First Timer Looking To Recycle

[CMathias]

Hello everyone. I want to build a new system, and need some advice. The system will be used mainly for gaming. I’m going to be saving up for all of the best components, but I’d like a working system in the meantime. Right now I am using an HP Pavilion a1010n. Here is a list of all the stuff from Panama Red’s post of my current system, along with some comments on each:

Case: Unknown - I want to buy a new case.
PSU: Bestec ATX-250-12Z Rev: D2 – I’d like to recycle the PSU if possible, unless 250W won’t be enough
Mobo: MSI MS-6577 Ver 4.1 – This is going to get junked. So, I'm going to need suggestions.
CPU: Intel Celeron D 2.93GHz – Definitely want to recycle my CPU. As far as I know, it is a really nice processor.
HDD: Western Digital Caviar EIDE 160GB – Not sure about this, as I know most newer systems use a different interface. Any suggestions? I could always make this an external hard drive.
RAM: 512MB PC2700 DDR / 512MB PC3200 DDR – I’m not even sure how this happened. According to the Mobo specs, it shouldn’t even support a 3200, but it does. I’d like to recycle these. Or, at least 1, if the 2700/3200 difference would cause system instability.
Pri Optical: HP DVD Writer 630i – I’d like to recycle. I don’t know if this HP brand writer would function in another system, though.
Sec Optical: Samsung 40x CD-ROM – This will be recycled.
Sound Card: This system has integrated audio, so I will need to buy a new sound card. Any suggestions?
Video Card: ATI Radeon 9250 256MB PCI – I upgraded to this adapter because the integrated video was horrible. I didn’t have many options, since this Mobo doesn’t have an AGP slot. I will recycle this as first, but then replace it with an AGP card on my new system.
FDD: None – Don’t need one.
Keyboard: Not an issue.
Mouse: Not an issue.
Modem: Agere Systems PCI Soft Modem – I guess I’ll recycle it, even though I never use a modem.
LAN: Ethernet Card is integrated. However, I installed a Netgear WG311v2 Wireless-G PCI Card. The wireless card will be recycled.
Monitor: MAG Innovision LT 582s – This is a small LCD monitor. It will be upgraded.
Speakers: I hook my computer up to my stereo system.
OS: Windows XP Home

Well, that about covers my current system. I hope it provides enough information for some help on building a new one. I'll check on this thread many times a day. Thank you very much for your time.

[newbuilder14]

-For a new system, 250w won't be enough by today's standards. Pick up a 350 or 400w FSP or Sparkle unit.
-PC2700 RAM probably won't work well at all - the minimum in most motherboards you'd be looking at is PC3200.
-You may want to consider a new processor, something with more power

How much are you willing to spend? That gives us an idea of what you can upgrade to.

[freakitchen]

As you're about to find out, pre-built systems like HPs are really not upgradable - they are simply not designed to be.

Newbuilder14 has already mentioned a few problems, in fact - the only things you'll probably be able to re-use from that system is the hard drive and the optical drives. In comparison to today's dual core processors, your Celeron is not very powerful - AND it's socket 478, which is discontinued, making good motherboards very hard to find.

You definitely won't be able to re-use the power supply; it's not powerful enough, and new systems are using the ATX2 Specs. You will also need new RAM.

You're currently using a PCI video card - well, even your planned upgrade, AGP, is old, largely discontinued technology now. New builds are using PCI-Express exclusively.

All in all, you might be spending a bit more than you had planned. With this in mind, let us know your budget - and what you want this new system to be able to do.

FK

[CMathias]

To be honest, I am unsure of a budget. What I really want to do right now if get a new system up and running for the least cost possible. In other words, transfer as much of my old hardware over to the new system, then start upgrading things one by one. I think I read in a thread that gaming systems should be built around the video card. Well, I simply don't have the funds to buy a $500 video card, so I'm choosing an ATI Radeon x850Pro 256MB. I realize this isn't a very strong card, but for now, it is all I can afford.

I did some browsing on Newegg and found a decent Mobo. Here. I know... it isn't very powerful either, but you have to understand, both of these two selections are much more powerful than my aging HP. =/

I guess I should really rephrase everything, and ask for assistance in selecting the hardware that I *must* upgrade in order to use that Mobo. I thought my processor would be compatible, but now I'm not sure. If I read all the specs right, then everything else should be compatible. I know it won't be great, but it'll be a start.

[CMathias]

I was just looking at mobo's using Core 2 Duo. Looks awesome. But, as I stated before, I can't afford it right now. I guess a good question for me to ask is: Are there any mobos that can support my current processor, and can later be upgraded to a C2D?

If there is such a motherboard, can it be AGP or just PCI-E?

All of this is very difficult.

[freakitchen]

Why do you specifically want AGP? PCI-E are no more expensive like-for-like, and are much newer technology.

There are hardly any motherboards still available that support socket 478 - and none of these will take a Core 2 Duo (which uses socket 775). New Intel, and AMD builds require DDR2 - so you'd need to buy new RAM.

If you want to do this as cheaply as possible, I'd recommend a socket 939 AMD system. You can get an ASUS A8N5X Motherboard (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131569)

and a 3700+ Processor
(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103622)

1GB of Corsair DDR-400
(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145440)

ATI Sapphire 1650 Pro Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102050

Antec Sonata II case & Quality power supply
(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129155)

Windows XP Home (if your current copy came pre-installed on the HP, you wont be able to use it)
(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116169)

This system comes to $581, and involves you re-using your current hard drive and optical drive(s). Is that the kind of budget you had in mind?

FK

[CMathias]

I do like your suggestion. But now that I have done a little more number-crunching, how does this sound:

Case/PSU: Antec SONATA II
Mobo: MSI 945GM3
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6400
HDD: Western Digital Caviar EIDE 160GB (Recycled)
RAM: A-DATA Vitesta 1GB (2 x 512MB) 240-Pin DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Dual Channel
Pri Optical: HP DVD Writer 630i (Recycled)
Sec Optical: Samsung 40x CD-ROM (Recycled)
Video Card: ATI Radeon 9250 256MB PCI (Recycled until about a month later)
New Video Card: ATI Radeon X1950PRO 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 CrossFire Video Card
Cooling Fans: 2x Scythe S-FLEX (800rpm) 120mm S-FDB (Fluid Dynamic Bearing) Case Cooling Fan

Is that the right type of RAM? How do I know if it is supposed to be PC2 5300 or PC2 5400?

As for the cost, everything totals about $530, not including the video card. The video card by itself is $270. I'd like to lower that cost. Can you suggest a video card that is less expensive? Maybe around $150-$180?

Also, would I need a different fan/heatsink for the CPU?

Thanks.

[freakitchen]

A core 2 Duo build will be MUCH better than the AMD system.

First, you can save some money by switching to the E6300 processor - the 6400 will offer you little in the way of noticable benefit.

With that saving, you should switch to the ASUS P5B motherboard (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...2E16813131030), which is a higher quality board with a more mature chipset - designed for C2D.

DDR2 667 is a good match for a p965 chipest that the P5B has. I'd suggest you get Corsair memory over the A-DATA, though. (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145568)

This video card would be a great match for that kinda system
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130056

You can ditch the cooling fans - the Sonata II comes with good cooling.

The Heatsink/fan that comes with the Retail Boxed C2Ds is more than adequate.

FK

[newbuilder14]

Yes, I second FK's choices on the motherboard, CPU, and RAM. That setup would be great.

[CMathias]

The link you provided for the motherboard is deactivated. Since I know very little about mobo/cpu compatibility, could you please relink to the Asus board that works? Thanks. =)

Aside from that, everything looks really good. I should be making the main purchase on December 8th. Then the video card after the New Year. I don't mind using my Radeon 9250 for a little while. =P

[CMathias]

Sorry for the second post. I noticed when looking at the RAM there us nothing that states that it is dual channel.

Is it dual channel? If not, would there be a benefit to buying dual channel?

[CMathias]

Actually, another question. I've always used ATI video cards. Is there a card of equal quality and cost to the GeForce 7900GS 256MB? Or, is there a reason I should be using GeForce instead of Radeon?

Sorry I'm triple posting... I know it's annoying.

[newbuilder14]

Just know that next time it is better to use the Edit button. Most people here disregard multiple posts in a row.

To answer your question, I've heard the X1950Pro video card is a solid contender to the 7900gs.

[CMathias]

This one? Radeon x1950Pro.

The cost is much more than the GeForce. Is GeForce generally faster than Radeon?

OOC: I really don't like using the Edit function. I feel that it looks bad. [shrug]

[Alaron]

I'd stick with the 7900GS. It offers a good bang for the buck.

Regardless of how it looks, use the EDIT button. We do not approve of post-padding. Thank you.

[CMathias]

I think I'll stick with the 7900GS.

As for the Edit function. I will use it in the future.

I think that pretty much clears everything up. Thanks for all of your help, everyone. Have a happy holiday!