Getting that itch to upgrade.

[Rockinacoustic]

UPDATE 3/19

Purchased The CPU/MB combo and RAM below plus a WD Caviar 640GB (Blue) for $270 shipped, and after rebate. Thanks for the advice AT! :thumbsup:

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I'm looking to spend <$300 after rebate on a moderate upgrade to my current A64 3500+ computer. I've been looking at:

AMD Phenom X3 720 & Biostar TForce TA790GX 128M Combo - $202 AR* Anyone care to comment on the stock cooler? If I overclock I don't plan to up the voltage.

Seagate Barracude 7200.12 500GB HDD $60

Corsair 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) $20AR* I'd preferable like to spend no more than $30 AR on RAM. Is it really to go for some OCZ or G.Skill with Better timings? Would some DDR2 1066 be better if I plan to overclock? (Nothing crazy, I'd probably just up the multiplier)

I already have a case, PSU (Antec EA 430) , and other necessary peripherals. I'll pick-up Vista Ultimate here at school for $15. And likely when I save up more I'll go for a decent GPU for light gaming and graphic design (Currently have a 6600GT).

Does this seem like a viable upgrade? Thanks in advanced!

 

[DSF]

Consider what type of video card you're likely to upgrade to in the future. An Earthwatts 380 is a solid power supply for a light-duty video card, but it doesn't pack enough punch for a mid-to-high end card if that's where you're headed.

As far as RAM, XMS is fine.

 

[jjmIII]

Originally posted by: Rockinacoustic
AMD Phenom X3 720 & Biostar TForce TA790GX 128M Combo - $202 AR* Anyone care to comment on the stock cooler? If I overclock I don't plan to up the voltage.

I love this combo. The Biostar t-series has always been quality stuff IMO. The board is very stable, and had no probs with Crucial Ballistix 2x2gb, or the Corsair XMS2 2x2gb you mention. I will mention the two included sata cables.....nice soft, flexible, and locking. Funny, but they stood out.

The sata ports are perfect, and can't be blocked by long cards. I don't like the x16 layout. The primary card goes on the bottom, and could block usefull pci slots. The secondary x16 slot would only block useless x1 slots. Putting a single x1 under each x16 would be perfect IMO. Just a small detail, but if you need both pci slots, get a single slot graphics card....or use the best onboard video in the industry.

I have not OCd yet, but the bios is made for it....literally.

The x3 710 cooler is cheapish. I bought the OEM AMD heatpipe version off of ebay, but have not installed it yet. BTW....intel should just copy the amd mount. Perfect.

You will be happy .

My x3 build.

 

[Rockinacoustic]

Thanks for the info Jim!

I am wary of the master PCI-e slot being the bottom one, but other than that it seems like a solid board for the price.

I guess the only thing I'm on the fence about now is getting the aforementioned Corsair, or this G.Skill set for the tighter timings. Is it worth the extra $20?

 

[Denithor]

Tighter timings have very, very little impact on system performance. Not worth $2 let alone $20.

Grab a WD6401AALS instead of that 7200.12 500GB you've selected.

You're seriously going to want a beefier PSU, especially if your current one is three years old or older (these things die eventually & are likely to take out other components when they do).

And you can get a 4830 for $65-70AR, that will be worlds better than your 6600GT.

 

[Rockinacoustic]

Originally posted by: Denithor
Tighter timings have very, very little impact on system performance. Not worth $2 let alone $20.

Grab a WD6401AALS instead of that 7200.12 500GB you've selected.

You're seriously going to want a beefier PSU, especially if your current one is three years old or older (these things die eventually & are likely to take out other components when they do).

And you can get a 4830 for $65-70AR, that will be worlds better than your 6600GT.

Point taken. I actually have a EA 430 (Typo on my part), which I'm sure will more than suffice for a GPU upgrade. The most I'm looking to go for would probably be a 9600GSO/4830.

 

[jjmIII]

Nice (power efficient) HD 4670.

EA430 will be plenty .

EDIT: I agree, get a good 640gb instead of the unproven Seagate 500gb single-platter.