Upgrading a Computer, want to check parts compatibility

Jeffrey903

Member
Jun 12, 2004
50
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Hey,

My friend currently has this computer. He just got $650 to upgrade it with and we've worked out what he wants and will fit in hit budget. I think that everything is compatible, but a second (or more) opinion would be best. Also, if anyone knows any things that would be better for slightly more money, or even less, please let me know.

$178 - mobo/processor
$171 - 1GB ram
$55 - case
$40 - speakers
$89 - dvd burner
$30 - wireless keyboard/mouse
$41 - all these lights:

1, 2, 3, 4

That totals about $604

He will sell the RAM that is currently in his computer (unless it actually is compatible - but I don't think it is). Also, does he need any additional fans or anything?

Thanks in advance for all your help.

--Jeffrey
 

nick1985

Lifer
Dec 29, 2002
27,158
6
81
just get 2 sticks of mushkin basic green for $77 a piece. thats 144 instead of 171. (at newegg)

also, he will have an awesome computer...except what the heck will he be using for video since he is changing out the mobo that had his onboard vid.?
 

mechBgon

Super Moderator<br>Elite Member
Oct 31, 1999
30,699
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A 2.4GHz Prescott with an ECS single-channel-DDR motherboard, a no-name power supply... I think you might be able to do better with a 2.4C and a dual-channel-DDR motherboard, and definitely a name-brand power supply.

Being rather an AMD fanboy, I'd be looking to see if Newegg gets that ABit / Athlon64 2800+ combo special back in stock soon, and use at least an Antec SLK3700AMB case with the Antec SL350 power supply (included). But everyone has their own thing :)

Also, the HP has no video card to re-use, so I hope you have something lined up in the video-card department.
 

Jeffrey903

Member
Jun 12, 2004
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Thats why I came to you guys (because you know what you're talking about). So he needs a power supply and video card. Anyone have any suggestions?

And mechBgon - do you have a link to that mobo?
 

Sonic587

Golden Member
May 11, 2004
1,146
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To continue from mechBgon's post (listen to him) those speakers will no doubt be junk. I really wouldn't get those. $40 5.1s are really not going to sound good.

Let's start with what your friend does with his computer. Not to blast your choices, but right now you are blowing all that money on worthless junk compared to what he could be getting.
 

SKORPI0

Lifer
Jan 18, 2000
18,395
2,306
136
You'll might need the following:

1. Graphics card - preferably AGP.
2. Windows XP - copy installed in the HP is not transferable.

Before formatting the 60GB HDD, copy any important files you may like to keep. Good luck.
 

mechBgon

Super Moderator<br>Elite Member
Oct 31, 1999
30,699
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Originally posted by: Jeffrey903
Thats why I came to you guys (because you know what you're talking about). So he needs a power supply and video card. Anyone have any suggestions?

And mechBgon - do you have a link to that mobo?
First, here's a Hot Deal on the Antec case/power: link, get that pronto because they're not going to toss in $15 worth of free shipping for long, methinks.

The combo deal on the mobo/CPU... heh, AND you get Far Cry too :D
 

nick1985

Lifer
Dec 29, 2002
27,158
6
81
ugh...that card is barfo.


just tell me your budget and what you will use it for and ill configure a computer for you from newegg.
 

phil4856

Junior Member
Jun 27, 2004
14
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haha i like everything else i have, could you please suggest a video card (yea and it has too be $75 or less :eek:
 

mechBgon

Super Moderator<br>Elite Member
Oct 31, 1999
30,699
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Originally posted by: phil4856
Hello, I am the 'Friend'.. Just registered for an account.

anyways, i am on a pretty limited budget here, so i can't really go crazy with the updates. The one concern I now have is the Video Card, do you guys think this looks alright:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=542035&amp;Sku=P56-2700

Thanks for all your help :)
Welcome phil4856 :)

Regarding the card.... Tiger Direct! RUN AWAY! :Q :( :thumbsdown: This is one company to steer clear of. Also, the FX5200's are generally considered one of the most underpowered 3D cards out there at the moment. If you are going to run modest resolutions or older games then it might be ok, but I bet you'd see the difference if you were to crank up the eye candy and use a high resolution. What about getting a $200 Radeon 9800 Pro 128MB card with the 256-bit memory bus, and starting with 512MB of RAM to offset the cost?

Whatever you do, don't buy a cheapie power supply. The cheapest way to buy is to get the right thing the first time. Antec, Enermax and Fortron are some proven brands that are getting good results for people.
 

nick1985

Lifer
Dec 29, 2002
27,158
6
81
Originally posted by: phil4856
haha i like everything else i have, could you please suggest a video card (yea and it has too be $75 or less :eek:

i dont like everything else you have, and i dont want to sound cocky, but i have a lot of experience. you are getting an ECS board fron egay. you are asking for problems.

you are WAY over paying for that RAM.

your PSU blows hard

that video card blows.

just tell us your budget and what you want to use it for and me and mechbon can make you a new one from newegg. a cheap athlon XP system is what you need IMO.
 

phil4856

Junior Member
Jun 27, 2004
14
0
0
anything wrong with THIS This power supply? Considering Im not putting too much in this computer, I dont think i really need more power (plus the money is running short...) haha
 

koojoe

Member
Aug 28, 2003
156
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75 isn't much to work with.... a ti4200 is a good card but isn't a dx9 card.

Youd be lucky to get that card for 75 but if you could.. I think it would be the best.



If you could raise about 100 dollars more... you could get a 9800 pro :)
 

nick1985

Lifer
Dec 29, 2002
27,158
6
81
thats it, im making you a new computer. gimme 5 min and ill post what you SHOULD buy. you already havea hard drive right? anything else that you dont need to purchase?
 

phil4856

Junior Member
Jun 27, 2004
14
0
0
alright fine.. im looking at about 650 dollars... I really (i know your going to love this..) just want a pretty cool looking computer (i want a cover with a see through panel) and well, I want lots of speed!
 

nick1985

Lifer
Dec 29, 2002
27,158
6
81
Case $64, FREE shipping, awesome power supply

DVD burner $65

Good cheap heatsink. $10

Nice keyboard/mouse combo $36

RAM *2 = 144

GOOD motherboard $54

Processor $77 the mobile athlon 2400 will overclock very easily(dont worry, a monkey can OC this thing to 3200 speeds)

Video card $94. fanless, good. if you are a serious gamer, id recommend upping this to a 9600pro, otherwise this video card will suit you just fine.

Speakers $70. they are better than the ones you had picked out.

=$614
+S@H shoud leave you at around 630 or so, and this will PWN that other computer you had picked out.

i would recommend ditching a computer with a see through window and go for one that has good insides...unless you wanna increase your budget you cant afford lights and windows(and still have quality) if you raise your budget to 700 then we are talking..
 

mechBgon

Super Moderator<br>Elite Member
Oct 31, 1999
30,699
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Originally posted by: nick1985
Case $64, FREE shipping, awesome power supply

DVD burner $65

Good cheap heatsink. $10

Nice keyboard/mouse combo $36

RAM *2 = 144

GOOD motherboard $54

Processor $77 the mobile athlon 2400 will overclock very easily(dont worry, a monkey can OC this thing to 3200 speeds)

Video card $94. fanless, good.

Speakers $70. they are better than the ones you had picked out.

=$614
+S@H shoud leave you at around 630 or so, and this will PWN that other computer you had picked out.
Yeah, for more insight on how the video card Nick suggested compares to that FX5200, check this page: link, look at any resolution and see how a 9500 Pro is blowing away a 5200 Ultra. That's getting your moneys' worth! :D ...although if you can hold off on the DVD burner for a while, you could maybe squeeze in the 9800 Pro 128MB 256-bit that performs even better yet. I'm still suffering along with a Radeon 7500, and when I finally upgrade it's not going to be anything less than a 9800 Pro 128/256-bit.
 

phil4856

Junior Member
Jun 27, 2004
14
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0
I noticed many poor reviews for the video cards on that website..

also, is there a slightly better amd process (at least 2.0) that will overclock just as easily.. i dont want to buy a processor (even if it can be overclocked) that is lesser then what i have now
 

nick1985

Lifer
Dec 29, 2002
27,158
6
81
Originally posted by: phil4856
I noticed many poor reviews for the video cards on that website..

also, is there a slightly better amd process (at least 2.0) that will overclock just as easily.. i dont want to buy a processor (even if it can be overclocked) that is lesser then what i have now

many people leave crappy reviews because they are idiots who dont know what they are doing. trust me, its a good card.
 

phil4856

Junior Member
Jun 27, 2004
14
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0
any good idea for an easy to overclock athlon that will work with that motherboard, around $130 or less?
 

mechBgon

Super Moderator<br>Elite Member
Oct 31, 1999
30,699
1
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Originally posted by: phil4856
any good idea for an easy to overclock athlon that will work with that motherboard, around $130 or less?
How about the one nick1985 has already suggested :) At stock speed, it's already significantly more powerful than your 2GHz Pentium4 with single-channel DDR on i845GL/GV.