[genbrien]

Hi again

Just a note on your budget, you will have to include RAM and a PSU as well. You should be looking at 500w+ PSUs from a reputable manufacturer, a 6 year old PSU isnt likely to have the power connector for the CPU or the PCI-e connector for the graphics card or enough wattage - I was in the same position, with an old system there really isn't anything aside from the hard drive and optical drives which will be compatible with the latest motherboards - And most modern motherboards will be either DDR2, or DDR3 neither of which will take the older RAM I imagine will be in their current systems - DDR400 PC3200 or lower?

I have never owned a 8800, wether or not it will run well with such a large resolution I couldn't say, my old system is a 6800 with a resolution of 1440x900 and it works nicely on 4.08 with excellent graphics and not so nicely on 4.09. There is a guy on these forums called bigsilverhotdog who clearly knows alot about modern systems and graphics cards - it may well be worth contacting him maybe via a PM and asking him what would be suitable.

3.0Ghz seems to be about the speed you should be looking for - the E8400 would give you that without overclocking, but it'll cost you... that said I have only looked at UK prices. I should be able to acheive 3.0Ghz with the E5200 I am ordering... and that is a great deal less.

Hope I have been at least somewhat useful. I will be happy to help out if there is anything you need....

I'm not trying to step on your toes here Pirate, but if I was going to build a system right now I think I would go with a 600W PSU minimum. It's not that much more than a 500W and leaves you room to breath a little, budget or no budget...

Before my actual system, I got an E6600@3.5ghz +8800GT o/c +4gbram +2hdd+ 2dvd burner........... with and old 450w psu.....
Sure that 600 will leave some room but 500 is more than enough.... :wink:
Peace

[Pirate]

By all means, If anyone disagrees with anything said here then please say so, the internet is rife with opinions as aposed to facts - I have get across the point that I am not an expert, I just have recently bought my own system, upgrading from a similarly old system and hoped that I might be able to help out. I would hate to think that someone took my advice and ended up regretting it! So please double check any advice you are given :wink:

This link here: http://www.thermaltake.outervision.com/ will help you calculate the power usage of your intended system - mine came out at less than 400w altogether, but I bought a 600w myself. Expecting at somepoint to add a 2nd graphics card, more ram, etc.

[Guest]

Howdy and Thanks,

I think based on what I have read here and else where....a dual or quad core 3.0 ghz or more Cpu..and AMD..is difinitely cheaper....

9800 GT..Nividia card or newer....min 512 on mem...

I guess I will search and read reviews on AM2+ motherboards....with DDR2 memory and make choice

I am aware of power requirements...and think 650 watt or better needed...not trying to be cheap, just smart with the money....and longevity...

Thank You everybody for your time and thoughts....it did enhance my decisions....

NGW-Sancho

[JAMF]

Hey Sancho, just a quick link for you. ExtremeTech did an article on building a $500 gaming rig. Maybe you can pick up some ideas from it? Enjoy:
http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,2 ... 481,00.asp

[Guest]

Howdy JAMF,

That is what I call good advice...really puts things in perspective....and as is said here in Texas..."slicker than deer guts on a door knob".....Thank You....

Sancho....

[Stench]

I have just built a new computer and have gone AMD/ATI because it was a great deal cheaper.

PSU, I would recommend Corsair 550/650 Watt.

Graphics card I would try and get yourself 1gb DDR, some of the ATI ones 4870 are available for

[JAMF]

One thing I suggest is, if you go the AMD route, stick with ATI cards. If you go Intel, stick with Nvidia cards.

Now that one you'll have to explain and backup with at least 2 exhaustive articles...

[Stench]

Now that one you'll have to explain and backup with at least 2 exhaustive articles

Back up with articles?

Intel, Microsoft and Nvidia are thick as thieves. AMD and ATI are now one and the same. There are problems enough as it is, so I try and lessen the problems by not mixing what is now obviously becoming two seperate camps. But by all means mix and match your AMD chipset drivers with the drivers from bitter rival Nvidia. Or mix your Intel chipsets with AMD drivers, it is entirely up to you.

This doesn't just apply to drivers. The two camps are also moving in seperate directions in the hardware department as well. Many memory modules are becoming specific to either Intel or AMD chipsets. And as the gulf widens the dirty tricks are becoming more and more ransid:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8047546.stm

But do as you wish, but I try and keep things as simple as possible and don't try and temp fate.

[Pirate]

Hey there stench, could you point me in the direction of where you picked up that ram? thats a fantastic price for DDR3

[Stench]

I got it from here:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showprodu ... -OC&tool=3

It has now gone up to

[Stench]

And look a this:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showprodu ... -AS&tool=3

ASUS 4890 down to