$300 Upgrade

[nunyez]

PARTS NEEDED: cpu, motherboard, ram, cpu fan

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: 1 week

BUDGET RANGE: $250 - $300

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: virtual machine, photoshop, file decompression, media encodes

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, video card, os, psu (re-using -> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817103927)

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com

PARTS PREFERENCES: Here's what I am thinking about going with: http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=3876529. I dont have preferences, went with best reviewed items and cost effectiveness

OVERCLOCKING: Doubtful, im afraid to and not sure if its necessary

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1280x1024

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: [strike]I have an 160gb IDE hdd that I am planning on using. Write speeds aren't really important to me right now. The motherboard I chose only has 1 IDE port which is why I added the SATA dvd/cd writer.[/strike] duh 1 ide has master and a slave I appreciate all criticism and suggestions!

 

[IH8U]

MB: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813186147
$60 Foxconn A78AX-S AMD 770
CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103253
$79 AM2+ 8650 Tri-Core
RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231241
$48 G.Skill DDR2 1066 2x2GB
PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817702010
$50 BFG GS-550 550W

Yes I put a PSU on here, as that Sparkle is trash. (also it's only a 20pin, and will not run any newer motherboard stably)

Total: $237 + S&H (not counting MIR, or combo/rebates)

Add a SATA HDD, and DVDR later. Or add both, and still be around $300.

HDD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136161
$53 WD2500AAKS 250GB SATA
DVD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136152
$24 LG 22x DVDR/RW SATA

 

[nunyez]

Very nice, that PSU is way better. Stock cooler good enough? I was curious about the ram, I've read before that any two-pack of ram is dual channel anways, not sure if thats true or not, but the one you chose is about $8 less and no implicitly labeled dual-channel. Thoughts?

 

[IH8U]

Yes the RAM is dual channel, but that mainly depends on the RAM slots. The stock HSF should do fairly well, since you aren't OC'ing. If you really want something quieter, look into a Arctic cooling Freezer 64. (about $25)