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Pimp My Computer

N

NateDawg1021

Junior Member
I know this gets posts all the time, but I've an avid reader here and knew there'd be some good advice here!


I have a dilemma, I've had roughly the same computer since August 2003. Along the way I upgraded the processor, video card and added more RAM. But with all the motherbord slots changing, there's really no way for me to upgrade my current system anymore.

Currently this is what I have:
Motherboard
AMD Athlon XP-A, 2166 MHz (6.5 x 333) 3000+
Asus A7N8X-E Deluxe (5 PCI, 1 AGP Pro, 1 WiFi, 3 DIMM, Audio, Gigabit LAN)
Motherboard Chipset nVIDIA nForce2 Ultra 400
System Memory 2048 MB (DDR SDRAM)

Display
Video Adapter RADEON X850 Series (256 MB) <<------ AGP
------------------------------------------------------------------------
My problem: in order to upgrade my computer, I basically have to buy a new one. New motherboard, processor, video card (because my current one is AGP) and RAM.

The answer: I know lots about computers, but I'm not up to date on what's good and new now. My request is for someone for find me a new computer (including Power supply and fans) for around $800. My computer right now by any means isn't broken, or not working or very slow. For whatever reason it still works great.

Please note: I've always used ASUS and RADEON, but I'm willing to switch, baring prices, performance and stability. I would like a DVD-ROM (and CD burner) I DO NOT need a new harddrive. This will be a custom built computer, I don't want Dell or Alienware crap.

All help or advice is welcome, thank you. Happy hunting.
 
Strictly speaking it is ATi that you have always used, but that is just nit-picking.

What exactly are you wanting to do with your system? Because for average tasks, you should be fine, even for most games that system will be fine. If you are wanting to run the latest games then you will probably need more than $800, more like $1000 since you can cannibalize things. Also, you might as well get a DVD Burner... they are dirt cheap nowadays.

Also, if you want to get some more oomph out of that system, you may consider overclocking the processor. I am about 99% positive that your board was more than capable of OCing, and if you are using DDR400 then just by setting the RAM to run at speed, that will net you a performance boost.
 
Also, if you want to get some more oomph out of that system, you may consider overclocking the processor. I am about 99% positive that your board was more than capable of OCing, and if you are using DDR400 then just by setting the RAM to run at speed, that will net you a performance boost.
Click to expand...

I don't know how to change my RAM speeds, when I tried to on the BIOS I would get a blue screen and my computer would restart. Do I need to look that up in another forum?

 
Strictly speaking yes, but I used to OC like a MoFo, so if you want some advice on it, drop me a PM. My old OC system was an Athlon XP-M, Abit AN7 board with the nVidia nForce 2 400 chipset.
 
Sorry, what I posted in the OP is what I already have. I'm looking for something with a little more kick.

I figure I should pick out the motherboard 1st, here's what I've looked at:

Asus ASUSMBC8
Asus M2NMX
Asus ASUSMBC9

Also, I was looking at a AMD 5600+ Processor and a eVGA GeForce 8600 GT 256MB Video card. Any other tips, or are these not tat great?
 
Thats what I was saying, the system that you have now is fine for most every game out there now.

What you are looking at getting... will be overall faster, but not necessarily hugely so. A Core 2, with a 7800 or 8800 will be faster still than what you ahve picked out, but unless you really have the need (read: desire) to play the latest games than you should be fine.

I'm just trying to save you money is all, but if you really want to upgrade, than what you have chosen (not sure about the mobo, i am fairly out of the loop there) will be fine (you may need new RAM though)
 
Dont forget that oyu will need new DDR2 RAM, and the processor and vid card you chose looks fine, but you may want to see what others have to say since I have been out of the desktop scene for too long.
 
Depending on the resolution that this guy is running, his system isn't really set up well for newer games.

If you have a standard ATX case and power supply, you really only need 5 items.

-CPU
-RAM
-MB
-GPU
-DVD burner

Assuming you live in the States, go on Newegg and spec out a cheap AMD or Intel system. A budget motherboard and budget dual-core CPU with 2GB of cheap DDR2 ram with an 8800GTS 320MB will cost no more than $600 or so. DVD burners are cheap so just buy a brand you like. This setup will do great for new games and if you OC, the deal gets that much sweeter.
 
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