Upgrading gaming computer for under $600

[Daedaless]

I would like to upgrade some parts in my computer by getting a new processor, graphics card, memory, and possibly a mother board, power supply and a fan.

I would like to spend around $600 and I like buying from neweggg.com and prefer AMD. I am from the states and will be using my computer for gaming.

I currently have a AMD athlon 64 X2 5000, geforce 7950 GX2, 650 watt pwer supply, 1GB DDR2 (x2), 250 GB SATA 3G hard drive, and a FOXCONN NFORCE 590 motherboard with a 2.0B Chassis (Aurora model from alienware) .

also in addition to the $600 on parts I want to buy a new monitor with a budget of $500. ranging from 25 inch-28 inch

thanks,

[MattSAN]

Your power supply to me seems fine, maybe a simple upgrade to a 700-750w but thats not mandatory. As for a new graphics card, i highly suggest the Sapphire 100259-1GL Radeon...it will run any game currently out in the highest res
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102801

For your memory, just an upgrade to a 2x2gb would be fine. Just find a mid priced G.Skill product for 4gb and you'll be fine.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231122

[mattaggie]

Thats not an upgrade, thats a new computer. You need to specify what exactly you want to do with the computer. The build you have now is not shabby. How is it not meeting your needs?

[Daedaless]

thanks for the quick responses guys,

anyways the computer runs fine with moderate tasks however with the new games that are out it runs slow. for example It lags if I were to build a really big house in sims 2 or if I turn up the graphics details to ultra high on fallout 3 and unreal tournament 3. Also the computer seems to have trouble doing tasks like editing film using programs like cyberlink powerdvd.

I will be using the computer for gaming and would also like to have a triple monitor setup.

[MattSAN]

Hmm.... it seems to me that if your able to run fallout 3 and unreal tourny 3 then it isnt really a whole new 600$ upgrade you may need. Like i said earlier, double your amount of RAM. It's a cheap way to drastically improve your system's performance.

[minsonngo]

New video card would make a difference.

More memory would help a bit as well.



What is the make and model of the PSU you have?

[Daedaless]

650 WATT ATX2.0 24P PSU w/ Active PFC Power Supply

[minsonngo]

No brand or model on the label attached to one of the side's of the PSU?

[Jester]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231122
39.99 I checked this will work with your mobo.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103289
66.00

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102801
239.99 You will need 2 6pin pci-e connectors on your PSU for this to work.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139006
119.99 IF your psu doesn't have the required pin connectors you could upgrade to this. I wouldn't if you have the connections though.

I would also through in a new Hard drive.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148288
64.99

Grand total 530.96

Of course it is cheaper without the new PSU and if you have a little extra money you could upgrade the mobo and the processor (from what I suggested to a phenom) for an entirely new build. What I basically listed out there is a new computer on an old mobo.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231226
49.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103249
147.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131339
188.99

So if you build a hole new system with the three suggested parts above the Video card, hard drive, and PSU the grand total comes to 811.94 It would seem more cost effective to me to build a whole new system and get a smaller monitor.

[Daedaless]

thanks again, i like your setup, is there a way I can do triple monitor though,

P.S maybe in addition to the radeon add a third low coast graphics card to operate the third monitor

[Jester]

I am not familiar with triple monitor setups but if you look in the audio video section im sure some one could help you out.

I know if you ran a crossfire set up you would be able to do triple monitors but then you are getting into the 1000 dollar range.

[Daedaless]

i was thinking of getting like a $50-$100 second graphics card to run the third monitor

[Daedaless]

thanks for all your help once again,

anyways after doing some research I am thinking of getting these parts for a total of $1300 since I was able to push the budget.

Graphics card:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...ted-_-14102809
Processor:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115036
Motherboard:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131296
Memory:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231226
Power:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817341011
Hard Drive:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148288
Cooler:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...20CPU%20Cooler
Monitor:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824001264

Any suggestions, are these parts compatible?

[shadowpr]

You don't need that heatsink unless you're going to overclock. And overclocking will void the warrenty.

I would change the ram to this if not overclocking: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145184

If overclocking: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231145