daasu

Honorable
Mar 2, 2012
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10,510
This is an awesome site, and wished I had found it much earlier. I have never built my own rig, and need help trying to decide to upgrade or start fresh. I have always purchased best buy systems, because i'm affraid to piece parts together and have compatibility issues (Either it doesnt fit the slot, or one component is not strong enough for the other).

The only thing I do on this computer is play WOW. I use to do media stuff, but i've upgraded my TV system and dont need it anymore.

This is my current system with only 2 upgrades more ram and extra HD (the HD was transfered from older system):

HP Media Center m370n:
HP P4 2.8ghz
2.5G Ram
ATI Radeon 9200 AGP 8X 128m DDR
40G WDC WD4003b-00cpf0 HD
160g Maxtor 6y160po HD
DVDROM
CDROM
200w Power Supply

Here is the data if I were to build a new system:

Approximate Purchase Date: within the Month

Budget Range: (e.g.: 600-800) 500-600

System Usage from Most to Least Important: WOW/Diablo

Parts Not Required: Monitor, Keyboard, Mouse

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com

Country: US

Parts Preferences: None

Overclocking: I don't know how to.

SLI or Crossfire: ?????

Monitor Resolution: I dont remember right now.

Additional Comments: If I build a new system, do I need to purchase Win 7 seperately?

 
Solution
HEC Blitz Black Steel Edition ATX Mid Tower Computer Chassis Gaming Case - 39.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811121096

CORSAIR Builder Series CX430 V2 (CMPSU-430CXV2) 430W ATX12V v2.3 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - 44.99 (8 off promo code, 20.00 MIR)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139026

Intel Core i3-2120 Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz LGA 1155 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor - 127.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115077

ASRock H61M-VS LGA 1155 Intel H61 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - 54.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157241

G.SKILL NS 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory - 22.99...

AlderonnX

Honorable
Mar 1, 2012
376
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10,810
I played wow on a P4 HP with a AGP card for awile. I would build a new system. Even a cheap dual core and older Graffics card are going to be HUGE for you.

I'll put together a couple reasonable options for you and post them here..
 

daasu

Honorable
Mar 2, 2012
20
0
10,510
Thank you, please let me know if any of my old parts are still usable. I'm not sure if it matters, but here is my monitor stats: LG Flatron L226WTQ (1680x1050).
 

Pezcore27

Distinguished
Feb 8, 2012
518
0
19,060
HEC Blitz Black Steel Edition ATX Mid Tower Computer Chassis Gaming Case - 39.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811121096

CORSAIR Builder Series CX430 V2 (CMPSU-430CXV2) 430W ATX12V v2.3 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - 44.99 (8 off promo code, 20.00 MIR)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139026

Intel Core i3-2120 Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz LGA 1155 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor - 127.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115077

ASRock H61M-VS LGA 1155 Intel H61 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - 54.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157241

G.SKILL NS 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory - 22.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231396

SAPPHIRE 100315L Radeon HD 6850 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity - 149.99 (15 MIR)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102908

Sony Optiarc 24X DVD Burner - 17.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118067

Seagate Barracuda ST500DM002 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - 84.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148767

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit - 68.99
http://www.softwaresupplygroup.com/microsoft-windows-7-home-premium-64-bit-oem-branded.html

TOTAL: $569.91 (after MIR and Promo Codes, shipping not included)
 
Solution

AlderonnX

Honorable
Mar 1, 2012
376
0
10,810
Ok, I'm at work and Pezcore beat me to it. I was making a list of about the exact same parts for you.. Go with that list. That specs will SLAY wow and should be good for D3 as well.

i3 and 6850 is your best bet ATM
 

arson94

Distinguished
Apr 18, 2008
867
0
19,010
Your old parts are still usable, just for something else other than gaming or upgrading. I mean you could use your old computer for a spare internet surfing machine or file server or something. Or if nothing else, just keep the hard drives just in case you need it for anything later and scrap the rest. For gaming though, definitely build a completely new system.

You're in good hands already with the advice from AlderonnX and Pezcore27, I'm just here to give their advice my support lol.
 

daasu

Honorable
Mar 2, 2012
20
0
10,510
Thanks guys, you have helped out a lot.

Again this is my first build. I have added ram, and gpu before, but never a full build. When I get all the components, is it simply plug everything in, and turn it on? Is there anything that the pros take for granted, that I need to know about? Hard to come up with examples, but maybe a cable that can plug in to a slot that really shouldnt? Stupid questions I know, but I am truley a noob. (At least I can admit it :))

Forgot to add, how does this compare to a complete unit off the shelf, like Best Buy? $100 cheaper? $500?
 

DelroyMonjo

Distinguished
I wish mfg's would get rid of their stock of H model motherboards for the 1155 socket.
Of the 16 H model MB's I found on Newegg, all have only 2 RAM slots up to DDR1333, no possibility to SLI or X-Fire and usually lacking a USB 3.0 connection. It leaves no room for upgrades on these parts unless you get a new MB as well. I can understand wanting to save $30-$50 on a new build but think that an H model MB is shortsighted.
BTW, I have a Gigabyte H MB and an I5-2400. Still have them but built another computer for an I5-2500K and a Z MB w/ 8GB RAM. Had I known at the time I couldn't o/c an H model, I probably would only have gotten a 2500K and saved my $$ on buying a new MB.
End of Rant...