$500 Upgrade Plan possible?

[BigfootsMonk]

Here's my current rig:

AthlonXP 2000+
MSI K7N2 Delta 2
768mb RAM, 2 geil sticks PC3200, 1 generic PC2700
ATI Radeon 9500pro
SB Audigy 2 Platinum
580W Powmax PSU
1 DVD burner
1 CD/DVD drive
1 Floppy
1 Seagate SATA 80g
1 Hitachi PATA 120g - what I boot off of
Lian Li PC-7
Acer 19" LCD
turtlebeach headphones
Logitech keyboard
Razor mouse

Now my plan, is to salvage whatever it is in here that is suitable for a modern gaming rig (In your opinion), able to run modern games at 1280X1024 with high game settings at decent fps for that game. Hopefully 40+. I don't really care about AA in games like UT but I noticed that BF2 and other games like FS2004 looks like monkey doo without any AA.

Whatever I can salvage from this rig stays in the rig. All the other 'outdated' stuff will be used for a 2nd comptuer for my mother. She doesn't play games but it would be cool to have a second computer to play games with my friends even at low settings.

So hopefully you computer geniuses (or is it geni) can help me out with a plan.

1. List out all the outdated parts that will not be salvaged and put into the 2nd computer.
2. List out all the parts that I need to buy for the gaming rig to replaced the unsalvaged parts.
3. List out all the parts that I need to buy for the 2nd computer. These parts do not have to have great performance.

P.S. I have an old Gateway 19" CRT, Gateway Keyboard, Microsoft Mouse, logitech speakers for the 2nd computer.

 

[Gigantopithecus]

I bet you'd be fine with a faster Athlon XP cpu, a full gig of pc3200 ram (if the MSI mobo you listed supports it), and a better video card; maybe a used agp 6600gt or x700xt?

 

[scheibler4]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103485
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813152043
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145440
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130202

Grand Toal with shipping included=$459!

That will be a HUGE upgrade over your current system and will even be able to handle high AA/AF at medium resolutions or high resolutions with low AA/AF! You could even sell your current cpu, video card, memory, and motherboard for around $125! BTW: You still have $41 to spend on whatever you want...maybe an even faster psu?

 

[Snakexor]

you desperatley need a new psu...

 

[PsYcHoCoW]

Originally posted by: scheibler4
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103485
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813152043
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145440
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130202

Grand Toal with shipping included=$459!

That will be a HUGE upgrade over your current system and will even be able to handle high AA/AF at medium resolutions or high resolutions with low AA/AF! You could even sell your current cpu, video card, memory, and motherboard for around $125! BTW: You still have $41 to spend on whatever you want...maybe an even faster psu?

There might be a way to save on the suggested memory here since the board doesn't support dual-channel. Keep the two Geil sticks and add in a 512mb, and you got a gig of ddr-400/pc-3200.

Also, I wonder why scheibler4 said you need a faster psu, because as far as psu speeds go, I doubt there's much difference.

Other than that, I agree with the upgrade path scheibler suggested. Another possibility would be getting a sempron processor for socket A instead of a new mobo and processor, and that would put the price tag of your upgrade down a bit, but you won't have the a64 performance...

edit: that would be for one system. You could use the pc2700 ram in the second one, maybe add in some more, keep the 9500pro, keep the cpu and mobo you're not gonna use anymore, and it's pretty easy to figure everything out

 

[scheibler4]

What ever you do, DO NOT BUY A SOCKET A SEMPRON! They are slower then the regular barton core unlike their s754 sempron brothers. I would not waist any more money on socket A...you will be amazed with the upgrades I have listed. It will be Night and Day! I also recommended a faster cpu then the 2800+ b/c he had extra money to spend. As for the psu, I would just get an antec smartpower 350w.

 

[fishmonger12]

Originally posted by: PsYcHoCoW
Also, I wonder why scheibler4 said you need a faster psu, because as far as psu speeds go, I doubt there's much difference.

i have a 2.2 ghz psu, it beats my old 1.2 ghz psu out of the water!

seriously though, a question:

is it possible to wait longer and save up a little more cash? when the next gen video cards come out, prices on vid cards are going to go down. likewise with dual core processors. this will also give you time to get more money.

with that being said:

i'd recommend a socket 939 mobo with you're two geil sticks and another geil 512 mb stick. i know that's not dual channel, but the performance increase is negligible and having a socket 939 platform gives you another upgrade path. get an a64 3000+, a 6600gt, and a seasonic super tornado 330w. keep the case soundcard hd's opticals keyboard mouse etc. that should be under 500$.

 

[BigfootsMonk]

If I can get a job this summer yeah I think I should save up for a bit more.

Can you tell me what to look for in a PSU? I've searched through the specs of mine and here they are:

FEATURES

5 80 watts maximum output
Dual ball bearing fan design for ultra cooling environment
Internal 120mm RedLED fan with LAZER fan grills
External 80mm Red LED fan with LAZER fan grills
Built-in voltage overload protection
Colored AC inlet and lighted On/Off switch
Colored shielding tub and connectors
Support Intel "Pentium-4" and AMD "Athlon XP"
2x Serial ATA connectors
Complies with ATX 2.03 and ATX12V 1.1

SPECIFICATIONS

Model: PSDE580
Dimensions 6"Wx3.6H"x6.6"D
AC Input 115/230, 10A/6A, 60Hz/50Hz
Max Load +3.3@28A, +5@38A, +12@24A, -5@0.5A, -12@0.8A, +5vsb@2A
MTBF 100K hrs at 25°C ambient conditions
Efficiency 70% Min. at full load
Noise Level Maximum of 37db at 100% system loading
Certified by UL, CB, CE, TUV, & FCC

 

[KayKay]

Originally posted by: scheibler4
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103485
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813152043
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145440
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130202

Grand Toal with shipping included=$459!

That will be a HUGE upgrade over your current system and will even be able to handle high AA/AF at medium resolutions or high resolutions with low AA/AF! You could even sell your current cpu, video card, memory, and motherboard for around $125! BTW: You still have $41 to spend on whatever you want...maybe an even faster psu?

Do this. Good Advice. The PSU you have is very low quality and will destroy your system if it goes. For the system listed above, probably an Antec 430 or so should do

 

[BigfootsMonk]

How can you tell if its high quality or low quality?

 

[MobiusPizza]

good brands such as Antec, Enermax
not-too-low price per watt.

 

[BigfootsMonk]

lol, Is there a more technical way to tell if the PSU is a good quality PSU?

Would taking out the multimeter and checking the amps help?

If so what kind of numbers should I look for?

 

[scheibler4]

its this simple....don't buy anything other then these brands and you will be safe!

antec
ocz
seasonic
sparkle
forton source
pc&p
enermax

 

[cain]

hmm... will a 420W enermax handle the above recommendation?

 

[Electric Amish]

Your PSU is fine. Just relax.

 

[hurtstotalktoyou]

Yeah, I don't know what these people are talking about. The Powmax PSU is just fine, especially since it's 580W. On the off-chance that the PSU dies, it's not going to fry your system unless you have a massive power surge--which can happen with any PSU, brand-name or not.

Also, I think you can salvage your RAM and video card. From what I've read, the Radeon 9500 Pro is a great card, and should handle most anything you throw at it. Now, I'm not saying you shouldn't upgrade it. Rather, I just think you could get more for your money by spending it elsewhere. As for the RAM, 512 MB DDR400 is just fine, regardless of latency. You might even want to keep the extra 256, even though it would bring the speed down to 333 MHz. What you can do, once you get your new motherboard (which I assume you will) is run your own benchmarks, one set with 512MB DDR400, and the other with 768MB DDR333. That way, you'll know for sure which configuration is best. Or, you could get a 512MB DDR400 DIMM and have a full gig of system memory.

Unless you're having problems with it, I'd say your 120GB PATA drive should be fine. However, you might want to switch it with the 80GB SATA drive, so that you boot off the faster model.

An Athlon XP 2000+ is very slow, compared to today's Athlon 64s. I suggest getting a basic socket 754 motherboard, like this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813135190 Whatever you get, though, make sure it has a PCI-e 16x slot, because you may want to upgrade your video card down the line, and at least 3 DIMM slots, because you'll need a third if you want to get more than 512MB without scrapping your existing modules.

And then just get whatever CPU you feel like. The Athlon 64 3400+ seems like it might be a nice choice: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103488 & http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835106604

Those three items come to only $267 after shipping. I suggest you just pocket the extra cash.

 

[piasabird]

I have seen a trend of adding features to a motherboard and adding the word deluxe on the end of a model. Personally, I think Deluxe means you have just been ripped off.

 

[AATRuler]

Add Tagan to that list of good PSU's of yours..

 

[t3h l337 n3wb]

Originally posted by: AATRuler
Add Tagan to that list of good PSU's of yours..

And XClio, which makes OEM's for Antec, Fortron, and Sparkle

For the upgrade, I would go with a S939 motherboard, another 512MB stick of RAM, an Athlon 64 3000+ Venice, and maybe a 6600GT. That would be a gigantic improvement, and would cost you about ~$475 shipped.

 

[BigfootsMonk]

I used to have an Enermax because they were a reputable brand. It was a 350W but it just wasn't enough. Maybe 350W isn't enough even in theory.

 

[BigfootsMonk]

Approximately when are the next generation video cards coming out?

Also, if I get a venice core, do you think if it's worth the money to get a nice heatsink + fan to OC or just keep it all stock? If yes, what cooling devices do I buy and how do I OC it?

 

[IEC]

Originally posted by: scheibler4
its this simple....don't buy anything other then these brands and you will be safe!

antec
ocz
seasonic
sparkle
forton source
pc&p
enermax

You forgot Zalman!

 

[scheibler4]

yes get an aftermarket coolr forsure even if you are not ocing. It will run cooler and be quieter. I recommend the zalman cnps-7700cu, thermalright xp-120, xp-90, or xp-90c.

 

[IEC]

Originally posted by: BigfootsMonk
Here's my current rig:

New Proc - A64
New Mobo - Nforce based
Get 2x512MB of GeIL or Corsair Value
ATI Radeon 9500pro -> Softmod to Radeon 9700 Pro, get better cooler
SB Audigy 2 Platinum (Definitely keep!)
Replace PSU with >=400W Antec/Enermax/Zalman/etc.
1 DVD burner
1 CD/DVD drive
1 Floppy
1 Seagate SATA 80g
1 Hitachi PATA 120g - what I boot off of
Lian Li PC-7
Acer 19" LCD
turtlebeach headphones
Logitech keyboard
Razor mouse

You've got plenty of good components, you just need to replace the core parts like PSU, mobo, cpu, ram and maybe vid card - so $500 is possible.

 

[BigfootsMonk]

Well, about that post that suggested that I should wait for the next generation cards, when will they come out?