What would you upgrade with $1k?

T

TahoE

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Ok, so I have $1,000 to spend on upgrades to my computer and was wondering how you guys would upgrade it. Here are my current spec's (Basically a stock Dell XPS Gen 4):

Processor: Intel Pentium 4 3.4 GHz
Chipset: Intel 925X Express
Installed Memory: 1.5 GB (DDR2 SDRAM)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP Professional
HDD Size: 160 GB
External HDD Size: 500 GB
Graphic Processor: NVIDIA GeForce 6800
GPU: 500 Watt

PLEASE HELP MY COMPUTER!!! If you need any more information, please let me know!! Just post what you think I should replace (make sure it is compatible with other components) and links if you can. I plan on making the upgrades within the week.

Thanks again for all your help!

Addison "TahoE" O'Dell
 
I Don't know much about upgrading my computers. But in my opinion i would upgrade to video/graphic's card to dual GPU's. So if you would to doo that i think you would need a new Power supply to support that because 500W would not be good enough. And it will still be less then 1k soo then upgrade the RAM to 6GB's of RAM. But like i said it's my opinion but my opinions can sometimes be stupid lol...
 
XxAirborn3xX said:
I Don't know much about upgrading my computers. But in my opinion i would upgrade to video/graphic's card to dual GPU's. So if you would to doo that i think you would need a new Power supply to support that because 500W would not be good enough. And it will still be less then 1k soo then upgrade the RAM to 6GB's of RAM. But like i said it's my opinion but my opinions can sometimes be stupid lol...
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Those are good upgrade opinions, but not for that old of a system.
Depending on what games you play, i5 750 w/ 5770 or 465, 4gb ram, 550W (if 5770) 600-650W (if 465), A70, GB H55/P55.
I can put a build together, if you want.
 
Ph?bus said:
Those are good upgrade opinions, but not for that old of a system.
Depending on what games you play, i5 750 w/ 5770 or 465, 4gb ram, 550W (if 5770) 600-650W (if 465), A70, GB H55/P55.
I can put a build together, if you want.
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Yes please! I have a few hundred $ more to play with, so if you go over some no worries. Thanks for the help again Ph?bus!
 
okay, first things first. Go pick a case that you like. I'll do the rest. Try to keep it under $100.
 
I've got the Antec 900 case. It's okay, a little overrated. If you really want to go Antec, get the 902. What is the 922? Never heard of it.

Anyways, I recently built my dad a computer and bought him the Coolermaster 932 HAF. Now I'm kicking myself for my getting one myself. The only downside is the interior isn't painted black. Everything else is spectacular.

If you want to drop some more money though, get the Corsair Obsidian 800D.

Yeah, I was looking at your specs, then first thing's first, I don't think many upgrades will fit in that case of yours.
 
GBear said:
I've got the Antec 900 case. It's okay, a little overrated. If you really want to go Antec, get the 902. What is the 922? Never heard of it.

Anyways, I recently built my dad a computer and bought him the Coolermaster 932 HAF. Now I'm kicking myself for my getting one myself. The only downside is the interior isn't painted black. Everything else is spectacular.

If you want to drop some more money though, get the Corsair Obsidian 800D.

Yeah, I was looking at your specs, then first thing's first, I don't think many upgrades will fit in that case of yours.
Click to expand...

The Cooler Master HAF 922 is the HAF 932's little brother. A little shorter, and its a mid tower instead of a full tower. It's a little more spacious than the 900/902.
 
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My only advice is to stay away from mail in rebates. I've sent 3 in a year and a half ago and never received anything. Free shipping is better IMO
 
werd......mail in rebates are just a joke now, they don't ever go through. Its like a complete scam almost.

Anyways, phobus build is good....great for just straight up gaming. Would overclock that i5 though just for the extra performance boost.

I would recommend a 5830 just because you would save something like $70-80 over that GTX 465.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125317&cm_re=5830-_-14-125-317-_-Product

It's only like $208 with shipping......and in terms of performance. I'd say it would be behind the GTX 465 by like 5-8 FPS on avg depending on the game. Sometimes the 5830 even comes out ahead of the GTX 465 but very few games. In general its like a 4% difference i would say (just a guess)

You could easily get a cheaper PSU.......no need for that high end corsair and put the money towards a better GPU. The corsair is definitely nice though.

If i was you though, i would get a GTX 470 like phobus. It's really great for the price/performance now considering you can pick one up for something like $300

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500157&cm_re=GTX_470-_-14-500-157-_-Product
 
TahoE said:
Phobus... you just may be the sexiest man alive.
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LOL Can I put that in my sig?

PewPewBangBang said:
werd......mail in rebates are just a joke now, they don't ever go through. Its like a complete scam almost.

Anyways, phobus build is good....great for just straight up gaming. Would overclock that i5 though just for the extra performance boost.

I would recommend a 5830 just because you would save something like $70-80 over that GTX 465.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125317&cm_re=5830-_-14-125-317-_-Product

It's only like $208 with shipping......and in terms of performance. I'd say it would be behind the GTX 465 by like 5-8 FPS on avg depending on the game. Sometimes the 5830 even comes out ahead of the GTX 465 but very few games. In general its like a 4% difference i would say (just a guess)

You could easily get a cheaper PSU.......no need for that high end corsair and put the money towards a better GPU. The corsair is definitely nice though.

If i was you though, i would get a GTX 470 like phobus. It's really great for the price/performance now considering you can pick one up for something like $300

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500157&cm_re=GTX_470-_-14-500-157-_-Product
Click to expand...

There's a reason I picked the parts I did.
Mainly, overclocking. (Oh wait, %$^# I forgot a HSF.)
So if you OC the i5 to 4GHz, you could run any game without any risk of a CPU bottleneck.
And you could OC the 465 to 470 speeds, and boom, you just saved $70.
The PSU is there because you're overclocking, and it's one of the more reliable (that's also more affordable) 650W power supplies.
But if you do want to spend a little bit more money, get all of that, and a GTX 470 as well. I must say, these things are beastly. Once you get MSi AfterBurner and max the voltage, start cranking up the core clock and mem clock. I got mine to 770 core 950 mem. That competes with a 480.
Actually, over at OCN, in the benchmarks area, my rig is actually 3 fps behind a rig with an i7 and 480. HOLY %&$* RIGHT?! :D
 
Ph?bus said:
LOL Can I put that in my sig?



There's a reason I picked the parts I did.
Mainly, overclocking. (Oh wait, %$^# I forgot a HSF.)
So if you OC the i5 to 4GHz, you could run any game without any risk of a CPU bottleneck.
And you could OC the 465 to 470 speeds, and boom, you just saved $70.
The PSU is there because you're overclocking, and it's one of the more reliable (that's also more affordable) 650W power supplies.
But if you do want to spend a little bit more money, get all of that, and a GTX 470 as well. I must say, these things are beastly. Once you get MSi AfterBurner and max the voltage, start cranking up the core clock and mem clock. I got mine to 770 core 950 mem. That competes with a 480.
Actually, over at OCN, in the benchmarks area, my rig is actually 3 fps behind a rig with an i7 and 480. HOLY %&$* RIGHT?! :D
Click to expand...

Yea....your 470 speeds are pretty sweet......but your CPU enables you to perform just as well as an i7 with a 480??? I kinda doubt that part, certainly believe the GPU can carry the weight though and make it possible.

Overclocking is intensive, but like not enough to need an amazing PSU. A HSF is more important, all you need is a reliable PSU mostly.

I dropped my tri-fire lol....just running the 4850x2 now, don't really need the 3rd card and it kinda slowed things down (not really) but like it limited my OC potential and it dropped my 1gb each card to 512mb.

Hoping to upgrade when the next gen cards come......
 
PewPewBangBang said:
Yea....your 470 speeds are pretty sweet......but your CPU enables you to perform just as well as an i7 with a 480??? I kinda doubt that part, certainly believe the GPU can carry the weight though and make it possible.

Overclocking is intensive, but like not enough to need an amazing PSU. A HSF is more important, all you need is a reliable PSU mostly.

I dropped my tri-fire lol....just running the 4850x2 now, don't really need the 3rd card and it kinda slowed things down (not really) but like it limited my OC potential and it dropped my 1gb each card to 512mb.

Hoping to upgrade when the next gen cards come......
Click to expand...

Yeah, I know, it surprises me, too.
All his stuff was at stock, though.
But still. Good god, this GPU is beastly.
And the 650HX isn't an amazing PSU. Just a good reliable one.
And since he has a few hundred he could use, he could pick up an A50/A70 or H50.
 
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