Considering the following upgrade, would like some advice.

[DSF]

Right now I have two systems that I'd like to upgrade.

Main gaming system:
CPU: E4500 @ 2.93 GHz
Mobo: GA-P35-DS3L
RAM 2GB DDR2 while my 4GB kit is RMAing
GPU: XFX 8800GT
PSU: Corsair 520HX

"HTPC"
CPU: P4 Northwood 2.6 GHz
Mobo: Biostar P4M80-M4
RAM: 2GB DDR
GPU: EVGA 7600GS
PSU: Antec Earthwatts 380

Right now the "HTPC" (which is in quotes because it doesn't do much HTPC duty right now, just lets me surf/play games on the HDTV) can play casual games like World of Goo or Worms just fine. It struggles mightily to run anything on the level of Left4Dead or Civilization IV for obvious reasons. I would love to get the machine over that hump so that I can play Source FPSs like TF2 and L4D smoothly. I'm not worried about the graphical settings, just being able to achieve a decent framerate.

My plan:
1) Replace the 8800GT in the main gaming machine with a 460 GTX or 68x0, whatever shakes out as the best price/performance.
2) Move the 8800GT to the HTPC, which will necessitate a move to a PCI-e motherboard.
3) Replace CPU and Mobo in the HTPC with a DDR2, PCI-e motherboard. Must be micro-ATX and have at least one PATA and one SATA port.
4) Replace the 380W PSU in the HTPC if necessary.

My budget for the new motherboard, CPU, cooler (stock is fine for now) and PSU is $250 if that's possible. I have no brand preference, I just want whatever will give me the most bang for the buck on that limited budget. I'm willing to overclock. I know it's a low ceiling but it's all I have to work with right now. "This can't be done in a satisfying way on that budget" is an acceptable answer.

 

[fffblackmage]

Current newegg shell shocker deal is on the thlon II X2 245 and Gigabyte GA-MA785GM-US2H mobo (uses DDR2) combo for $99.98 w/FS. It's not an uber hot deal, but it's a decent deal.

You could grab this Corsair CX430 for $45 ($35 AR), if you need it.

 

[DSF]

Thanks for the input, that definitely looks like an option. Any idea of the overclockability of those processors?

 

[Davidh373]

What is your budget for this upgrade? Before I'd do anything I would get 2GB ram for the main rig, and a 6850/70 and move the 8800 to the HTPC. then I would swap the processors/ motherboards. Give the new one to your main rig (Either an Athlon II X4 or higher end Phenom II X6, or an Intel 1156 processor like an i5 760.

Upgrades

First, you need a graphics upgrade

Graphics Card - 6850 for main rig - $186
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-908-_-Product

Then, extra $ goes to a chipset upgrade, AMD if budget is low, Intel if you can.

AMD Combo - Athlon II X4 + ASUS 785G - $157.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.526607

4GB DDR3 1333 - Gskill - $60
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...CE&PageSize=20

EDIT: after these upgrades are made swap the Chipset in your HTPC with the 775 from your main rig. Then your main rig basically becomes your HTPC, and you get a nice new primary rig.

 

[DSF]

What is your budget for this upgrade? Before I'd do anything I would get 2GB ram for the main rig, and a 6850/70 and move the 8800 to the HTPC. then I would swap the processors/ motherboards. Give the new one to your main rig (Either an Athlon II X4 or higher end Phenom II X6, or an Intel 1156 processor like an i5 760.

Upgrades

First, you need a graphics upgrade

Graphics Card - 6850 for main rig - $186
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-908-_-Product

Then, extra $ goes to a chipset upgrade, AMD if budget is low, Intel if you can.

AMD Combo - Athlon II X4 + ASUS 785G - $157.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.526607

4GB DDR3 1333 - Gskill - $60
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...CE&PageSize=20

EDIT: after these upgrades are made swap the Chipset in your HTPC with the 775 from your main rig. Then your main rig basically becomes your HTPC, and you get a nice new primary rig.

There are a couple complicating factors that I didn't really make clear in the OP, sorry about that.

1. Existing HTPC motherboard is DDR/AGP, so the only way to move the 8800GT to the HTPC is to get a new motherboard for the HTPC.
2. HTPC is micro-ATX, so the motherboard from the main rig can't just be handed down to the HTPC.

 

[Davidh373]

1. Existing HTPC motherboard is DDR/AGP, so the only way to move the 8800GT to the HTPC is to get a new motherboard for the HTPC.
2. HTPC is micro-ATX, so the motherboard from the main rig can't just be handed down to the HTPC.

which is exactly why you would want to shift your current motherboard into the HTPC when you replace it with a new motherboard and processor.

EDIT: so #2 complicates things...

 

[Davidh373]

If that is the case you scrap the motherboard in your main rig and reuse the processor on a micro ATX motherboard you get on the sort of cheap.

 

[mfenn]

Any PSU that can power a 2.6GHz P4 is more than sufficient for an Athlon II based system. The combo that blackmage posted is good and should do everything that you need.

Since you saved so much money on your HTPC upgrade, you should get a 6870 for your main rig. I'd also consider just scrapping the 8800GT as it's quite hot and loud given it's performance. Something like a 5670 would be about as fast and far cooler/quieter.

 

[DSF]

Any PSU that can power a 2.6GHz P4 is more than sufficient for an Athlon II based system. The combo that blackmage posted is good and should do everything that you need.

Since you saved so much money on your HTPC upgrade, you should get a 6870 for your main rig. I'd also consider just scrapping the 8800GT as it's quite hot and loud given it's performance. Something like a 5670 would be about as fast and far cooler/quieter.

Well the 8800GT has an Accelero S1 on it, so it's plenty quiet. Point taken on the heat. Since I already own the card I'll probably start with that, and if the system is too hot for its own good I'll look at replacing it.

The original time frame for this was the holiday season, as I was assuming there would be relevant sales some time between Black Friday and Christmas. Is that a good bet, or is it reasonable to just pull the trigger now?

 

[mfenn]

$100 for a mobo and CPU is pretty dang good. I don't know that you'll be able to do much better on BF, but I don't have a crystal ball.

 

[fffblackmage]

$100 for a mobo and CPU is pretty dang good. I don't know that you'll be able to do much better on BF, but I don't have a crystal ball.

lol, in last year's BF, I got the Athlon II X2 240 + crappy GeForce 6150-based ECS mobo for $50 AR at Fry's. That's what I'm using for my cheapy HTPC.

Fry's no longer does the cpu+mobo combo deals though, and the Gigabyte mobo is waaay better than the "free" ECS mobo I got.

 

[jaydee]

Why do you have two systems to game on? For friends/family?

 

[DSF]

Why do you have two systems to game on? For friends/family?

Everything in the HTPC (except for the case, PSU and mobo of course) came out of my old Dell that was replaced by the new gaming machine a few years back. It isn't so much that I built two systems, I just saw that the Dell could be used as an HTPC instead of going to waste for a small investment. It's currently at my fiancee's place, while the new machine is at my apartment.

For the time being, it will let me game when I spend large chunks of time at her place. When we move in together it will provide another computer for LANs and such. I have a friend who comes over reasonably often, and while he can bring a laptop, a desktop is usually preferable. I also have friends who enjoy gaming but don't have their own rigs, so there's that too.