$400 to upgrade comp. for games

[apsd]

Hey everyone,

I'm looking for some guidance.

I've got about $400 or so to upgrade my crappy computer to a one that could maybe play Doom 3 or Half-Life 2.

All I want to upgrade right now is my mobo, cpu, & memory.

So I've devised two possible configurations:

---

Socket 939:
Asus A8V-Deluxe Rev. 2
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/...jsp?ProductCode=240412

A64 3000+
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/...sp?ProductCode=80699-2

PC3200/DDR400 512mb (Corsair VS512MB400)
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/...sp?ProductCode=80098-6

---

Socket 754:
DFI "LANPARTY UT nF3 250Gb http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=13-136-147&depa=0

A64 3000+
http://www.newegg.com/app/view...=19-103-486&DEPA=1

PC3200/DDR400 PQI 512mb
http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=20-141-164&depa=1

---

The worst part is that I'm going to have to still use my Radeon 9000 for a while before I can get anything better.... Do you think that a Radeon 9000 w/ a configuration up there will play HL2?

How does Socket 939 perform against Socket 754?

Is there any other good config. for $400 that will play HL2 (with a Radeon 9000)?

Thanks for reading.

Edit:
What I have now:
Shuttle AK32V
http://www.shuttle.com/hq/prod...rd/specs_m.asp?M_id=53

512mb RAM

AMD Duron 900mhz

ATI Radeon 9000

Big enough harddrive (and 7200rpm)

 

[Insomniak]

What CPU do you currently have? A new videocard may be more important than a new processor for you right now.

 

[apsd]

AMD Duron 900mhz

 

[apsd]

Motherboard: AK32V version 3.1
Link: http://www.shuttle.com/hq/prod...rd/specs_m.asp?M_id=53

 

[rammstein junkie]

754 imho

 

[w00t]

socket 939 if you are going to oc than get the 3200 better oc.i would say wait for nf4. also you will need a video card to play those games. what do you have now?

edit: if you are going to oc i would get some good ram

edit i put gig that ram but 1 512mb sorry about that

 

[apsd]

ATI Radeon 9000

 

[w00t]

yep, upgrade video card to like 6600gt good bang for the buck right now

 

[apsd]

thanks for the replies... can I please get some votes too?

 

[Insomniak]

939 is more future proof and yeah...your processor is definitely weaker than your GPU. Go with the 939 config.

 

[LordPhoenix]

939

 

[imported_Computer MAn]

I'd go with 754 as it is cheaper than a 939 setup.

 

[imported_blight]

Here is a set up to get everything including a new video card a little over $400.00

AMD Athlon 64 2800+, 512KB L2 Cache, 64-bit Processor - $127.00 - (http://www.newegg.com/app/View...19-103-452&depa=1)

MSI "K8T NEO-FSR" K8T800 Chipset Motherboard - $74.00 - (http://www.newegg.com/app/View...13-130-449&depa=1)

Mushkin 184 Pin 512MB DDR PC-3200 - $69.27 - (http://www.newegg.com/app/View...20-146-219&depa=1)

Rosewill ATI RADEON 9600XT Video Card - $135.00 - (http://www.newegg.com/app/View...14-164-008&depa=1)

TOTAL: $405.27

With shipping and handling it will be between $415 and $420. You should be able to play games like HL2 and Doom 3 with this system. You will probably also have to update your power supply as well though which would bring the grand total to around $450 including S&H. Hope this helps.

 

[w00t]

but isnt 754 gonna fade out? i would say save some more money and get a socket 939 and nf4 board witha 6600gt

 

[apsd]

hmmm... how will socket 939 config perform with ati radeon 9000.... would it still be playable?

 

[imported_blight]

Just to let you know, there is no WAY you can play HL2 with your Radeon 9000.

 

[apsd]

Ok thanks

 

[imported_Computer MAn]

Originally posted by: blight
Here is a set up to get everything including a new video card a little over $400.00

AMD Athlon 64 2800+, 512KB L2 Cache, 64-bit Processor - $127.00 - (http://www.newegg.com/app/View...19-103-452&depa=1)

MSI "K8T NEO-FSR" K8T800 Chipset Motherboard - $74.00 - (http://www.newegg.com/app/View...13-130-449&depa=1)

Mushkin 184 Pin 512MB DDR PC-3200 - $69.27 - (http://www.newegg.com/app/View...20-146-219&depa=1)

Rosewill ATI RADEON 9600XT Video Card - $135.00 - (http://www.newegg.com/app/View...14-164-008&depa=1)

TOTAL: $405.27

With shipping and handling it will be between $415 and $420. You should be able to play games like HL2 and Doom 3 with this system. You will probably also have to update your power supply as well though which would bring the grand total to around $450 including S&H. Hope this helps.

The only thing I would change is to get

this IMO the NF3 is better than the VIA chipset.

 

[SickBeast]

Originally posted by: blight
Just to let you know, there is no WAY you can play HL2 with your Radeon 9000.

Yes he can. Anand said it ran fine on a GF4MX.

 

[apsd]

Originally posted by: Computer MAn

Originally posted by: blight
Here is a set up to get everything including a new video card a little over $400.00

AMD Athlon 64 2800+, 512KB L2 Cache, 64-bit Processor - $127.00 - (http://www.newegg.com/app/View...19-103-452&depa=1)

MSI "K8T NEO-FSR" K8T800 Chipset Motherboard - $74.00 - (http://www.newegg.com/app/View...13-130-449&depa=1)

Mushkin 184 Pin 512MB DDR PC-3200 - $69.27 - (http://www.newegg.com/app/View...20-146-219&depa=1)

Rosewill ATI RADEON 9600XT Video Card - $135.00 - (http://www.newegg.com/app/View...14-164-008&depa=1)

TOTAL: $405.27

With shipping and handling it will be between $415 and $420. You should be able to play games like HL2 and Doom 3 with this system. You will probably also have to update your power supply as well though which would bring the grand total to around $450 including S&H. Hope this helps.

The only thing I would change is to get

this IMO the NF3 is better than the VIA chipset.

How about this:
http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=13-123-219&depa=1
EPoX "EP-8KDA3J" nForce3-250Gb Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket 754 CPU -RETAIL

It seemed to do well (editor's choice) in Anandtech's Socket 754 round up. Also it includes gigabit ethernet, 8-channel sound, and max 3gb of ram.

Any grudges with this mobo?

 

[imported_blight]

Yea, the MB choice between that Chaintech and the MSI was the one that was really a toss up. I chose the MSI because it was Toms Hardware editors choice. I don't know anything about computers, I just read reviews and ask questions on forums like these.

 

[sandorski]

Originally posted by: SickBeast

Originally posted by: blight
Just to let you know, there is no WAY you can play HL2 with your Radeon 9000.

Yes he can. Anand said it ran fine on a GF4MX.

Yup, it runs well on a Radeon 8500LE(250/200), so it will run well on a 9000. A new cpu/mobo is absolutely necessary, though the setup with the 9600Pro would be the best upgrade. Socket 939 is preferable for future upgradability, but if going Socket 754 allows you to upgrade the vidcard as well, it's a no-brainer IMO.

 

[apsd]

Ok,

I'm probably going to go with this config:

MSI "K8N Neo2 Platinum" NVIDIA nForce3 ULTRA Chipset Motherboard For AMD Socket 939 CPU -RETAIL
http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=13-130-468&depa=1

Mushkin 184 Pin 512MB DDR PC-3200 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/app/view...amp;manufactory=BROWSE

POWERCOLOR ATI RADEON 9600PRO Video Card, 128MB DDR, 128-bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP, Model "R96A-C3N" -RETAIL
http://www.newegg.com/app/view...amp;manufactory=BROWSE

AMD Athlon 64 3000+ Processor Socket 939 Retail ***Free 2nd Day***
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/...sp?ProductCode=80699-2

I've decided to go with socket 939, so the memory and processor will stay the same for sure.

I'm probably going to go with that video card, but I haven't fully decided yet. Could anyone recommend a good nVidia card (i'm used to ati) for around that price?

Is the motherboard fine or could I get something better for that price?

Also, thanks for all the help you guys have been giving me.

 

[ApacheChief]

Originally posted by: w00t
socket 939 if you are going to oc than get the 3200 better oc.i would say wait for nf4. also you will need a video card to play those games. what do you have now?

edit: if you are going to oc i would get some good ram

edit i put gig that ram but 1 512mb sorry about that

The 3000+ OC's just as well...

EDIT: The MSI board is apparently riddled with problems, I went with the ASUS A8V... treating me great.
EDIT#2: I don't understand why you get a really nice processor, and a mediocre(sp) video card, I'd go the extra mile and get the 6600GT. That is what I'm doing on my friends PC uprade, for around 230 I think it's the best bet.

 

[Leohart]

How come noone gets the $300(After $100 online rebate) mobo+cpu combo at Tigerdirect?
Asus A8V Deluxe Via Socket 939 ATX Motherboard and AMD Athlon 64 3400+ Processor

Well I got mine today . That would save you much money. Why go for 754 when they are not manufactured anymore -> no upgrade option -> end up paying much more later on.