It's getting close to major upgrade time.

[Wicked Pilot]

OK, here's the deal. Four years ago, I built my computer. Since that time, I have done some upgrades (DVD, memory, hard disk, etc). But now a days, the old PII 400Mhz just isn't cuttin' the mustard. And alas, it is time for a super upgrade. I'm looking into getting a new case, motherboard, processor, and video card. Since I haven't been keeping up with computer hardware developments at all in the past four years, I am asking for advice as to what is the most kick ass gear you can get these days.

[Rye]

Well, you could always just go and order something off alienware, if you have the money.

I've just got an AMD XP 2400+ and am waiting till i have the money to buy a new mobo for it, but it may suit you better to buy a p 4 and one of those mobos with an extra slot so you can have dual processors if you decide to buy another cpu down the line.

Graphics cards, just check the latest nvidia and ati products, and assess by what you're going to do with it.

You may as well get a cd rewriter now, they're fairly cheap and dvdwriters have recently dropped in price too(i just got a dvd writer for £80, not sure how much that is in $).

Maybe you should get a recent audio card with 6 channels and a decent subwoofer and speakers too, it makes all the difference with dvds and current games.

[Darth Wong]

Unless you actually plan to set up 6 speakers around your computer, don't worry too much about the sound card because any card will do.

Are you on a budget? Asking for "the most kick-ass system" is an invitation to hear some rather larger numbers, and the law of diminishing returns kicks in big-time when you're talking about items like hard drives and video cards.

[Wicked Pilot]

Unless you actually plan to set up 6 speakers around your computer, don't worry too much about the sound card because any card will do.

My current sound card will do. I don't have any intentions to upgrade it until I invest in a new speaker set like the Klipsch 5.1. Considering the cost, that upgrade is a long way off.

Are you on a budget?

I have not determined a budget yet, but anything above a thousand would be way too high. Remember that this is not a complete new computer, just a new case, motherboard, processor, video card, and possibly new memory chips. All the other components would be salvaged off my existing rig.

[Shogoki]

Well, this is a kick ass setup (one i wish i had), $1000 is a lot of money for just this upgrades, i know I went a little over the top, ($26), but this thing will keep you covered for another 4 years.

The video card is an AIW Radeon 9800 Pro, wich means it is the best video card around plus it has video capture built in, remote controller and all that, it was only about $8 more than the regular 9800 pro.

Someone may want to coment on the case, and anyway, you are probably better off finding one you like.

By the way, you need newer ram for the current processesors.

Code: Select all

 Qty Product Item # Unit Price Qty x Price 
 
Cases (Computer Cases, ATX Form)  
    ANTEC SOLUTION SERIES Model# SLK2600AMB w/ANTEC SMART POWER 300W P4/AMD POWER SUPPLY ATX12V - RETAIL 
Offering a large 8-drive capacity in a convenient mini tower. This cost-effective new Super Mini Tower comes in an attractive color - Antec Metallic Bronze - with the features and quality you expect from Antec. 
Specifications: 
Driver Bays: External 4 X 5.25" - 2 X 3.5" (Tool-less Drive rail system for 5.25 Devices) Internal 2 X 3.5" (Quick Release Drive cage for 3.5" Drive bays) 
System Board: Standard ATX 
Expansion Slot: 7 Slots 
Case Dimensions: 16.75" (L) X 8.25" (W) X 16.75" (H) more info> 
 N82E16811129117  $52.00 
 $52.00  
 
Memory (System Memory)  
    CORSAIR 256MB PC3200 VALUE SELECT. DDR RAM - OEM 
184-Pin. CL=2.5-Unbuffered 2.5V. 32x64 Requires DDR 400 supported Motherboard - Lifetime Warranty. more info> 
 N82E16820145025  $47.50 
 $95.00  
 
Motherboards - Intel  
    Intel Pentium 4 (800 FSB) Motherboard Model BOXD865PERLL - RETAIL 
Specifications: 
CPU:Supports Intel Pentium 4 processor with a 400/533/800MHz (mPGA478-pin)Supports Hyper-threading 
Chipset: Intel 865PE 
IDE:2x IDE 
RAM: Double Data Rate DDR400 support 
Slots:1 x AGP 8X, and 5 x PCI 
Ports:2xPS2, 4x USB, Firewire (see pics) 
Onboard SATA:2 
Onboard LAN: 10/100 Intregrated 
Onboard Audio: Intergrated 6 Channel Audio more info> 
 N82E16813121184  $125.00 
 $125.00  
 
Processors  
    Intel Pentium 4 / 3.06GHz 512k 478 Pin Processor HT Technology 533 MHz FSB Retail 
Specifications: 
CPU: 3.06GHz 
Type: Pentium 4 Northwood 
Cache: 512K 
BUS: 533 Mhz 
Socket: 478 Retail (Box with Heatsink and fan) 
3-year MFG. Warranty more info> 
 N82E16819116154  $382.00 
 $382.00  
 
Video Cards  
    ATI All-In-Wonder RADEON 9800 PRO 128MB DDR 8X AGP Bulk 
Grab the remote and surf an unprecedented set of TV, DVD, audio and video features. 
Specifications: 
Chipset:RADEON 9800 PRO Visual Processing Unit (VPU) 
Memory: 128MB of double data rate SDRAM 
Bus: AGP 8X 
Max 3D Resolution: 2048x1536 at 85h 16.7M colors 
New SMARTSHADER 2.1 technology 
Supports DirectX® 9.0 and the latest OpenGL® functionality 
256-bit memory interface removes hardware performance bottleneck and provides end users with faster 3D graphics 
Ports: DVI + S-video In/Out + CATV in (See pics for more info) 
Features: TV-ON-DEMAND, Gemstar GUIDE Plus+, THRUVIEW, EAZYLOOK, MulTView. 
OEM Pack (See pictures for details) more info> 
 N82E16814102309  $372.00 
 $372.00  
 
  Extend my Standard Warranty on the above qualified items: $61.56 
 
 
Subtotal » $1,026.00 

[Shogoki]

This is an AMD setup, maybe not quite has fast, but still very nice.

Code: Select all

Cases (Computer Cases, ATX Form)  
    ANTEC PERFORMANCE II BLACK Model# SX635BII (BLACK) ATX MINI TOWER CASE w/ Antec 350W POWER SUPPLY - RETAIL 
Special features include the Smart Power ATX12V P4 compliant power supply that runs cooler and quieter, front USB/Firewire ports, washable air filter on the front, & quick-release drive bays with release lever. 
Specifications: 
Material: 1.0mm SECC 
Drive Bays: External 3 X 5.25" - 2 X 3.5" Internal 3 X 3.5" 
Expansion Slot: 7 Slots 
USB/IO: 2 Front USB port, 1 Front IEEE 1394 (Firewire) port 
Dimensions: 18.6" (L) X 8.1" (W) X 17.25" (H) more info> 
 N82E16811129125  $75.00 
 $75.00  
 
Memory (System Memory)  
    CORSAIR MEMORY 256MB VALUE SELECT. DDR RAM - OEM 
184-Pin, CAS2.5-Unbuffered 32x64. PC 2700 Requires DDR supported Motherboard - Lifetime Warranty. more info> 
 N82E16820145406  $44.25 
 $88.50  
 
Motherboards - AMD  
    DFI Motherboard for AMD Processors, "LAN Party" Model NFII Ultra Retail 
LANPARTY Motherboard Series 
Supported CPU:AMD Athlon XP 266/333/400MHz FSB & AMD Duron 200MHz FSB 
Chipset:nVIDIA nForce2 Ultra 400 chipset 
FSB:400/333/266 FSB 
RAM:Dual Channel DDR266/333/400 max 3GB 
IDE:ATA 133/100/66/33 up to 4 Devices 
Slots:1xAGP 8X and 5xPCI slots 
Ports:2xPS2,2xCOM,1xLPT,2xRJ45 & Audio Ports 
Onboard Audio:AC'97 2.2 S/PDIF 
Onboard LAN:Dual ICS1893 Phy chip/Realtek RTL8101L 10/100mbs Controllers 
Onboard SATA: 88i8030 chip 1 Channel 
Onboard RAID: RAID 0, 1, 0+1 and 1.5 up to 4 Devices more info> 
 N82E16813136122  $156.00 
 $156.00  
 
Processors  
    AMD Athlon XP™ 3000+ "Barton" 333 FSB PROCESSOR CPU- RETAIL 
Specifications: 
With Quantispeed Architecture* 
CPU: 2.17 GHz 
Type: XP 3000 Barton Core 
Cache: 512K L2, 128K L1, Total 640KB 
BUS: 333MHz 
Socket A 
RETAIL (Included Heatsink and fan) 
* An AMD Athlon XP processor 3000+ with Quantispeed architecture operates at 2.17 GHz more info> 
 N82E16819103381  $265.00 
 $265.00  
 
Video Cards  
    ATI All-In-Wonder RADEON 9800 PRO 128MB DDR 8X AGP Bulk 
Grab the remote and surf an unprecedented set of TV, DVD, audio and video features. 
Specifications: 
Chipset:RADEON 9800 PRO Visual Processing Unit (VPU) 
Memory: 128MB of double data rate SDRAM 
Bus: AGP 8X 
Max 3D Resolution: 2048x1536 at 85h 16.7M colors 
New SMARTSHADER 2.1 technology 
Supports DirectX® 9.0 and the latest OpenGL® functionality 
256-bit memory interface removes hardware performance bottleneck and provides end users with faster 3D graphics 
Ports: DVI + S-video In/Out + CATV in (See pics for more info) 
Features: TV-ON-DEMAND, Gemstar GUIDE Plus+, THRUVIEW, EAZYLOOK, MulTView. 
OEM Pack (See pictures for details) more info> 
 N82E16814102309  $372.00 
 $372.00  
 
  Extend my Standard Warranty on the above qualified items: $57.39 
 
 
Subtotal » $956.50 

[phongn]

I have a similar setup to the one above, though it's somewhat less expensive and the processor can be overclocked quite high. The processor comes with a fan, but I included another one from Zalman since it's nice and quiet.

Prices from Newegg.

Code: Select all

$ 95.00  Antec Sonata Case w/ 380W PSU
$160.00  Kingston 512MB Kit (2x256MB) DDR500 SDRAM
$105.00  Abit IS7 i865PE Motherboard
$175.00  Intel Pentium 4 2.4C Retail
$188.00  Sapphire ATI Radeon 9600 Pro 128MB. Fanless. 
$ 34.99  Zalman CNPS7000A-AlCu CPU Heatsink/Fan

[Shogoki]

Yeah, i just tried to match the $1000.

[Sriad]

I have not determined a budget yet, but anything above a thousand would be way too high. Remember that this is not a complete new computer, just a new case, motherboard, processor, video card, and possibly new memory chips. All the other components would be salvaged off my existing rig.

Keep in mind that RAM is a great place to put money into your system, and fairly cheap compared to some of the other components you're looking at. You can probably get 512 MB sticks for around $50 if you work at it a bit.

[Silver Paladin]

I got my prices from http://www.chipsandmemory.com/

It's a store down in San Diego who basically sells all OEM stuff, so it's pretty cheap; usually no more than 5% more than the cheapest online store (and you don't have to worry about getting jacked or shipping charges). I got parts for my last 2 computers here.

AMD 2800+ CPU $175
MSI K7N2G-L nForce2 Mobo $99
2X DDR-333 512 MB PC-2700 RAM $89 x 2 = $178
ATI Radeon 9600 Pro (256 MB) Video Card $129
350W Case $39
Thermaltake Silent Boost CPU Fan $35
2X Coolermaster Case Fan $5 x 2 = $10

Total Cost = $674 + Tax

[lukexcom]

Tell me how much you wanna spend and I can calculate the most kick-ass setup imaginable (most likely an Intel setup due to their unrivaled performance at their top-range processors).

[Shogoki]

He already said below $1000 for processor, mobo, video and case, and his memory is most likely useless now.

[phongn]

Looks like we got some nice AMD and Intel setups here. On mine you can probably go for a noisier - and cheaper - R9600 Pro, ditch the Zalman HSF and go for a cheaper case. Maybe go for DDR466 RAM, even, if you want to cut some more costs, but the 2.4C just begs to be overclocked.

[Darth Wong]

Instead of targeting a price point, I would just suggest that he pick up some basic, inexpensive hardware that will get the job done. For example, using Canadian prices (multiply by roughly 3/4 to get US prices):

• CPU: 2.6GHz P4 800FSB/512k cache ($299 CDN)
• MB: Asus P4P800 Intel-chipset dual-channel DDR400 800FSB w/LAN+audio ($155 CDN)
• RAM: 2x256MB DIMMs ($65 x 2 = $130 CDN)
• Video: MSI GF FX5600 (NVidia FX5600) VTD256 256MM VIVO card ($279 CDN)
• HD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.7 SATA150 120GB 7200rpm drive w/8MB cache ($165 CDN)

Total: $1028 CDN (less than $800 US)

Alternatively, swap out the first two items for:

• CPU: Athlon 2600 333FSB+/512k cache ($165 CDN)
• MB: Asus A7N8X-X NVidia-chipset dual-channel DDR400 400FSB w/LAN+audio ($115 CDN)

which knocks it down to $854 CDN (less than $650 US), or go farther and swap out the video card for a 128MB MSI FX5200 video card ($109 CDN), to further drop the total to $684 CDN (a bit more than $500 US).

In other words, for as little as $500 US (I don't know US retail prices; I'm simply doing currency conversion from Canadian retail prices in Toronto), he could go to very powerful rig, albeit not as bleeding-edge as the ones some of you have suggested.

[Arthur_Tuxedo]

Instead of targeting a price point, I would just suggest that he pick up some basic, inexpensive hardware that will get the job done. For example, using Canadian prices (multiply by roughly 3/4 to get US prices):

• CPU: 2.6GHz P4 800FSB/512k cache ($299 CDN)
• MB: Asus P4P800 Intel-chipset dual-channel DDR400 800FSB w/LAN+audio ($155 CDN)
• RAM: 2x256MB DIMMs ($65 x 2 = $130 CDN)
• Video: MSI GF FX5600 (NVidia FX5600) VTD256 256MM VIVO card ($279 CDN)
• HD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.7 SATA150 120GB 7200rpm drive w/8MB cache ($165 CDN)

Total: $1028 CDN (less than $800 US)

Alternatively, swap out the first two items for:

• CPU: Athlon 2600 333FSB+/512k cache ($165 CDN)
• MB: Asus A7N8X-X NVidia-chipset dual-channel DDR400 400FSB w/LAN+audio ($115 CDN)

which knocks it down to $854 CDN (less than $650 US), or go farther and swap out the video card for a 128MB MSI FX5200 video card ($109 CDN), to further drop the total to $684 CDN (a bit more than $500 US).

In other words, for as little as $500 US (I don't know US retail prices; I'm simply doing currency conversion from Canadian retail prices in Toronto), he could go to very powerful rig, albeit not as bleeding-edge as the ones some of you have suggested.

Looks pretty good, Mike. However, I wouldn't go with an FX5200 (or Radeon 9200 for that matter). For the same price you can get a GF4 Ti4200, and I gurantee it will smoke either the FX5200 or the Radeon 9200 on any test, under any conditions. My GeForce 3 Ti200 is just starting to be inadequete for the very newest games. It's always better to get last year's (or the year before that's) top of the line card than this year's bargain basement card if the price is the same.

[Wicked Pilot]

Ah, too many choices! Thanks for the advice anyway. I hope to do this upgrade sometime before Thanksgiving, so I can dump my old equipment onto my parents and sister who will be visiting at that time.

[Shogoki]

he could go to very powerful rig, albeit not as bleeding-edge as the ones some of you have suggested.

Well, he did ask for the most kick ass stuff under $1000, hence i tried to come up with the most kick ass stuff you can get for under $1000.

[Shogoki]

Ah, too many choices! Thanks for the advice anyway. I hope to do this upgrade sometime before Thanksgiving, so I can dump my old equipment onto my parents and sister who will be visiting at that time.

You're welcome

[Wicked Pilot]

Well, he did ask for the most kick ass stuff under $1000, hence i tried to come up with the most kick ass stuff you can get for under $1000.

Well, that $1000 origional quote was pretty premature. I pulled the old receipts for my system back in 99, and the sum of the case, processor, motherboard, and video card was about $600. So in retrospect, a $600-$700 budget for this upgrade would be a more reasonable appropiation.

[phongn]

A cheaper version of my above reccomendation:

Code: Select all

$ 79.00  Antec SLK3700-BQE Case w/ 350W PSU
$127.00  Kingston 512MB Kit (2x256MB) DDR400 SDRAM
$ 99.00  Abit IS7-E i865PE Motherboard
$175.00  Intel Pentium 4 2.4C Retail
$148.00  Powercolor ATI Radeon 9600 Pro 128MB. 

$ 628.00  Subtotal

[Darth Wong]

Well, then the system I listed would probably fit your needs better (the midgrade one with the Athlon and the FX5600, not the really low-end one with the wheezy budget graphics card).

[phongn]

Well, then the system I listed would probably fit your needs better (the midgrade one with the Athlon and the FX5600, not the really low-end one with the wheezy budget graphics card).

I don't think anyone actually put in a cheap GPU?