Upgrade PC build - Mobo/proc/vid recommendations (AM2)

[granreservadc]

I'm finally getting around to updating a pc I built a little more than two years ago (AMD XP rig), and I'm considering the following:

(this platform will be primarily for gaming)

Processor: AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Orleans 2000MHz HT Socket AM2 Processor Model ADA3200CNBOX

Motherboard: ASUS M2N-SLI Deluxe Socket AM2 NVIDIA nForce 570 SLI MCP ATX

Video Card: eVGA 256-P2-N554-AX Geforce 7600GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16

Rationale for the AM2 platform is upgradeability over the long-haul (I won't be making any platform changes in the near-term), and that pricing is more or less in sync with its 939 counterparts. I won't be over-clocking. As for SLI, again, upgradeability over the long-haul. I'm only going with one video card now, but hope to add another later this year.

I'm set for hd's and other peripherals. I'm hoping to spend less than $500.

Thoughts?

Thanks,

Gran

 

[acegazda]

Hey welcome to the forums!
Instead of the 7600gt, get the 7900gt for $245 @newegg. PSU is VERY IMPORTANT! DO NOT OVERLOOK IT! I'd recommend an enhance 5150gh or an enhance 0560g, 500w and 600w respectively. If you are doing some heavy overclocking, go with the latter. Do you have RAM? Corsiar ddr2-6400 2x1gb RAM is $165 after MIR @zipzoomfly. If that's out of your budget, then there is ddr2-5300 ocz gold @zzf for $140 after MIR. What about a case? And a monitor? For a case, the coolermaster centurion 532 or 534 should be good for you, if you're willing to spend a little more, the lian li pc7b plus II is @ newegg for $100. Maybe a viewsonic 20.1" widescreen?

 

[Tarrant64]

Looks OK to me. Seems you have a rationale for you choices so if it works for you...

Have you priced out already what that comes to?(Your current config).
What kind of memory do you already have? As well as HD etc.

 

[Tarrant64]

Originally posted by: acegazda
Hey welcome to the forums!
Instead of the 7600gt, get the 7900gt for $245 @newegg. PSU is VERY IMPORTANT! DO NOT OVERLOOK IT! I'd recommend an enhance 5150gh or an enhance 0560g, 500w and 600w respectively. If you are doing some heavy overclocking, go with the latter. Do you have RAM? Corsiar ddr2-6400 2x1gb RAM is $165 after MIR @zipzoomfly. If that's out of your budget, then there is ddr2-5300 ocz gold @zzf for $140 after MIR. What about a case? And a monitor? For a case, the coolermaster centurion 532 or 534 should be good for you, if you're willing to spend a little more, the lian li pc7b plus II is @ newegg for $100. Maybe a viewsonic 20.1" widescreen?

I think he was just planning on an upgrade, not a whole new PC. Most of that comes out way over $500...

I like the idea of the 7900 over the 7600. But the price of it is half of his budget right there.

 

[acegazda]

ooooohhh right... so scratch the case, monior and you might want to add RAM but you'll need a new psu.

 

[granreservadc]

Thanks for the initial thoughts - yes, as Tarrant64 noted, I'm simply looking to upgrade these 3 key parts. I'm set for everything else (ps, case, memory, etc). Additionally, not looking to oc, rather, simply re-build a long-term, stable platform that allows for future upradeability and quality gaming. I can consider the 7900, but I'm trying to stick to a self-imposed spending discipline...=-)

I'm gathering then that the setup looks good enough. I'll probably pull the trigger today.

Thanks for thoughts!

Gran

 

[acegazda]

what psu do you have?

 

[Juno]

granreservadc, is your memory set at ddr2? if you are ordering that motherboard, you'll need to have ddr2 memory sticks.

you'll need a psu that comes with 20+4 pins. so it is more likely you'll have to spend more than $500.

 

[Operandi]

Originally posted by: Juno
granreservadc, is your memory set at ddr2? if you are ordering that motherboard, you'll need to have ddr2 memory sticks.

you'll need a psu that comes with 20+4 pins. so it is more likely you'll have to spend more than $500.

Right, RAM is definite 100% requirement.

You might be able to salvage the PSU but I would strongly suggest you not even try.

 

[Bobthelost]

Why that motherboard? It's about twice the price of a cheaper board, are you sure it's worth the extra there that could go towards the GPU?

 

[granreservadc]

Bobthelost...is there something you'd recommend? I wanted to go with a brand that I was familiar with (I have an ASUS board now, and love it), and that has received many strong reviews for it's stability. I'm NOT going to overclock, so, having a board that's cheap, but with many oc'ing options, is not in the cards for me.

Operandi & Juno - I'm all set with memory, psu, and all other peripherals. Thank you for your thoughts, but I have already taken care of those pieces. They do not need to be factored into my cost considerations.

 

[tuteja1986]

Isn't the Core 2 out yet :?
I would buy :
Intel Core 2 E6600 2.4Ghz $300ish or E3400 << this cpu should be able to keep up with AMD FX52
2GB DDR 2 Ram
Asus/Gigabyte Nforce 5 or RD580 Intel Conore mobo
ATI X1800XT $240 at neweggs


AMD comp :
AMD X2 4800
2GB DDR 2 ram
RD580 or Nforce 5 mobo
X1800XT $240 at neweggs

I really think you should get a Conore CPU , E6200 should be very cheap and very fast

 

[Bobthelost]

Originally posted by: granreservadc
Bobthelost...is there something you'd recommend? I wanted to go with a brand that I was familiar with (I have an ASUS board now, and love it), and that has received many strong reviews for it's stability. I'm NOT going to overclock, so, having a board that's cheap, but with many oc'ing options, is not in the cards for me.

Operandi & Juno - I'm all set with memory, psu, and all other peripherals. Thank you for your thoughts, but I have already taken care of those pieces. They do not need to be factored into my cost considerations.

Generally it's the reverse, a cheap board will have less overclocking options than an expensive one. I'd just head over to newegg and find the cheapest AM2 motherboard that has all the features you need (ie do you need 2 LANs? Firewire etc.) then see if it's got good writeups elsewhere. (Newegg feedback is worthless).

 

[Juno]

OP, you need to make sure the memory sticks are compatible with the motherboard.

you can check by reading the motherboards' manuals.