Upgrading current computer, need recommendations: mobo, cpu, ram, vid card

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monkeyboy311

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Nov 26, 2004
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I usually keep up with the current technology, but the last time I upgraded my computer was 3 yrs ago. I currently have a AMD 2800+, Abit KR7A-Raid mobo, 512mb crucial ram, ATI 8500 128MB grfx card, (1) 80gb maxtor, (1) 40gb maxtor, (1) 160gb WD, and SB Live soundcard.

Im keeping my case, soundcard, harddrives, and dvd burner

Need a new mobo, cpu, ram, and video card.

I want to stay somewhere in the $500-550 range for these components.

I also want to stay with an AMD64.

Anyone have any suggestions?
 
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Azndude51

Platinum Member
Sep 26, 2004
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This is just a suggestion, of course like always, you don't have to buy from Newegg, it might be cheaper somehwere else:

AMD 64 3200+ 90nm Winchester: $190

Chaintech nforce4 Ultra: $95

Corsair 512MB X 2 Value RAM: $88

Chaintech 6600GT PCI-E: $170

I don't know how much you know about these parts, but I'll explain just in case since I have nothing better to do right now.
Definitely get the AMD 64 3200+ Winchester or higher proc. The motherboard brand could be anything from reliable brands like Asus, MSI, DFI, etc. I would definitely recommend nforce4 since it is the newest chipset out,n you can make your own decision whether to get SLI or not. You can just buy one video card ow and upgrade to an SLI setting later. The Value RAM from Corsair is recommended since it performs decently and is inexpensive, just don't expect to overclock it. Finally, I don't know how big of a gamer you are, but the 6600GT is the best card that fits in your price range. You might be to get the Radeon X800XL, which is a lot better, if you save on some of the other parts.

EDIT: Actually, you could get the AMD 64 3000+ to help make it so that the X800XL fits in your budget.
 
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imported_rod

Golden Member
Apr 13, 2005
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Like Azndude said, go with a Winchester (socket 939) cpu, and a decent MoBo with PCI-Express graphics. The 6600GT is the best value card around at the moment, and if you go with PCI-e you can always upgrade L8er.

What speed is your "512mb crucial ram", and is it a single stick or two 256MB's? If it's DDR400 and a single, you could couple it with another 512MB stick and use them in dual-channel. Otherwise Corsair VS is decent and reliable.

RoD
 
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Azndude51

Platinum Member
Sep 26, 2004
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Originally posted by: monkeyboy311
Do the newer mobos need atx 2.0 psu to work correctly?
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure they do, but I think some have exta connectors (like a 4 pin molex) to make up for a non-atx 2.0 PSU. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.
 
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monkeyboy311

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Nov 26, 2004
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Azndude51

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Sep 26, 2004
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Originally posted by: monkeyboy311
Originally posted by: Azndude51
Originally posted by: monkeyboy311
Do the newer mobos need atx 2.0 psu to work correctly?
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure they do, but I think some have exta connectors (like a 4 pin molex) to make up for a non-atx 2.0 PSU. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.
Click to expand...

My psu has a 10pin connector, and this
http://www.antec.com/images/atx12v.jpg

http://www.antec.com/us/productDetails.php?ProdID=20430
Click to expand...

Yeah, that should be fine. The ATX 12V thing should attach to the 20 pin so that it makes it a 24 pin, at least that's what my PSU does.
 
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Umberger

Golden Member
Apr 13, 2005
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on the newer motherboards, those extra 4 pins in the main power plug are to power PCIe graphics cards. if you have a 20 pin psu, and if your PCIe graphics card has a seperate power connection (most do) then you don't even need those extra 4 pins on the main plug. the 20 pin connector from the psu should only fit one way, and you should be fine.
 
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monkeyboy311

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Nov 26, 2004
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Originally posted by: Umberger
on the newer motherboards, those extra 4 pins in the main power plug are to power PCIe graphics cards. if you have a 20 pin psu, and if your PCIe graphics card has a seperate power connection (most do) then you don't even need those extra 4 pins on the main plug. the 20 pin connector from the psu should only fit one way, and you should be fine.
Click to expand...

I dont get it, why wouldnt you need the extra 4 pins? What are the new atx 2.0 psu for?

My Antec psu has this main connector
http://images10.newegg.com/productimage/17-103-908-17.JPG

Plus the one i posted above. I do plan on getting a PCIe card, probably a 6600GT. WIll i be ok?
 
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Azndude51

Platinum Member
Sep 26, 2004
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Originally posted by: monkeyboy311
Originally posted by: Umberger
on the newer motherboards, those extra 4 pins in the main power plug are to power PCIe graphics cards. if you have a 20 pin psu, and if your PCIe graphics card has a seperate power connection (most do) then you don't even need those extra 4 pins on the main plug. the 20 pin connector from the psu should only fit one way, and you should be fine.
Click to expand...

I dont get it, why wouldnt you need the extra 4 pins? What are the new atx 2.0 psu for?

My Antec psu has this main connector
http://images10.newegg.com/productimage/17-103-908-17.JPG

Plus the one i posted above. I do plan on getting a PCIe card, probably a 6600GT. WIll i be ok?
Click to expand...

He's saying that if you have a connector that's going directly into the graphics card, you wouldn't need the extra 4 pins in the motherboard. Howevev, if you get the 6600GT, which doesn't have a seperate connector for the graphics card, you'll probably have to connect the extra 4 pins into the motherboard.

 
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Umberger

Golden Member
Apr 13, 2005
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Originally posted by: Azndude51

He's saying that if you have a connector that's going directly into the graphics card, you wouldn't need the extra 4 pins in the motherboard. Howevev, if you get the 6600GT, which doesn't have a seperate connector for the graphics card, you'll probably have to connect the extra 4 pins into the motherboard.
Click to expand...

Exactly. I was unsure about this a few weeks ago, so I called ASUS and talked to some of their tech support guys. I was told that with a single video card, if it had a power connection, there is no need for those 4 main pins. If, however, you install 2 cards in SLI, then those extra 4 pins become slightly more important, and the system can become unstable without them. If that happens, you will notice, and they told me it wouldn't hurt anything, it would just be a sign that you needed them connected. I have been running this computer on a 20 pin PSU since I built it earlier this week, and no problems so far.

edit: typo
 
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monkeyboy311

Member
Nov 26, 2004
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Originally posted by: Umberger
Originally posted by: Azndude51

He's saying that if you have a connector that's going directly into the graphics card, you wouldn't need the extra 4 pins in the motherboard. Howevev, if you get the 6600GT, which doesn't have a seperate connector for the graphics card, you'll probably have to connect the extra 4 pins into the motherboard.
Click to expand...

Exactly. I was unsure about this a few weeks ago, so I called ASUS and talked to some of their tech support guys. I was told that with a single video card, if it had a power connection, there is no need for those 4 main pins. If, however, you install 2 cards in SLI, then those extra 4 pins become slightly more important, and the system can become unstable without them. If that happens, you will notice, and they told me it wouldn't hurt anything, it would just be a sign that you needed them connected. I have been running this computer on a 20 pin PSU since I built it earlier this week, and no problems so far.

edit: typo
Click to expand...

What mobo and videocard do you have?
 
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monkeyboy311

Member
Nov 26, 2004
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Originally posted by: Tiorapatea
Originally posted by: monkeyboy311


Anyone have any suggestions?
Click to expand...
What do you want to do with this computer?
Click to expand...



Im not a hardcore gamer, so I dont need the best gaming rig. I do like to play a game every now and then, presently HL2. I do some video/audio editing.
 
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Cheesetogo

Diamond Member
Jan 26, 2005
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You don't really need to upgrade much. Maybe another 512mb and a better graphics card, but really you should at least wait for dual cores.
 
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monkeyboy311

Member
Nov 26, 2004
126
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Originally posted by: Cheesetogo
You don't really need to upgrade much. Maybe another 512mb and a better graphics card, but really you should at least wait for dual cores.
Click to expand...


Well, more memory and a graphics card requires a new mobo which requires a new cpu :)

If im going to spend the money on more memory and gfx card, i might as well get a updated mobo and cpu :)
 
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Azndude51

Platinum Member
Sep 26, 2004
2,842
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Originally posted by: monkeyboy311
Originally posted by: Cheesetogo
You don't really need to upgrade much. Maybe another 512mb and a better graphics card, but really you should at least wait for dual cores.
Click to expand...


Well, more memory and a graphics card requires a new mobo which requires a new cpu :)

If im going to spend the money on more memory and gfx card, i might as well get a updated mobo and cpu :)
Click to expand...

If you do something similar to the setup that I suggested before, it should last you a while. The 6600GT will probably be good enough for your gaming needs for a while and if you get the socket 939 proc, you can upgrade to an AMD dual core proc in teh future.
 
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