Incremental Build Feasible?

[L0tech]

I've been forced to downgrade to my old P4 Dimension 4300 for a month now, and it's driving me nuts. I'm looking to build what amounts to a $1200 system, but am hoping to get started with 500-600. I would be cannibalizing the 4300 initially, but replacing most of it down the road.

A few questions:
Is it possible to get a quality mobo with integrated GPU, that I can add nvidia card(s) to later?
Will the Dell's 480w PSU last me until that upgrade?
Can I use IDE/SATA adapters to milk my old 150gb HDD and DVDRW for another year or so?

My hope is to be able to purchase:
-Intel E8400 3.0ghz Wolfdale CPU (or Eq.)
- I'm pretty lost here, Intel socket (775?), 8+ USB ports, Nvidia 2x support, integral sound & video, 4gb+ memory supported
-RAM; (2) 2gb DDR2 sticks

Then upgrade PSU, video, HDD, optical, monitor, etc. later on. My place is set up for wireless, and I'm using a linksys USB adapter, so I should be good to go there. I'll be transferring my XP Pro lic to the new system as well. SLI support would be nice, but probably unnecessary. I definitely prefer Nvidia over ATI, but I'd be okay with an AMD proc, if the fit was better.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Are there holes in my plan?

[liambl]

I wouldn't use a Dell PSU on anything other than a Dell, they have been known to mess with the wiring, frying any non-Dell mobo its connected to.

Its generally advisable to buy all the parts together at teh same time for various reasons. The major one is that by the timeyou get the rest of the parts the other parts are old and outdated and may be incompatible.

SLi is only advisable using 2 or 3 very top end cards if you game on a large monitor with AA/AF and maximum details. 99% of poeple will do fine with one high or top end card.

[L0tech]

Thanks liambl. If that's the case, I definitely won't mess with the PSU.

If I can stay in the ASUS P5Q range ($130) for the mobo I can get the PSU, and still keep it around $500. But the P5Q does not appear to have integrated graphics. Am I going to find one that will perform ok on the integrated, but allow for a good upgrade later? Is there a particular chipset I should look for?

[tomtoon]

You might be ok on the P5KPL-CM

Whats your main usage going to be?

[L0tech]

Usage is mainly heavy browsing, with 2-3 office programs running. I want something fairly upgradeable, and I do like to grab a FPS every now and then.

I've reworked the plan a bit, how does this setup look?
Processor:
Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W

Mobo: ASUS P5Q Pro LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel

RAM: CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800

PSU: RAIDMAX AURORA 2 RX-700F 700W ATX12V V2.2 / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Power Supply

GPU (temp):
BFG Tech BFGE86256GTOCE GeForce 8600 GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16

Case: LOGISYS Computer CS888UVBL Blue Clear Acrylic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

HDD (temp): Seagate ST3120026A 150gb IDE

Optical (temp): Sony DRU-530A


It's pushing my budget to the limit, but the card & CPU have a combined $45 in rebates Thanks again for your help, guys.

[shadowpr]

Get a better quality psu. Read our sticky for help.

A cheaper antec, or ocz would be a good place holder for now until you upgraded the video card.

[tomtoon]

Delete this please it posted it twice.

[tomtoon]

This antec 500W should do you fine:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371004 $64.99
I know its $5 more, but Antec's are quality power supplies from what I've heard and according to PCMech's sticky.

[L0tech]

OK, swapped the PSU for a PC Power & Cooling
PC Power & Cooling Silencer PPCS500 500W,

And the BFG card out for a real cheapo
ZOTAC ZT-84SEH2P-FSR GeForce 8400 GS 512MB 64-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16

Parts are on their way

[jdeb]

you could use my build in the signature as an example, I did the same and have been very happy with it. is there better? sure but I am as stable as a rock and lovin it.

[L0tech]

The good news: I now have a fully functional desktop faster than anything I've ever owned with tons of options, OCing potential, and a sweet-looking case with what appears to be pretty good stock airflow.

The "bad" news: After getting everything assembled, and tossing a few lights in there, I'm pretty sure it's been whispering to me in my sleep. Must.. add... shiny parts

For anyone looking at a similar build, the case is nice and roomy, and I was able to reverse the sides and back to install the MB "BTX style" with no problems. The big downsides are the super loud fans, and that swapping out any of the drives requires removing all the screws on your pci cards so you can swing out the side panel the motherboard is on.



Thanks a lot for your help guys, I have a feeling this will end up well over $1200 before it's done, NB cooler, CPU heatsink upgrade, GPU, new L.CD monitor, twin HDDs, quieter fans... most of em can wait a while, but the list keeps growing on me.