Hi guys! Getting ready to upgrade, and would love your take on my options. I would describe myself as a computer dabbler--I know what the core components of my system do, and generally perform my own minor upgrades. But when it comes to the finer hardware details and full CPU/Mobo upgrades, I usually appeal to techie friends or gearhead forum denizens such as yourselves for assistance. Have been out of the loop for the last few years, so outside of the minimal research I've done, I have no idea what's new and what's hot. The last time I was really into computers, dual core processors were only about to be introduced.
Getting us started:
Current specs:
Upgrading:
- Athlon 64 3200+ (754)
- ECS GF6100-M754
- 1GB DDR
- 500 GB SATA HD
- Thermaltake 420w (I presume this will likely need to be upgraded?)
- XP Pro
Not upgrading/upgrading later:
- Some Cooler Master case
- 8800 GS 384MB
- Audigy 2 ZS
- Viewsonic VX2025wm 20.1"
- All the other basic stuff
CPU: I've been told AMD is the current way to go for value. Intel leads performance, but AMD's price just can't be beat. I've had the AMD Phenom II X2 550 Black and Athlon II X4 620 recommended to me; which is better for my purposes, and is there anything better value out there?
Motherboard: Dependent upon CPU and socket type, of course. Ideally, something that can viably be upgraded, but I'm not sure if my CPU choice will allow for that. If possible, I'd like something with 2-3 PCI slots for my older audio and TV tuner cards. Crossfire/SLI I can't imagine is anything I'll ever be interested in.
Would also be great if there were an extra IDE connection so I could use an old 80GB HD as a back-up drive. Is that possible? Or can I just go the route of using an adapter, or something? Obviously, my main drive will be SATA, or whatever the current standard is.
RAM: Whatever's best for my CPU/Mobo choice.
HD: See above. I presume 500 or 640GB is best value (and I don't need more than that). Don't know what standard and speed I want, though.
PSU: Again, what do you think I'll need? I presume my current 420W isn't enough going forward. And eventually I'll be upgrading my GPU, and perhaps going to a 24" monitor.
OS: Vista Home Premium OEM with a Windows 7 upgrade ticket is the obvious choice, I presume. Is there any sense in waiting for Oct. 22nd, since we're so close already?
GPU: This won't be a bottleneck for a little while yet, will it? I would upgrade anyway, but would rather save the cost if I can still use the 8800GS for a while. Hopefully I can snatch something up cheap when the next gen rolls around. (When is that, by the way?) Either something current-gen that's a little better that the current mid-range options, or the next-gen value-to-mid-range card to have.
Your recommendations are appreciated! I'm pliable. Thanks!
Getting us started:
Current specs:
Upgrading:
- Athlon 64 3200+ (754)
- ECS GF6100-M754
- 1GB DDR
- 500 GB SATA HD
- Thermaltake 420w (I presume this will likely need to be upgraded?)
- XP Pro
Not upgrading/upgrading later:
- Some Cooler Master case
- 8800 GS 384MB
- Audigy 2 ZS
- Viewsonic VX2025wm 20.1"
- All the other basic stuff
CPU: I've been told AMD is the current way to go for value. Intel leads performance, but AMD's price just can't be beat. I've had the AMD Phenom II X2 550 Black and Athlon II X4 620 recommended to me; which is better for my purposes, and is there anything better value out there?
Motherboard: Dependent upon CPU and socket type, of course. Ideally, something that can viably be upgraded, but I'm not sure if my CPU choice will allow for that. If possible, I'd like something with 2-3 PCI slots for my older audio and TV tuner cards. Crossfire/SLI I can't imagine is anything I'll ever be interested in.
Would also be great if there were an extra IDE connection so I could use an old 80GB HD as a back-up drive. Is that possible? Or can I just go the route of using an adapter, or something? Obviously, my main drive will be SATA, or whatever the current standard is.
RAM: Whatever's best for my CPU/Mobo choice.
HD: See above. I presume 500 or 640GB is best value (and I don't need more than that). Don't know what standard and speed I want, though.
PSU: Again, what do you think I'll need? I presume my current 420W isn't enough going forward. And eventually I'll be upgrading my GPU, and perhaps going to a 24" monitor.
OS: Vista Home Premium OEM with a Windows 7 upgrade ticket is the obvious choice, I presume. Is there any sense in waiting for Oct. 22nd, since we're so close already?
GPU: This won't be a bottleneck for a little while yet, will it? I would upgrade anyway, but would rather save the cost if I can still use the 8800GS for a while. Hopefully I can snatch something up cheap when the next gen rolls around. (When is that, by the way?) Either something current-gen that's a little better that the current mid-range options, or the next-gen value-to-mid-range card to have.
Your recommendations are appreciated! I'm pliable. Thanks!
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