To Upgrade or Wait????

[pharmrep2]

Hi All,

Long time reader first time poster. I am at a crossroads right now in terms of if I should upgrade my old dell dimension 4600 (P4 2.8, 1 GB RAM PC3200, 60 GB HD, Nvidia GeForce 6800GS AGP, and FPS PS with a DC outpot of 350W max 400W) I am thinking of upgrading the memory and graphics card. To the following:

Upgrade memory from 1GB to 2GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145575
Cost: $74-$30 rebate= $44

Upgarde Graphics card from GeForce 6800GS AGP to Radeon HD 3850 AGP
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102730
Cost:$129
Now it seems or at least it is recommended that I use a 450W power supply, now I read in Toms Hardware that power consumption for a HD 3850 is around 230-240W, I think, I can get away with it with my current PS or do I need to buy a 500-550W PS? If I do which ones do you recommend?

Now I usually use the computer for Internet and to play a few old games, now that Empire: Total War and Sims 3 are coming out in March and later Feb. I really want to play these games. Now the big question that I hope some of you can answer or give some advise on. Should I upgrade so I can play these games (mid-resolution is ok with me 1680x1250) and give my computer new life, for how long I don't know (6-12 months) or buy a totally new PC? Because if I do get a new computer I would like to buy one with the new Intel i7 chip so a computer either self built or custom built in a configuration I would want would run me around $1,600-1800. So should I upgrade my old computer and wait a year to buy a new computer which hopefully buy that that time the price would drop buy a few hundred dollars but I don't know really if it will. What do you guys think? Is it worth the wait and will it save me money? Or will the new graphics card not be enough to play those games in an enjoyable setting? Thanks in advance.

Dax

[glc]

Don't bother upgrading. Anything you put in that thing will be wasted, it won't be able to be carried over. You can only go so far with AGP and a 6800GS is not a shabby card. Build now with a 775 or wait a few months for the dust to clear and build an i7.

[jdeb]

don't spend good money on old hardware, it never works out. you could drop 400.00 or less depending on what you can transfer on a new build and be way further ahead. use your hard earned money on something you deserve...enjoyment. You like your games and they are not memory monsters, so give them a little love and maybe introduce them to their next generation family a little at a time.

[jdeb]

let us know what you have and maybe we can help you build something at a conservative price or within your budget.

[pharmrep2]

Thanks, really do appreciate your input, and other than what I already have in my first post in terms of what I have in my PC, I also have a Creative X-Fi audio card, a 16x CD/DVD rom, 48x CD-RW/DVD+/-RW, and dell motherboard as well as case, that is it. As for budget if I am looking at $400 w/o graphics card. As for graphics card that I might buy will be a HD4850 or HD 4870. So any suggestions, and thanks again for your input. Also have no OS I know the XP I have is not OEM.

[jdeb]

401.94

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811153061

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148309

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231098

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131350

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116072

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116511

[glc]

2 comments on your list.

1. Why an ES.2? That's a server drive. Also, with all of Seagate's firmware issues (yes, the ES.2's are affected too), I'm only going to use WD SE16's or Blacks now.
2. That particular power supply is not good, it's a Winfast, not a Delta or FSP. You gotta watch Foxconn carefully. I'd recommend maybe an Antec 300 or a Foxconn without PSU and a Basiq 500 PSU.

[not important]

The Antec 300 case + the Antec Basic 500W PSU will run you $90 plus S&H but you would have a very well designed/built case and a quality PSU.

[pharmrep2]

Thanks I might do the Antec combo also what should I use as a heatsink/fan? Is the one that comes with the CPU enough to cool it down?

[glc]

Yep, the retail boxed processor's heatsink is plenty good. That's all I use.

[pharmrep2]

Ok an update to let you know what I ended up doing. I was ready to buy my parts where I read on CNET that Intel will be cutting the price of the E5200 and other processors soon, so I decided to wait. But as read other news I came on an article for a $620 gaming rig. It has great specs, only thing it was refurbished. But decided to pull the trigger figuring if something does fail I could simply replace it and still be saving money. Here is what I ended up buying and should be delivered next week.

http://www.ecost.com/Detail/Desktops...avid=155438718

I know it is Ecost and they dont have great Customer Service but here is crossing my fingers.

[not important]

It's a refurb from ecost and it's HP...Good Luck.