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Berethorn · 11-30-2007, 05:53 PM

Hi guys,

Been a while since I've posted here, but I'm thinking of upgrading my current system, and I'm out of the loop.

I already have a good monitor, ATX case, optical drives, and hard drive. I have a 500w Ultra PSU - not sure if that'll be sufficient or not.

So for $450 or less, what are the best remaining components I can get (mobo, CPU, RAM, video)? I'm not a heavy gamer or audiophile, so I can survive with a cheap video card and integrated sound, at least for the time being. I won't overclock. I want something that I can run Vista on in the future (though from the reviews I've seen, probably not right away). I was thinking AMD 6400+, but I hear Intel has become cheaper, so I'm open to either brand. 4gb of RAM would be great, since it's so cheap.

Thanks.

matt_21484 · 11-30-2007, 05:59 PM

I know that if you want to run 4GB of RAM you will Need 64 Bit Vista. With that in mind, some people have had driver/hardware issues w/ a 64Bit OS & some haven't. It really depends on your specs.

I am piecing together a E4500 Intel C2D and a Mobo for about 200 USD total, and I'm not much of a gamer either. I already have a decent video card though.
I'm not sure what your budget is, but to me thats not a bad deal.

Berethorn · 11-30-2007, 09:43 PM

Interesting, thanks. I didn't know one could have too much RAM. I can just get 2GB for starters I suppose, and read up about the difference between 32 an 64 bit.

Budget is el cheapo, since this isn't an essential upgrade; I'd set a max around $450, though less is good. Have to strike a balance between price and performance. I like to buy things to last a while, but that's not necessarily smart when it comes to computers.

Devastator · 12-01-2007, 03:40 AM

You don't want to keep that Ultra PSU, they aren't the best.

Here's a list for $425, $25 below what you said and really it's all pretty good

EVGA 8600GT
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130085

Corsair 2GB 667
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145098

Intel E6550
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115030

ASUS P5K SE
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131189

Khalil · 12-01-2007, 09:10 PM

Check out the AMD AM2 6000 3.0 Ghz with the Asus M2N-E motherboard. You will get exceptional performance and save some money too.

The_YongGrand · 12-01-2007, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Berethorn

Hi guys,

Been a while since I've posted here, but I'm thinking of upgrading my current system, and I'm out of the loop.

I already have a good monitor, ATX case, optical drives, and hard drive. I have a 500w Ultra PSU - not sure if that'll be sufficient or not.

So for $450 or less, what are the best remaining components I can get (mobo, CPU, RAM, video)? I'm not a heavy gamer or audiophile, so I can survive with a cheap video card and integrated sound, at least for the time being. I won't overclock. I want something that I can run Vista on in the future (though from the reviews I've seen, probably not right away). I was thinking AMD 6400+, but I hear Intel has become cheaper, so I'm open to either brand. 4gb of RAM would be great, since it's so cheap.

Thanks.

For the AMD, any Asus M2N will do, and with the AMD X2 6000+ help too.

If you want the Intel, the simplest configuration will be Asus P5KPL-VM and with the Core processor within the total price range..

Berethorn · 12-26-2007, 10:54 PM

Hi again, and thank you!

I have since decided to go with Intel, and have ordered these parts:

Intel Q6600
Corsair XMS2 4GB DDR2-800 Memory Kit
Antec Truepower Trio 650w
Moneual Moncaso Dxt 301 case (was $25, regular 150+, so took a chance)

I've increased the budget a little.

I think I will get the P5K-E, which is so highly recommended. That means I need a graphics card. I don't need it for gaming, I just need a graphics card for DVD and photo editing on my 20" LCD. I might buy a better one later, but for now I want to keep it under $50. So, what's the best cheapest video card? Or is it stupid to go cheapo?

Masaki 7-11 · 12-26-2007, 11:36 PM

This card should fit your system well:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102716

It's an ATI x1650 Pro with low profile and 64-bit memory. The memory is somewhat slow, but the 12 pixel pipelines beats all the other under 50 cards. This card also runs well on vista and offers good video decoding.

Berethorn · 12-27-2007, 10:43 PM

Thanks, I ordered that! Now I just have to wait for the parts to arrive, and hope I remember how to assemble...

11-30-2007, 05:53 PM	#1
Berethorn Member (9 bit) Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: The 'Frozen' North Posts: 305	Budget build/upgrade Hi guys, Been a while since I've posted here, but I'm thinking of upgrading my current system, and I'm out of the loop. I already have a good monitor, ATX case, optical drives, and hard drive. I have a 500w Ultra PSU - not sure if that'll be sufficient or not. So for $450 or less, what are the best remaining components I can get (mobo, CPU, RAM, video)? I'm not a heavy gamer or audiophile, so I can survive with a cheap video card and integrated sound, at least for the time being. I won't overclock. I want something that I can run Vista on in the future (though from the reviews I've seen, probably not right away). I was thinking AMD 6400+, but I hear Intel has become cheaper, so I'm open to either brand. 4gb of RAM would be great, since it's so cheap. Thanks. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter __________________ Intel Q6600 Quad Core Asus P5K-E Galaxy GTS 450 2 x 2GB Corsair XMS2 DDR2-800 Samsung 1TB HD103SJ Antec Twinpower Trio 650W Windows 7 Last edited by Berethorn; 11-30-2007 at 05:56 PM.

11-30-2007, 05:59 PM	#2
matt_21484 Member (7 bit) Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: St. Louis Posts: 100	I know that if you want to run 4GB of RAM you will Need 64 Bit Vista. With that in mind, some people have had driver/hardware issues w/ a 64Bit OS & some haven't. It really depends on your specs. I am piecing together a E4500 Intel C2D and a Mobo for about 200 USD total, and I'm not much of a gamer either. I already have a decent video card though. I'm not sure what your budget is, but to me thats not a bad deal. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter __________________ Desktop: Antec TruePower 480 PSU * gigabyte GA-P31-DS3L & Core 2 Duo E4500 * 2x1GB OCZ RAM * VisionTek Radeon X1300XT * LiteOn DVD/RW * Samsung 320 & Maxtor 100GB HD * XP Pro/Ubuntu Gusty Gibbon Laptop: Dell Inspiron 8600 1GB RAM (512x2) * PM 1.4 * 60GB HDD 5,400rpm * ATI Mobility Radeon 9600 Pro Turbo * 4x DVD/RW * XP Pro/Ubuntu Gusty Gibbon

11-30-2007, 09:43 PM	#3
Berethorn Member (9 bit) Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: The 'Frozen' North Posts: 305	Interesting, thanks. I didn't know one could have too much RAM. I can just get 2GB for starters I suppose, and read up about the difference between 32 an 64 bit. Budget is el cheapo, since this isn't an essential upgrade; I'd set a max around $450, though less is good. Have to strike a balance between price and performance. I like to buy things to last a while, but that's not necessarily smart when it comes to computers. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

12-01-2007, 03:40 AM	#4
Devastator Member (9 bit) Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: UK Posts: 306	You don't want to keep that Ultra PSU, they aren't the best. Here's a list for $425, $25 below what you said and really it's all pretty good EVGA 8600GT http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130085 Corsair 2GB 667 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145098 Intel E6550 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115030 ASUS P5K SE http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131189 Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter __________________ PC // ASUS Maximus Formula X38 ROG // Intel Q6600 @ 2.4GHz - (300x8) // Corsair 2x2GB 800MHz DDR2 RAM // EVGA nVidia 9800GTX+ // Corsair 620w PSU // Seagate 500GB 32MB Cache HDD // Lite-On DVD Writer // Zalman AeroFlower CNPS9500 Heatsink // Antec 900 // Razer Lycosa Keyboard // Razer DeathAdder Mouse // Samsung Syncmaster 2253BW // Windows 7 64-Bit Ultimate //

12-01-2007, 09:10 PM	#5
Khalil Avanzato Tecnico Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 3,380	Check out the AMD AM2 6000 3.0 Ghz with the Asus M2N-E motherboard. You will get exceptional performance and save some money too. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter __________________ Want to help cure Cancer and other Diseases? You easily can, all you need is your Computer, Find out how! My Current Rigs 22 Million F@H points for PCmech Is Gluten Killing you or your loved ones?

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12-26-2007, 10:54 PM	#7
Berethorn Member (9 bit) Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: The 'Frozen' North Posts: 305	Hi again, and thank you! I have since decided to go with Intel, and have ordered these parts: Intel Q6600 Corsair XMS2 4GB DDR2-800 Memory Kit Antec Truepower Trio 650w Moneual Moncaso Dxt 301 case (was $25, regular 150+, so took a chance) I've increased the budget a little. I think I will get the P5K-E, which is so highly recommended. That means I need a graphics card. I don't need it for gaming, I just need a graphics card for DVD and photo editing on my 20" LCD. I might buy a better one later, but for now I want to keep it under $50. So, what's the best cheapest video card? Or is it stupid to go cheapo? Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

12-26-2007, 11:36 PM	#8
Masaki 7-11 Member (12 bit) Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 2,358	This card should fit your system well: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102716 It's an ATI x1650 Pro with low profile and 64-bit memory. The memory is somewhat slow, but the 12 pixel pipelines beats all the other under 50 cards. This card also runs well on vista and offers good video decoding. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter __________________ Core i7 2600K @ 4.2GHz \| Corsair H100 w/ Scythe S-FLEX 120mm Med. Flow & AC MX4 \| 4 x 4GB Corsair Vengeance PC3-12800 \| HIS 1GB HD6870/ HIS IceQ X Turbo 1GB CF \| Asus P67 Sabertooth \| OCZ Vertex 3, WD Velociraptor 150GB & Seagate 1.5TB in Tt iCage \| LG 22X DVD+/-RW \| D-Link DWA-556 \| Corsair TX 750W \| Coolermaster Cosmos 1000 \| Windows 7 HP 64-Bit \| LG Flatron L246WH-BN 3D Mark11: P8491\| 3D Mark Vantage: P30840\| 3D Mark06: 29912

12-27-2007, 10:43 PM	#9
Berethorn Member (9 bit) Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: The 'Frozen' North Posts: 305	Thanks, I ordered that! Now I just have to wait for the parts to arrive, and hope I remember how to assemble... Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

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