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Help request - gamer upgrade to 4 yr old system

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OK, I've compiled your suggestions!

Here's the results:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MotherBoard - nForce2 seems to be the favorite
AMD
3 votes - Abit NF7-S ($105-107)
2 votes - Shuttle AN35N ($50-65)
1 vote - FIC AU13 nForce2

Intel
1 vote - ASUS P4P800 ($111)
1 vote - Abit IS7 ($106)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPU - Barton 2500+ seems to be the favorite
AMD
7 votes - Barton 2500+ ($90)

Intel
2 votes - Intel P4 2.6c ($175)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Memory - Buffalo PC3200 seems to be the favorite

512MB PC3200 Buffalo Tech ($96)
2x - Buffalo Technology 256MB 6 Layer PC3200 DDR
Buffalo PC3200 (Winbond modules) $85
Buffalo 256 mb PC-3200x2 (Winbond chips) $96

2 X 256MB CORSAIR PC3200 CAS 2.5 $49 X 2 $98
512 MB PC2700
1GB Kingston ValueRAM PC3200 (AMD) ($226)
1GB Kingston HperX PC3700 (Intel) ($172)
512MB PC3700 Buffalo (if you want to OC) ($95)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Video - It appears a video upgrade is needed.
4 votes - 9600 pro, 2 votes - Ti4200, 2 votes - Radeon 9800, 2 votes - FX5900
This will be a tough choice!

9600Pro
Sapphire 9600 Pro $150
Sapphire Atlantis ATI RADEON 9600 PRO
Radeon 9600 Pro ($130)
Ti4200
ASUS V9280VS Video Suite Geforce4 Ti4200 128MB 128 bit AGP 8X TV-OUT & Dual DVI RETAIL
$135.99
ATI Radeon 9800
Info-Tek GeXCube Radeon 9800 128MB $269
XFX Geforce FX5900 $199
BFG FX5900
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Power - Many of you think a power upgrade from 300W to 350W or 400W is needed.
Fortron FSP350-60PN Aurora Series 350W PSU
Fortron FSP350-60PN 350W Power supply (same as Aurora without a light) $36
Allied 400W PSU ($36)
Enlight 360W PSU $36


Summary,

Abit NF7-S Motherboard ($107)
AMD Barton 2500+ CPU ($90)
Buffalo PC3200 (Winbond) Memory (256MB - $48, 1Gb - $210)
350-400W Power Supply ($36)
9600Pro Video AGP ($130)

So, even with the unexpected Video upgrade and 1GB memory the total would be close to my goal! - $573 GREAT!!!




 
Go with single stick of 512 mb memory if you're going AMD. That should be good enough for while. You can always add later if you need it.

If you're not going to overclock the system, then go for higher clocked Tbred. Cheaper and faster than stock 2500+ Barton.

Your 300w powersupply will likely work with your new system. But if you're going to buy, I would suggest that Fortron. It's cheap and good.

Good luck. I'm sure your son will love the new system.
 
BTW Buffalo 3700 512MB is $92 a stick, so it may be worth the $7 over the Winbond 3200 if you want to run the CPU beyond 3200+.
 
Originally posted by: Barny
Summary,

Abit NF7-S Motherboard ($107)
AMD Barton 2500+ CPU ($90)
Buffalo PC3200 (Winbond) Memory (256MB - $48, 1Gb - $210)
350-400W Power Supply ($36)
9600Pro Video AGP ($130)

So, even with the unexpected Video upgrade and 1GB memory the total would be close to my goal! - $573 GREAT!!!
Click to expand...

That's going to be a GREAT Christmas present for your son! The difference between his old system and his new one will be night and day. :beer:!
 
If I were you, I would stick with 512 MB of ram. You're son won't notice the difference in his games right now. I'd spend the extra $100 on a better video card.
 
i vote for the shuttle ak35n. i just ahd a build with it and it ROCKS. it is dirt cheap and has great OC'ing features and is just all around a great board. i also vote for a 5900NU for the video.
 
Yeah, I vote for the Abit NF7, the Barton 2500, the Buffalo memory and the 9600 Pro. That'll be a nicely matched, sweet little system, and the NF7 boards are great.
 
just bought a new system for right at $500.
Shuttle A35N (nforce2 board) (around $50--a steal!)
512 meg ram (around $80)
AMD 2600+ (around $100)
Lite on CDRW/DVD combo (around $60)
WD 80gig HDD (around $70)
PNY Ti4200 (around $80)
Mwave case w/ 430watt PSU (around $40)

got it all from Mwave--a little cheaper than newegg (except vid card), after shipping it was just over $500.
 
As for the video card, I would *not* equip a new system with a Ti4200. It doesn't do DX9, and it's already considered fairly slow by today's standards. It's not really a good idea to upgrade to something that's already obsolete when a card with some legs is available for a few bucks more. 🙂

The 9600Pro (available under $150) is a good choice if you're on a tight budget, as it will play all but the very newest games at reasonably high settings. Some of them will also come with a coupon for a free copy of Half-Life 2 when it is released.

The GeForceFX5900 you pointed out for $200 is a very good deal, as that card is significantly faster than the 9600Pro.

The 9800NP, while an even better card IMO (it's DX9 pixel shader implementation is better), costs around $250 and is thus probably a bit much for your budget.
 
Originally posted by: Matthias99
The 9800NP, while an even better card IMO (it's DX9 pixel shader implementation is better), costs around $250 and is thus probably a bit much for your budget.
Click to expand...

Note - Just saw over at the Video forums that Best Buy and CompUSA both have the retail 9800 Pro's for $299 AIR.
 
Abit NF7-S Motherboard ($107)
AMD Barton 2500+ CPU ($90)
Buffalo PC3200 (Winbond) Memory (256MB - $48, 1Gb - $210)
350-400W Power Supply ($36)
9600Pro Video AGP ($130)

I would change it to this:

Shuttle AN35N-Ultra ($65)
AMD Barton 2500+ CPU ($90)
Buffalo PC3200 (Winbond) Memory (512 Mb-~$90)
350-400W Power Supply ($36)
XFX Geforce FX 5900 Video AGP ($199)

$481 total

I see no need for the NF7-S in a budget system, and mine performs EXCELLENT, even when it it overclocked. I would take the money saved from the motherboard and get the Geforce FX 5900, much more powerful card that will probably last longer than the 9600 Pro. I hope I can get one myself for Christmas this year.

Also, do you already have a case and hard drive? If you don't have a good hard drive, you can substitute the Geforce FX for the 9600 pro again and get a pretty nice one without going over $500 I think.
 
Originally posted by: Kai920
Originally posted by: Matthias99
The 9800NP, while an even better card IMO (it's DX9 pixel shader implementation is better), costs around $250 and is thus probably a bit much for your budget.
Click to expand...

Note - Just saw over at the Video forums that Best Buy and CompUSA both have the retail 9800 Pro's for $299 AIR.
Click to expand...

Which is even *more* than $250, and $250 is already stretching quite a bit on his budget. The 9800 Non-Pro cards are still plenty fast, and if you're into overclocking, many will reach 9800Pro speeds for $50-100 less than a "real" 9800Pro.
 
Originally posted by: Matthias99
Originally posted by: Kai920
Originally posted by: Matthias99
The 9800NP, while an even better card IMO (it's DX9 pixel shader implementation is better), costs around $250 and is thus probably a bit much for your budget.
Click to expand...

Note - Just saw over at the Video forums that Best Buy and CompUSA both have the retail 9800 Pro's for $299 AIR.
Click to expand...

Which is even *more* than $250, and $250 is already stretching quite a bit on his budget. The 9800 Non-Pro cards are still plenty fast, and if you're into overclocking, many will reach 9800Pro speeds for $50-100 less than a "real" 9800Pro.
Click to expand...

Of course it is more. If in fact he's even considering a 9800, adding $50 for a 9800Pro is worth it IMO.

Shuttle AN35N-Ultra ($65)
AMD Barton 2500+ CPU ($90)
Buffalo PC3200 (Winbond) Memory (512 Mb-~$90)
350-400W Power Supply ($36)
Radeon 9800 ($250) - Radeon 9800 Pro ($300)

Total:
$531 with 9800
$581 with 9800 Pro
 
Originally posted by: Kai920
Originally posted by: Matthias99
Originally posted by: Kai920
Originally posted by: Matthias99
The 9800NP, while an even better card IMO (it's DX9 pixel shader implementation is better), costs around $250 and is thus probably a bit much for your budget.
Click to expand...

Note - Just saw over at the Video forums that Best Buy and CompUSA both have the retail 9800 Pro's for $299 AIR.
Click to expand...

Which is even *more* than $250, and $250 is already stretching quite a bit on his budget. The 9800 Non-Pro cards are still plenty fast, and if you're into overclocking, many will reach 9800Pro speeds for $50-100 less than a "real" 9800Pro.
Click to expand...

Of course it is more. If in fact he's even considering a 9800, adding $50 for a 9800Pro is worth it IMO.

Shuttle AN35N-Ultra ($65)
AMD Barton 2500+ CPU ($90)
Buffalo PC3200 (Winbond) Memory (512 Mb-~$90)
350-400W Power Supply ($36)
Radeon 9800 ($250) - Radeon 9800 Pro ($300)

Total:
$531 with 9800
$581 with 9800 Pro
Click to expand...

I still think a Geforce FX 5900 NU is the best thing for him if he wants to stay under $500. Plus, the performance is not THAT far off from the 9800 NP.
 
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