Making a new system... cheaply

[Shadowknight]

Seeing as how my P4 in my sig is getting on in years, I'd like to upgrade a few things, but I don't have a lot of money to do so, while I'm paying off a substantial amount of debt. On some major computer or "hot deal" site, there's a thread recommending the cheapest system you can make, which is updated reguarly, but I can't remember where it is.

What I'm looking for is a motherboard, cpu, ram, and video card that use the new PCI-E slot and is more powerful than my current system. I'm fine with my current case and PSU, though I can throw in an Antec 430w Neo PSU if I absolutely have to if the new parts need more power. I'd prefer motherboards and video cards with passive coolers if at all possible.

So... recs?

 

[chuckm]

How much have you got to spend? Are you gaming or do you just want better video card? There are quite a few good deals right now, you could probably get by with around $400 to 500. maybe alittle less.

 

[Shadowknight]

Originally posted by: chuckm
How much have you got to spend? Are you gaming or do you just want better video card? There are quite a few good deals right now, you could probably get by with around $400 to 500. maybe alittle less.

I don't have a solid budget, but I need it to be the cheapest possible. I just got a 24" Soyo monitor from Black Friday. I don't need a keyboard, mouse, case, or PSU. I also plan to use my current hard drives. I just need a motherboard, memory, cpu, video card.

 

[1sikbITCH]

You could consider an upgrade path that would allow you to replace a part at a time while keeping your computer functional the whole time.

I'm in the same boat as you, broke and needing an upgrade. It hit me that for now, I can replace my old AGP board with a budget PCI-E board, keep the chip and memory, and then spend the rest of the money on the best videocard I can get. I'll spend $400 but nearly $300 will be for the videocard.

Then I can get back to gaming while having time to save for a better motherboard, new chip, and more memory.