Upgrade help suggestions and recommendations

[jj2005]

Hi all!

This is my second thread. I am absolutely new here (posting on these forums) and thought this was a really neat place to meet other people with similar interests. I was greeted by so many members on here already with very welcoming responses. However, I am in need of some technical help and thought that you guys might help a fellow amateur PC builder. I am seriously considering upgrading my PC because I am really into gaming and have nothing else better to do (haha just kidding!).

Anyways, I was thinking of upgrading some of my PC components like my motherboard, processor, and video card because I want to be able to get some pretty decent framerates in my games (Half-Life 2, Counter-Strike: Source in particular) besides the ones I am getting with my current PC specifications.

Here are my choices so far:

Motherboard Choice

Processor Choice

Graphics Card Choice

Do you think this will be good enough for me to replace my current parts with? My budget is not really tight as long as it is under $1,000 USD. I would also really appreciate any comments (and flames LOL) or suggestions and recommendations on this.

You can find my current PC specifications in my first thread here:

my first thread

Thanks in advance,

JJ

 

[fuzzynavel]

lol....welcome to anandtech......

Have looked at your previous thread....and your specs go something like this for all the lazy people who won't bother looking...

Originally posted by: jj2005
Motherboard: Asus P4S800D-E Deluxe
Processor: intel P4 3.0EGHz Prescott
Memory: 1 GB of Corsair PC3200
Video Card: ATI Radeon 9600XT 128MB
Sound Card: Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS
Hard Drive: 120 GB Western Digital (not SATA just regular IDE)
PC Case: Enermax Blue Aluminum ATX Mid Tower with 400W Power Supply
DVD Drive: NEC DVD Burner (and that's all I remember LOL)

Although ribbon gave you a hard time for spending a lot of cash...your computer is nothing to be ashamed of.....The one component that I can see that would give you the most benefit in upgrading is the 9600XT......upgrade that to a 6800GT or even a radeon X850xt.....but I don't think you should blow another $1000 on pretty much a whole new PC yet..........

hope this helps

fuzzy

 

[jj2005]

Cool, thanks fuzzy! Nah, he didn't give me a hard time.

One other thing: if I just upgrade to a 6800GT do you think it will be compatible with my motherboard and cpu?

 

[Kaspian]

just like the rest of them..........go for the 6800GT

 

[jj2005]

ok thanks but what about this one: the 6600GT.

Is there any difference between the two cards: the 6600GT and 6800GT?

Because I was thinking about this one instead since the 6800GT is a little over half the price of this one over at NewEgg.

EDIT: Also, do you think my 400W power supply will be enough?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: jj2005
ok thanks but what about this one: the 6600GT.

Is there any difference between the two cards: the 6600GT and 6800GT?

Because I was thinking about this one instead since the 6800GT is a little over half the price of this one over at NewEgg.

EDIT: Also, do you think my 400W power supply will be enough?

The 6800gt is significantly better than the 6600gt. Both are good cards, but the 6800gt is a lot better.
If that 400watt PSU is an enermax like your case, then it should be just fine.

I think getting just a 6800gt and leaving the rest of your system alone would be a good idea. You can get a 6800gt AGP for about $300.

There are some benchmarks comparing the relavant new cards here.

If your budget is $1000, why not get the 6800gt?

 

[jj2005]

Yeah, my PSU came with the case so I assume it is an Enermax.

Thanks, yoyoyohowsdajello! LOL

EDIT: I also have 3 case fans: one on the side and 2 in the back if that makes any difference in power.