It's been 2 years since I built my current rig, and unfortunately technology has gone so fast (and the fact lawschool takes up a lot of time, who would have figured?) that I am a little out of the know.
Right now, I have a P4 3.0, 2gb 667 ram, 160gb 7,200 sata3 hd, 6600gt, and Asus P5DL2 mobo.
It's served me well, but I have noticed it starting to lag, especially when I do some graphic designing and watching dvd's.
Vista runs "ok", but I feel it could run smoother.
So, I figured it was time for an upgrade.
I just ordered a Dell SP2208WFP 22" monitor that I like alot, and I have a 8600gt card ordered already for ~$50.
But the main issue is my processor. I am planning to do a complete rebuild, from power supply, case, EVERYTHING, in 1.5-2 years.
But right now, I would like a little boost. I am looking for cost effective way to upgrade the processor without breaking the bank, so that means no Q6600's!!!
Now I am NOT looking for future upgradability (is that a word?), so as long as the mobo and cpu meet, I don't care. In 1.5 years it's going to charity. Gone, forgotten. I obviously don't want the mobo to slow down the cpu.
And no, my current mobo does NOT SUPPORT Core 2 Duo or Dual-Core, ONLY Pentium D's. I have Rev. 1.01, so don't bother showing me the Asus link.
So here is what I was thinking once the Intel price drops on April 20th.
Dual-Core E2200 (about $60 bucks), paired with an Asus ASUS P5VD2-VM Newegg.com - ASUS P5VD2-VM SE LGA 775 VIA P4M900 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards Open Box at ~$34.
Now remember, I am not looking for a mobo to upgrade later, only somthing that will keep up and not slow down a new processor.
My reasoning for the E2200: I was originally going to get an E4600 (~$110), but decided the 1mb cache really wasn't worth it. Am I right in that? I MAY play a game once a month. So having a game without the highest settings won't bother me.
The cost is also pretty good. I can use my old ram (and even throw another 2gb for $20 if I wanted to) AND I can get the CPU and MOBO for ~$100.
I wouldn't mind giving it away to charity for $100.
Now I would LIKE to stick with Intel and Asus since that is what I am familiar with. Asus hasn't let me down yet.
But if someone can offer a similar mobo or better mobo for the cpu in the price range, I'm all ears.
Basically, thoughts and suggestions for an E2200, Asus P5VD2-VM combo for ~$100 for a non-gamer user looking to NOT upgrade in 1.5-2 years.
Oh, and PLEASE don't suggest "if your current computer runs ok, why upgrade"? It IS slowing down, and I am looking to get 2 years out of it.
Right now, I have a P4 3.0, 2gb 667 ram, 160gb 7,200 sata3 hd, 6600gt, and Asus P5DL2 mobo.
It's served me well, but I have noticed it starting to lag, especially when I do some graphic designing and watching dvd's.
Vista runs "ok", but I feel it could run smoother.
So, I figured it was time for an upgrade.
I just ordered a Dell SP2208WFP 22" monitor that I like alot, and I have a 8600gt card ordered already for ~$50.
But the main issue is my processor. I am planning to do a complete rebuild, from power supply, case, EVERYTHING, in 1.5-2 years.
But right now, I would like a little boost. I am looking for cost effective way to upgrade the processor without breaking the bank, so that means no Q6600's!!!
Now I am NOT looking for future upgradability (is that a word?), so as long as the mobo and cpu meet, I don't care. In 1.5 years it's going to charity. Gone, forgotten. I obviously don't want the mobo to slow down the cpu.
And no, my current mobo does NOT SUPPORT Core 2 Duo or Dual-Core, ONLY Pentium D's. I have Rev. 1.01, so don't bother showing me the Asus link.
So here is what I was thinking once the Intel price drops on April 20th.
Dual-Core E2200 (about $60 bucks), paired with an Asus ASUS P5VD2-VM Newegg.com - ASUS P5VD2-VM SE LGA 775 VIA P4M900 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards Open Box at ~$34.
Now remember, I am not looking for a mobo to upgrade later, only somthing that will keep up and not slow down a new processor.
My reasoning for the E2200: I was originally going to get an E4600 (~$110), but decided the 1mb cache really wasn't worth it. Am I right in that? I MAY play a game once a month. So having a game without the highest settings won't bother me.
The cost is also pretty good. I can use my old ram (and even throw another 2gb for $20 if I wanted to) AND I can get the CPU and MOBO for ~$100.
I wouldn't mind giving it away to charity for $100.
Now I would LIKE to stick with Intel and Asus since that is what I am familiar with. Asus hasn't let me down yet.
But if someone can offer a similar mobo or better mobo for the cpu in the price range, I'm all ears.
Basically, thoughts and suggestions for an E2200, Asus P5VD2-VM combo for ~$100 for a non-gamer user looking to NOT upgrade in 1.5-2 years.
Oh, and PLEASE don't suggest "if your current computer runs ok, why upgrade"? It IS slowing down, and I am looking to get 2 years out of it.