Mobo /cpu Upgrade

[jgacs]

Hi All!
I would like to upgrade my sys so I can keep up with the current games like Doom3,Joint Ops, and the coming Halflife2.My sys Dell Dimension 8100 P4 1.3 gig,256 rdram pc800,mobo Intel850 socket 423 🙁.Just upgrade my Vid Card to ati9600xt with a little improvement.Im planning to go AMD.With about $300 to spend,wc ones should I upgrade?
THX

 

[Spitfire_x86]

You need to spend little more than $300. I recommend getting A64 3000+ with Chaintech VNF3-250 and 1 x 512 MB DDR400. If it's beyond your budget, then you can pick Athlon64 2800+ or Sempron 3100+ to cut cost.

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[Crashman]

Wow, that's a tight budget! That leaves you around $80 for a board, $60 for a CPU, $60 for a Case/Power Supply, and $100 for RAM.



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[jgacs]

Im sorry $300 is for the cpu,mobo and mem. only.Do i need to change my case ?I can stretch it to $400

 

[Crashman]

Nearly all Dell P4 systems used a proprietary case. I have seen some extremely low end Dells using a Micro ATX case however. Look at the back of your case and see if it looks like standard Micro ATX layout and has exactly 4 slots in that layout. Chances are extremely slim that it does.

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[fishmahn]

You probably wont' be able to get an Athlon 64 setup for your 300, but at 400 it may work. If you need to stick to $300, you should be able to do it with an Athlon XP. Won't give you quite the same performance as an A64, but close for a bit less.

A64: 2800+ about $150, 3000+ about $165
Mobo about $90 - get one that uses the NForce3-250 chipset as it's said to be better.
Ram= don't skimp quality, 512Mb will be enough (1Gig better but probably will run you over your budget). Probably about $80 for 512Mb, twice that for 1gig.

AXP: 2600+ about $100, faster than that is too expensive (might as well get the A64 for the price)
Mobo about $70 (may get lucky like I did with a $50 one) NForce2 chipset is said to be better, but my VIA KT600 works fine.
Ram = same as above.

In both cases get the 'retail' box that includes heatsink & fan unless you're planning on OC'ing or want ultra quiet (they're pretty quiet anyways).

You'll probably need a new case/PS. Those can be had for about $60 though - any cheap case, and a quality psu. (maybe you'll get lucky like I did on a $25 case with PSU but the A64 needs more stable power than an AXP, so I woulnd't count on it if you're going A64).

Mike

 

[jgacs]

I think i can strech my bdget to $400.Ill get a new case too THX EVERY1!