200$ to spend

[Musjunk22]

I just got 200 dollars from my birthday. I want to upgrade my comp but I don't know what I should get. If I don't really need an upgrade I'm getting a new paintball gun so it a win win situation. What do you guys think I should do? I also have a 20$ gift card for Gamestop, any games that u reccommend? I think I'm gonna preorder Halo 2.

Here is my system:
Gigabyte GA8IPE-1000 Pro Rev. 2
Intel Celeron 2.8Ghz @ 3.1 w/ stock cooling
256MB (128x2) in Dual Channel, Kingston Value Ram
Sapphire 9800SE 128mb @ 355/313
Sound Blaster Audigy Platinum Pro
DVD-CD Combo Drive (read)
8x DVD+-R/RW and 46x CD-R/RW (write)
Iceberq 4 VGA Cooler
80GB 5400RPM WD
Chieftec Dragon series case w/ window
4 UV lights
3 80mm fans
500W Ultra PSU
UV cable sleeving

 

[lazerman]

Wow, definately a new mobo and processor, celeron's suck.
Here is an awesome setup (I think this is the fifth time I've posted it)-
Get this mobo- http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-127-167&depa=1 , it's Abit, so it's stable and has tons of oc'ing features.

Get this mobile processor- http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-103-439&depa=1
With that you can overclock it to 3200+ speeds (2.2ghz) easily and possibly higher with this hs setup- http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=35-106-037&depa=1

You probably already know that since it's mobile, it uses less power which means less heat and more overclocking.

That comes out to $200.99 before shipping, shipping shouldn't be to hard for you to get your parents to pay for. (Persuasion is good).

 

[Nubius]

You could get more RAM. That 256 isn't that much. 512 is becoming the standard...buuuuuut honestly a paintball gun is quite tempting. lol you could get 1gb kit of kingston valueram for around $150 because I know a single stick of 512mb kingston value ram is $77 cause I just bought some last month.

 

[Musjunk22]

Wow thats exactly 200 bucks!
But to get the 3200 speeds will my PC3200 Ram be able to take it? I know that with this cpu my ram will be running underclocked but even if it's underclocked will raising the FSB heat it up or will it still run at a decent temp? Also are the mobile XP's as good as regular XP's when it comes to gaming? And how do I know if the cpu is locked?

 

[lazerman]

Trust me the cpu isn't locked, and it is the same for gaming. Your pc3200 ram would work fine because the 2400 oc'ed to 3200 would run at 400mhz fsb / 2 = 200mhz in the bios, and pc3200 is ddr400 which runs at 200mhz. It would be basically the proper ram for the application.

 

[Musjunk22]

Thanks guys, I think now its between the mobo/cpu/hsf and the paintball gun. UH my head hurts lol.

 

[lazerman]

I just got a paintball gun, and I havent been able to justify the puchase. I admit paintballing is hella fun and hella addicting. I just dont have the money for $50 every weekend on 2000rds of paintballs. I have a field membership though and it comes in handy.

So basically I'm saying get the mobo/cpu/hsf.... I'm curious, what gun where you looking into getting?

 

[Musjunk22]

either a Tippman A5 or an ACI Sinister, nothing fancy. Yeah I think I'm going to get the mobo/hsf/cpu. So now I know what to ask for when Christmas comes around. thanks.

 

[Nubius]

35w 2400+ XP-M perfect mobile chip for your OC'ing needs. Will easily go to 3200 speeds

 

[braka]

lol I spend most of my time on a paintball forum

check out the b/s/t section of pbnation.com.. you can find a lot of people selling their guns on the cheap trying to get money for the next bigger badder gun

a5's are nice but for about the same you could get a used BKO with anti-chop eyes which would shred any mechanical marker.