Need upgrade recommendations

[jca001]

I know this is asked often, but I need recommendations for and over all upgrade. I posted this in another category and it suggested I post it in this one.

PC use:
Read email, surf web, run 3D design software, play videos, some games

Already have to reuse:
Case with 650 PSU, IDE CD-R, IDE DVD-RW

Maybe reuse:
IDE 250GB disk
Windows XP Pro

Upgrade requirements:
Mother board, no built-in Video, Audio maybe
CPU 2 Ghz up
Memory 1 - 2 GB
Video card, good, but not top end
Maybe SATA disk

So I want a some what powerful system, but not and all out top end gamers system.
Links would be nice so I can see specs and prices.

 

[Blain]

Budget?

 

[jca001]

At this poiny I do not have a set amount. I do not want to go with the cheapest solution, because that has been disapointing in the past. But I do not want the most expensive solution either when I would not really use it. I am looking for something in the middle and the reason I am posting this is because I have not kept up with all the models and numbers over the last few years and do not know exactly what to look for. And things seem to change fairly fast. I am reading all the other posts that are asking for upgrade recommendations to see if one would fit my needs. I want to go with something that someone else has used and not had all kinds of problems. I know, that is what most people also want. But some like being on the bleeding edge and trying new things all the time. But my PC needs to work without a lot of tinkering, because my wife uses it also.

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: Blain
The CX1 is nice and quiet. :thumbsup:

 

[Denithor]

Cute, Blain, really...cute.

For those of us on a budget, here's a good build with lots of power that won't break the bank.

X2 5050e (2.6GHz, 45W) $63
Foxconn M61PMV $44
G.Skill 2x2GB DDR2-800 $45

If you want to go a little higher-end and don't mind spending more money, this is a great deal.

e8400 + P5Q Pro Combo $260AR
G.Skill 2x2GB DDR2-800 $45

For your "3D design software" are there any requirements from the video card? IE do you need a Quadro card or something? If not, go with a 4670 ($56AR) or a 9800GT ($110AR) depending on your games and resolution.

EDIT: Like nearly all motherboards today, this one only has a single PATA IDE port so you can use at most 2 devices. I would suggest using your two optical drives and buying a new hard drive, such as the WD6400AAKS (640GB for $75).

 

[jae]

pick the e8400 option with the WD640

 

[krnmastersgt]

Originally posted by: jae
pick the e8400 option with the WD640

That option is about 150% more than the first (not counting the ram) which in this case roughly correlates to $150, not something to cast aside when either system would be more than enough. However it is hard to fight the deal on the E8400 combo, too bad there isn't an E7300 version of that deal. Any real advantages to the P5Q pro as opposed to the P5Q SE Plus? Only actual difference for what the OP would be using is the sound card being VIA on the SE (I dislike VIA from past experiences personally) and Realtek on the Pro.

 

[jca001]

Blain:
I don't need a 3rd one. One of the reasons I need to upgrade one of my very old systems is because the wife does not like the color of the CX1. It is her PC that I am upgrading.

 

[jca001]

Originally posted by: Denithor
Cute, Blain, really...cute.

For those of us on a budget, here's a good build with lots of power that won't break the bank.

X2 5050e (2.6GHz, 45W) $63
Foxconn M61PMV $44
G.Skill 2x2GB DDR2-800 $45

If you want to go a little higher-end and don't mind spending more money, this is a great deal.

e8400 + P5Q Pro Combo $260AR
G.Skill 2x2GB DDR2-800 $45

For your "3D design software" are there any requirements from the video card? IE do you need a Quadro card or something? If not, go with a 4670 ($56AR) or a 9800GT ($110AR) depending on your games and resolution.

EDIT: Like nearly all motherboards today, this one only has a single PATA IDE port so you can use at most 2 devices. I would suggest using your two optical drives and buying a new hard drive, such as the WD6400AAKS (640GB for $75).

First, thanks for the recommendations. That is exactly what I was looking for and I have read the same recommendations from others in other postings.

I like the second option and will probably go with that. It fits in my budget.

But I have a question about the memory recommendation. Looking at the mother board, it says standard memory is DDR2-1200. So what is the big difference and how will that change over all performance?

The 3D software is Architectural Home Design, which is really 2D, but allows looking at the finished drawing in 3D. This is one of the reasons for the upgrade, and as far as I know there are no special video card requirements. From what I have checked a video card will run me between 75 and 150.

 

[Denithor]

You should be fine with most mid-range cards, they usually create those kinds of software to be "software rendered" meaning video card acceleration won't be used at all (designed for people using integrated graphics, the cpu can render 3d it just takes longer and won't run as smoothly as on a gpu).

No advantage of DDR2-1200 unless you're into extreme overclocking. Just because something is supported doesn't make it worth buying. It goes like this: e8400 has a multiplier of 9, at stock speed it is 9 x 333fsb (equal to DDR2-667 speed) = 3GHz. You overclock these systems by increasing the fsb speed. So if you set it to 400fsb (DDR2-800 speed) you will hit 3.6GHz. At DDR2-1000 speed you would hit 4.5GHz (heh, maybe under chilled water or LN2 cooling) and DDR2-1200 isn't needed unless you want to run 9 x 600 = 5.4GHz (riiiight...).

Short story: just get the e8400 combo and a 4670 and you'll be thrilled for general use, design software and light gaming.

 

[DSF]

When Newegg lists the memory standard for the board, what they're really listing is the highest speed the board supports. DDR2-1200 isn't even an official memory standard, it's just memory that's been way overclocked.

As far as performance, the impact of RAM speed is minimal. DDR2-800 is the best choice for most DIYers due to a good combination of price and speed/overclocking headroom.

 

[betasub]

Originally posted by: jca001
It fits in my budget.

That's neat. Because when Blain asked, you refused to specify. Can you give a figure now?

 

[jca001]

Again, I really do not have a set amount. I did not want to put limits on the suggestions and not have one that cost just a little more, but would be so much better. I wanted something between a mid and high end system so the upgrade would last a little longer. I wanted suggestions that I could compare and then decided which one would fit my needs.

I had not read all the stickies before I posted. I assumed the stickies were the same old general posting rules, which basically say be nice. I have read them now.

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: Blain
PLEASE when you POST threads asking for input on system builds tell us...

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread

The above information IS NEEDED, in order that WE can help YOU make wise judgments on YOUR purchases

 

[JDMnAR1]

n/m