Upgrading entire system, except maybe the video card

[mettleh3d]

Hey guys. I've had my DELL for quite a few years now and it's beginning to show its age. So ive opted to invest in a new rig.

So far the parts I've picked are:
Antec True Power 430w PSU - since i hear great things about Antec
DFI UT lanparty nf3 250gb Mobo Skt 754- the reviews on newegg say its an overclockers dream
AMD 64 3400+ 754
Some low latency 1gb Ram, not so much an issue

Keeping:
ATI Rad 9800 Pro
WD 200 Gb HDD
Optical Drives

I've a few questions: 1) I love my video card, probably the best investment ever for me. Is it even necessary to upgrade? I get pretty solid framerates with everything I've ever played.

2) Are SATA hard drives important? They tend be a little more expensive and I hear you can't mix ATA and SATA drives together.

3) If you don't know what a DELL case looks like, its like a greenhouse. Since it's done well for me for so long, I feel slightly attached, however proper cooling is definitely more important to me. Do you guys think I should pony up a few extra dollars and get a well ventilated, gaming case?


Thanks so much for reading

 

[saleen385]

do you have a budget and what are you using it for?

 

[sniperruff]

i don't think dell case's are standard ATX. you are better off getting a sonata with the 430W in it.

SATA drives aren't so important.

 

[mettleh3d]

I have about a $600 budget, but if i don't wanna spend if i dont wnat to.
mobo+cpu+ram=$420.
I plan to play a lotta games on it. thx

 

[UsandThem]

1. Your 9800Pro will still probably be a decent gaming card for another year to two years.

2. SATA drives are good because of the cabling, and while they benchmark higher, there is really not much real world difference between a SATA and PATA drive.

You can have SATA and PATA drives at the same time.

3. Get a different case. Even if you could fit your motherboard in a Dell case (which I doubt you would be able to without some major modding), they plain suck at airflow. Having a front (intake) and back (output) fan is always a good idea.

 

[mettleh3d]

Ok, Ill shop for a new case. Thanks for the input guys

 

[n7]

Honestly, if you wanna OC alot, i'd go for s939 instead.

s754 is great, but the CPUs available for it simply don't OC as well as s939 CPUs on average.

A s939 Venice 3000+ or 3200+ with a good value s939 AGP mobo would do you wonders IMO

Also, SATA & PATA work perfectly well together.