Budget Build/Upgrade

[mirchandise]

Hey there guys, it's been a while since I've opened up my computer and with BF3 around the corner I think its time. I'd love to be able purchase parts before Battlefield comes out, but I'm willing to wait if need be. I'm not sure if I should go with an upgrade or a new build, but my budget is around 550$ after MIR, Tax, and shipping. I have an optical drive to use, an Antec 300 and my 1280x1024 monitor (which I'm perfectly fine with)
Here are my current components:
CPU - AMD Phenom x4 9600 BE (no OC)
Mobo - Asus M4a87 Plus
RAM - 2Gb of DDR2
GPU - EVGA 9800GT
HDD - 120GB WD
OS - Windows 7

Here is my proposed build:

553.88 after MIR, Tax, and Shipping.

With that build, how much of a performance boost would I see? (I put that case because I cannot stand how loud my Antec 300 has become, if someone can help me with that I'd be able to save 30$)

OR

Would it better to upgrade with my current components?


Thanks

 

[Outlander_04]

THis
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/320741-31-gaming-system
stretches your budget a little once you add Win 7 but it is a very decent gaming machine

 

[michxymi]

You don't need to upgrade your motherboard for now. As you can see here you motherboard supports Phenom II X4 955 which is great for it's price and overclock it to 3,7 - 4,0 GHz.

AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor HDZ955FBGMBOX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103808

Next you'll need RAM. DDR3 is cheap these days but this motherboard supports DDR2, so if it's only for gaming 4GB are OK. 2GB are working at Dual Channel or do you only have one module? In second case find the same 2GB module, otherwise the next will do the job 😉

Kingston ValueRAM 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model KVR667D2K2/4GR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134747

You need a better PSU of course and the next is one of the best ones

XFX Core Edition PRO550W (P1-550S-XXB9) 550W ATX12V 2.2 & ESP12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207013

A better GPU, this model from Gigabyte overclocks really well so you can "touch" 6950 perfomance

GIGABYTE GV-R687OC-1GD Radeon HD 6870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125357

421$ with 45$ MIR

 

[nna2]

i would suggest getting a quad, and yes that is a cheap case but... if you have one sitting around, you could use that(seeing that it will fit matx or atx) i wouldnt worry about aftermarket cooling unless your planning to overclock, or if it isnt a boxed processor(comes with all the good stuff)
cant blame you for the new hardrive, when i got my new system, i didnt know it didnt have support for IDE drives, and now i need to go get a brand new hardrive/dvd drive
and if the case is really that loud, why not just leave the side off? lol, of course then not everyone wants to look at the inside of there computer...
just suggestions... have fun with your new computer(whenever you get it)

 

[nna2]

[/quotemsg]
Next you'll need RAM. DDR3 is cheap these days but this motherboard supports DDR2, so if it's only for gaming 4GB are OK. 2GB are working at Dual Channel or do you only have one module? In second case find the same 2GB module, otherwise the next will do the job 😉

Kingston ValueRAM 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model KVR667D2K2/4GR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134747
[/quotemsg]

i'd go for 8 if your going to be gaming

 

[mirchandise]

So is the tri-core not good? I thought I would be able to unlock the 4th core and give it a mild overclock to be close to the 955 BE and save some dough. I decided to stick with my Antec 300, so that shaves off 30$ putting me at 520. I think I'm going to go for a new build, but I'm not sure. Still looking for advice. Thanks

 

[mirchandise]

If I stick with my current motherboard and replace my CPU, will I need to buy another copy of Windows? Also, if I were to replace my CPU, would it a plug n' play situation? Or would it be more difficult than that?

 

[nna2]

If I stick with my current motherboard and replace my CPU, will I need to buy another copy of Windows?

no, windows will work fine
i would go ahead and just upgrade to am3+ socket with an am3 processor... phenom II im guessing because that will be >300 dollars, that would be the safest plan

 

[mirchandise]

Here is a new build I put together, I'm still looking for advice
Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157244 99.00
Cpu and Gpu http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.717171 185.00
Psu http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139026 25.00 after MIR
RAM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231396 26.00
HSF http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103075 15.00
HDD http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148767 40.00
Case Fans http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103052 14.30
OS Windows 7 99.00

What are the differences from the motherboard I picked from a newer 970 chipset motherboard?

Total (After Tax, MIR, Shipping) 537.00

 

[mirchandise]

Bump, I'm still looking for advice.

 

[mirchandise]

Bumpy, I still need advice

 

[nna2]

nice mobo, make sure u get sata drives if ur previous comp was rather old
graphics card is good but i would still up the cpu
psu will be good
i'd suggest getting 8Gb ram, but 4 will do
dont bother getting another cooler if ur not overclocking
hardrive will be okay, but i would go for a 2tb as for they arent that much more expensive
and you could leave your case open instead of getting a case fan, but not everyone wants the case to be open, and if u dont i'd get the case fan

 

[mirchandise]

I need the cpu cooler as the AMD x3 720 is an oem version, plus I'll try to unlock it and maybe overclock it so it can be close to a x4 955. I'll up the ram the 8gb when I get the money. As for leaving my case open, wont that let lots of dust in? Also, I'm still wondering what the difference is between a 890GX chipset and a 970. Thanks.

 

[nna2]

hehe, in unlock, im guessing you mean unlock the 4th core... there is no 4th core