$1500-1700 for upgraded PC hardware

[007ELmO]

I did some preliminary research on the forum and would like some input from members regarding the best upgrade parts I can get for $1500-1700. This is a self imposed budget, I don't want to spend more.

I already have a 2005FPW Dell LCD, and keyboard/mouse/speakers.
I also have a ThermalTake case that I will continue to use. The power supply in it is a quality 420W (forgot the brand), not sure if I will need something greater or not.

I have an ATI X800XT AGP that I will be selling in the process of this upgrade (budget is really $1500, but if I could sell the card for $180-200 then it's about $1700).

I use this PC for 75% gaming, and 25% other crap (I use a laptop for programming, and I haven't encoded anything before, so really have no other use for my main PC right now):
[*]CPU (X2 vs FX argument, leaning towards X2 just for future benefits)
[*]2 GB Ram (OCZ?)
[*]Video Card (GTX 256/512 or ATI? Everytime I go to Nvidia I notice the IQ difference..sometimes not willing to sacrifice that if i can still see that difference for a few FPS)
[*]Mobo
[*]Any DVD burner (right now have a POS 1x Sony DVD burner that I'll chuck)
[*]HD(s)
[*]Sound Card
[*]New Power Supply?

Thanks for coming up with the best parts I can use within that budget.

FYI my current PC is a 2400XP, 512 RAM, and X800XT AGP.
I mainly play BF2, CS, Fear, Quake 4, and AOE3.

ELmO

 

[ub3rnewb]

Opteron 180 (OEM) - $775
DFI LanParty UT nF4 Ultra - $125ish (Or maybe the SLI model if you want)
7800GTX - $450
NEC 3550A DVD Burner - $40
Western Digital WD2500JS - $100
Seasonic S12 500W - $100AR
Any decent case. - $80 - $140
OCZ 2x1GB Platinum - $200AR

-That would be massive ownage, but it's around $1900. Cut back on the processor, get a good HSF, and OC the hell out of it.

EDIT: Opteron 175's can be had for around $495 OEM.

 

[007ELmO]

Thanks for the quick update.

I did some research right now on Opty processors (which I thought were for servers, but find out that really doesn't mean much if it's functionally the same processor).

The Athlon X2 4800+ seems to be the same processor as the Opty 180, on newegg they are relatively the same price - was there a time when this wasn't the case (and that's why it's recommended)? I wasn't thinking of an Opty until reading your post.

Edit: It seems Opty OCs better, and uses the same quality silicone used in the FX chips. Not that it means tha tmuch to me, but the OC'ing is what I'm looking at. If it's basically th esame chip wiht more OC potential (and seemingly either cheaper or about the same price) - Opty 939 looks better - but why is it getting discontinued? I need to research it more unless you have more data points for me on it.

Thanks,
ELmO

 

[Firsttime]

People are recomending opterons because the oc'ing results people are getting are incredible. 50%+ overclocks on most of them

 

[007ELmO]

Posts are talking about certain serial numbers (or "weeks") that OC best, new egg and mwave seem to have much newer versions (what if I can't OC as well with those?). Still undecided on CPU.

 

[theMan]

well, if you are going to oc, just get a 165, since it will go as high as a 180 will overclock, just less money. also, overclocking is luck, sometimes you get good chips, sometimes bad. but, if you get an opteron, your chances of a really good chip, are really high. you just have to find out.

 

[007ELmO]

Hmm so basically I'm pressing my luck on that (?). What shop do you recommend for having a good chance of getting a cihp that's OC'able?

 

[w00t]

Originally posted by: ub3rnewb
Opteron 180 (OEM) - $775
DFI LanParty UT nF4 Ultra - $125ish (Or maybe the SLI model if you want)
7800GTX - $450
NEC 3550A DVD Burner - $40
Western Digital WD2500JS - $100
Seasonic S12 500W - $100AR
Any decent case. - $80 - $140
OCZ 2x1GB Platinum - $200AR

-That would be massive ownage, but it's around $1900. Cut back on the processor, get a good HSF, and OC the hell out of it.

EDIT: Opteron 175's can be had for around $495 OEM.

dont get a opteron 180 waste of money get a opteron 165-170. I'd get a 7800GT they are cheaper than GTX only little worse. the rest is pretty much up to you.

 

[theMan]

Originally posted by: 007ELmO
Hmm so basically I'm pressing my luck on that (?). What shop do you recommend for having a good chance of getting a cihp that's OC'able?

well you always are when you want to oc. however, i would say, with a opty 165, you are garaunteed 2.5ghz. or maybe more if you are lucky you can reach 2.8 or more.

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=28&threadid=1732211&enterthread=y

 

[007ELmO]

Thanks for the information. You guys gave me enough to think about for a while, I was thiknign to make a quick purchase today to try an dget it tomororw so I could build it over the new yeras break, but don't think I'll be able to do that (I normally takea long time to research something before I buy it).