Computer Upgrade

[eddar]

I currently have a PIII 600 computer. I know it is old, but I spent all my money on golf equipment and had none left for a faster computer!!

I want to either upgrade to a P4 or buy a new one. Does anyone have any ideas about which is better?

If I upgrade, I guess I need to have someone install a motherboard, CPU and RAM. I have a 26GB HD, Soundblaster Live soundcard, ATI Radeon 9000 series video card with 128 MB RAM which I think I can reuse. Any ideas how much I should pay for this? I want a half decent motherboard. The one I have now is an ASUS P3BF ( good board in its day, so I have been told ). I don't at this time, but I do like to play high end quality games once and a while. I think I would love to play Halo 2 and or Half Life 2, but can't at this time due to my old computer.

Will a P4 Motherboard fit inside the computer I have now? Or is it a different size than the P3 boards?

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[Mok]

you should definitely be upgrading vs building a new computer that is unless you plan on letting someone else use the old one....what is your budget for the new parts?

[eddar]

I haven't really set a budget yet, but I was looking and inquiring today. If I upgrade, I will have to either get a new case with a power supply, or a new power supply for my case. I think the difference between a power supply and a case with a power supply could be as cheap as $10.00.

I think I am going to do the following:
-buy a case and power supply ($30-60)
-get an ASUS motherboard, I think I will get the P4800SE ($130.00)
-Intel P4 3.0E RTL 478 ($244.00)
-512 DDR RAM ($90.00)
Fortune Computer on Kennedy Rd. in Scarborough said they would put it all together for no charge. I will have to compare their price to some other computer stores in Toronto to see who is the cheapest.

I would then reuse my hard drive ( 26GB ), video card ( Radeon 9000 ) and audio card ( SB Live ). I know all three of these need to be upgraded as well, but maybe down the road. I think this would be the cheapest route to go. Although I was looking in Best Buy today and they have some pretty good deals from $799-999.

Are you familiar with the different components that I reference above? If so, is the Motherboard a good selection?

Thanks

[Mok]

yes, the motherboard you picked above is good...it's not the best now, but it was :) heh...since you already have your video card, you don't need the newest mobo that has the new express pci slot or whatever.

if you are able to put it together yourself, you can shop from a few different stores for the best price on each individual part...here are some stores i shop at... icct.ca infonec.com canadacomputers.com ... you may want to check out their price also.

[VBall]

eddar,

I usually do upgrades over purchasing a new comp due to the cost. A couple of things to thing about:

1) what are my requirements(how long do you thing you might use it for before another upgrade). I don't like getting the best of the best, especially right now as you won't really find a big difference.

2) Because of the new processors(especially P4s), you'll need a new case and power supply. Not because it won't fit into your old one, but because you'll want more watts in your powersupply and probably a case with better fans and air flow. I do recommend getting a better power supply for a couple of reasons... a) some come with dual fans b) i would get atleast a 400watt supply c) cheap supplies usually needs to be replaced in the first 2-3 years. Cheap PS can also create more what use to be "Blue screens of death". They don't provide a steady stream of power.

3) I would always recommend ASUS motherboards as well. I think what you've choosen is good enough.

4) hard-drive, video-card, & soundcard can be easily upgraded in the future. Your thinking is correct. but... if you want to play hl 2 and take advantage of the great graphics, you'll probably want to upgrade your VC as some point.

[Mok]

you might also want to use an AMD processor vs an intel one.

[eddar]

Can you explain the difference between AMD and Intel? I have always wanted an Intel CPU as I thought it is the best. I will want to upgrade my computer to play high end games. Is AMD better than Intel for this purpose? With that said, I will be looking at upgrading my Video card in the very near future, as my Radeon 9000 card isn't as good now, as it originally was at purchase time.

Also, are CRT monitors better than flat LCD monitors?

[VBall]

Much like you, I would only get Intel processors before.... but that's until the AMD XP processors came out. It is really a personal preference now. The original AMD XP processors was actually more efficient than the P4s. But I dont' know about the current processors. If you would like to reduce cost, then AMD is your best bet. I have an AMD processor and really haven't had any problems playing games. AMD processors also run a bit more cooler. But... if you have the money to get the best of the best... then maybe Intel will work for you.

As for CRT vs LCD. CRT is a must for gaming. Much higher refresh rates and resolution. LCD are limited in those aspects.

[Ems]

Much like you, I would only get Intel processors before.... but that's until the AMD XP processors came out. It is really a personal preference now. The original AMD XP processors was actually more efficient than the P4s. But I dont' know about the current processors. If you would like to reduce cost, then AMD is your best bet. I have an AMD processor and really haven't had any problems playing games. AMD processors also run a bit more cooler. But... if you have the money to get the best of the best... then maybe Intel will work for you.

As for CRT vs LCD. CRT is a must for gaming. Much higher refresh rates and resolution. LCD are limited in those aspects.
It's all about branding. Is there really a difference between AMD and Intel?

[VBall]

It's all about branding. Is there really a difference between AMD and Intel?


actually there is. Different architecture and instruction sets. Some programs run better on different cpus. Intel also runs hotter... I'll see if I can find an article on this for ya.

[eddar]

I have been doing some research into computer components and have come up with the following system:

ASUS P4C800-E Deluxe Motherboard
Intel P4 3.2E CPU
512 Dual Channel RAM
Seagate 160 GB Hard drive
DVD 16X Writer
DVD Drive
Floppy
Antec Case Mid Tower with 350 W power supply ( probably ) something in this price range anyway
Windows XP Home
( at this time, I will reuse my Soundblaster Live 5.1 soundcard and my ATI Radeon 9000 video card ) I know that the video card needs to be updated, but that will come very shortly. Actually, I was told that I have to check the voltage on my existing video card as it may not be compliant.

So far the best price I have received is $999.00.

The questions I have are:
Is this a good configuration?
Is this a good price?

Thanks for any and all input.

[Mok]

I have been doing some research into computer components and have come up with the following system:

ASUS P4C800-E Deluxe Motherboard
Intel P4 3.2E CPU
512 Dual Channel RAM
Seagate 160 GB Hard drive
DVD 16X Writer
DVD Drive
Floppy
Antec Case Mid Tower with 350 W power supply ( probably ) something in this price range anyway
Windows XP Home
( at this time, I will reuse my Soundblaster Live 5.1 soundcard and my ATI Radeon 9000 video card ) I know that the video card needs to be updated, but that will come very shortly. Actually, I was told that I have to check the voltage on my existing video card as it may not be compliant.

So far the best price I have received is $999.00.

The questions I have are:
Is this a good configuration?
Is this a good price?

Thanks for any and all input.

Seagate HD is the way to go :) i think it's 5 yr manufaturer warranty

why do you need to a new operating system? didn't you have one on your old system?

you can save a few bucks w/o floppy, who uses floppy nowadays :) heh

dvd writer if you are not immediatly going to use it, you don't need to get it yet.

i think the main thing for you upgrade is still mobo, cpu and ram...everything else should be ok.


your price for that pkg is good though.

[eddar]

I heard that Seagate is one of the better HD's. This HD has SATA2, which doesn't mean much to me and this Motherboard doesn't even support that, but it is suppose to be a very good HD.

I have 2000 now, but thought a change to XP is in the making. The Home version is only about $113.00 with the system. Comments......

You have a point about the floppy, but for an additional $10-$13, I figure I may need it sometime.

I am not so sure how much I would use the DVD writer, but I think my PIII 600 is going to my daughther and I will need to replace my CD writer and CD drive. I thought it would be a good time to do it. I will give that some thought though. I think the DVD writer and the DVD drive is about $125.00.

I was originally going to only upgrade my MB, CPU and RAM, but I was told that I would need a new case with a power supply, for P4. When I was researching, I came up with this system. Of course I would like to upgrade as cheap as possible, but I do want some quality. I think at this time, I can afford about 1K, and the system I have spec'd is pretty decent. I only have to worry about the video card down the road. I want to play those high end games some time.

Thanks

[Mok]

I heard that Seagate is one of the better HD's. This HD has SATA2, which doesn't mean much to me and this Motherboard doesn't even support that, but it is suppose to be a very good HD.

I have 2000 now, but thought a change to XP is in the making. The Home version is only about $113.00 with the system. Comments......

You have a point about the floppy, but for an additional $10-$13, I figure I may need it sometime.

I am not so sure how much I would use the DVD writer, but I think my PIII 600 is going to my daughther and I will need to replace my CD writer and CD drive. I thought it would be a good time to do it. I will give that some thought though. I think the DVD writer and the DVD drive is about $125.00.

I was originally going to only upgrade my MB, CPU and RAM, but I was told that I would need a new case with a power supply, for P4. When I was researching, I came up with this system. Of course I would like to upgrade as cheap as possible, but I do want some quality. I think at this time, I can afford about 1K, and the system I have spec'd is pretty decent. I only have to worry about the video card down the road. I want to play those high end games some time.

Thanks

yah your system sounds good. good mobo!

[patlo]

I have been doing some research into computer components and have come up with the following system:

ASUS P4C800-E Deluxe Motherboard
Intel P4 3.2E CPU
512 Dual Channel RAM
Seagate 160 GB Hard drive
DVD 16X Writer
DVD Drive
Floppy
Antec Case Mid Tower with 350 W power supply ( probably ) something in this price range anyway
Windows XP Home
( at this time, I will reuse my Soundblaster Live 5.1 soundcard and my ATI Radeon 9000 video card ) I know that the video card needs to be updated, but that will come very shortly. Actually, I was told that I have to check the voltage on my existing video card as it may not be compliant.

So far the best price I have received is $999.00.

The questions I have are:
Is this a good configuration?
Is this a good price?

Thanks for any and all input.
There is no doubt that you have chosen a really good system. You will definately feel a huge performance gain compared to what you have now. The only thing wrong with it is intel has moved to a new cpu socket. The cpu and motherboard combo you chose has no upgrade path, so if you plan on upgrading in the future you will be stuck.

The cpu you chose plugs into a socket on the motherboard called socket478. The highest cpu speed this socket will see is 3.4Ghz. All of intel's new processors are made using socket LGA775. These new processors will not fit on the motherboard you have chosen.

Since the price of similarly clocked new and old processors are on par with each other, there really isn't any reason to buy a socket478 cpu anymore.

Here are some price comparisons:

Intel 3.6 socket LGA775 $549.00
Intel 3.4 socket LGA775 $349.00
Intel 3.2 socket LGA775 $277.00
Intel 3.0 socket LGA775 $227.00

Intel 3.2E socket 478 $270.00
Intel 3.0E socket 478 $233.00

If you haven't bought the system yet then definately consider one that uses the new socket. That way down the road when you feel your system needs to be upgraded there will be faster processors out there for you to upgrade to.

[eddar]

Thanks Patlo.

I have not purchased the system yet, but was thinking of doing so on Monday. Can you recommend a good motherboard, in the same price range of the ASUS PC4800-E Deluxe, that will accomodate a LGA775 CPU?

Also, are there different versions of the Intel 3.2 socket LGA775? What I mean is the 478 has 3.2 and 3.2E.

Any further advise, hopefully prior to Monday, would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks again.

[patlo]

Upgrading at this point in time is a bit tricky, especially on the intel side. The computer industry is going through somewhat of a transition. We are seeing a new graphics port, a new cpu socket, and new memory.

Knowing that you are not going to buy a new video card right now, then let me see if i can suggest something in your price range...

Intel P4-530 3.2GHz LGA775 $277.00
Asus P5GDCV-DX Motherboard $188.00
512MB DDR2 Dual Channel RAM $149.00
Seagate 160GB SATA hard drive $130.00
NEC ND-3500A 16x dual layer dvd writer $84.00
Antec SLK1650 mid tower case w/ 350watt power supply $83.00

The processor i chose uses the new LGA775 socket.

The motherboard i chose has an intel integrated graphics chip as well as the new PCI-Express graphics slot. You will be able to use the integrated graphics until you want to upgrade to a new PCI-Express graphics card. The integrated graphics chip isn't spectacular but it is directx 9.0 compliant. You're not going to be gaming at high resolutions with this chip, but lets face it... you probably weren't going to be doing that with your radeon 9000 either.

The motherboard also features intel's high definition audio. From the reviews that i've read it produces great sound. You definately won't need your soundblaster anymore if you're using this. Actually i find that all motherboards with integrated sound is actually very very good. With Nvidia's Soundstorm and intel's highdef audio, i find there is no need to buy sblive anymore.

Total price is $911.00 so you'll have some cash left over for keyboard, mouse, floppy....etc.


Here are links to some of the hardware i chose:

http://usa.asus.com/products/mb/socket775/p5gdc-v-d/overview.htm
http://www.antec-inc.com/us/productDetails.php?ProdID=91652

[patlo]

Thanks Patlo.

Also, are there different versions of the Intel 3.2 socket LGA775? What I mean is the 478 has 3.2 and 3.2E.

Thanks again.
At this point in time i don't think there are different variations of LGA775 cpu's... at least not at the consumer level. Later on they may tweak it by adding more cache or something, and then you will see a new revision letter next to the speed.

[eddar]

May I ask where you got your prices from? I am looking in the November eddition of HUB and the price of this MB is over $200.00. Also, I think I will be going with 1 GB dual channel RAM instead of 512. I will also need a 1.44 floppy, a DVD ROM and XP Home.

Based on my original configuration I have someone who will build it for $1,050.00 with the 1 GB RAM. So if I change the MB, it should be about the same, maybe a little cheaper. Is the DDR2 RAM a little more expensive? Also, I am assuming that DDR2 is faster than DDR, is that correct? I would hope to get a cheaper case and power supply as well. I have noticed though, that a lot of people recommend an Antec case. Is this such a superior case? Is 350W enough, or should I get 400W?

[Mok]

May I ask where you got your prices from? I am looking in the November eddition of HUB and the price of this MB is over $200.00.


http://www.infonec.com/mboard.htm

P5GDCV-DX 915G LGA775 Dual-Channel DDR&DDR2 Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900 PCI-E X16 High Definition Audio 2xFW1394 GbLan !!!New!!! 188.00

[patlo]

I got my prices from www.infonec.com and www.canadacomputers.com

Currently DDR2 is not any faster than DDR. You will save quite a lot by buying DDR instead of DDR2. The motherboard i chose supports both DDR and DDR2.

For the case...

Antec, and other name brands design their cases so that installing and uninstalling components is easier. They take into account air flow so that you don't have dead air in the case that creates hot spots. They also include name brand power supplies that provide constant(or close to constant) power. Antec is kind of pricey. I think Inwin make good cases that aren't as expenisive. If you have money to spend then a name brand case is better but i think a generic case is fine too. After your computer is put together i don't think you'll be taking it apart and installing new parts for quite some time. You're not going to be overclocking so you don't have to worry about hot spots. I think a generic case should be fine.

As for the power supply, i think 350W is enough.


DVD-ROM...
Why do you need one if you have a dvd-burner? The dvd burner is also a cd-rom/cd-writer/dvd-rom/dvd-writer.

Also if you're going over budget then get the 3.0Ghz processor instead of the 3.2. You are not going to notice a 200mhz difference.

[Kerudo]

If you live in toronto, whicih you should since you are posting in this toronto forum, then go to pacific mall, there are usually pretty cheap items there, so I hear. As for AMDs vs Intels, I've heard that AMDs are better for games, where as Intels are better for normal apps. Also I think Intels overheat more than AMDs. But I think both are good, it's really a mater a preference or brand rather than anything. But that's just my opinion. Anyway good luck deciding on your future gaming system ;)

[eddar]

I don't know if I will be doing this or not, but if I want to burn DVD's, don't I need a DVD drive as well?

[eddar]

How does this sound???

Hi Ed. The P5GDCV-DX is about the same price with the P4C800E Deluxe. However, this board has built-in Video Card can share up to 256Mb DDR ram so you can have a very fast, good build in Video. With this board, you have to buy a newer 775 pin CPU and you must have a better, more expensive power supply that has 24pin connections to the motherboard. We have the following systems:



System I:



ASUS P5GD1-VM
P4 3.0
1Gb dual channel RAM
120Gb SATA Maxtor hard drive w. 8Mb cache.
1.44 Floppy drive
16XDVD Writer (Pionneer or LG)
16XDVD Reader (LG)
Build in Video, Sound, Network Card.



$1150 Plus Tax

[patlo]

That system looks good. The motherboard is pretty much the same as the one i picked except it has 1 less pci slot and it doesn't have ddr2 ram. So you actually save quite a bit. Nice job... I never even noticed this board.

If you still want to save some more money you don't really have to get a dvd-rom. Your dvd writer can read dvd's as well. You can use your dvd-writer to watch your movies too. It's up to you though... i still have a dvd-rom in my computer even though i installed a dvd-writer. I just was too lazy to take it out.

Anyways... the system looks good. I think the price is good too. Those computer shops make very little putting together systems so if he says it's 1150 then it's pretty much the same as if you bought the parts and put it together yourself.

Does 1150.00 include case+power supply and windows xp?

[eddar]

Yes it does include case, power supply and XP. Also, he sent me this:

System II:

ASUS P5GDCV Deluxe
P4 3.2
1Gb dual channel RAM
160Gb SATA hard drive (Maxtor or Seagate w. 8Mb)
1.44 Floppy drive
16XDVD Writer (Pionneer or LG)
16XDVD Reader (LG)
Build in Video, Sound, Network Card.

$1290 Plus Tax

It is a little more, but is it worth it? Now I am starting to go a little higher than I originally wanted to. Who knows, by the time I make up my mind, I may get the original system I spec'd. We'll see.

[Ego Woods]

Yes it does include case, power supply and XP. Also, he sent me this:

System II:

ASUS P5GDCV Deluxe
P4 3.2
1Gb dual channel RAM
160Gb SATA hard drive (Maxtor or Seagate w. 8Mb)
1.44 Floppy drive
16XDVD Writer (Pionneer or LG)
16XDVD Reader (LG)
Build in Video, Sound, Network Card.

$1290 Plus Tax

It is a little more, but is it worth it? Now I am starting to go a little higher than I originally wanted to. Who knows, by the time I make up my mind, I may get the original system I spec'd. We'll see.
Which store are u getting this from? I would check Go Go Computers....that's where I got my comp from.....I got it for a really good price after some pretty thorough price checks from other stores....Go Go is located on Woodbine, north of 14th Ave.

[eddar]

Well, I finally bit the bullet and bought a new system. I got the following:

CPU INTEL P4 3.2GE (LGA775)
Motherboard ASUS P5GD1 915P 4DDR
Memory OCZ Dual Chan 1G (512MX2) 3200
Hard Drive W.D 160G SATA 8M
LG 16X DVD-ROM
LG 4160 16X DVD+/-RW
Floppy Drive
Video Card ASUS EAX600XT 128M PCIE
Sound Card 8-channel SOUND O/B
Networ Card Gigabit LAN O/B
Logitech wireless keyboard & Optical Mouse
Case & Power Side window case & 450W DUAL FAN

I also bought an LCD monitor. I got the Samsung SyncMaster 710N. I heard that this is one of the best LCD monitors for gaming, 12ms response time.

Thanks to everyone for your input, I really appreciate it. Imagine, coming to a Golf Forum to find out what computer I want.

Happy Holidays.

[Mok]

Well, I finally bit the bullet and bought a new system. I got the following:

CPU INTEL P4 3.2GE (LGA775)
Motherboard ASUS P5GD1 915P 4DDR
Memory OCZ Dual Chan 1G (512MX2) 3200
Hard Drive W.D 160G SATA 8M
LG 16X DVD-ROM
LG 4160 16X DVD+/-RW
Floppy Drive
Video Card ASUS EAX600XT 128M PCIE
Sound Card 8-channel SOUND O/B
Networ Card Gigabit LAN O/B
Logitech wireless keyboard & Optical Mouse
Case & Power Side window case & 450W DUAL FAN

I also bought an LCD monitor. I got the Samsung SyncMaster 710N. I heard that this is one of the best LCD monitors for gaming, 12ms response time.

Thanks to everyone for your input, I really appreciate it. Imagine, coming to a Golf Forum to find out what computer I want.

Happy Holidays.

nice system! how much did it dent the wallet? happy gaming!

[eddar]

I paid $1128.00 for the system, plus $50.00 for the upgrade on the keyboard and mouse. The monitor was $369.00, which was the cheapest price I could find. I wasn't planning on purchasing a monitor, but when I put my old comp in my daughters room, I was without one. WOW, I have alot of desk space now, with this LCD.

The system also came with a webcam, gamepad, some utility programs and Dues Ex Invisible War. Is Invisible War a good game? I have just started playing it on a part time basis.