Hello all, I'm new to the forums and have a question concerning a possible upgrade. I purchased a Dell 540s approximately 3 years ago and am considering an upgrade. The computer has served my needs, and continues to do so. I mainly surf the web, watch movies, and play a few games that I purchase on sale...I don't do online gaming because I know I would get hooked. I am currently working towards an Information Management degree and will be learning Unix in the fall. I would like to load Linux as a 2nd OS and was going to get a larger hard drive (I have a 750gig which is half full). Below is a list of my current specs and what I was considering upgrading to
Current:
Intel Q9400, Radeon HD4650, WD Caviar Black 750g HD, Seasonic 300w psu, 2x2DDR2 stock ram, 2X2DDR2 Gskill ram, blu ray, card reader, and I think an Intel mobo.
Thinking of Upgrading to:
ASUS P5G41T-M LX PLUS LGA 775 Intel G41 mobo, InWin Mid or Micro atx case, G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3, New HD(don't have a brand or size), possibly a Corsair Accelerator SSD(if it would work in this set up--I want an SSD, but have read about a lot of failures on them and not sure how to set up a regular SSD for an OS and frequenly use programs), Windows 7 Professional (would need for SSD and can get student upgrade for $64).
I already purchase a PSU and GPU: Corsair CX600 and a XFX HD-677X-ZNLC Radeon HD 6770 ($140 total for both after rebates). I don't believe that I'll need more power in the PSU/GPU category. Total for the upgrades--not including the PSU and GPU--will be aprroximately $300-$400. My question is, does the upgrade that I'm considering make sense considering my needs listed above? Another possibility would be to try to sell my current set up for $200-$300 and use the money for a new rig...my problem with this is that I have personal ID information on the old HD and I would have to shell out $200 for Windows 7. I could also look for a deal on a refurb online and swap the PSU and GPU. Any thoughts/insights would be appreciated..
*P.S. I hope this isn't a repost. I tried to post before, but the page froze and it looked as if the information did not go through.
Current:
Intel Q9400, Radeon HD4650, WD Caviar Black 750g HD, Seasonic 300w psu, 2x2DDR2 stock ram, 2X2DDR2 Gskill ram, blu ray, card reader, and I think an Intel mobo.
Thinking of Upgrading to:
ASUS P5G41T-M LX PLUS LGA 775 Intel G41 mobo, InWin Mid or Micro atx case, G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3, New HD(don't have a brand or size), possibly a Corsair Accelerator SSD(if it would work in this set up--I want an SSD, but have read about a lot of failures on them and not sure how to set up a regular SSD for an OS and frequenly use programs), Windows 7 Professional (would need for SSD and can get student upgrade for $64).
I already purchase a PSU and GPU: Corsair CX600 and a XFX HD-677X-ZNLC Radeon HD 6770 ($140 total for both after rebates). I don't believe that I'll need more power in the PSU/GPU category. Total for the upgrades--not including the PSU and GPU--will be aprroximately $300-$400. My question is, does the upgrade that I'm considering make sense considering my needs listed above? Another possibility would be to try to sell my current set up for $200-$300 and use the money for a new rig...my problem with this is that I have personal ID information on the old HD and I would have to shell out $200 for Windows 7. I could also look for a deal on a refurb online and swap the PSU and GPU. Any thoughts/insights would be appreciated..
*P.S. I hope this isn't a repost. I tried to post before, but the page froze and it looked as if the information did not go through.
