Can you help me with a new build?

[shilala]

A couple nights ago my computer got smoked during a lightning storm despite being redundantly protected. Homeowners may cover it, but that's beside the point. I still have to get back up and running.

The components now are:
Neo Power 480 PSU (smoked, but I already bought a new one)
Asus A8N-SLI Mobo (smoked)
AMD 3800 X2 Socket 939
Sapphire X800 GTO2 256MB VGA card (smoked)
x300 256MB Secondary VGA
Turtle Beach Santa Cruz driving Klipsh Ultras
4 - 300gb sata hdd's
2 - 200gb ide hdd's
4 - 512mb Corsair VS512MB400 ram

What I do:
I use the computer for my home business, some gaming (I never have time, so it's hardly a concern and I use the xbox), photo editing, and music.
I run three 19" monitors, Samsung 913V's, with Ultramon to make use of them.

What I'd like to achieve:
I want to keep my three monitor arrangement, I love it.
I don't need cutting edge video cards, I really don't expect to do any gaming of any significance.
I'd like to continue to use my current cpu, ram, x300 vga card, psu, and hdd's if possible.

Questions:
What should I look at so far as replacements go?
It's pretty obvious I should move to AM2 or higher, and I'll do whatever it takes, but I need to support three monitors.
What's a reasonably priced alternative to what I already had?
Thanks for any suggestions you can offer!!!
Scott

 

[Somniferum]

Keeping your current CPU and RAM will be a challenge, since socket 939 was discontinued awhile ago. Your best bet is probably Ebay, or you might get lucky and find a local shop with an old 939 board in stock.

If you decide to upgrade to a new CPU, you'll be better off going with Intel C2D at this point. You'd need DDR2 for AM2 anyway, and Intel is just better in every way right now. You could get an E7200, Gigabyte EP35 board, and 2GB DDR2-800 for about $250 + shipping on NewEgg right now. That's what I'd do, in your position.

Update: I found some old 939 boards starting around $40 on pricewatch.com. Personally I'd use this occasion to upgrade to C2D instead of replacing an obsolete board, but if money is tight this might be an option for you.

 

[DaveSimmons]

A Core 2 setup would definitely be a nice upgrade, but will cost $300-350 with the motherboard and DDR2 RAM.

I just bought a Gigabyte P43 chipset board, intel E8400 3.0 GHz CPU and 4 GB of DDR, but that was around $400 shipped since I didn't find any Hot Deals. It's something like 75% faster than the 3800 X2.

No one bit on my Asus A8N-E motherboard so if you want it I'll knock $6 off as a Lifer discount to save me from having to eBay it

 

[shilala]

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
A Core 2 setup would definitely be a nice upgrade, but will cost $300-350 with the motherboard and DDR2 RAM.

I just bought a Gigabyte P43 chipset board, intel E8400 3.0 GHz CPU and 4 GB of DDR, but that was around $400 shipped since I didn't find any Hot Deals. It's something like 75% faster than the 3800 X2.

No one bit on my Asus A8N-E motherboard so if you want it I'll knock $6 off as a Lifer discount to save me from having to eBay it

Wow Dave, Thank You!!!
That'll get me well on my way. I think I've found a decent enough vga card that will take the place of the cooked one, and I can milk this platform awhile longer.
PM coming right up.

Somniferum, Thanks for the suggestions and link.
Next time this machine goes up in smoke it'll be time to build from scratch. I like my AMD stuff, but I'm not married to it. A quad core Intel would be a true joy, but my current machine has honestly never left me wanting for more speed.
I imagine I could appreciate faster re-encoding though.