Computer Upgrade

[btd450]

I currently have a pretty crappy computer, and just want to upgrade it enough to be able to play some of the current graphically enhanced games. I am kind of held back because of a $500 max spending limit.d

My current specs:

Intel P4 2Ghz
512MB RAM
Intel Integrated graphics
Windows XP Home SP2

I know that I want a Radeon X700 Pro, which means that I will have to upgrade my motherboard, and possibly my processor and RAM.....That is what I am wondering about. The Processor and RAM are what I am concerned about. I am thinking that they might be too out dated, and I may not be able to upgrade for only $500.

I was thinking about the Intel Desktop Board D925XECV2/D925XEBC2 for my new motherboard. If I were to use the D925XECV2, I would have to upgrade my case, but I am probably going to upgrade my power supply anyway, so I figured I might as well do the case as well. BTW, what size power supply do you think I will need?

For one, the 2Ghz processor requires an mPGA478 socket, but the newer motherboards with PCI Express (needed for the X700 pro) have an LGA775 socket. Will I be able to just transfer the processor, or will I have to get a new one?

Also, the ram is just 184-pin DDR SDRAM. The newer motherboards have 240-pin DDR2 SDRAM sockets. I am assuming that I wont be able to just trasfer the current RAM, and just add 512 more. Will I be able to use the DDR SDRAM, or will I have to go with the DDR2?

Any help and/or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

 

[ardy891]

dude just get a whole new comp, it sounds like ur buying brand new everything, i was gonna upgrade but i just resorted to buying all new evrything, it worked out better. i dont think u will beable to transfer either the ram or processor!!!

 

[rakedog]

That intel is terrible.....

 

[TibsBeatAll]

Eh.

Wat speeds is ur ram. is it one stick??
Do you have enough space on ur mobo to make it up to 1 gig???

seeing as to how you have only a 500 dollar limit, it's going to be soooo harddddd.

How long do you plan on keeping this set up by the way???

Cause if it's only for a year or so.

I'd recommend going the Socket 754 way.

Amd64 2800+ 120 USD
MSI nForce3 250 Chipset K8N Neo Platinum 103 USD
Keep ur 512 mb ram, and buy another stick for around 70 dollars. Putting you at 1 gig. Goood enough
Leadtek 6600GT (better than your x700 pro) 216 USD

This should give you a decent gaming rig for the next year or so. Plus, you can get the most out of your amd64 by buying a decent copper cooler for around 30 bucks or so and oc'ing it up to 2.4 ghz. The cpu oc's nicely.

So in total that comes up to 540 bucks. I think this really is the best thing you can get for 500 bucks, unlesss you wanna buy a processor and mobo first. And den wait a while for your bank to filll up.
If u wish to do that, den i say go with socket 939 mobo and a amd64 3500+. Get some ram, and wait till u got enough money for a video card. BTW. I hear that ATI is releasing a x800 pro with 128 mb GDDR3 memory for only 200 USD. But that will happen with the actual release of the x850 line, which will be sometime this jan. Hopefully.

 

[DPNPaintballer]

dont buy a mobo with build in video card...

 

[TRDCorolla1]

Most newer motherboards have pretty desent sound. I would just stick with that unless you want more out of it. Definitely get a dedicated video card. You can feel free to use your older optical drives or HDD and floppy if you wish. Get new memory and processor.