Upgrade questions

[archcommus]

You can find my current rig in my sig. I would like to upgrade the motherboard, CPU, and video card this summer. Maybe the PSU, as well, but not if I don't have to. I do not plan on overclocking anything. My limits are $150 for CPU, $120 for motherboard, and $300 for a video card.

I've been considering the following:

- CHAINTECH NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra Chipset Motherboard For AMD Socket 939 CPU, Model "VNF4/Ultra" -RETAIL

- AMD Athlon 64 3000+, 512KB L2 Cache, Socket 939 64-bit Processor - Retail

- ATI RADEON X800 XL 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express Graphics Card

1) What do you think of these parts? Decent combo for at least a year and a half or so? Good-featured and stable motherboard for the price?

2) Will my current PSU suffice for this setup? Or will I need something a bit beefier?

3) The prices right now on all of these parts are awesome. $99 for the motherboard, $146 w/free shipping for the CPU (and retail, so it'll have the heatsink/fan combo and 3-year warranty), and $215 for the video card after my employee discount and gift cards. Considering that, do you think it's safe to say that these items will remain in stock and at these price levels until summer? Or should I not wait that long and pick these items up now?

4) What do you think I could get for my current motherboard, CPU, and video card (note that the video card is a NP flashed to Pro)?

5) Should I be waiting around for anything dual core?

6) Is my decision to keep my current memory okay for the A64 setup?

Thanks for the assistance.

 

[pyrosity]

-socket 939 nf4 mobos are and will continue to drop in price, you'll likely be able to find a good mobo for < $100 in the summer.
-CPU is good for your price range
-The graphics card really comes down to the question "are you planning on upgrading again within the next year or so?" Basically, games are already starting to make more use of SM 3.0 and give cards that don't support that the shaft, even when they could still be better performers on the SM 2.0 front (cough, splinter cell 3, cough). Basically, current ATi cards don't support SM 3.0, and it might be a wise decision to get one of the newer nVidia cards if you don't plan on upgrading that x800 XL for a while.

On the other side, with 256 MB of video RAM, 256 bit memory bus, 16 stock-unlocked pipelines, and 6 vertex shaders, the x800 XL is amazing for the price of <$300 (as found here).

For your PSU, what kind of amperage do you get on the 12V rail? This is very important as if you do get an x800 XL it'll likely require a good bit of power on that rail.

 

[archcommus]

Well, the x800 XL PCI-E is only $299.99 at BB, and I have $55 in gift cards and an employee discount, as well, so I would definitely want to get it there. I would probably not want to upgrade it again, though, until at least late summer/fall/winter of 2006. So maybe I should go with a 6800GT? But ugh, an entire $100 more.

 

[archcommus]

Bump.

 

[ribbon13]

Nice choices.

Zero overclocking? I'd get a RS480M2-IL

 

[archcommus]

Originally posted by: ribbon13
Nice choices.

Zero overclocking? I'd get a RS480M2-IL

You really think I shouldn't go nForce4? I thought that was practically a given. Reasons?

Added 5) and 6), please address as much as you can.

 

[ribbon13]

Ati chipset for the ati video card. ^^ No more no less.

review

 

[archcommus]

Originally posted by: ribbon13
Ati chipset for the ati video card. ^^ No more no less.

review

And a bit cheaper.

Definitely a consideration, thanks.

 

[ribbon13]

I got one for a GF's rig. with 3200+, 2 gigs of ram, and a X800 Pro Vivo ($300, w/ unlocked pipelines beats the X800 XL). All in a nice pretty mATX case.

 

[archcommus]

Originally posted by: ribbon13
I got one for a GF's rig. with 3200+, 2 gigs of ram, and a X800 Pro Vivo ($300, w/ unlocked pipelines beats the X800 XL). All in a nice pretty mATX case.

Nice setup. But how'd you snag an x800 Pro for only $300?

EDIT: I guess there's a lot of them at $300 or less. But I thought the XL was under the Pro in the ladder of video cards?

EDIT2: Boy have I been wrong. The XL is marketed in between the Pro and XT. Heh.

Oh well. I don't want to unlock, modify, overclock, or do anything else to any of my components that could potentially void the warranty.

 

[ribbon13]

I got this one.

Given your 'stay at stock' indeal, the X800 XL is fine. especially if you're running an LCD.

 

[archcommus]

Originally posted by: ribbon13
I got this one.

Given your 'stay at stock' indeal, the X800 XL is fine. especially if you're running an LCD.

(I will be, but that's anothe thread for another time. )

So, let's stay on track here. 1) Good choices, then.

3) Prices will probably stay constant or drop and said products are likely to stay in stock?

The rest still need addressed.

Also, ribbon, what do you think about pyrosity's comment regarding the video card? Would an SM 2.0 card last me until the end of 2006?

 

[ribbon13]

1) Good choices.
2) I'd replace it with a Seasonic myself, cause I like quiet.
3) Same or cheaper and most likely still be available or suitable alternatives will be easy to find.
4) Price checks against forum policy.
5) Can upgrade to it later. Unless you do photoshop or video encoding no need to wait.
6) Very nice.
7) I have yet to see any profound benefit using SM3.0. An X800 XL should last to the end of 2k6 easily.

 

[Ike0069]

Good choices, but the MSI MB is a Micro ATX if that matters to you. I think the Chaintech is a good choice.
I'd go with the X800XL and reuse your RAM/PSU.

 

[archcommus]

1) Looks good, need more opinions on which mobo to choose still, though.
2) I am definitely shooting for cool and quiet with this new system, but I don't know, my SmartPower may be quiet enough. Hmm. What a GOOD Seasonic run me?
3) Good.
4) Oh, sorry (uh...why?).
5) Very nice? Maybe you read the wrong question. Anyway, I'm sure the answer to this is no.
6) Will my current mem be good for the A64 setup?

I hope others agree with you about the SM 3.0 issue so I won't be wondering about it.

 

[archcommus]

Originally posted by: Ike0069
Good choices, but the MSI MB is a Micro ATX if that matters to you. I think the Chaintech is a good choice.
I'd go with the X800XL and reuse your RAM/PSU.

Reuse RAM/PSU...yes, that's what I'm thinking.

 

[ribbon13]

edited above.

Seasonic Tornado 400
4A more on the 12v, 120mm fan so its quieter and moves more air, and its more efficient.

 

[Ike0069]

On second thought, sell your 9800 pro and get a 3500+. You'll still have money left over.

 

[wisdomtooth]

Originally posted by: archcommus
2) I am definitely shooting for cool and quiet with this new system, but I don't know, my SmartPower may be quiet enough. Hmm. What a GOOD Seasonic run me?

If you want quiet, the Seasonic PSU Ribbon recommended should be at the top of your purchase list. It's the quietest fan-cooled PSU you can buy, according to Silent PC Review.

Just a quiet PSU doesn't mean the rest of your system will be quiet too though... You need a quiet CPU HSF, a quiet vid card HSF, some way to slow down your NB fansink if you have one, and quiet case fans.

HTH!

 

[archcommus]

Geez, that's an expensive PSU, though. I'd get way less than that for my current one so that'd be adding a lot to my total.

I want quiet but I'm not sure how much extra I'm willing to spend to make it quieter than stock. My KT-424-S already has pretty good fans that I'm not sure if I want to replace. And I was planning on just using the retail heatsink and fan for the CPU since I won't be OCing at all.

Ike0069, I already plan to sell my current mobo, CPU, and video card. The price limits I posted are initial prices. I hope to get a lot back after selling the stuff I'll be replacing.

 

[archcommus]

Further comments on keeping my current PSU and fans, and using the stock HSF combo for the A64?

 

[archcommus]

Hmph.

Would like some more users' opinions on...

Same PSU or new one?
PM me about going rates of my current stuff?
Current memory good for and compatible with next system?
Need to worry about SM 3.0?

 

[Silversierra]

1. Parts seem good. I have the vnf4ultra, I like it. Also have 3000+, like it.
2. Your current psu should work, I'm using a 350w antec with my 6600gt.
3. Prices usually drop, although those prices are pretty good. I think the cpu may go down, once higher stuff(dual core, fx57 come out).
4. ?
5. If you multitask a lot dual core is good. If you only game, then don't bother with it. Amd dual core works with current boards with bios update, so if you ever need it you could upgrade.
6. I think the memory is ok, don't really know anything about it(your specific type) though. Any pc 3200 less than cas3 is ok.

 

[ribbon13]

Stock HSF is fine, even for overclocking. The A64's have a low thermal dissapation.

You RAM is fine. Most everything under $150 would be a downgrade.

 

[Ike0069]

If you don't need another PSU (which you don't) then don't buy a new one unless you just really want a silent PC.
Which of course would mean you likely need a new case w/ 120mm fans, different HSF, NV silencer for the VC, fan controller, Seagatge HD, etc. to make it a truly quiet PC.