Upgradeable or reviseable?

[Vaulter]

I will be building a new computer in may (graduation present) for between 400 and 600 dollars (I know, big spread, sorry) And I'm wondering if it would be better to build a computer that i could upgrade later to make better, or build one now with several good key components (PSU and case mostly) and then replace everything else in a year.

Should i use the bulk of my budget on a great case and psu that are reusable, and build a el cheapo dual core system that will last me a year for 400, or should i go to the upper end of my budget and build a quad core with much better specs, but a lower end psu and a case more like the antec 200.

If you want anymore info about my build to help me let me know, im just not sure what i need to put on here.

 

[lxskllr]

What's your current computer? I'm wondering if it would be better to just wait on the whole thing. You could also build something now that's usable, but could be transitioned to server duty or something when you want a more powerful machine.

 

[Vaulter]

My current computer is an old HP slimline with a 1.7ghz pentium M (so it comes out to be about 2.5 ghz or something) 1 gig of ram, and a 250gb harddrive. when i build my new computer this one will go into a custom built case and act as a media server for my family. Its rather slow.

I was thinking about doing the first option i said, with a good case and a psu that are reusable, then upgrade in a year, and get a super cheap case and psu combo for the old stuff, and sell it to someone who wants a somewhat decent computer.That way i can continue to get higher quality stuff, instead of continuously doing medium quality builds.

Also, is an 8800 GTS still a decent quality card. (on a 19 in monitor, or a dual 19inch setup) for medium quality gaming and hd video on a 32in tv?

 

[lxskllr]

Also, is an 8800 GTS still a decent quality card. (on a 19 in monitor, or a dual 19inch setup) for medium quality gaming and hd video on a 32in tv?

I'm not sure tbh. I'm not into gaming like I used to be. The 8800GTS will play UT3 based games well at that resolution, I don't know about newer tech.

 

[Vaulter]

I'm not sure tbh. I'm not into gaming like I used to be. The 8800GTS will play UT3 based games well at that resolution, I don't know about newer tech.

I mostly plan on playing l4d and l4d2, diablo 3 when it comes out, and starcraft 2 when its out. However, since i cant say what the requirements for the 2 games are going to be, im not going to worry about those. Ill probably have a new computer by the time they come out.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Also, is an 8800 GTS still a decent quality card. (on a 19 in monitor, or a dual 19inch setup) for medium quality gaming and hd video on a 32in tv?

Yes, as long as it is a 512 MB version (G92 based). I have it in the system in my sig and I can play just about everything I've tried (Crysis, Arma II, etc) with all the highest settings at 1600 X 1200.

I've read your post and you can get a decent system in that range though maybe on the upper end of the range. I just recently bought some components for my HTPC upgrade project (or maybe more accurately, a dedicated media server/encoding cruncher). I bought an Athlon II x4 630 (a Phenom II w/o level 3 cache), a Gigabyte AM3 ATX board, 4 GB of DDR3, and a new 550W power supply for $376. Throw in this graphic card and this case, and you've got a good build. You can always upgrade the CPU to a faster Phenom II later. Of course, if you have the 8800 GTS, use that and see how it is with the games you want and if it is OK, you won't need to order the graphic card. Of course, this assumes you have an optical drive and a hard drive that you will reuse.

 

[Vaulter]

What do you guys think about this psu as a decent reusable one?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817341016

 

[IndyColtsFan]

What do you guys think about this psu as a decent reusable one?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817341016

I don't know about that specific model, but I have two OCZ StealthXtreme 600 W supplies (in my main PC and server, see sig) and have never had any issues.

Another one you might consider is this one. I bought it as part of the build I mentioned above, as it generally gets good reviews and is supposed to be quiet. I thought I would take the chance as the other supplies I looked at were $50 or $60 more.

 

[Vaulter]

That looks like a decent psu, but i was looking at the otherone because its modular, even if one semi (apparently the 4 and 8 pin connectors are both perm. attached.

Heres the build, add a 8800gt 512mb, and its a build that i think is pretty decent quality, with a good case and psu, good ram that i can reuse and add more to, and a mobo and quad core that i could care less about later down the road, but will still be decent because it is a quad.

That means in a year i will probably buy a new mobo, new cpu, more ram, and another hdd. I do want a quadcore now because i will doing insane amounts of movie converting, and dont want to skimp the 30-40bucks that a dual core regorz would save me.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

That looks like a decent psu, but i was looking at the otherone because its modular, even if one semi (apparently the 4 and 8 pin connectors are both perm. attached.

Heres the build, add a 8800gt 512mb, and its a build that i think is pretty decent quality, with a good case and psu, good ram that i can reuse and add more to, and a mobo and quad core that i could care less about later down the road, but will still be decent because it is a quad.

That means in a year i will probably buy a new mobo, new cpu, more ram, and another hdd. I do want a quadcore now because i will doing insane amounts of movie converting, and dont want to skimp the 30-40bucks that a dual core regorz would save me.

Looks pretty good. I agree with you on the modular PS. In my case, I just did not want to exceed $400 for the initial build since this is just a fun project and not a main machine; I couldn't squeeze a modular PS in.

One thing I will caution you on, based on reading a lot of feedback -- don't count on receiving the rebate from OCZ. They are apparently terrible with rebates.

 

[Vaulter]

Yeah, im basing my price on what it is without the MIRs.