I have a Dell desktop computer with a 256 MB Nvidia 7800 GT/Pentium 4 3 GHz/1.5 GB RAM/520 watt OCZ Powerstream PSU. I would like to bring it up to my dorm, but would have to put it in a more portable case. Because of Dell's proprietary standards, this would entail getting a new motherboard. Here are my options: 1. Keep the Pentium 4 CPU and get a new motherboard. This would be my cheapest option. 2. Switch to AMD and get a new CPU as well as 2-4 GB new RAM. The CPU I had in mind was the Athlon X2 5000+. http://www.newegg.com/product/produ...hBargains-_-NA-_-NA-_-NA&Item=N82E16819103194 This is the case I'm looking to get: http://www.xoxide.com/lianli-v350b-microatx-minitower-blackcase.html Is the Pentium 4 still fast enough for gaming, or should I get the AMD? Is there a better alternative for a cheap gaming CPU? My budget is $300 or less for the CPU/Mobo/RAM together. I mainly play games like BF2, Civ 4, and Oblivion, but plan on trying out a few new ones like BioShock or Grid.
out of interest, why choose to switch to and amd cpu? intel are currently winning their battle quite well. or is it to keep your old ram sticks?
You could buy a pentium dual core e2xxx series. Very cheap and overclock very well. You will most likely need a new graphics card, as I imagine your 7800 is agp (I could be wrong) and most if not all motherboards that support e2xxx or the X2s will have PCIe slots. Also I think the standard X2 5600+ is the sweet spot of the bunch. Its still got the 2x1mb cache same as the 6000+, but I seem to remember it having a better core and clocking very nicely. I don't know if the black edition is really worth it, that is unless its a lot cheaper. I just had a thought, why not just live with the big ol' dell case for a few months, save a nice bit of cash and build a whole new system. Going for an X2 5000+ or a pentium dual core now is a bit pointless unless you plan on either upgrading again soon, or you don't wish to play the latest games, which you have said you do.
Memory: 2 of these http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231119 Mobo: Micro atx, like you wanted. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128076 Cpu: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116070 So far thats $220 + shipping Plus one of these, this isn't a "great" card, I would personally go for a 4850, but I was trying to keep in your budget. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121231 $299.95 Your psu will be fine, you didn't mention the case being in your $300 budget so I didn't include it. You didn't mention anything about new hdds or optical drives, so I assume you are sorted for them.
if that equates to about £150 at the current exchange rate then yeh i think it's possible. http://forums.bit-tech.net/showthread.php?t=153526&highlight=sotu1 the second post here goes a bit OTT with ram but it's very possible.
Well then your sorted. Get a better cpu than I qouted before. Some sort of core2duo and then you will have a pretty nice system. It will be much better than your current one.
Why not a slightly less expensive case and better hardware? it´s a dorm and everything flashy just ends up broken at some point
Screw the 8600, you can find 9600GTs for less than a hundred bucks after MIR. Twice the card for an extra $20.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146731 really fast reliable ram for only 2 x 2gb fro 64.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116063 cheaper and overclocks and has heat sink and fan 79.99 that amd cpu you chose is awesome but it doesn't have a heatsink these two plus that expensive case of yours are well within your budget
