Partial Upgrade Feedback

S

Slodeine

Geek Trainee
Though I'm well-versed in terms of software, I've managed to ignore anything related to hardware. I've been cramming the past couple of weeks in order to pick out components for a partial upgrade, but I'm looking for advice and verification that I've chosen well. My current computer is around 5 years old, and the only thing I'll be keeping are the drives. I'm really just looking for a general upgrade for day-to-day tasks, but I'm also looking to bump the framerate for City of Heroes and City of Villains (currently I get 1-15, I'd like to get from 10-25). I'm also on a very tight budget of around $400. I realize this system won't exactly be top-of-the-line, and that it doesn't have a lot of upgrade potential. I'm planning to buy or build a completely state-of-the-art computer in about two years, and this is just a stop-gap measure.

With all that in mind, I've picked out the following parts:

1 GB (2 x 512) Kingston RAM
Rosewill Mid-Tower ATX Case
Athlon 64 3000+
ASUS nForce 4 ATX Motherboard
ASUS GeForce 7300GS 128MB RAM PCI-Express Video Card

First and foremost, I'm looking for compatibility. Obviously, if something won't work together, I've got problems. :D Secondly, I'm looking for value. If I can get a slightly better part for only a couple more dollars, I'm all for it. Remember that I'm looking to stay around $400, though.

So how does it look?
 
looks good to me but i dont know about compatibilty all i know is to make sure your athlon has same socket of old one if im wrong please tell me im still kinda learning

same RAM but its not kingston and its $114 but has a $40 rebate here

once again same thing but with cooler included ?? sme price thohere

that all i could find for ram
 
case, CPU, and RAM look fine but that mobo only supports X4 PCIe card and the grfx card you´ve chosen is a X16 PCIe card, not sure but i think that mobo will not support that grfx card
 
It does have an x16 PCIe slot, so there's no problem.

This system might do a better job for ya:

Motherboard: Foxconn GeForce6100 mATX $53.99
CPU: Athlon64 3000+ $75.00
RAM: Patriot 1GB (2x512MB) PC3200 $90.99
Video Card: XFX GeForce 6800XT $97.99
Power Supply: FSP Group AX450-PN 450W $51.50
Case: PowMax GAC101-KKN black $19.99 - $3 inst rebate

Total: $386.46 + shipping (+tax for CA, NJ residents)

As a rule of thumb, power supplies included with cases are utter garbage, especially when a quality power supply costs the same or more of the same wattage included in the case. It sounds like a steal, but those units are the crappiest units available.
 
Thank you, Big B, but I noticed that the motherboard is mini-ATX while the case it ATX. I can always find another case, but why is the Foxconn a better choice than the ASUS?
 
It's cheaper, and Foxconn is a great brand. The micro ATX board is smaller, but it conforms to the same standards as ATX boards. You loose the board length for 2 expansion slots, which doesn't matter much given all that integrated these days. Since the mATX formfactor uses the same power and mounting standards as a normal ATX board, you can use a mATX board in an ATX case. Feel free to go with the Asus board if you want, but don't feel you have to get a particular brand. Asus is a great brand, but do realize that you do pay a little extra for the name. Also, the chipset on the Foxconn board is aimed at the value market. The performance is going to be virtually identical to the Asus because of the Athlon64 family design.
 
Great! Thanks.

Another question: Should I consider waiting for the Conroe-related price drops before buying the CPU?
 
From what I understand, we just saw them, so I'm not entirely sure you'd be better off waiting for more. They may drop a little more, but I don't think you're going to get significantly cheaper if you wait.
 
It's alright, but there's better high-performance RAM. Don't base purchasing descisions on the looks alone, and for high-performance RAM, there's better stuff available.
 
Thanks again, guys. One more question: How well do you think I'll be able to play CoH/CoV with only the integrated graphics on the system Big B suggested? Currently, I have a 1.1 GHz PIII, 512 MB RAM, and a GeForce 2 MX/MX 400 (32 MB) and get 1-15 fps.
 
The integrated graphics will probably perform the same or slightly better. The 6800XT I included in the list will allow you to play games with a decent frame rate at 1024x768 or better, depending on the detail settings.
 
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