Help me upgrade my old P4 3.2ghz to Sandy Bridge

[nickv360]

My Pentium 4 3.2Ghz pc has lasted me five years. I never expected that pc to last as long as it did. I guess hyperthreading allowed the processor to stay competitive in the dual-core market. Now that we're in the middle of the quad-core market it's time to upgrade. My problem is cash flow issues. My current PC:

GeForce 8800gt
P4 3.2ghz
4gb DDR2 ram
2x 1tb hard drives (one spinpoint, one caviar black)
dvd burner

so, I figure, I will buy a new case, a new mobo/proc, and a new PSU. I will keep my old graphics card, ram, hard drives, and optical drive. I will slowly upgrade those parts as I can. Starting with the video card, then the ram, then an ssd. so, here's what I am going to purchase:

intel i5 - 2500k - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115072
gigabyte p67 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128460

that part i feel pretty good about. what i'd like input on is the case/psu. i found this combo deal:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.586018

I really like that case. I've built a computer for a friend using it, and I like it alot. I know the PSU is probably not great, but is there a better case/psu combo that I can find for <$100? Do you guys think this is a good plan for upgrading my PC? I am going off the assumption that a 2500k will last me at least 3 years. I am hoping to get as much use out of it as I did my old P4.

 

[strep3241]

What will this pc be used for and what is your budget?

 

[nickv360]

I don't really have a budget. I just want a 2500k. The PC will be used for gaming, and HD media. My budget is "get a 2500k for as little as possible while still having something that will last for a few years".

 

[tynopik]

so, I figure, I will buy a new case, a new mobo/proc, and a new PSU.

any particular reason you need a new case?

and what PSU do you have now?

you can combo the board and CPU to save a little

343 shipped - i5-2500K + GA-P67A-UD3 + Civ V
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.575883

I will keep my old graphics card, ram

not possible, Sandy Bridge requires DDR3

39 Mushkin 2x2GB DDR3 1333
   http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146748

 

[mnewsham]

I don't really have a budget. I just want a 2500k. The PC will be used for gaming, and HD media. My budget is "get a 2500k for as little as possible while still having something that will last for a few years".

DDR2 RAM wont work in a DDR3 board.

 

[nickv360]

any particular reason you need a new case?

and what PSU do you have now?

i need a new case because my old PC was a dell. which is the same reason i need a new PSU. I don't want to re-use the Dell case, and I don't know much about the current psu except that if dell put it in, it's probably not good.

didn't know that ddr2 ram wouldn't work in a ddr3 board. that complicates things.

 

[mlc]

you have ddr2 ram.. and the processor/board your considering requires ddr3.. so you'll have to deal with that.....

don't skimp on the psu... that psu/case combo looked pretty good..

you can also find some decent rebate deals on a psu.. and stick with that case..
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139019

 

[nickv360]

ok, thanks for all the advice so far. i will have to spend money on the ram.

any input on finding a good case/psu combo for <100?

is the one i posted good enough to purchase?

 

[mnewsham]

ok, thanks for all the advice so far. i will have to spend money on the ram.

any input on finding a good case/psu combo for <100?

is the one i posted good enough to purchase?

pick up a cheap no-frills case. ($40)

And a good but not too expensive PSU. ($45 AR)

 

[Davidh373]

I'd get the Antec 300 + a 500W - 600W PSU. Then get a 560 or 6950.

 

[fffblackmage]

And a good but not too expensive PSU. ($45 AR)

I would argue that the Antec Neo Eco 520C ($39 AR&P +$2 shipping) is both better and cheaper than the Corsair PSU.

 

[Patrick Wolf]

The case is cheaper here:
http://www.chiefvalue.com/product/pr...010060&amp;ATTCase

If you've looked at all the other cases, but still like the 912 the best than there's no debate, that's the case for you! :thumbsup: But that 700w Cooler Master PSU doesn't look to good. It's not even 80 Plus... and 700w is pretty overkill for a single GPU. Either that Antec or Corsair would be better choices.

As for DDR3, look at 1333 or 1600 in 4GB (2x2GB) or 8GB (2x4GB) with 1.5v or less and CAS 9.

 

[mfenn]

I agree with the other posters. Get the i5 2500K + UD3 combo and Mushkin memory that tynopik suggested, the Neo Eco 520W that fffblackmage suggested, and the Antec Three Hundred, Cooler Master Elite, or HAF 912.