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Need to ugrade my machine, totally out of the loop.

W

wamblam

Junior Member
I have an older machine that I built myself. I am pretty happy with it but need to upgrade
as I have to run a database app which requires a bit more speed/power.

I am totally out of the loop as far as current computer hardware

Just a quick run down of my current machine

ATX case

Gigabyte GA-K8NS pro socket 754 AMD MB
Athlon 64 2800+
1.5 M mem (184 pin)
WD raptor 150G SATA HD

2 x video cards (1 AGP and 1 PCI) as I have to run two 24 inch LCD monitors.

I would like to keep the case and the hard drive.

I need some advice on CPU, MB and memory.

Also will I need to scrap my video cards, will they work in newer MBs

I am not looking for top of the range, just something in the middle that will be a good performance upgrade over what I have and will last me another 2-3 years.

Thanks in advance for any help.


 
You've given a lot of good information, but some more specifics would be helpful. I would recommend that you fill out the questions in the thread stickied at the top of the forum. Knowing the specific uses of the computer (all of them) and the budget you're working with are especially important.
 
Originally posted by: DSF
You've given a lot of good information, but some more specifics would be helpful. I would recommend that you fill out the questions in the thread stickied at the top of the forum. Knowing the specific uses of the computer (all of them) and the budget you're working with are especially important.
Click to expand...

OK thanks for the reply.

(1) PC is used for internet, large spreadsheets and postgreSQL databases.

(2) budget 500-1000, depends on what i need.

(3) USA

(4) No brand pref.

(5) Hopefully I can use case, twin monitors, HD and video cards

(6) Looked around a little, made me more confused.

(7) No plans to overclock

(8) ASAP







 
Power supply?

Dropping the AGP graphics card for a cheap PCIe card (with 2x DVI output) would give you a better selection of motherboards.

OS?
 
Yep. For 2-D work, two monitors can easily be run off a single, inexpensive graphics card.

I would think an E7200 and a P35 motherboard like the Gigabyte EP35-DS3L would be fine for you, but I don't know how processor-intensive your apps are. Go with 4GB of inexpensive RAM. Without a 3-D graphics card your power requirements should be pretty meager. Something like a Seasonic or Antec Earthwatts 300-380W PSU would be plenty.

So, to break that down:
E7200 ($135)
P35 motherboard ($90-120)
2x2GB of RAM ($80 or less)
PCI-e video card ($50 or less)
Power Supply ($50-60)
DVD Drive if you need it ($30)

With all of that you're in the neighborhood of $500 or less.
 
Hi

Thanks for the replies.

I looked in the case and the power supply says 420W total ouput wattage

Its a "Raidmax KY-520ATX"

I assume that would do what I want to do.

I currently run VGA cables for both monitors. Obviously both will run DVI but I dont know much about it.
Is there much to know apart from buying two cables?

I also dont know what PCI-e is. I am assuming its just a new video card slot format
I dont play games or need and kind of huge 3D power although I do watch videos and TV via my computer.
 
OK, I did some research.

I looked at the gigabyte EP35-DS3L socket LGA 775 and the E7200 and they look well reviewed plus the MB looks like it will take faster a faster CPU when they come down in price.

What I am confused by is the array of video cards.

On newegg alone they have 109 PCI-e video cards with dual DVI output ranging from
30 bucks to 500.

most have good reviews, what do you get extra for the money?

As I said I dont play games but do use the computer to watch videos/TV via a USB device.

Also memory.......... I dont plan to overclock............again what do you get for the extra money?
 
Ok , I have everything i need apart from a graphics card

I need one that will run my 2 x 24 inch acer monitors at 1900 x 1200 each

They have 334 cards at newegg with 2 x DVI out put

can anyone reccomend a card that will work for me?
 
I would think an 8600gt would probably be perfect, it has the newest x264 decoding for video playback and would even allow some gaming at low-mid settings and can be had pretty cheap.
 
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