opinion and help

[Dieb11]

Hey all. I could really use your help right now... I used to be a regular forum lurker and used to build computers for all of my friends about 3-4 years ago. The last decent computer that I built was my own, about 4 years back. It is still running and running quite well, but I think its time for me to upgrade (I tried bioshock the other day and it ran slow as heck) I have lost touch with the hardware world, and really dont know much about what is happening out there today. If you disengage for a few months you are already lost, and ive been gone for about 3 years now. So I'm hoping you guys can give me some advice.

I have always been the type to sell my old system to a friend, and build one from scratch, but that is obviously more expensive than upgrading my current system. I also dont get as much playtime as I used to, so I figured I probably dont need a brand new system just yet. Here is my setup:

mobo-ASUS K8V SE Deluxe
AMD Athlon 64 3400
Nvidia Geforce 6800GT
512x2 PC 3500


Im thinking of upgrading the basics, Video card and Memory.

So here goes the first stupid question, can I buy extra memory and just put it in with my existing memory? I have one more slot available, and would like to bring my total memory up to 2 Gigs. Would there be a problem with using two 512 DIMMS and one 1Gig?

Second, Video cards... im totally lost, stopped following the battle as soon as I got my pre-ordered 6800 GT delivered. What do I do? can I double up my video card with another one (they are doing that nowadays right?) Should I just buy a new one? I would hate to throw this one out!

Third, Should I just upgrade to a completely new system? If I dont, Im thinking of splurging on a nice 24 inch widescreen monitor (I currently have a 17' Sony Trinitron )What are you thoughts?


PD- Ive been eyeing this deal... looks pretty good doesnt it?
http://www.costco.com/Browse/P...v=&browse=&lang=en-US#

 

[0roo0roo]

if you are running dual channel then no you can't add memory. if not or if it supports a split mode then you can. either way the video card is too slow to bother with, sli or not. same with cpu.
pretty much you are going to have to toss that system aside, theres just no bang for buck in tossing anything more into it. agp that ram etc all at end of life. money spent on partial upgrade will result in marginal/dissapointing improvement and components will be junk when you realize you have to do a full upgrade.

 

[Dieb11]

Thought so. I can probably get a decent chunk of change from selling this system and just put together something new. How much would be a fair price to charge a friend fopr this system?

 

[0roo0roo]

$250
the costco system cannot be configured.
the video card is too weak for that display for gaming.

 

[Dieb11]

WOW! are you serious?! lol, my videocard alone cost more than that... wait, I think my case cost around that much aswell!! the pain....

 

[0roo0roo]

such is depreciation.
the cpu is frankly very weak compared to even low end core 2 processors. same with the video card, the system uses a decent amount of power for weak processing capability. it is old. parts are worn and will begin to fail, you've used the most problem free years of its life already, the drives probably going to kick the bucket soon as well.
not to mention any warrantees are gone. its a web machine or low end old school gaming at this time and can never be upgraded beyond that. it is dead end hardware and cannot really be upgraded for modern gaming. at best a little more ram can be added for non gaming use.
and its your friend.
all these considered you cannot charge much.

 

[Dieb11]

makes sense. Thx for the input!

 

[0roo0roo]

heh
pc's are much worse than cars on this matter

 

[magreen]

Well, to be fair the OP never said what kind of case, psu and optical drives he has. OP, if you have a good case (you said you spent $250 on it) and a good psu those alone could be worth $250. You could keep those and put in a new mobo cpu ram and vid card. Reuse your existing psu, case, drives and optical drives.

You could put together a reasonably powerful cpu + mobo + ram combo for $250 esp. If you're going to overclock (intel Core cpus are the only way these days for oc'ing, btw -- plus an optional $30 to $60 on a cpu cooler for extra-high overclocks). And add a video card for $100 - $300 and you'll have a good system that would thrash your old one. But do check that you have a good psu with enough amps on the 12V rail.

 

[Jeff7181]

Rebuild.

 

[0roo0roo]

yea to be fair if its a reallly really nice case you could charge i guess 300 for it. i don't think they had things like the p180 back then though? i forget...

 

[Dieb11]

My case is the Thermaltake XaserV Damier Series Super Tower

I guess I could re-use it?


http://www.atruereview.com/damier/index.php