New + Old Build!

[radeon9500pro]

Approximate Purchase Date: ASAP

Budget Range: $400 max

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, Graphic Design, Media Center

Parts Not Required: Keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS, PSU (OCZ GameXStream OCZ600GXSSLI 600W ATX12V), Video Card (Sapphire Radeon 4850 512mb ddr3), Antec 300 case.

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg.

Country: US

Parts Preferences: none

Overclocking: No

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080

Additional Comments: Basically need to get a new Mobo, processor, HD, and ram.

I was pretty happy with the performance of the radeon 4850, and it still works (along with the power supply). Figured I should pick up a SSD since they are awesome. I can use my old HDD for storage, and the SSD for C:. For $400 or less, what can I get / make use of in terms of processing power, mobo, and Ram? Ideally, would support a better graphics card when I decide to upgrade.


My initial thoughts on parts:

CPU ($87): Intel Pentium G850 Sandy Bridge 2.9GHz LGA 1155 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 2000 BX80623G850
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116397

Mobo ($50): BIOSTAR H61MGC LGA 1155 Intel H61 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138332

SSD ($90): OCZ Agility 3 AGT3-25SAT3-120G 2.5" 120GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227726

Memory ($47): G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231314&Tpk=N82E16820231314


Thanks a ton for your help!
-J

 

[phyco126]

Look fairly good already, actually. However, since you have a $400 budget, why not use all of it to get a fairly decent processor? With your current set-up, minus the CPU, you'd have $213 to buy a CPU. Go for a Intel 2500 (Non-K edition).

Then, as you get a little more money, upgrade the GPU. That system will last you for years and be a solid gaming platform.

 

[radeon9500pro]

Cool. But what about the SSD? Will this system make use of the features of SSD and be faster? Or should I just stick to HDD. Also I noticed the one I posted in 2.5' which I assume wouldn't fit in my case's 3.5' bay...

 

[phyco126]

It wouldn't fit unless you have an adapter. But, since its a solid drive, you could just let it set freely inside the case (just remember to secure it before moving the desktop around). Any PC will make use of a SSD. Personally, I would keep the SSD in your list there, I think you will like it.