Upgrading Whole System - Need Help

[Helltech]

This is what I have currently...

|CPU|AMD Anthlon x2 4800+ @ 2.64
|MOBO|ASUS A8N-SLI Delux
|RAM|4GB, 4*1Gig OCZ Platinum DDR1
|GPU|EVGA Geforce GTX 260
|HDD|400GB Caviar SE16
|Sound|Audigy Z2
|PSU|Corsair CMPSU-750TX
|Case|XCLIO A380
|CPUCooling|Zalman CNPS 7000
|OS|Vista Ultimate 32 Bit
|Monitor| BenQ FP9G+

Most of my rig is very outdated. I really want to get into 64 bit, and kind of future proof my setup a bit. I figure now that AM3 and DDR3 are out now would be a good time. I can only spend $1,300. It seems everytime I go and buy comptuer parts I always find a better deal or a bigger upgrade for a low price increase and kick myself in the ass. So I figured I'd ask for help.

Obviously I need a new motherboard, and thusly new ram and a new cpu.


I was looking at the - ASUS M4A79T Deluxe - mobo on Newegg, seems like its the only AM3 mobo you can get from ASUS? I kind of want to stick with them as I've never had a problem with them.

ASUS M4A797 Deluxe - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131363



For CPU, I don't think there is really any other option then the -AMD Phenom II X4 810-, unless it is worth the wait for the 910, or what ever is next.

AMD Phenom II X4 810 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103650



Prolly going to get this ram, x2 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145200



I'm deffinatly lost on a monitor. Mine is very old, and I want widescreen. I honestly don't know anything about monitors. I was looking at the -Samsung 2439bwx-. Its 5ms but has a really high resolution for the price. I've been told that 2ms is much better so I was looking at -Acer P243WAid-, and -ASUS MK241H-. I don't really want less then 1920x1200 resolution. But if there is something better withint the 200-280 dollar range....

Samsung 2439BWX - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001317
ACER P243WAid - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009125&Tpk=Acer%20p243waid
ASUS MK241H - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236033&Tpk=ASUS%20MK241H



I'm going to stick with the GPU and PSU I have, I think those are both decent. I will keep my old crappy HDD and get a -WD Velociraptor WD3000HLFS- to put my games, apps, and OS on. I deffintaly need more then 300GB that the velociraptor provides, so thats why I'm keeping mine. I was also thinking about scrapping the 10000 RPM idea, and just get a WD 1TB HDD, not sure though, its cheaper then the velociraptor, but I dont know how much of a difference that would make.

Velociraptor WD3000HLFS - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136322
Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136284




I think I would need a new CPU cooler, but I'm not even sure if this one would work with my CPU? I havn't really found any info in CPU coolers for that chip. I was looking at the -Zalman CNPS 9700 NT-.

Zalman CNPS 9700 NT - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118020




And I NEED a new soundcound, mine has poor vista support and I keep getting crackling. I was looking at the -Creative Sound Blaster X-FI Titanimun Fratal1ty Pro- I normally wouldn't spend that much on a soundcard, but it comes with a free headset that usually costs 50 bucks, and my headset is uncomfortable and broken. So I think thats a great idea.

I really appreciate any help I know its a lot to read. I just want to futureproof my rig, save some money, and make sure everything is compatible. BTW I'm aware that Intel is better atm, and I'm not here to argue that fact, but AMD is cheaper and thats what I need right now.

 

[doormatderek]

NO NO NO, WAY too early for you to upgrade. Especially to a DDR3 system. Especially AMD. Wait a couple months for prices to drop. Doesn't your system handle pretty good right now?

Maybe just look for a decent monitor for now? ;P

 

[Helltech]

NO NO NO, WAY too early for you to upgrade. Especially to a DDR3 system. Especially AMD. Wait a couple months for prices to drop. Doesn't your system handle pretty good right now?

Maybe just look for a decent monitor for now? ;P

I probably won't be getting the most of out the system till summer, so you could be right.


I do need a new monitor mine is so sucky. Are any of those three decent? I'm probably going to get that sound card as well, I can't stand how poor mine is working (works well for 4 years, so can't complain), and I need a new headset anyway.

And yea my system "handles" well. But like I said I'm looking to future proof, and the worst part of the system is the CPU which is starting to slow me down, but I don't want to go and upgrade to a great AM2+ CPU with AM3 right around the corner. =/

 

[gkay09]

Well no one is sayin u too get a grt AM2+ CPU...get the PII 940 along with a GX mobo wt DDR2...sure u can find reviews around the net sayin the PII doesnt need DDR3 now...So it will take time for the PII procs to take full advantge of the DDR3 speeds(mayb 6 months or more)...So if u are planning to upgrade now, then PII wit DDR2 is the way to go...

But if u still want to go the DDR3 way, the memory u have chosen is triple channel memory kits...they are for the core i7s and not the PII...u shuld get the DDR3 dual channel kits...they are cheaper compared to the triple channel...and 4GB(2X2) is enuf....
try any of these DDR3 kits...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231190
or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145198

both are less than $100...4GB kits...

 

[Helltech]

Oh alright thanks on the ram didn't catch that, think I'll get http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145200 x2

 

[gkay09]

But still take more time before upgrading to DDR3...and wait till AMD launches newer PII ...heard they are coming wit PII 955 stock at 3.2GHz...so wait till tat...even if u dont go wit the 955, its launch will reduce other PII prices...

 

[Helltech]

Yeah, sounds like I should wait then. I'll pick that up in April if it too overpriced.

 

[gkay09]

Well expected to be launchd mostly in April or lately by May...http://www.guru3d.com/news/amd-phenom-ii-x4-955-in-the-works/

 

[Helltech]

Yea I saw that right after I made my post.

So should I get taht sound card now, or it too much over the top? I just like the fact it comes with a 50 dollar headset.

Not sure which monitor to get, are any of the ones I picked out good for gaming? I'll probably pick up a sound card and monitor until the AM3 gets worked out.

 

[gkay09]

ohhh dont get a sound card for nw...the onboard these days natively support 7.1 and are far better now...so mayb u can invest on better parts saving on the sound card...
As for the LCD, have u heard abt the Dell 2209WA...its an e-IPS and not a TN monitor and heard it has wonderful color reproduction...well its a 1680X1050 but still u get a very high quality display...Heard u can persuade dell reps to sell it for around $220...

 

[Helltech]

Yea I head somethign about dell making nice new monitors, never really been a fan of their computer so didn't look into it, so didn't choose too. But I think I will now.

The sound on my old motherboard was horrible. Maybe ill wait to see what it sounds like on the newer ones before i invest in a sound card.