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Looking to UPGRADE my comp.

AM4A1

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Cooling Thermaltake TR2 M12 A4012-02
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i feel like i need an upgrade badly especially since this setup has restarting problems, it would randomly restart by itself, so i changed the power supply to what it is now thinking maybe it didn't have enough power, and i also changed the cooling thinking it was an overheat issue. but nowadays, it restarts less but i want to start new and avoid this issue as it is annoying.

so i was thinking of switching out the mobo, cpu, ram, and video card. any ideas of what would be good? i won't be overclocking the cpu cause i don't know how to, i'm just a casual gamer, i won't be playing games like crysis, COD, or GTA. basic stuff like word, internet surfing. the cpu that caught my attention was the Q6600, i would love to experience the speed compared to a P4, and was thinking of buying a 9800GT as the video card and it comes with COD but i'm not sure, this will be my first time.
 
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What's your budget like?

Open to AMD?
 
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I don't think you need a quad core and you would benefit more by the higher stock clocks of a E8400. The video card is a good choice and would even allow you to play some more demanding games if you choose to do so. Couple them both to a solid P35/P45 board and some good ddr2-800 ram (G.Skill Pi Blacks) and you will have a very capable machine.
 

AM4A1

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Processor Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.00GHz
Motherboard MSI PM8M-V (MS-7104 v1)
Cooling Thermaltake TR2 M12 A4012-02
Memory 2X512 MB PC3200 DDR SDRAM (3.0-4-4-8 @ 200 MHz) (2.5-4-4-7 @ 166 MHz)
Video Card(s) RADEON 9250 (128 MB)
Storage Maxtor 6L100P0, WDC WD800BB-22JHC0, Maxtor 6Y160P0, WDC WD4000AAJS-00YFA0
Display(s) Sceptre X5S-Naga
Audio Device(s) Realtek ALC655 @ VIA AC'97 Enhanced Audio Controller
Power Supply Corsair HX620W (CMPSU-620HX)
Software Windows XP Professional 32-Bit
and also i won't be the only one using this comp, i have two younger brothers, i think they play games like soldier front from this place call ijji. not sure what that is but they complain whenever the computer randomly restarts, don't really have a budget, whatever parts i decide to buy will be the budget, i don't need the top of the line stuff, i just wanna have a normal working computer that can play games, maybe one that can play COD if i decide to buy the 9800GT since that comes with COD.
 
Last edited:

beesagtig

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You need a budget or you will go way over the top!

Budget is the most important thing in a comp:p
 

ShadowFold

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You should get a nice 790GX board, HD 4850 and RAM and get a Phenom II when they come out.
 

AM4A1

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Memory 2X512 MB PC3200 DDR SDRAM (3.0-4-4-8 @ 200 MHz) (2.5-4-4-7 @ 166 MHz)
Video Card(s) RADEON 9250 (128 MB)
Storage Maxtor 6L100P0, WDC WD800BB-22JHC0, Maxtor 6Y160P0, WDC WD4000AAJS-00YFA0
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ShadowFold

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AM4A1

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Location
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Processor Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.00GHz
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Cooling Thermaltake TR2 M12 A4012-02
Memory 2X512 MB PC3200 DDR SDRAM (3.0-4-4-8 @ 200 MHz) (2.5-4-4-7 @ 166 MHz)
Video Card(s) RADEON 9250 (128 MB)
Storage Maxtor 6L100P0, WDC WD800BB-22JHC0, Maxtor 6Y160P0, WDC WD4000AAJS-00YFA0
Display(s) Sceptre X5S-Naga
Audio Device(s) Realtek ALC655 @ VIA AC'97 Enhanced Audio Controller
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You don't need to upgrade your computer because you will find a nice big surprise under your Christmas tree tomorrow. Yes, I am santa... :laugh:

Now be a good little boy and go to bed so I can bring your presents!
 

mervin

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Personally, I'd stay away from any cpu that's not 45nm technology. That's the newer chip and that's what I would recommend. There's nothing wrong with the Q6600, but the main reason people buy that cpu is so they can overclock it and even though all C2D processors intel has been popping out over the past few year overclock with ease, the Q6600 tends to run the hottest. It's nothing that can't be cured with aftermarket cooling but that just adds to the cost. I like the Q6600, but if you really feel you have to get a quad then get one that offers 45nm technology. They're cheaper on the energy bill and they overclock with less voltage.

I personally think the 8400 is perfect, so that's what I would go with.

As for the video card - that's entirely up to you. I have a Asus 4850 and I love it, but if you don't play high end games don't splurge on a higher end gpu. You can play just about every game out there with a 9800 anyway, and you don't always have to have all the graphics settings turned up to max to get an enjoyable experience anyway.
 

AM4A1

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Processor Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.00GHz
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Cooling Thermaltake TR2 M12 A4012-02
Memory 2X512 MB PC3200 DDR SDRAM (3.0-4-4-8 @ 200 MHz) (2.5-4-4-7 @ 166 MHz)
Video Card(s) RADEON 9250 (128 MB)
Storage Maxtor 6L100P0, WDC WD800BB-22JHC0, Maxtor 6Y160P0, WDC WD4000AAJS-00YFA0
Display(s) Sceptre X5S-Naga
Audio Device(s) Realtek ALC655 @ VIA AC'97 Enhanced Audio Controller
Power Supply Corsair HX620W (CMPSU-620HX)
Software Windows XP Professional 32-Bit
i can't decide whether to go with amd or intel, i was thinking about it the whole night. i don't know much about amd products and would like a few cpu/mobo suggestions for both sides. thank you in advance.
 
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I don't think you need a quad core and you would benefit more by the higher stock clocks of a E8400. The video card is a good choice and would even allow you to play some more demanding games if you choose to do so. Couple them both to a solid P35/P45 board and some good ddr2-800 ram (G.Skill Pi Blacks) and you will have a very capable machine.

Nothing on AMD's side can match this setup in terms of price/performance. Unless you want to overclock which you said you aren't doing.
 

AM4A1

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Processor Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.00GHz
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Cooling Thermaltake TR2 M12 A4012-02
Memory 2X512 MB PC3200 DDR SDRAM (3.0-4-4-8 @ 200 MHz) (2.5-4-4-7 @ 166 MHz)
Video Card(s) RADEON 9250 (128 MB)
Storage Maxtor 6L100P0, WDC WD800BB-22JHC0, Maxtor 6Y160P0, WDC WD4000AAJS-00YFA0
Display(s) Sceptre X5S-Naga
Audio Device(s) Realtek ALC655 @ VIA AC'97 Enhanced Audio Controller
Power Supply Corsair HX620W (CMPSU-620HX)
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Last edited:
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E2140 + ASUS p5k motherboard [not SE!]

whatever is the best videocard you can afford after that.

EDIT: the stuff i suggested will perform awesomely, and can be got used here on this forum, and itl be cheap so you can spend alot on a good single videocard setup
 

AM4A1

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Memory 2X512 MB PC3200 DDR SDRAM (3.0-4-4-8 @ 200 MHz) (2.5-4-4-7 @ 166 MHz)
Video Card(s) RADEON 9250 (128 MB)
Storage Maxtor 6L100P0, WDC WD800BB-22JHC0, Maxtor 6Y160P0, WDC WD4000AAJS-00YFA0
Display(s) Sceptre X5S-Naga
Audio Device(s) Realtek ALC655 @ VIA AC'97 Enhanced Audio Controller
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Last edited:
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yes but i would suggest 4x 1gb ones with tighter timings and 1066

the p35 in the asus p5k can handle that, and at > 500mhz fsb [even higher than that really.]
 
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mervin

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AMD still makes very good processors that will suit the needs of most people easily, but erocker is right, they don't have anything on intel at the moment.

I typically build computers with cooler master cases because they work well for what what people need and they're roomy, so I can get inside and do work when I need to. Side mounted hard drive trays are nice too, and I'd recommend them.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119106

Is your computer going to be on the floor or on a desk? If your computer is going to be on the floor you may want a case that has top mounted ports so you won't have to bend down all the time.


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137
 
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up to you, if you spent less on the motherboard you could get more performance for less, and have money to instid get a geforce 260 core 216
 
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I'm running an HD4850 and Q6600 with 4GB of RAM at slightly tighter timings than what you posted, it goes through games like fear on high settings with ease, I'm yet to try it with bioshock since I've been too busy doing family stuff today.
Overall the system performs very nicely, also the motherboard's pretty much the same as the third one you posted although it's got slightly different features I think.
 
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oooo yeah a 1gb videocard could be nice too :) 9800 GTX+ 1gb... i guess
 
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9800GTX+ cards are significantly more expensive than HD4850s and you'll get more performance out of the 4850 due to the new drivers.
 
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1gb is kinda nice tho, especialy with crazy GTA4 wanting 1.5gb
 
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You can get a 1GB HD4850 for less was what I was saying.
 
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