Up to date pc specs, on a budget??

[Futurama]

I want to upgrade my computer. Either that or build a new one. Currently running:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AMD Athlon 2400+

 

 

 

512mb Crucial RAM

 

 

 

Onboard VGA Graphics

 

 

 

80gb SATA HD

 

 

 

Asus A7SC motherboard

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My needs are mostly just a better processer, more ram (1gb or 2gb), pci slot for my soundcard, usb's, decent cooling system, card reader. that's about it as i'm fine with my current hard drive and not sure if i need to upgrade my mobo and just bought a new monitor. the problem is my current mobo seems incapable of running a professional sound card as it's a barebones system, and I need seperate stereo outs, non of that minijack crap...

 

 

 

if anyone can recommend me budget parts, that would be great, and tell me what I can carry on using from my current set up :)

 

 

 

I would like to go for, specs wise (using EBuyer for this):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AMD Sempron 64bit 3400+ (2.0ghz)

 

 

 

1gb Crucial RAM (2x 512 or 1x 1gb?)

 

 

 

Connect3d ATI Radeon 9550 AGP 256MB DDR 128 Bit VGA/DVI/TV-out

 

 

 

150gbish storage HD, + my current 80gb HD for running programs

 

 

 

DVD-RW

[Parabola]

The Sempron is very much outdated, what's more it is the budget processor with less L2 cache. Depending on what money you have I'd go for a socket AM2 dual core CPU, 3800-4200 or so. That should be under ÃÆââ¬Å¡Ãâã120 if you get it from the right place.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I would also get big-name RAM such as Corsair value select or GeIL value.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The ATI 9550 AGP is very outdated as well. You should be getting a PCI express motherboard and graphics card.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With regards to the hard disc, 250GB drives seem to be the best value right now, you can get one for around ÃÆââ¬Å¡Ãâã45.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You do need to get a new motherboard if you're looking to upgrade. Make sure you get a socket AM2 one with a PCI express slot and SATA2.

[Futurama]

http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/spec ... e63512&P=1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

been looking at this. can easily put another 512mb ram in and the rest (graphics etc) I can upgrade after it's all fitted. saves me a lot of work and it's cheap...is it possible to have 2 seperate brands of RAM running alongside each other if they're different brands?

[Parabola]

I couldn't comment on that because I don't know Intel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

is it possible to have 2 seperate brands of RAM running alongside each other if they're different brands?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes, but not in dual-channel mode.

[Futurama]

so they would have to be exactely the same to run dual channel? bah..

 

 

 

also, what kind of cache size should I be going for?

[Parabola]

They need to be the same brand, type and possibly batch to run dual channel. You could perhaps buy a 2x 512MB dual channel kit, run those in dual channel then have the extra 512MB that came with it on the side to make 1.5GB, 1GB of which will be dual channel.

[Futurama]

ah, gotcha :) that'd be great. if i buy a premade MB I can buy another 512mb ram anyway...

[JoeDaStudd]

ah, gotcha :) that'd be great. if i buy a premade MB I can buy another 512mb ram anyway...

 

 

 

Well if by premade MB you mean mb/ram/cpu combo, then yes, but make sure the parts are good ones.

 

 

 

If your planning on getting a AM2 AMD cpu then the ASUS M2N-E is a good buy, it has the latest chipset, PCI-Express graphics port and is cheap ÃÆââ¬Å¡Ãâã65ish.

 

 

 

As for the cpu AMD's Athlon 3800+ (3200+ if its a tight budget) is a great single core for the price ÃÆââ¬Å¡Ãâã70ish (ÃÆââ¬Å¡Ãâã50ish for the 3200+). On the dual core front the Athlon x2 3800+ is a great buy for ÃÆââ¬Å¡Ãâã85ish and its energy effective versions dont cost any more and use less power!

 

 

 

The Asus M2N-E uses DDR2 so buying 1gb DDR2 (667) of consair value is cheap at ÃÆââ¬Å¡Ãâã65 and offers faster speeds then DDR.

 

 

 

A gpu update would be a 7600GS or 7600GT maybe a 7900GS or X1950Pro if you can afford.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hope i helped

[Stuart_G]

http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/specpage.html?mbb-e63512&P=1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

been looking at this. can easily put another 512mb ram in and the rest (graphics etc) I can upgrade after it's all fitted. saves me a lot of work and it's cheap...is it possible to have 2 seperate brands of RAM running alongside each other if they're different brands?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I suggest you have a look at this review of the E6300. At stock speeds, it beats nearly everything it came up against except for some far more expensive chips and when given a decent over clock, it's able to beat those in certain benchmarks as well. The ram will need to be DDR2 PC4200 speeds too, so your current 512MB stick wouldn't be compatible.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you can stretch your budget, this would be a great card to go along with that motherboard/CPU combo. It's reasonably priced and should give great performance for the price. If you dont need that much power and dont intend to do any thing really GPU intensive, something cheaper like this would be much better suited for what you need.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Actually, what is your current power supply like? That's one thing you should not skimp on when building a new set up and looking at your old system, im betting its power supply doesnt have the 24 pin connector which is needed on most new motherboards. This would be something to consider looking at if you intend to go with the newer parts.

[Futurama]

Remember i'm on a budget here man, you've posted some pretty expensive stuff, especially ÃÆââ¬Å¡Ãâã40 for a power supply...

 

 

 

I'm not all that big on a good gfx card, i just need something to run the games I play, i'm not a big gamer...my main interest is to run audio applications, so that's why I genuinely need a good cpu/ram setup...

[Parabola]

A good power supply is essential. It's the one thing you don't want to skimp on. For my budget system I just bought I paid ÃÆââ¬Å¡Ãâã64 for the PSU.

[JoeDaStudd]

Lets start with the basic parts;

 

 

 

CPU;

 

 

 

Go with a athlon 64 anything from the 3200+ upwards. Make sure they are AM2 socket.

 

 

 

GPU (graphics card);

 

 

 

you said you dont play many games, so a 7300GT maybe ok for you although i would still recommend going with a 7600GS, 7600GT or X1600Pro depending on how much you are willing to pay.

 

 

 

RAM;

 

 

 

DDR2 (667 or better) is what you should be looking for, 1gb is now the standard for gamers and multi application runners.

 

 

 

Motherboard;

 

 

 

This need to to be AM2, have a PCI-Express slot and a few PCI slots. Must support SATA.

 

 

 

For this the M2N Asus motherboards are great, just choose one in you budget and will the features you need.

 

 

 

PSU and Case;

 

 

 

I personally have a Antec Sonata II which come with a 450W PSU and is as quite as you can get for the price (ÃÆââ¬Å¡Ãâã60ish).

 

 

 

Try looking on scan.co.uk, overclockers.co.uk and dabs.co.uk for the parts.

 

 

 

If you state a budget then I'll find you the best parts for the budget.

[Mr_Putter]

Lets start with the basic parts;

 

 

 

CPU;

 

 

 

Go with a athlon 64 anything from the 3200+ upwards. Make sure they are AM2 socket.

 

 

 

GPU (graphics card);

 

 

 

you said you dont play many games, so a 7300GT maybe ok for you although i would still recommend going with a 7600GS, 7600GT or X1600Pro depending on how much you are willing to pay.

 

 

 

RAM;

 

 

 

DDR2 (667 or better) is what you should be looking for, 1gb is now the standard for gamers and multi application runners.

 

 

 

Motherboard;

 

 

 

This need to to be AM2, have a PCI-Express slot and a few PCI slots. Must support SATA.

 

 

 

For this the M2N Asus motherboards are great, just choose one in you budget and will the features you need.

 

 

 

PSU and Case;

 

 

 

I personally have a Antec Sonata II which come with a 450W PSU and is as quite as you can get for the price (ÃÆââ¬Å¡Ãâã60ish).

 

 

 

Try looking on scan.co.uk, overclockers.co.uk and dabs.co.uk for the parts.

 

 

 

If you state a budget then I'll find you the best parts for the budget.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Is the Antec Sonata roomy on the inside? It's a mini tower isn't it? I ask cuz I'm pondering it, but I will have some big stuff in there, and want to make sure it will fit.

[JoeDaStudd]

Its a midi, ATX form factor, so theres enough room.

 

 

 

4 HD slots, 3 5" slots and 2 3.5" slots.

 

 

 

There is some tubing inside designed to allow extra air follow to the cpu, but its easily removed.

 

 

 

Its very quite too, but it doesnt look like a "gamers" case, it doesnt have a window or flashy lights, but I dont like cases like that anyway.

[maxdout4life]

I want to upgrade my computer. Either that or build a new one. Currently running:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AMD Athlon 2400+

 

 

 

512mb Crucial RAM

 

 

 

Onboard VGA Graphics

 

 

 

80gb SATA HD

 

 

 

Asus A7SC motherboard

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My needs are mostly just a better processer, more ram (1gb or 2gb), pci slot for my soundcard, usb's, decent cooling system, card reader. that's about it as i'm fine with my current hard drive and not sure if i need to upgrade my mobo and just bought a new monitor. the problem is my current mobo seems incapable of running a professional sound card as it's a barebones system, and I need seperate stereo outs, non of that minijack crap...

 

 

 

if anyone can recommend me budget parts, that would be great, and tell me what I can carry on using from my current set up :)

 

 

 

I would like to go for, specs wise (using EBuyer for this):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AMD Sempron 64bit 3400+ (2.0ghz)

 

 

 

1gb Crucial RAM (2x 512 or 1x 1gb?)

 

 

 

Connect3d ATI Radeon 9550 AGP 256MB DDR 128 Bit VGA/DVI/TV-out

 

 

 

150gbish storage HD, + my current 80gb HD for running programs

 

 

 

DVD-RW

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

personly i like intel better i would use core duo 2 6400 or 6600

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1gb ram or 2gb

 

 

 

and put in a new harddrive around 150gb

[Parabola]

A 150GB hard disc is bad value for money.

[Futurama]

If i need a new harddrive I will be buying a small one (40/80gb) for running applications.

 

 

 

Joe, that's great info :) i'll decide on the parts myself, but i'm looking to spend around ÃÆââ¬Å¡Ãâã250-ÃÆââ¬Å¡Ãâã300 if I can. Motherboard can't be micro-atx...& in response, i'm not interested in buying a big name high end graphics card, just need something basic, 128/256mb..

 

 

 

i think im gonna go with this option for basic mb/psu/ram/cpu upgrade...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/spec ... -m2n42&P=1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AMD Dual Core 4200 AM2

 

 

 

1024Mb DDR2 533MHz

 

 

 

ATX

 

 

 

Nvida Nforce 570 Chipset

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

it's basically all im buying anyway and I don't have much experience with motherbaords so that'd be best i think, at ÃÆââ¬Å¡Ãâã233 too :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

cheers for all your help :)

[Parabola]

If i need a new harddrive I will be buying a small one (40/80gb) for running applications.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They are even worse value for money.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

250GB @ ÃÆââ¬Å¡Ãâã45 = ÃÆââ¬Å¡Ãâã0.18 per GB

 

 

 

160GB @ ÃÆââ¬Å¡Ãâã36 = ÃÆââ¬Å¡Ãâã0.20 per GB

 

 

 

ÃÆââ¬Å¡Ãâã80GB @ ÃÆââ¬Å¡Ãâã30 = ÃÆââ¬Å¡Ãâã0.37 per GB

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So you are getting half the storage per pound than with a 250GB if you get an 80GB.

[____]

Its a midi, ATX form factor, so theres enough room.

 

 

 

4 HD slots, 3 5" slots and 2 3.5" slots.

 

 

 

There is some tubing inside designed to allow extra air follow to the cpu, but its easily removed.

 

 

 

Its very quite too, but it doesnt look like a "gamers" case, it doesnt have a window or flashy lights, but I dont like cases like that anyway.

I've got the Antec Sonata; and I believe Matt has the Sonata II.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They're pretty roomy for a mini. Nice and clean finish on the outside too. The only complaint I have against them was / is (Not sure if it's still designed this way since my case in 4 years old now) the ANTEC across the top of the case (both sides) was done with like 3mm holes or something spelling out the letters (dot-matrix style). And I had to put tape over it (on the inside) to stop dust getting in other than through the filter at the front -.-