Need to Upgrade for Under $225 if possible

LinuxMan2011

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I have an old AMD 64 2800+ with 2.5 GB ram and a 7300GT graphics card.

I want to upgrade (even minimally) but the price if at all possible needs to be $225 or less.

Seeing that the system is so old I'm hoping this is possible but if not can someone at least give me some best options please?

Thanks,

Jeff
 

LinuxMan2011

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Ill check out the links addict thanks.

As for the other questions, I am doing very mild gaming nothing new or heavily graphics intensive and am just looking to get out of the last decade as far as overall system performance.

I would like a nice bump in overall performance with the key being inexpensive but not junk hardware.

My current mobo is a solid but old Asus which is why I want my mobo to be the "best" component of the four I'm seeking to upgrade.

thanks,

Jeff
 

LinuxMan2011

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Ill check out the links addict thanks.

As for the other questions, I'm using Linux Mint 10 and doing very mild gaming nothing new or heavily graphics intensive and am just looking to get out of the last decade as far as overall system performance.

I would like a nice bump in overall performance with the key being inexpensive but not junk hardware.

My current mobo is a solid but old Asus which is why I want my mobo to be the "best" component of the four I'm seeking to upgrade.

thanks,

Jeff
 

hpdeskjet

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What case and PSU do you have?

Based on what you said, this will handle whatever you want to do easily.

GIGABYTE GA-A55M-DS2 FM1 AMD A55 (Hudson D2) Micro ATX AMD Motherboard $59.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128530

AMD A6-3650 Llano 2.6GHz Socket FM1 100W Quad-Core Desktop APU with DirectX 11 Graphic AMD Radeon HD 6530D AD3650WNGXBOX $119.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103943

Crucial Ballistix sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model BLS2KIT4G3D1609DS1S00 $44.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148544

Total: $225 before shipping and taxes (if applicable)

I would normally suggest this board
ASUS F1A75-M LE FM1 AMD A75 (Hudson D3) SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard with UEFI BIOS $89.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131769

but the Gigabyte board gets you within budget
 

LinuxMan2011

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Thanks for the responses guys.

It's probably going to be a few weeks yet until I make the purchase but am keeping my options open until then.

I am fine with either AMD or Intel and like Asus boards (I've put together 3 systems with Asus boards all still running) but don't have to go with Asus.

I've got a 550 watt power supply and a full size metal case that may be Antec but its in a position that I can't see every side and don't see the name the way its sitting. (fan on top, fan on one side and two in back besides the power supply fan of course)

LinuxMan (Jeff)
 

LinuxMan2011

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I still haven't made the purchase yet and may be waiting for tax return money in a couple more weeks to bump the price a little up to $250 or $275 but the responses are great.
I'm going to keep the links for the suggested items at Newegg and will definitely let you all know my final decision.
Thanks for all the help.
Jeff
 

LinuxMan2011

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Hi Guys,
The latest is it looks like I can bump my budget up to around $250.
Do your recommendations remain the same for all or does that allow for a worthwhile mobo (or other component) upgrade?
My purchase target is roughly 2 to 4 weeks from now.
Thanks,
Jeff
 

LinuxMan 2011

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Thanks Oldie,
I'm looking at making the purchase in the next 10 days but newegg says the AMD you mentioned is out of stock and may not be restocked. What do you think of the AMD A6-3650 Llano 2.6GHz Socket FM1 100W Quad-Core Desktop that hpdeskjet recommended as a substitute?

Jeff
 
It should work fine. You'll need a socket fm1 board for it. Might as well try the onboard video before ordering any video cards. It may run the games you need until you have enough for a separate card. You won't need a low end card with amd's onboard video. If you want a decent card later, save enough for a 6770 or 6850. Don't settle for less.
 

LinuxMan 2011

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Hi Oldie,
What processor would you recommend in place of the discontinued one with the Asus board you mentioned. I will be making a final decision in the next couple of days.

Thanks,
jeff
 
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138336
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103955

If you're ordering from newegg, wait a day or two for the next amd shellshocker special. A few days ago, they had a full combo for $224 that included the board, cpu, heatsink, 4 gb ddr3, hardrive, and case/power supply. If you get the biostar and send in for the rebate, expect to wait 12 weeks for it, and make copies of the rebate form and newegg invoice for warranty purposes, and save the original biostar box for shipping, just in case. I've had good service from biostar; they sent me a new board in only nine days, the fastest of any manufacturer I've dealt with.
 

scottbmpls

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Why not a Pentium G620 and something like an HD6670? That should outperform the llano and give you an upgrade path. You would still have enough money within your budget to buy a MB and 4GB of memory
 
You may see an affordable Intel shellshocker combo close to the amd in price. The g620 was featured in one recently. If you see one with the 25% discount, get off the fence and order it the same day. Either the amd or Intel shellshocker combo will suite your needs and is the best you can do within your budget.
 

LinuxMan 2011

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You guys are great thanks!
I will be watching the shell shockers like a hawk over the next couple days.
Should have either another question or a purchase to report in short order.

Thanks again for all you're help.

Jeff ;)
 

LinuxMan 2011

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Ok, for good or ill this is the way I went:

1

ASUS M4A88T-M AM3 AMD 880G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
Item #: N82E16813131657

1
AMD FX-4100 Zambezi 3.6GHz (3.8GHz Turbo) Socket AM3+ 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor FD4100WMGUSBX
Item #: N82E16819103996


1 G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-8GBXL
Item #: N82E16820231426

Totaled out around $230 and the Asus board with the FX4100 was a newegg combo deal.

Jeff
 

LinuxMan 2011

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Ok, for good or ill this is the way I went:

1

ASUS M4A88T-M AM3 AMD 880G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
Item #: N82E16813131657

1
AMD FX-4100 Zambezi 3.6GHz (3.8GHz Turbo) Socket AM3+ 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor FD4100WMGUSBX
Item #: N82E16819103996


1 G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-8GBXL
Item #: N82E16820231426

Totaled out around $230 and the Asus board with the FX4100 was a newegg combo deal.

Jeff
 

LinuxMan 2011

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Oldie,
Newegg bundled the Asus AM3 with the AM3+ processor.
They do work together as far as you (or anyone else) knows correct?
I only had a little time to look into it after the fact and seem to be getting mixed messages on compatibility.

Thanks,
Jeff
 
You should have waited and gone with a shellshocker special. That cpu won't run on your asus board. Use newegg's online support or call them and explain your predicament. See if they'll swap boards without a restocking fee. They may even pay for return shipping. Just tell them the board doesn't work; last time this happened to me, they issued me a UPS shipping label good for about 14 days. You just print out the label; attach to the box the board came in, and drop it off at the nearest ups station or catch a ups driver and give it to him. Some new boards won't run the 4100 without a bios flash, but newegg is almost out of the old phenom II's. I recommend this board for the 4100: asus m5a88-m for $107.55 shipped (link broken); if you decide to swap the 4100 instead of changing boards, I recommend this cpu:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819106012 (you may try overclocking it). I won't recommend which course of action you should take; it may depend on your budget.
 

LinuxMan 2011

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Hi Oldie,
They are fine with the return of the mobo & cpu.
Shoud I still just wait to see what kind of shell shockers appear or do you have an alternate recommendation?

Thanks,
Jeff