Upgrade gaming pc help/questions

[Plutoburn]

Looking to upgrade main parts, my lcd's native resolution is 1280x1024 so I am looking for parts that would allow good quality gaming in that resolution for a few years.

Currently:

Cpu: A64 3500+
Vid: Radeon X800XL
Mem: 1 gb generic ram
mobo: gigabyte nForce4 ultra

CPU: I am debating between INTEL CORE 2 DUO E6850 3.0GHz and
INTEL CORE 2 QUAD Q6600 2.4 GHz Prices are almost identical, and I just flat out don't know which ones to get...

Vid: GeForce 8800 GTS 320mb (the main thing that prompted me to upgrade... My current card doesn't support shader 3.0... any card better than this at the price range?)

Memory: 2gb generic ram, I don't OC so I want to save some money, any recommendation?

Mobo: Not sure which one to get, mainly something that has room for future upgrade.

HD: Is there a big difference using a 10k rpm HD for gaming vs the 7.5k rpm ones? Is it a worthwhile investment to buy a small 10k rpm for speed sensitive stuff?

powersupply: I currently use the stock PS that comes with my case, but I think that'd no longer cut it... so what wattage should be a safe bet for me...

 

[deadseasquirrel]

What's your budget? Your current setup could last you a little longer with a tweak or two-- an X2 3800+ at $65, another 1GB of DDR for like $50, and the GPU upgrade to a GTS 320 for ~$250ish. Total is around $350 and you'll be good for a while.

Of course, if you can spring the extra cash, a high performance upgrade would be great as well. If you're willing to spend close to $300 on a CPU alone, I fully recommend the quad over the 6850. If not the quad, then drop down to a MUCH cheaper C2D.

It all really comes down to your budget.

 

[sandiegoislandboy]

depending on your budget, there is a few good posts for system builds.

just out of curiousity, what game are you trying to play? im upgrading my system for MoH:Airborne. =)

my current system is outdated and upgrade options are very limited (amd 3400+ socket 754, ati x800 or x850 pro, 1gb ddr400 kingston, msi k8n neo2 platinum) and instead of spending a few hundred for a new video card that will end with the system im choosing to spend that money for a whole new rig.

like deadseasquirrel stated, if you are willing to spend $300 on a cpu, go for the quad over the duo. if not, then a e6550 or e6750 will do just fine and save you about $100 (more or less depending on which you choose).

let us know your budget and we can help you out.

 

[Plutoburn]

The thing is I am using stock PSU that comes with the case, so if I were to upgrade my video card, I will have to upgrade the psu as well.

My total budget is around $1000 to $1200 (if getting a new HD) for these parts.

 

[xitshsif]

I don't trust stock PSUs. I'd replace it for this new hardware whether you upgrade the video card or not.

 

[MarcVenice]

1000-1200$ easily buys you a complete new righ, with 8800gts 320mb AND a new HD

http://www.clubit.com/product_...il.cfm?itemno=A6200027 woohoo get it fast !!! or this http://www.clubit.com/product_...il.cfm?itemno=A6200026 gotta get it fast too

Throw in 100$ for mobo, 160-200$ for cpu, 67$ for 2gb of ram, or 140$ for 4gb, 280$ for 8800gts 320mb, 90$ for 500gb HD, 50$ for case and a 30$ hsf and you're at 750$. Easy enough. Could get gigabyte ds3r instead of ds3l, and perhaps a better HSF to really overclock that qaud or e6850.

 

[sandiegoislandboy]

this is the rig i am going to buy (today... lol):

from newegg.com:
corsair xms 2gb kit ddr2 800 c4 epp/sli ---> $107, free shipping + $7.76 tax = $114.76 - $40 rebate = $74.76

from clubit.com:
msi p35 platinum ---> $159.99
western digital 320gb sata3.0gb/s ---> $70.99
corsair cmpsu-620hx 620w power supply ---> $139.99
$370.97 + $28.75 tax + $0.00 shipping (coupon code) = $399.72 - $65 rebates = $334.72

from newegg.com
evga 8800gts 640mb superclocked --->$394.99
corsair xms 2gb kit ddr2 800 c4 epp/sli ---> $107
intel core 2 duo e6750 ---> $204.99
$706.98 + $51.26 tax + $6.33 shipping = $764.57 - $70 rebates = $694.57

GRAND TOTAL (after rebates) = $1104.05

i had a proposed budget of $1000 but after alot of thinking, reviews, input from forums... it was better spending a little bit more money now for the increase of performance without going 'overboard' and not kicking myself in the long run.

like xitshif stated, dont trust stock psu's. the only unit i kept for a while was an antec psu that came with my case.

with a budget of $1000 - $1200 here is the reasoning behind what i picked:

the video card is where a bulk of the money went to since i like to think of myself as a gamer. being that i will not run sli anytime soon or upgrade the video card, i went with the 8800gts 640mb superclocked edition from evga. a little extra more cash for a new increase in performance.

i selected the intel core 2 duo e6750 rather than going quad core because of pricing and dont think i will utitlize the extra 2 cores, saving myself about $80 or so. you can save more money by going with the intel core 2 duo e6550 but thats your choice.

the motherboard i was debating for a while. being an msi fan, i went with their p35 platinum board. alot of people are recommending an abit or gigabyte board. for me, i was also looking for firewire and esata options. depending on your needs you can find a new motherboard for $80 to $150.

the hard drive is basic, western digital 320gb sata 3.0gb/s. i personally dont see the need for raid 0 or the raptors.

system memory i am going with a 2gb kit from corsair. it has a cas latency of 4 and has epp/sli features. probably wont utilize those features but after rebates, this kit is pretty cheap. i plan on getting 2 kits for a total of 4gb. 4gb might be overkill for gaming but i also do photo/video editing. hurry, rebates end tomorrow (23aug)!

i intially was going to get a thermaltake toughpower power supply but came across a corsair 520w or 620w power supply on clubit.com. it has 3 12v rails, 12cm fan, and modular so you wont have any unecessary cables hanging in your case. with rebates, its a deal... hurry rebates end today (22aug)!

well thats my 2 cents.

 

[Plutoburn]

I've decided on the following components:

PSU: Corsair 620w (found a place with $30 rebate)
Mobo: MSI P35 Plat.
CPU: Intel Q6600 G0 stepping
RAM: 2gb OCZ DDR2 PC2-6400 Platinum Revision 2 Dual Channel (OCZ2P800R22GK) ($20 discount & $40 rebate)
Vid: BFG 8800 GTS 320mb ( decided to go with this since I will be playing games @1280x1024 res. settle on the brand for the $30 rebate)

Is this a solid gaming rig?

 

[Plutoburn]

Ok... So today I went out and bought those parts. Finished putting them together, reinstalled window and updated everything and ran some stuff...

At the end here are what I bought.

PSU: Corsair 620w
Mobo: Went cheap and got Asus P5K instead of MSI p35 plat. Since I don't have any fancy setup, a card that support fast components and average features is all I really need.
CPU: Intel Q6600 G0 stepping
Vid Card: With money saved on mobo, instead of BFG GF8800GTS I went and get the EVGA superclocked version.
RAM: OCZ 2GB (2x 1GB) DDR2 PC2-6400 Platinum Revision 2

Ran the human head demo from Nvidia and it went pretty good.