Computer Upgrade Help.

[jimmyw404]

Hello. I'm seriously considering upgrading my pc within the next few weeks, and I've been doing a little research within the pc market. Currently I have a p3 1ghz, 512mb of SDRam and a GeForce2. Obviously I desperately need an upgrade. I apologize if this is the wrong place to ask such a thing or if it's been asked recently, I've searched the forum and haven't found anything similiar. I've never done this before so I'm slightly apprehensive about doing so, but I understand that it's a good opportunity for me, so without further adeu, here's what I'm looking at:

I have a mouse/keyboard/monitor/speakers/networking card/sound card/floppy drive/cd drives. I'm going to buy two hard drives(RAID)/Motherboard/CPU/Video Card/Ram/Case/Power Supply.

Currently I've been doing some shopping on newegg.com and have found these:

($114)Case : ANTEC case with 430W Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=11-129-115&depa=0

($111)Mobo : ABIT "AV8" K8T800 Motherboard for 939 CPU
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=11-129-115&depa=0

($185)Video Card: MSI Radeon 9800 Pro 128mb
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=14-127-127&depa=0

($291)CPU : Athlon 64 3400
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=19-103-503&depa=0

($168)RAM : Kingston ValueRAM, DDR PC-3200, 1gb
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=20-141-423&depa=0

($132)Hard Drive: Two(2) Western Digital 7200rpm 80GB SATA Hard drives
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=22-135-106&depa=0


Sub-Total: $1,001.50
If I buy the current mobo/cpu/ram together I get $50 off.
Total: $951.50

I'm open to any and all suggestions of what I should get, brand names, types, etc, everything. Generally I don't want to spend anything more than this, in fact I wanted to spend less but that's how things go I suppose. I'm going to use this computer for gaming/browsing internet mostly.

I appreciate any answers anyone can give me, thankyou.

 

[derfist]

i don't recommend Kingston ValueRAM. get Kingston HyperX or Corsair XMS. they perform much better and are worth your money even if you spend a lil more. everything else looks good. good luck with yer com.

 

[jimmyw404]

UPDATE: changed a few things...

Question: What's a good manufacturer of 3d cards? Like MSI/Asus etc...

($114)Case : ANTEC case with 430W Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=11-129-115&depa=0

($216)Ram : Corsair XMS PC-3200 1gb
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=20-145-450&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE

($136)Mobo : MSI "K8N Neo2 Platinum" NForce3 Ultra for 939
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=13-130-468&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE

($339)Video Card: ASUS NVIDIA GeForce 6800 GT 128 MB
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=14-121-177&depa=0

($169)CPU : A64 3000+ 939
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=19-103-499&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE

($66)Hard Drive: Western Digital 7200rpm 80GB SATA Hard drives
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=22-135-106&depa=0

 

[derfist]

i'm not really sure manufacturer wise, but i think what yer planning to get is good. gd choice on the RAM. everything else is good. yer ready to go.

 

[_SiLv3R_]

as far as a video card goes the 6800 GT and Ultra have the clear lead in performance in the market at the moment... and itll be that way for a while until ATI releases the r520 core but that wont be for a whlie... so just stick with any manufacturer (i would reccoment evga, msi, and xfx only) 6800 GT... i recoment the 6800 over the ultra because its just an underclocked version of the ultra and u save 100 dollars and a lotta room in ur pc (since the 6800 Ultra is double wide).... so you can just get a 6800 GT and overclock it to Ultra standards.. hope i helped

 

[Cappy]

The second choice is much better . Id recomend reading some literature on how to build and setup your system.Its not real complicated but does require some thought and care . You have a backup system so dont be in a rush take your time .

 

[Rizinc4]

I wouldn't suggest you get that CPU as an OEM. Get it in a retailed box with the heatsink and documentation. This way you are garenteed to have the performance that is required from a heatsink to run that particular CPU, and if you are new to assembling computers, you will have a warrenty! OEM versions generally come without warrenties, and if you screw up the installtion of your CPU and happen to snap a pin off, your basically on your own and out a couple hundred dollars!