It's nearing that time again (I wanna upgrade :)

[zeherh]

First of all, I haven't been watching the computer hardware scene for maybe a year or so now and I can recall the q6600, if that's what it was, and the hd 4850 as being recommended here and there or something close to those. Nowadays I have no idea what the 'best budget' or 'bang for your buck' gpus, cpus, and etc are.

My current specs:
Hd 4670
Amd Athlon 64 x2 6000+ at 3.0 ghz
2gb ddr2 667 RAM
Corsair 400w
Windows Vista 32bit
Small and terrible Emachines case
Unknown Am2 socketed micro atx mobo with 1 pcie16x slot and 2 ddr2 ram slots

What I previously did was upgrade my gpu,cpu, and ram in my little Emachines comp. Because of this, I'm going to probably need a new case and mobo.

A problem if I upgrade my mobo, though, is that I don't have the CD or product key or anything for my Vista os and I have no info on my emachines computer so I think I need a new OS.


I have a budget of $400 and I'd prefer to get a new case and cpu/mobo/ram. I need a build or setup that I can upgrade later so I was thinking of some am3 cpus as I don't really need i7s or i5s. If it's better to just get a better video card and case or something I could do that too.

And finally, the most intensive game I'm playing now is Tf2/L4d (gasp) and I'm looking to purchase Modern Warfare 2 and play it on my 1280x720 res monitor.

I was seriously thinking of getting an xbox 360, crazy huh

[Tufelhunden]

You may be better off upgrading the mobo, case, PSU, GPU and reusing the CPU for now. Then updating the CPU as funds allow that way you can purchase a OS as well.

[Baron_Fel]

If I were in your situation I would get

2048x1152 23" (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001317) - $210
Thermaltake V9 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133074) - $65
GTX 275 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127429&cm_re=gtx_275-_-14-127-429-_-Product) - $215

assuming the mobo will fit in the case.

That would make a really good PC, next upgrade could be to a i5 750 + P55 + DDR3.

[zeherh]

Well, I don't feel a need for a better monitor nor for intel's good but pricey cpus. For me amd is good enough.

My biggest problem I guess lies in should I go video card, case etc or mobo cpu etc or something else. And of course what specific video cards, cpus, etc etc

[DarkWasp]

If you are fine with your own monitor:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005

$90

Because your gonna need a good PSU, and this one is quite trusted.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150436

$125

There's 215$

The case posted above looks great, but also you can actually cut costs with something like this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119203

$35

In the end = 250$

Yes I know, PSUs are annoying when it comes to budgeting.

You will get good performances with the 4870, better than a CPU upgrade. You can add +2gb of RAM for around $50 or you can wait to get a cpu/mobo/ddr3 upgrade later, but for now a 4870 will make great differences for you.

Edit: You may be able to run that 400W, but 600-650W is the standard safe for 4800s and AM3s.

[Tufelhunden]

Actually after thinking about it this is what I would do, as the new mainstream ATI cards are not out yet.

Case and PSU (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119207)$100

CPU and Mobo (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.259850)$180

Memory (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227316)$82

Total of $360.

Then I would wait for the 57XX and once it comes it decide between it and a 4850. Personally I'd grab the 57XX which will probably be better than the 4850 and cost less.

[zeherh]

I was kinda thinking this, actually:

GIGABYTE GA-MA770T-UD3P AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128392)

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231253)

AMD Athlon II X4 620 Propus 2.6GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Processor (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103706)

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116677)

Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042)

Subtotal: About $404 not including shipping

Does it need any improvements or should I go for something different?

[Bad_Motha]

If you're going to upgrade the video card any higher, you'll definitely need a much bigger power supply. Something good, brand isn't the issue but be sure it's high wattage (more then you actually need), and that the power efficiency is of a good rating (i.e. 85% or higher). Thermaltake and Corsair make pretty nice stable PSU's for the money.

If you don't mind a full sized tower case, but gives some of the best air-cooling around, get an ANTEC Nine-Hundred Series ATX case.

[Tufelhunden]

I was kinda thinking this, actually:

GIGABYTE GA-MA770T-UD3P AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128392)

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231253)

AMD Athlon II X4 620 Propus 2.6GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Processor (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103706)

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116677)

Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042)

Subtotal: About $404 not including shipping

Does it need any improvements or should I go for something different?

I think the Phenom X3 720 is a better processor, so I'd snag it for $20 more. Pushes your budget a little. IIRC the 640 is basically two X26000 stuck together so the Phenoms II X3 720 are quite a bit faster. Other than that looks fairly solid.

[Scholzpdx]

Actually after thinking about it this is what I would do, as the new mainstream ATI cards are not out yet.

Case and PSU (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119207)$100

CPU and Mobo (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.259850)$180

Memory (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227316)$82

Total of $360.

Then I would wait for the 57XX and once it comes it decide between it and a 4850. Personally I'd grab the 57XX which will probably be better than the 4850 and cost less.

I like it, except the case. That case is FAR too generic to warrant a $100 price tag. If an Antec P180 can be had at times for $80-$100, then this case is trash.

[Hi2u! Tw1TcH]

I like it, except the case. That case is FAR too generic to warrant a $100 price tag. If an Antec P180 can be had at times for $80-$100, then this case is trash.

The case comes with a 500w power supply.

[steveroger]

If you are fine with your own monitor:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005

$90

Because your gonna need a good PSU, and this one is quite trusted.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150436

$125

There's 215$

The case posted above looks great, but also you can actually cut costs with something like this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119203

$35

In the end = 250$

Yes I know, PSUs are annoying when it comes to budgeting.

You will get good performances with the 4870, better than a CPU upgrade. You can add +2gb of RAM for around $50 or you can wait to get a cpu/mobo/ddr3 upgrade later, but for now a 4870 will make great differences for you.

Edit: You may be able to run that 400W, but 600-650W is the standard safe for 4800s and AM3s.

I think you are a bit over estimating the necessary power supply needed. Even if you go by AMD's own recommendations (http://ati.amd.com/products/radeonhd4800/requirements.html) you don't need 600Ws unless you are going crossfire with the 4870 (Or 650W for 4870X2). Going by amps I assume that a decent brand with enough amps, 400 to 450W would be fine for a 4870.

[Baron_Fel]

Well, I don't feel a need for a better monitor nor for intel's good but pricey cpus. For me amd is good enough.

Your current resolution is just tiny compared to what your PC with a new good graphics card could handle. If you were to see the monitor I linked and yours side by side youd consider it a worthy upgrade. Most people here would agree.

an i5 system is the same price is a Phenom II X4 system and more powerful, it would be a worthy future upgrade over what you have.

People the Corsair 400W is no slouch of a PSU, it can push 30a, enough to power a 4890 or GTX 275. Itll be close but it wont be a problem certainly.

[DarkWasp]

Aighto, forgot that his 400w was corsair.

So hey, this opens up for the rest of the upgrades then:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.259850

Mobo AND CPU, the comments have info about unlocking the 4th core on that CPU to essentially turn it into a Phenom II X4. You can take a stab at that if you want.

Notice the price of both the CPU AND MOBO are LESS than a Phenom II X4 955 BE by itself.

About $170

so add the 4870 I posted, and that's 295$ leaving 105$ for 4GB max of DDR3 RAM.

[zeherh]

Your current resolution is just tiny compared to what your PC with a new good graphics card could handle. If you were to see the monitor I linked and yours side by side youd consider it a worthy upgrade. Most people here would agree.

an i5 system is the same price is a Phenom II X4 system and more powerful, it would be a worthy future upgrade over what you have.


Ignorance is bliss, no? 'Sides my monitor is in truth 1440x900 and is 19 inches I just game at 1280x720.

I'll look over an i5 system and think about it.

[DarkWasp]

Ignorance is bliss, no? 'Sides my monitor is in truth 1440x900 and is 19 inches I just game at 1280x720.

I'll look over an i5 system and think about it.

So yeah, thats actually a pretty good monitor.


There's one i5 on Newegg and it's $200.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115215

The cheapest motherboard with that port on Newegg is $100

$300

[Baron_Fel]

So yeah, thats actually a pretty good monitor.

Its more suited to a graphics card like a 4850 or below, not what hes going to be getting.

[Scholzpdx]

The case comes with a 500w power supply.

Most likely a garbage one at that. Actual 500w? Hardly.

Here's what you could get for $100 in terms of a case and a power supply.

OCZ StealthxStream 500w (2 18A 12V rails) $59.99 Free Shipping with a $10 rebate card (total $49.99) (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341012)

or

Raidmax 630w Modular PSU (2 22A 12V rails) $49.99 Free Shipping (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817152035)

or

BFG Tech 550w (2 18A 12V rails) $49.99 Free Shipping (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817702010)

AND

Raidmax Scorpio Case w/ 420w (Single 20a 12V rail) Power Supply $49.99 Free Shipping with a $10 rebate ($39.99 total) (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811156135)

Personally, I'd buy the OCZ or the Raidmax 630w PSU and the Raidmax case. The Case is the best one with free shipping as it's a standard ATX design with a breathable door, two rear case fans and it's a mid- tower. The PSU inside isn't the greatest, but can certainly be reused in a lower power system without any worries. (ex. An Athlon 2 X2 and a 9500gt/4650 or less). And don't lie, for the price the case looks pretty cool. To the average Joe it's going to look quite impressive.

The OCZ PSU is nearly perfect for any build. No reliability problems have I heard about them. I have the 530W version of the Raidmax (17A and 20A 12V rails) and it has held up perfectly an Athlon X2 4200+ (95w) and a Geforce 8800GTS 320mb (extreme power hog) without issue for a very long time. No build today is really going to supass those power requirements unless you go SLI/CF.

$100 can go a lot further than that combo. The rest of it seems great.

[Tufelhunden]

It's a coolermaster PSU so it's not bad. And CM cases are generally very good.

[Tufelhunden]

Found the supposed specifications of the 5770. If they are correct it should should be about the equal of the 4890 and consume less power.

5770/5750 Specs? (http://www.pcgameshardware.com/aid,695878/Radeon-HD-5770-and-HD-5750-Possible-specifications-sighted/News/)