'08 Build Grade

[Klutz_atlantis]

I'm planning to upgrade my PC, but I'd like to keep it lower cost. So...I'm planning on re-using some of the parts I already have if possible.

HAVE

Case:: NZXT LEXA-NP Black/ Silver Aluminum Construction Plastic Front Panel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail -- Keeping

RAM:: Patriot Signature 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) System Memory Model PSD2G400KH - Retail -- Not Keeping

CPU:: AMD Opteron 165 Denmark 1.8GHz Socket 939 110W Dual-Core Processor Model OSA165CDBOX - Retail -- Not Keeping

MOBO:: ASUS A8N5X 939 NVIDIA nForce4 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail -- Not Keeping

PSU:: FSP Group AX500-A ATX12V 500W Power Supply - Retail -- Keeping

DVD:: NEC 16X DVD±R DVD Burner Black IDE Model ND-3550A - Retail -- Keeping

VIDEO:: x1950 PRO 512mb


UPGRADES

MOBO:: ASUS P5K-E LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

VIDEO:: EVGA 320-P2-N811-AR GeForce 8800GTS 320MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

CPU:: Intel Core 2 Duo E4500 Allendale 2.2GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80557E4500 - Retail

RAM:: CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048-6400 - Retail

HDD:: Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST380815AS 80GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

Now I have a few questions. Will I see enough of an improvement to justify the cost? Will my old PSU be enough power for the new parts?

TIA,

Klutz

[Katreat]

You will see substatial improvment, justifing cost all depends on if your current rig does what it needs to do or not. If you are just upgrading because things are getting old it will be expensive. If your old system is no longer satisfying your needs then it will proabably be justifired. It is a call you will have to make.

PSU is probably big enough to handle the video card, but I am not sure from your discription if it is ATX 2.0 certifired. New MB require ATX 2.0 PSUs.

Newer boards do not support IDE natively, but they do have a 3rd party IDE controller so you might be fine, some people have had problems. Usually I recomend spending the $30 for a new SATA burner and just running the IDE as a second one.

Kat

[Klutz_atlantis]

I do believe it it an ATX 2.0 product. FSP Group AX500-A ATX12V 500W Power Supply 115/230 V - Retail (http://http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817104934)

As far as the the sata DVD-ROM I guess I have to agree with that point.

What type of PSU would you need to run two video cards? Not in an SLI configuration, but have one "good" one for games, editing, etc, and another one for independant browsing and things, so you don't have to run games in windowed mode.

EDIT: Will that 8800 GTS fit into a space that's 11.25" long?
EDIT: Answer is Yes (http://www.evga.com/products/pdf/320-P2-N811.pdf).
Klutz

[Dave21]

Get the 512 mb GTS instead of the 320 mb.

[Katreat]

One card will run two monitors. I have never done this myself, but have had it explained enough to know that you dont need a second card until you go with 3-4 monitors.

FSP is a very good manufature of PSUs so I would think 500w would suit your needs just fine. I build with a bit more headroom but that is because I anticipate one video card upgrade in the life of the computer. I went with a corsair 620 in my last build even though I know many people of these forums that are running almost identical builds on a corsair 520. If you already have a quality ATX 2.0 500w PSU I would feel comfortable using it.

I have not kept up on prices, but the newer 8800 GT and 9800 GT will both out perform the 8800 GTS 320 so you might check them out. They use to be cheaper and better but perhaps the 8800 GTS 320 has dropped in price. If it has then it is a very nice card.

Kat

[Klutz_atlantis]

I have not kept up on prices, but the newer 8800 GT and 9800 GT will both out perform the 8800 GTS 320 so you might check them out. They use to be cheaper and better but perhaps the 8800 GTS 320 has dropped in price. If it has then it is a very nice card.

Kat

Do you mean the 9600 GT?

Klutz

[Klutz_atlantis]

I think I'll just save what money I've got now, and put it towards a whole new box next year. Thanks for all the information.


klutz

[Katreat]

Do you mean the 9600 GT?

Klutzyes, I did mean the 9600 GT. Glad you caught that.