Upgrading or Starting from scratch

[ouijammin]

So with the advent arrival of some amazing games such as Battlefield 3 and Skyrim I have really been considering either upgrading my existing computer to be able to play them or trying to configure a build from scratch. Here is the situation.

OPTION 1

Current Rig

Purchased HP Desktop Computer
HP model P6616f
Phenom ii X4 820
6 GB DDR3 RAM
750GB Hard Drive
HD 4000 integrated graphics
250 Watt Power Supply
One available PCI Express 2.0 x16

What I wanted to do with this existing computer was to install a Sapphire 2GB 6950 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102954 and a power supply that in the future would possibly handle Crossfire when I decide to completely overhaul the machine. My issue with this strategy is heat and air flow. I believe the card itself would fit as should the power supply, so I was hoping for some suggestions.

OPTION 2

Build a Rig from scratch

My only requirements for the build would be the use of a i5 2500k processor and the above mentioned GPU. I would want a MOBO that in the future would support Crossfire and as well as a PSU that would support the Crossfire of 2 Sapphire 2GB 6950's. My issue is I'm trying to stay around the 900 range including the OS.


So what do you guys think? Are either of these options feasible?

 

[rvilkman]

Keep the old HDD ( as long as it's a SATA HDD) and you should get really close at least.

CPU: i5 2500k $220
CPU cooler: cooler master hyper212+ $26
Mobo: Asrock Z68 Extreme 3 gen 3 $125
Memory: Gskill ripjawsX 2x4GB 1.5V CAS9 1600Mhz $45
Video cards: Sapphire 2GB 6950 $264
HDD: existing
DVD: Asus 24x DVD writer
PSU: Corsair TX750 V2 $104.99
Case: Rosewill Challenger $49.99

$852 ( before $20 rebate on the video card and $15 rebate on the PSU )

You might also be able to find some combos to shave it off a little bit more.
Also you can delay the CPU cooler purchase if needed, the stock cooler works ok, and you will have more than enough juice at the regular clocks vs the old machine.

 

[ouijammin]

Will I run into any conflicts using the hard drive that has the HP software on it? I'm assuming all I'd have to do is install of the various drivers onto it once everything is together, is that correct?

 

[rvilkman]

If you have to keep any of it, the maybe, but generally as long as it's a Sata drive you can just format it and do a clean win7 installation.

 

[ouijammin]

So the only thing that I have are the recovery discs that I created when I initially got the computer. Does that mean I still have to purchase a original copy of Windows to be able to do the clean install?

 

[Outlander_04]

You will have to purchase a copy of windows