First build or first real upgrade?

[anderson3]

I dont game, just web and media. Wanting to upgrade slowly or build cheap, or both. Im currently running an e-machines t2042.
CPU: Intel® Celeron® Processor 2GHz (w/128KB L2 cache & 400MHz FSB)
Operating System: Genuine Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition sp2
Chipset: Intel® 845GL chipset
Memory: 128MB DDR (P2100) added annother 512 stick
Hard Drive: 40GB HDD times 2 one for storage and one for os and programs
Optical Drive: 40 × 12x40 Max. 2 CD-RW Drives; 16x Max. 1.44MB FDD
Video: Intel® Extreme Graphics 3D (845GL shared)
Sound: AC '97 Audio
Network: 10/100Mbps built-in Ethernet
Modem: 56K ITU v.92-ready Fax/Modem
Ports/Other: 6 USB 2.0 ports (2 on front), 1 Serial, 1 Parallel, 2 PS/2, Microphone-In & Head
Dimensions: 7.25"W x 14.125"H x 16"D

my upgrade idea includes :
Intel Pentium 4 3.0E Prescott 3.0GHz 1MB L2 Cache Socket 478 89W Single-Core Processor $79.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116027

pqi 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 266 (PC 2100) $89.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820141217

Total price of 169.98

Build idea includes:
Old case (for now)
old power suply
GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX All Solid Capacitor Intel $89.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16813128059
Intel Pentium 4 631 Cedar Mill 3.0GHz LGA 775 Single-Core Processor $67.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16819116004
Patriot Signature 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) $90.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16820220079

total price of $248.97
Will either of theese work, reccomended substitutions for price vs performance? Is the $78.99 differance worht the build? I chose the mb based on upgradeability and solid reviews. The Processor was chosen for price/reviews. The thought was to do the upgrade or the build now, the upgrade would leave me stuck there, the build looks like it leaves me with a lot of potential. I like the idea of being able to upgrade later but dont really have a need for either. My system is old, slow, and want everything to run much smother.

Any input is appreciated!

[Alaron]

Welcome to PCMech. Unfortunately neither of your options are going to work.

First, your eMachine cannot handle that CPU upgrade. You're limited to P4s with a 400Mhz FSB, which are hard to find right now.

Second, your build is not compatible. The Gigabyte board listed is great, it is new. needs DDR2 RAM. Also, you'd need a new power supply.

At this point, I would max out the RAM in your eMachine to give it a boost for now while you save up for a new build. The PQI should work, but for name-brand machines, we recommend buying from Crucial. Those computers can be very picky with generic RAM, and Crucial guarantees theirs will work: http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.aspx?model=T2042

[anderson3]

I apreciate the help, i should have noticed. In there a specific core 2 you would recommend for $75-$100 or should user reviews guide me?

[anderson3]

Also, the mb lists celeron D as an option, this would save a little cash, but ts the $30-$50 well worth the performance?

[Alaron]

My mistake on the P4. The Gigabyte board does support the 631, as well as a host of older chips. The list is here: http://www.gigabyte-usa.com/Support/...ProductID=2560

Here is my suggestion for your new setup though. Since you're content with onboard video, check out the Asus P5KPL-VM. Very high quality board, no need for a video card and a great price to boot: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...7&Tpk=p5kpl-vm

I'd go with a newer Core 2-based chip. The E4500 fits your budget nicely. I'd pop in one of those. Plenty of power for your needs now and you'll have room to upgrade to a C2D later. Here it is: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115031

This RAM is faster then the above chip suggested really needs, but it doesn't make sense to buy anything else considering how inexpensive RAM is now. Here is 2GB: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145590

That should keep your budget in line. You'll need a power supply as well, your eMachine unit won't have the juice. This FSP unit is high quality: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817104952

[anderson3]

Perfect, thanks a bunch!

[anderson3]

My bad, the ps was replaced with a sparkle 250w. How can I tell in the future what i need in a ps?

[anderson3]

Does the processors "fsb" represent the most useable amount of ram speed? And the memory standard listed on the Mb the least useable?

[Masaki 7-11]

If you're looking for a cheap build/upgrade, AMD is the best choice, for under $200 you can get a good dual core processor, a good motherboard, and 2GB of good quality ram. You'll probably have trouble using the e-machines case since it is made for only their type of motherboard (and most likely won't work with the standoff arrangements of other motherboards), and the power supply isn't powerful enough for a new computer. You should also take a look at getting a new case and power supply, Antec has good cases with good power supplies, and can be found for around $70. You'll also find that the Athlon X2 is a lot faster than the Pentium 4, especially when it comes to multitasking, but even in single threaded applications an Athlon X2 will be a lot faster.