Upgrade.. thoughts?

[tkr2099]

Since I got my $400 check for my "free Xbox 360," and I don't really want a 360, I decided to invest it into a PC upgrade. Currently, I'm running a P4 3Ghz (underclocked to 1.5Ghz due to heat issue)/1GB/gf4 Ti 4200 (lawl :\)

I played around on newegg and come up with this, which is about the best bang for buck I found for about the amount of my check. I'm a bit strapped right now, so I can't afford to splurge much.

ABIT IP35-E LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813127031

Intel Core 2 Duo E6550 Conroe 2.33GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6550 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...p?Item=N82E16819115030

GIGABYTE GV-RX26T256H Radeon HD 2600XT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
-Includes free copy of Valve Black Box (TF2, Portal, HL2)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...p?Item=N82E16814125075

Thermaltake TR2 W0070RUC ATX 430W Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...p?Item=N82E16817153023

G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...p?Item=N82E16820231098

Total = ~$480

I'll use the case/disk drives/sound card from my current PC. I know the video kind of sucks, but my reasoning was: It comes with TF2/Portal, which I was planning on getting anyway, so it effectively only costs about $50. Also, the issue of DX10.1 and the current cards not fully supporting it. I'd rather have something I can get by with for now and then upgrade to something nicer when the 10.1 cards are out.

Just wondering if anyone sees any glaring errors or ways I could get more from my upgrade.

 

[tkr2099]

Oh yeah..

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing: Photoshop/TF2/Portal/UT3

2. What YOUR budget is. under $500

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from. U.S.

4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc, etc, etc, you get the picture.: None.

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads. Some

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds. I don't plan on overclocking at this point

 

[MarcVenice]

Don't worry about dx10.1. The card I guess isn't a bad buy the way you put it. It should be able to handle those source games just fine too. Swap out the PSU though, it's the suck. Go with a corsair 450vx, antec earthwatts 430-500w and you should be fine. Links ain't working for me btw, what does the gskill ram cost ? Oh, the antec earthwatts 430 costs 30$ at newegg I believe. The 500w costs 50$ at fry's. If you are going to upgrade the videocard to something heavier you should still be fine with 430w though, but only a qaulity 430w PSU. www.clubit.com has some nice deals on PSU's as well btw.

 

[tkr2099]

Originally posted by: MarcVenice
Don't worry about dx10.1. The card I guess isn't a bad buy the way you put it. It should be able to handle those source games just fine too. Swap out the PSU though, it's the suck. Go with a corsair 450vx, antec earthwatts 430-500w and you should be fine. Links ain't working for me btw, what does the gskill ram cost ? Oh, the antec earthwatts 430 costs 30$ at newegg I believe. The 500w costs 50$ at fry's. If you are going to upgrade the videocard to something heavier you should still be fine with 430w though, but only a qaulity 430w PSU. www.clubit.com has some nice deals on PSU's as well btw.

Oops, links fixed. I'll check out those PSUs. The ram is $65

 

[MarcVenice]

This ram: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820220144 this ram http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820145034 and this ram http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820227139 are all better ( lower timings ) and cheaper.

This psu is cheap yet reliable and should easily offer enough power: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817371006

You could buy a e4400 btw, and overclock it fairly easy to 2.4ghz or higher, depending on how cool it stays. That way you save some money for a better videocard.

 

[themisfit610]

I'd say get an x1950 if you can afford it. Way faster in DX9 stuff.