Gaming Upgrade from 939 to Core 2 or better: CPU, MOBO, RAM, Video Card

[starwars7]

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. Gaming

2. What YOUR budget is. $500ish

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from. USA

4. IF YOU have a brand preference. No Preference

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts:

Lite-On DVDRW
Western Digital HD
Enermax Liberty 500W
Cooler Master Centurion 532 RC-532-SKN1
120mm Akasa 120mm Intake
Delta 120x25mm Triple Blade Low Speed Exhaust

I have, but think I should upgrade:
AMD Opteron 165 CCBWE 0604TPMW @2.5Ghz (9X278) w/ 1.33Vcore
DFI LANPARTY UT nF4 Ultra-D
G.SKILL Extreme Series 2 x 1GB DDR500 w/ .9 Divider
eVGA 7900GT 256MB

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads: Yes

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds: Maybe

8. WHEN do you plan to build it: Within the month

So it's time to get my rig up to snuff with Fallout 3 around the corner. My current rig is fine for what I'm doing right now, but I'd like to try and upgrade this puppy. I've heard a lot about the Core 2 Duo since I put together my 939 socket a few years back (which unfortunately means upgrading the MOBO and Ram too). I'd also like to upgrade my video card.

Any help would be greatly appreciated as I've been out of the loop for the last few years. If you think I should keep the CPU for now and just upgrade the video card definitely let me know. But from what I've read it sounds like the Core 2 should whip my Opty's ass.

 

[narreth]

hmmm shouldn't your rig be fine for Fallout 3?

 

[DSF]

If your computer is fine for what you want to play, then leave it. If not, on that budget, this is what I'd probably do:

Intel E7200 ($135)
Nvidia 8800GT ($150-160 hopefully)
2x2GB DDR2-800 ($80ish)
Gigabyte EP35-DS3L ($90)

Totals up to about $475 depending on exact prices.

 

[ImDonly1]

Can get a 8800GT for $140 after rebate and you can get 2GB of RAM DDR800 for $20 after rebate if you look in the Hot Deals section.

 

[biostud]

Originally posted by: ImDonly1
Can get a 8800GT for $140 after rebate and you can get 2GB of RAM DDR800 for $20 after rebate if you look in the Hot Deals section.

except he can't use DDR2.

Just upgrade the videocard. Personally I'm waiting for the HD48xx videocards, but I might just go for an 8800GT as I don't plan spending to much. The opteron should still be able to hold on a year or so.

 

[Ike0069]

Originally posted by: DSF
If your computer is fine for what you want to play, then leave it. If not, on that budget, this is what I'd probably do:

Intel E7200 ($135)
Nvidia 8800GT ($150-160 hopefully)
2x2GB DDR2-800 ($80ish)
Gigabyte EP35-DS3L ($90)

Totals up to about $475 depending on exact prices.

I agree with this except for the maybe the MB. If you plan to OC (which I'm guessing you will), I think there are better options than the Gigabyte DES board.

Also, waiting until the new gen video cards are released in a few weeks might be a good idea. Hopefully current cards will drop and maybe you will be able to pick up an 8800GTS (G92) for $150.

 

[starwars7]

Thanks for the info guys, this is really helpful. I've been out of the information loop since I built my PC 2 years ago.

Originally posted by: Ike0069

Originally posted by: DSF
If your computer is fine for what you want to play, then leave it. If not, on that budget, this is what I'd probably do:

Intel E7200 ($135)
Nvidia 8800GT ($150-160 hopefully)
2x2GB DDR2-800 ($80ish)
Gigabyte EP35-DS3L ($90)

Totals up to about $475 depending on exact prices.

I agree with this except for the maybe the MB. If you plan to OC (which I'm guessing you will), I think there are better options than the Gigabyte DES board.

Also, waiting until the new gen video cards are released in a few weeks might be a good idea. Hopefully current cards will drop and maybe you will be able to pick up an 8800GTS (G92) for $150.

I'll definitely go ahead and wait then.

Also, what MOBO would you recommend for OCing?