upgrading computer

[adlianb]

i've been using the same rig for the last 5 years and thinking of upgrading, things that i need are:

motherboard
processor
RAM
video card

i have no idea what's the ideal standard for computer these days but i want my computer after upgrade to be able to play the latest game, operate photoshop and maybe video editing.
another problem is i have 4 IDE HD and is there anyway i can integrate them to the new mobo?cos i know SATA is the standard device.

 

[DSF]

You're going to be better off transferring those old HDDs to a new drive. The new drive will be faster, less prone to failure, and leave more room for expansion. You can always partition the drive if you want things separated logically.

I would start your parts search by reading the stickies at the top of the page.

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: adlianb
i have no idea what's the ideal standard for computer these days but i want my computer after upgrade to be able to...
play the latest game,
operate photoshop
and maybe video editing.

Tell us what your budget is for the whole upgrade build.

 

[Denithor]

Originally posted by: Blain

Originally posted by: adlianb
i have no idea what's the ideal standard for computer these days but i want my computer after upgrade to be able to...
play the latest game,
operate photoshop
and maybe video editing.

Tell us what your budget is for the whole upgrade build.

And what monitor/resolution do you use for gaming? That will have a major impact on how much GPU you need for gaming.

DSF is right on the money there - consolidate all four hdds onto one larger drive - you will go faster, reduce power/heat/noise, improve dependability - and it will be compatible with your new motherboard.

 

[adlianb]

as of now, i'm still using a 20" CRT monitor. as far as gaming resolution goes, i wanna go as far as the game allow. for example, when layin doom 3, i really wanna go all out on the graphic features, but with my current rig, it only allow 800x600 resolution.

budget i would say around....300?

 

[Kraeoss]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...E16819116072&Tpk=E5200 = 69.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813128380 =84.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814102822 = 89.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820231122 =39.99

=$285.00

get a cpu cooler for around 15 bucks if u wanna oc...

 

[Denithor]

Is your 20" LCD 1600x1200 or some other (native) resolution?

Nearly all motherboards today have (at most) one IDE port - so you are limited to two of your HDDs or even just one if you have an IDE DVDRW you need to reuse. What sizes are your four IDE HDDs?

Kraeoss' recommendation is pretty good but I'd go a different direction.

PhII X3 720 + Foxconn 790FX combo $201
Corsair 2x2GB DDR2-800 $45 - $25MIR

You could use the Sapphire 4830 he linked above but that's not a very strong card (you'll struggle to play "the latest games" with that). I would suggest at least a 4850, or better yet this Asus 4870 512MB ($165 - $30MIR) if it comes back in stock before the sale ends. And you are definitely going to need a stronger powersupply, there's a BFG 550W available ($55 - $15MIR).

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: Denithor
Is your 20" LCD 1600x1200 or some other (native) resolution?

Originally posted by: adlianb
as of now, i'm still using a 20" CRT monitor.

BTW, What model is your PS and how old is it?
More than likely you'll need a new one.

 

[adlianb]

my monitor is CRT, not LCD and i think it can go up till 1600x1200 although that's not my current setting.

i'm using the PS that comes with my enlight casing which is 400W.

also, the recommendation so far are intel but what about AMD?would AMD cost cheaper these days?if so, by how much?i'm thinking if the diffference is not that great then i'll just settle for intel.

 

[Slugbait]

Originally posted by: adlianb
i'm using the PS that comes with my enlight casing which is 400W.

If memory serves, those old Enlight PSUs were Tier 2. Good to see yours is still running.

i want my computer after upgrade to be able to play the latest game

Your Enlight PSU goes to PC-Recycle. It won't power your new board, it won't power your new video card.

would AMD cost cheaper these days? if so, by how much?

AMD would cost cheaper all days, for about 15 years now. How much is usually around 20 to 25%.

i'm thinking if the diffference is not that great then i'll just settle for intel.

After Core2 shipped, nobody "settled" for Intel...they switched. Intel is worth the difference in price for difference in performance now. That's not to say AMD isn't a good bang for the buck, tho...

Consider if playing the latest games includes decent resolution and eye-candy...even with recycling the shell and optical drive, you're going to spend more than $300.

 

[adlianb]

i asked around and was recommended the following for my budget:

AMD phenom 9650
ECS A780GM-A ultra

so with that mobo, i can ignore VGA card for now i suppose, what do y'all think? do i still neee dto upgrade power supply as well?

 

[heyheybooboo]

Originally posted by: adlianb
i asked around and was recommended the following for my budget:

AMD phenom 9650
ECS A780GM-A ultra

so with that mobo, i can ignore VGA card for now i suppose, what do y'all think? do i still neee dto upgrade power supply as well?

A good inexpensive combo for video coding but for gaming the Ph II 720 / Biostar 790gx is $196 before rebate. When you invest in new 'stuff' you are encouraged to plan for a new PSU - especially coming from an older system.

edit: I fergit ... If you feel like you need the IDE drives for your video encoding you may purchase a $20 IDE controller card.

 

[Denithor]

Originally posted by: adlianb
i asked around and was recommended the following for my budget:

AMD phenom 9650 suck
ECS A780GM-A ultra

so with that mobo, i can ignore VGA card for now i suppose, what do y'all think? do i still neee dto upgrade power supply as well?

Go read my post above, I recommended AMD parts & new PSU there. The new PhII chips are much much better than the older ones like that 9650.

 

[adlianb]

i can't seems to find anywhere online that explain the difference between TA790GX 128Mb and TA790GX-XE......
and is foxcon 790FX any different from biostar 790GX?i've read onlne review which says the biostar mobo is not giving a very good performance.