Upgrade current or new pc build and what??

[Yukoncrw]

Currently I have a Gateway that I continue to add to but dont know if it's worth adding more or should I build a new computer. I dont have a lot of money but I play alot of Americas Army and want a little better fr. I dont want to buy a new system because I have the monitor, mouse, keyboard, harddrives and disk drives I want. Any help would be appreciated.

Here's what I currently havetaken from Everest Home)

CPU Type
Intel Pentium 4, 2400 MHz (18 x 133)
Motherboard Name Intel Maryville 2 D850EMV2 (5 PCI, 1 AGP, 4 RIMM, Audio)
Motherboard Chipset Intel Tehama i850E
System Memory 768 MB (PC800 RDRAM)
BIOS Type AMI (09/19/02)
Video Adapter ALL-IN-WONDER 9800 SERIES (128 MB)
Audio Adapter Creative SB0090 Audigy Player Sound Card

[ BIOS ]

BIOS Properties:
Vendor Intel Corp.
Version MV85010A.15A.0075.P13.0209191141
Release Date 09/19/2002
Size 512 KB
Boot Devices Floppy Disk, Hard Disk, CD-ROM, ATAPI ZIP, LS-120
Capabilities Flash BIOS, Shadow BIOS, Selectable Boot, EDD, BBS
Supported Standards DMI, ACPI, ESCD, PnP
Expansion Capabilities PCI, AGP, USB

[ System ]

System Properties:
Manufacturer Gateway
Product E-6000
Version 4000782
Serial Number 0028939848
Universal Unique ID 208EBD20-E31DB211-800093DF-FFD163A8
Wake-Up Type Power Switch

[ Motherboard ]

Motherboard Properties:
Manufacturer Intel Corporation
Product D850EMV2
Version AAA87987-401
Serial Number IMMV24403266

[ Chassis ]

Chassis Properties:
Manufacturer Gateway
Version HVA05A08
Serial Number 0028939848
Chassis Type Desktop Case

[ Memory Controller ]

Memory Controller Properties:
Error Detection Method 32-bit ECC
Error Correction Single-bit
Supported Memory Interleave 1-Way
Current Memory Interleave 1-Way
Supported Memory Speeds 50ns
Supported Memory Types ECC
Supported Memory Voltages 3.3V
Maximum Memory Module Size 512 MB
Memory Slots 4

[ Processors / Pentium(R) 4 ]

Processor Properties:
Manufacturer Intel Corporation
Version Pentium(R) 4
External Clock 133 MHz
Maximum Clock 3500 MHz
Current Clock 2400 MHz
Type Central Processor
Voltage 3.0 V
Status Enabled
Upgrade ZIF
Socket Designation J2E1

 

[Pabster]

Time to start over.

No offense, but RDRAM?

 

[Yukoncrw]

Its worked well and I got it cheap...but I know

Any recommendation for a budget minded individual?

 

[Pabster]

Well that would depend heavily on "budget". How much are we talking?

 

[LOUISSSSS]

new pc

 

[Yukoncrw]

lol as low as possible. If I need to buy piece by piece I will. If I can do it for under $1000 I'd be ok but $750 would be even better. I dont need top of the line by any means I just want as good as I can get for as low as I can get

 

[fire400]

Athlon X2 3800 retail with fan = 150
mobo = 60
tower and psu = ~100

SATA300 HD = 80
1gig DDR1 RAM= 80
DVD-RW = 30

x1800 class video card = 210

total = 710 + shipping

good upgrades:
=RAM
=x-fi music
=bigger HD if you need the space
=better cooling device
=Asus 200 USD mobo
=good speakers and a new LCD
=WinXP Pro w/security suits and Office 2003 Business

you're square!

 

[Philippine Mango]

Originally posted by: fire400
Athlon X2 3800 retail with fan = 150
mobo = 60
tower and psu = ~100

SATA300 HD = 80
1gig DDR1 RAM= 80
DVD-RW = 30

x1800 class video card = 210

total = 710 + shipping

good upgrades:
=RAM
=x-fi music
=bigger HD if you need the space
=better cooling device
=Asus 200 USD mobo
=good speakers and a new LCD
=WinXP Pro w/security suits and Office 2003 Business

you're square!

I just find it funny that people scrimp on two of the most important components in a system build the Power supply and the Motherboard. While you didn't scrimp on the PSU, you certainly did on the motherboard. A Good motherboard will allow your system to run much longer between upgrades due to less components failing and being much faster.

 

[Yukoncrw]

OK, Here what I'm looking at so far. What do you think and what else do I need besides the harddrives and dvd/cd drives? I have no idea what memory or power supply I should get.



-Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 Conroe 1066MHz FSB 2M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor - $193
- ASRock ConRoeXFire-eSATA2 Socket T (LGA 775) Intel 945P ATX Intel Motherboard - 82.99
- COOLER MASTER Centurion 532 RC-532-SKN1 Black Aluminum bezel, SECC chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - 44.99
- eVGA 256-P2-N554-AX Geforce 7600GT KO 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - $139.99

 

[Pabster]

Nada on the motherboard argument. Who keeps their board anymore between upgrades? Sockets change too much and often you want a new board for some feature or other your old one doesn't (and won't) support anyway.

I agree 100% on the power supply. But the motherboard...nah.

 

[hurtstotalktoyou]

Well, you really need to tell us how you're going to use it. For example, will you be wanting another video interface like your old TV Wonder, or is a standard display going to be fine for you? What kind of programs do you run? Do you do much audio or video editing? Do you play any graphic-intensive games?

$750 is a huge budget nowadays. You can do a lot with it. But to maximize your bang-for-buck, we'll need some details from you.

 

[Yukoncrw]

My monitor has TV in so I dont use the tv wonder feature. I'm mainly wanting to upgrade for the gaming. I play alot of Americas Army. I was going to just add memory to save cash but I fugured it was about time to ask. Also, I've never built a computer so that concerns me as well. Again, $750 is still alot for me so if I can do it right for less thats what I want. Most bang for the buck I guess.

 

[hurtstotalktoyou]

All at Newegg:

Windows XP Home SP2B OEM
Athlon 64 X2 3800+ retail (combo w/TForce4U)
Biostar TForce4U (combo w/Athlon)
1GB (2x512MB) OCZ Value DDR-400
ASUS GeForce 6200TC 256MB onboard (512MB effective)
Samsung Spinpoint P 250GB hard disk
Lite-on SHM-165H6S lightscribe DVD burner
NEC floppy drive
FSP Group ATX350-PA power supply
AMS CF-1089BK ATX case w/front USB/audio/firewire

$660 shipped
$23 mail-in rebates
$637 net

 

[Yukoncrw]

Is the computer listed last powerful enough? I want faster with good graphics.

 

[hurtstotalktoyou]

The graphics card I picked out was based on your America's Army gaming. If you plan to play some more graphic-intensive games, you might consider a more powerful card--perhaps this X800GTO for $90 ($35 more than the above option). Keep in mind, though, an expensive graphics card will only enhance performance for gaming. You must weigh it according to your own preferences.

 

[Yukoncrw]

What is the take on the parts I am looking at? What memory and power supply should I get with it



-Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 Conroe 1066MHz FSB 2M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor - $193
- ASRock ConRoeXFire-eSATA2 Socket T (LGA 775) Intel 945P ATX Intel Motherboard - 82.99
- COOLER MASTER Centurion 532 RC-532-SKN1 Black Aluminum bezel, SECC chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - 44.99
- eVGA 256-P2-N554-AX Geforce 7600GT KO 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - $139.99

 

[Howard]

DDR2-533 memory will be fine if you don't plan on overclocking. Try to pick stick(s) that run on 1.8V if possible.

 

[Yukoncrw]

Any recommendations? I dont know I might overclock if its easy enough