

Here are the current specs (used PC Wizard):


Manufacturer : eMachines
Mainboard : First International Computer, Inc. AU31
Chipset : nVidia nForce2 IGP
Processor : AMD Athlon XP @ 2200MHz
Physical Memory : 512MB (1 x 512 DDR-SDRAM )
Video Card : NVIDIA GeForce4 MX Integrated GPU
Hard Disk : Western Digital WD1600BB-22GUA0 (160GB)
DVD-Rom Drive : Toshiba-Samsung CD/DVDW TS-H552B
CD-Rom Drive : SAMSUNG CD-ROM SC-148A
Monitor Type : Hewlett Packard HP S2031 - 20 inches
Network Card : Nvidia nForce MCP-T Networking Adapter
Operating System : Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition 5.01.2600 Service Pack 3 (32-bit)
DirectX : Version 9.0c (November 2006)

 

[Proximon]

Sorry, not really. You are better off starting over. I think it can be done for $500 to start, but you'll want to upgrade the video later.

Here is a build with everything. The board has better built in video, and it should run TF2 as long as settings are moderate. You can add a graphics card as you can.

■LG DVD Burner - Bulk Black SATA Model GH24NS50 - OEM
■SAMSUNG Spinpoint F4 HD322GJ/U 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
■G.SKILL NS 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-4GBNS
■Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM
■Rosewill Green Series RG530-S12 530W Continuous @40°C, 80 PLUS Certified, Single 12V Rail, Active PFC "Compatible with Core ...
■Rosewill DESTROYER Black Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case, comes with Three Fans-1x Front Blue LED 120mm Fan, 1x Top 120mm ...
■GIGABYTE GA-880GMA-UD2H AM3 AMD 880G SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
■AMD Athlon II X3 450 Rana 3.2GHz Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Desktop Processor ADX450WFGMBOX
TOTAL: $478.23

 

[Onus]

^That looks pretty decent for the money, except for the hard drive. For over $7 less (counting shipping), this 500GB Seagate 7200.12 will be better (the F4 tested poorly in the last two budget SBM articles): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148395
If you already have a Windows license, put the money toward a discrete GPU. You can get a HD5670 for as little as $65 including shipping if you play the rebate game and win, $76 otherwise. For as little as $105 shipped, you can get a much stronger HD5770.

 

[Proximon]

I hadn't realized that on the F4. The initial benchmarks all looked very promising. I think I just got in 3 for some office builds too... I'll have a look at them with HD tune.

 

[aznshinobi]

Siggy 450$ build.

Athlon II X3 450 vs i3 2100
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/289?vs=189

Best Sub-200$ CPUs
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-gaming-cpu-core-i3-2100-phenom-ii-x6-1075t,2859.html

From 3 - 2 cores, your not going to have a huge difference. Expecially with the fact that most games still support the dual-core, rather that they like the dual-core. It's always good to have extra cores, but as you can see, the 2100 still performs a lot better than the 450.

 

[Proximon]

X3 450 and Gigabyte 880G board (the one I listed before is gone) $172
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.632299

i3 2100 (no combos at newegg) $125
ASRock H61 board ($80) Roughly equivalent board
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157236
Total $205

I don't disagree, though the X3 does perform well when the third core is used. It's a question of price I think.

 

[Onus]

Extra real cores won't let a system bog down as much with background chores, but the i3 will still outperform the 450; still I just don't like hyperthreading. I'd rather have the real cores, but Sandy Bridge is an incredible performer especially compared to Athlon II.

 

[ScrewySqrl]

I think you can manage a 2100 build for $500

 

[ScrewySqrl]

Yeah,

i5-2100: $125
ASRock H61M-VS: $60
4 GB DDR3 :$40
500 gb hdd: $40
antec 380w : $40
Rosewill r101: $40
dvd burner: $19
GTX 550: $125
$490

 

[Onus]

Hmmm, isn't a HD5770 around that price now?

 

[aznshinobi]

^ Probably, the 550 was a big disappointment. You'd be better off spending a bit more for a 6790.

Screwy isn't that basically the build in my siggy minus a few things, IE the case and the PSU....

BTW that mobo doesn't have USB3. Not a huge minus, but wouldn't you want future proofing if you bought a build now.

 

[ScrewySqrl]

Azn: Pretty close, I'd say, though mostly I just downgraded a bit on my own $600 system

I was seeing the 550 as mostly a 460SE replacement, as its performance was similar, fractionally better than a 5770, and that model, at least, less expensive than the typical $130-140 for the ATI model

there is a version of that board with USB3 &SATA 3, The H61M/U3S3, and its $80 instead of $60. worth it if you aren't hard on the $500 limit. If you got it, you could get the WD Caviar Blue Sata 6.0GB/sec 500GB model, its the same $39.99

 

[Onus]

For $120 after MIR (if you play that game and win), this GTX460 will offer much better performance: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121390

 

[aznshinobi]

I know about the USB 3 version, cause it's in my build guide.

As for the card, yeah the GTX 460 is a better bet.