Computer Upgrade help!

Joined
Dec 4, 2007
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150
I have $650 to spend on upgrading the guts of my computer. Here is what I was thinking. I would love any input since this will be my first time doing this. I already have a video card, hard drive, and cd/dvd drive.

My Graphics card is a geforce gts 450.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009212

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341040

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231193

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.564907

I would appreciate any advice.

Thanks,
Yankee
 
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The monitor you linked, I have the 23" version; works perfectly. You should really consider just grabbing that one, for the full HD since you're already upgrading the monitor.
 
can you tell us the specs of the computer you have right now?

everything from cpu to psu etc..

If the cpu and stuff isn't that bad, i would recommend just getting a better GPU than the GTS 450 and it will give you the biggest boost in gaming performance.
 
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1T hard drive sata 3
19" monitor lcd
1.8 GHz amd dual core
400W power supply
crappy dell case

I know where you are coming from on the graphics card but i bought the 450 a few months ago before i knew this money would be available.
 
1T hard drive sata 3
19" monitor lcd
1.8 GHz amd dual core
400W power supply
crappy dell case

I know where you are coming from on the graphics card but i bought the 450 a few months ago before i knew this money would be available.

Yeah, that sure needs a upgrade.
Everything looks good, but thats coming from a guy with a 2.2ghz single core and a 8600gt
 
Here is what I would suggest. Instead of going for the 6-core cpu, go for a quad core cpu. Most software/games are just now catching up to the dual core phase of technology. Itll still be a few years before the industry makes the jump to possible quad core technology. Im sure the price between the 6-core & quad core isnt much. At least this way you can put more $$ towards getting a better video card.
 
Here is what I would suggest. Instead of going for the 6-core cpu, go for a quad core cpu. Most software/games are just now catching up to the dual core phase of technology. Itll still be a few years before the industry makes the jump to possible quad core technology. Im sure the price between the 6-core & quad core isnt much. At least this way you can put more $$ towards getting a better video card.

Its a $20 differenece roughly, Considering how low my system is I figured its best to suffer with the 450 and upgrade sometime in the next 6 months.
 
If I don't get the monitor, go to a quad core, cheaper case, that still leaves me about $70 short of a 470.

So I guess the question comes down to: 450 and 23" monitor or 470 and 19" monitor. Which is worth it?
 
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If u don't get a monitor, heres a build, you can also sell your GTS 450 after and some other parts just for the cash.

NZXT M59 $40 after MIR - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146058&cm_re=nzxt-_-11-146-058-_-Product

Athlon II x4 640 $100 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103871

ASUS M4A78T-E $110 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131366

G.Skill ripjaw 4gb DDR3 1333 2x2 $50 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231274

Galaxy GTX 470 $230 after $30 MIR - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814162051&cm_re=gtx_470-_-14-162-051-_-Product

Raidmax Hybrid 730W modular $66 after shipping - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817152036

Everything has free shipping except the PSU but i included the shipping into the price. The GTX 470 has a MIR of $30. Your total cost after MIR and shipping included is $596. Not including MIR, its $626.

Don't get a monitor, save up and buy one later on.
 
Thanks a ton man. I should be able to do this and then sell my 450 and use that to get the monitor and still keep it all under 700. Glad I asked here first.
 
@OP

Case- crappy airflow, no cable management options. Overall subpar case. this is much better:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...119216&cm_re=CM_690_II-_-11-119-216-_-Product

PSU: TOTAL CRAP, PLEASE DO NOT BUY IT!!!!!!!!1111one!!!1111. The stealthxstreme II series is one of the worst PSUs they (OCZ) have ever released, this is a WAY WAY WAY WAYx10^9001 better PSU, and will be far more than your rig will ever possibly draw:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151096&cm_re=S12II-_-17-151-096-_-Product

The CPU and board are fine, as long as you aren't going for extreme overclocks, as that board has pretty bad vdroop.





If u don't get a monitor, heres a build, you can also sell your GTS 450 after and some other parts just for the cash.

NZXT M59 $40 after MIR - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146058&cm_re=nzxt-_-11-146-058-_-Product

Athlon II x4 640 $100 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103871

ASUS M4A78T-E $110 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131366

G.Skill ripjaw 4gb DDR3 1333 2x2 $50 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231274

Galaxy GTX 470 $230 after $30 MIR - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814162051&cm_re=gtx_470-_-14-162-051-_-Product

Raidmax Hybrid 730W modular $66 after shipping - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817152036

Everything has free shipping except the PSU but i included the shipping into the price. The GTX 470 has a MIR of $30. Your total cost after MIR and shipping included is $596. Not including MIR, its $626.

Don't get a monitor, save up and buy one later on.


OMG, how many times do I have to rant about this. RAIDMAX IS ONE OF THE WORST PSU manufaturers known to man. PewPew, I expected better of you :facewall::cursing:
See above for recomendation

E/: that ram is VERY VERY meh. 9-9-9-24 1333mhz ......... i would hope for at least 7-8-7-24 at that speed. try these instead:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211409 9-9-9-24@1600mhz is way better than 1333@ those timings.

Other than that, looks pretty good.
 
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Thanks for the PSU heads up man.

@OP

Case- crappy airflow, no cable management options. Overall subpar case. this is much better:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...119216&cm_re=CM_690_II-_-11-119-216-_-Product

PSU: TOTAL CRAP, PLEASE DO NOT BUY IT!!!!!!!!1111one!!!1111. The stealthxstreme II series is one of the worst PSUs they (OCZ) have ever released, this is a WAY WAY WAY WAYx10^9001 better PSU, and will be far more than your rig will ever possibly draw:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151096&cm_re=S12II-_-17-151-096-_-Product

The CPU and board are fine, as long as you aren't going for extreme overclocks, as that board has pretty bad vdroop.








OMG, how many times do I have to rant about this. RAIDMAX IS ONE OF THE WORST PSU manufaturers known to man. PewPew, I expected better of you :facewall::cursing:
See above for recomendation

Other than that, looks pretty good.
 
@OP

Case- crappy airflow, no cable management options. Overall subpar case. this is much better:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...119216&cm_re=CM_690_II-_-11-119-216-_-Product

PSU: TOTAL CRAP, PLEASE DO NOT BUY IT!!!!!!!!1111one!!!1111. The stealthxstreme II series is one of the worst PSUs they (OCZ) have ever released, this is a WAY WAY WAY WAYx10^9001 better PSU, and will be far more than your rig will ever possibly draw:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151096&cm_re=S12II-_-17-151-096-_-Product

The CPU and board are fine, as long as you aren't going for extreme overclocks, as that board has pretty bad vdroop.








OMG, how many times do I have to rant about this. RAIDMAX IS ONE OF THE WORST PSU manufaturers known to man. PewPew, I expected better of you :facewall::cursing:
See above for recomendation

E/: that ram is VERY VERY meh. 9-9-9-24 1333mhz ......... i would hope for at least 7-8-7-24 at that speed. try these instead:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211409 9-9-9-24@1600mhz is way better than 1333@ those timings.

Other than that, looks pretty good.

lol it was a quick put together as cheap as possible. Considering i did most of it and he sitll have like $90 to spare, he can put it towards better PSU and Case. Btw, i think the Cooler Master Storm Scout is on sale and its better htan the CM 690.

Here - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...9196&cm_re=storm_scout-_-11-119-196-_-Product
 

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