$500 to upgrade my computer

Reynardin · Jun 16, 2010

Hey guys,
I'm going off to college in August, and I want to make a few upgrades to my computer before I leave. I've only got $500 allotted for this upgrade, so can you guys tell me where I should put it to get the most bang for my buck? The upgrades should be geared at making this computer better at playing games.

System Specs are on my profile.

Kreij · Jun 16, 2010

I think that a better GC will do you just fine.
You can get away with a lot less than $500, and use the rest to party at college

Reynardin · Jun 16, 2010

hm, so something like a 5850?

erocker · Jun 16, 2010

Reynardin said:
hm, so something like a 5850?

That would be my pick. Everything else on your rig looks great! :toast:

*Maybe get yourself a new sound card.

Kreij · Jun 16, 2010

Depends on whether you like the red or green camp.
Either way, I think you will see a nice increase in game performance without having to do any major upgrades to the system.

phanbuey · Jun 16, 2010

i would make sure that the side window is visible... get some blacklights... and maybe retrofit a bong into the case (for decorative purposes only, of course...)

.

+1 to gfx

Reynardin · Jun 16, 2010

I use a nice USB headset with its own inline sound card, so sound isn't an issue for me.
Thanks for the advice =)

phanbuey · Jun 16, 2010

are you taking this with you to the dorm?

joeyck · Jun 16, 2010

(my first reply to some one elses post)

I like your build, I was actually thinking about having a Intel CPU / intel based build and i was going to get that same CPU but I got a quad for less money XD

I like your 8800GTS

and like Kreij said it doesn't matter Red or the Green up to you and since your Mobo doesn't support multi GPU then u wont have to stress out about Crossfire or SLI ya no? (mine is locked to SLI) but a nice GPU would do u justice,

DonInKansas · Jun 16, 2010

5850 and beer.

Reynardin · Jun 16, 2010

hmm would it be worth the extra $50 to go for a gtx 470?

Hockster · Jun 16, 2010

Reynardin said:
hmm would it be worth the extra $50 to go for a gtx 470?

No.

erocker · Jun 16, 2010

Tough call. They are very power hungry and if your case isn't well ventilated it will get pretty hot as well. If you like doing things like folding and swear by PhysX games, yes you should get the 470.

You still have a budget and can go for a 5870 as well. But I must say if you are going to get a 5850, get a reference card. Compatilbe, voltage control, you can strap a water block to it without problems, runs cool, runs quiet and is completely bios flashable to do whatever you want to it. Here's a linky: VisionTek 900297 Radeon HD 5850 (Cypress Pro) 1GB ...

I just wish they were cheaper..

Reynardin · Jun 16, 2010

I don't know if a 5870 will actually fit in my current case lol

erocker · Jun 16, 2010

Reynardin said:
I don't know if a 5870 will actually fit in my current case lol

Yeah, it will. A 5850 is as long as a motherboard is wide in your case, and you have plenty of room between the end of your mobo and the HDD drive bays.

Reynardin · Jun 16, 2010

I think i'll go with the 5850. Much less power draw, less heat, and in a small dorm room during the summer, that can make quite a difference.

douglatins · Jun 16, 2010

5850ftw!!!

Fourstaff · Jun 16, 2010

DonInKansas said:
5850 and hookers.

Fixed

. Your build is good, but at the same time its starting to show its age. Maybe wait for a cheap used quad to appear and upgrade your processor? I am just curious, but what games do you play?

Reynardin · Jun 16, 2010

Actually, when i get the money, i'm probably going to junk most of my current computer and build something like this:

MOBO:
GIGABYTE GA-X58A-UD3R LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
GIGABYTE GA-X58A-UD3R LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/...
$209

CPU:
Intel Core i7-920 Bloomfield 2.66GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor
Intel Core i7-920 Bloomfield 2.66GHz 4 x 256KB L2 ...
$279

GPU:
VisionTek 900297 Radeon HD 5850 (Cypress Pro) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card w/ATI Eyefinity
VisionTek 900297 Radeon HD 5850 (Cypress Pro) 1GB ...
$309.00

RAML
OCZ Gold 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Voltage Desktop Memory Model OCZ3G1600LV6GK
OCZ Gold 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 160...
$169.99

$15 for windows 7 (student discount)

Monitor:
SAMSUNG P2350-1 Rose Black 23" 2ms(GTG) Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 DC 50000:1(1000:1)
SAMSUNG P2350-1 Rose Black 23" 2ms(GTG) Widescree...
$209

Case:
Antec Twelve Hundred Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case
Antec Twelve Hundred Black Steel ATX Full Tower Co...
$159.99

Total: 1351 (discounting shipping / taxes)
That's not gonna be for a while though, I have to earn the money. Higher on my list of priorities is buying a laptop that I can bring to class.
(that's just a speculative build, haven't but too much research into it yet)

I play a lot of BC2, which is what's prompted me to start thinking of upgrading my computer. Playing it with an 8800gts 512 is just painful.

of course, if i spend all of my money on booze and hookers, I probably won't have time to use the monster =)

On the subject of laptops: lemme know if you can find a good deal on something with specs similar to http://laptops.toshiba.com/laptops/satellite/E205/E205-S1904

BraveSoul · Jun 17, 2010

reference 5850 and then celebrate :toast:

_____________________________

Antec1200 filter project

System Name	Rey's PC
Processor	Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor @3.5 Ghz
Motherboard	DFI BloodIron P35-T2RL LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Cooling	XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler / Arctic Silver 5 / SILVERSTONE 120mm fan
Memory	G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1000 (PC2 8000) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory
Video Card(s)	EVGA 512-P3-N841-AR GeForce 8800GTS (G92) 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI
Storage	Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive / 300GB external usb
Display(s)	SAMSUNG 2253BW Black 22" 2ms(GTG) DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor
Case	APEVIA X-Gear ATXB5KLW-BK Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Audio Device(s)	Integrated
Power Supply	PC Power & Cooling S61EPS 610W Continuous @ 40°C EPS12V Power Supply
Software	Microsoft Windows Vista 64-Bit Home Premium for System Builders

System Name	Rey's PC
Processor	Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor @3.5 Ghz
Motherboard	DFI BloodIron P35-T2RL LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Cooling	XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler / Arctic Silver 5 / SILVERSTONE 120mm fan
Memory	G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1000 (PC2 8000) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory
Video Card(s)	EVGA 512-P3-N841-AR GeForce 8800GTS (G92) 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI
Storage	Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive / 300GB external usb
Display(s)	SAMSUNG 2253BW Black 22" 2ms(GTG) DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor
Case	APEVIA X-Gear ATXB5KLW-BK Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Audio Device(s)	Integrated
Power Supply	PC Power & Cooling S61EPS 610W Continuous @ 40°C EPS12V Power Supply
Software	Microsoft Windows Vista 64-Bit Home Premium for System Builders

Processor	AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
Motherboard	ASUS TUF x670e
Cooling	EK AIO 360. Phantek T30 fans.
Memory	32GB G.Skill 6000Mhz
Video Card(s)	Asus RTX 4090
Storage	WD m.2
Display(s)	LG C2 Evo OLED 42"
Case	Lian Li PC 011 Dynamic Evo
Audio Device(s)	Topping E70 DAC, SMSL SP200 Headphone Amp.
Power Supply	FSP Hydro Ti PRO 1000W
Mouse	Razer Basilisk V3 Pro
Keyboard	Tester84
Software	Windows 11

Processor	13700KF Undervolted @ 5.6/ 5.5, 4.8Ghz Ring 200W PL1
Motherboard	MSI 690-I PRO
Cooling	Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 w/ Arctic P12 Fans
Memory	48 GB DDR5 7600 MHZ CL36
Video Card(s)	RTX 4090 FE
Storage	2x 2TB WDC SN850, 1TB Samsung 960 prr
Display(s)	Alienware 32" 4k 240hz OLED
Case	SLIGER S620
Audio Device(s)	Yes
Power Supply	Corsair SF750
Mouse	Xlite V2
Keyboard	RoyalAxe
Software	Windows 11
Benchmark Scores	They're pretty good, nothing crazy.

System Name	Rey's PC
Processor	Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor @3.5 Ghz
Motherboard	DFI BloodIron P35-T2RL LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Cooling	XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler / Arctic Silver 5 / SILVERSTONE 120mm fan
Memory	G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1000 (PC2 8000) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory
Video Card(s)	EVGA 512-P3-N841-AR GeForce 8800GTS (G92) 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI
Storage	Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive / 300GB external usb
Display(s)	SAMSUNG 2253BW Black 22" 2ms(GTG) DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor
Case	APEVIA X-Gear ATXB5KLW-BK Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Audio Device(s)	Integrated
Power Supply	PC Power & Cooling S61EPS 610W Continuous @ 40°C EPS12V Power Supply
Software	Microsoft Windows Vista 64-Bit Home Premium for System Builders

$500 to upgrade my computer

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BraveSoul

Processor	Core i5 3570K
Motherboard	AsRock z77 Pro4
Cooling	Zalman CNPS10X Extreme
Memory	2x4GB GSkill Sniper
Video Card(s)	MSI GTX970 Gaming
Storage	240GB OCZ ARC 100, Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB
Display(s)	LG 23" 1920x1080
Case	Antec P100
Audio Device(s)	Onboard
Power Supply	Antec Edge 750W
Software	Windows 8.1 Pro 64

System Name	Project Neverending
Processor	i9 9900K @ 5.0GHz
Motherboard	Asus Maximus Formula XI
Cooling	Corsair HX 150i Pro, Corsair ML 120/QL 120 fans
Memory	32 GB Corsair Vengeance Pro RGB 3200
Video Card(s)	Asus RTX 2080Ti
Storage	Samsung 970 Evo NVMe, 2 Samsung 860 Evo 1TB
Display(s)	Acer Predator X34 (3440X1440), Samsung U28D590 (3840X2160)
Case	Lian Li 011 Dynamic XL
Audio Device(s)	Supreme FX X-Fi, Logitech 5.1 speaker system
Power Supply	Corsair HX 1000i
Mouse	Logitech G703
Keyboard	Logitech G105
Software	Windows 10 Pro
Benchmark Scores	Updates coming soon ®

System Name	Sovereign // HTPC
Processor	i7 3770k 4.2 // i7 3770k 4.2
Motherboard	Maximus V Gene // Sabertooth Z77
Cooling	Noctua D14 // Intel HSF
Memory	16GB Samsung // 16GB VengeanceLP
Video Card(s)	Deciding // 660 DC2
Storage	OS (X25-M), Data (Seagate 1TB) // Samsung 840 120GB & bunch of drives
Display(s)	Samsung T240HD // LG TV
Case	TJ08e // Grandia GD08
Audio Device(s)	DT880 Pro 250 ohm // TV speakers
Power Supply	Seasonic Plat 1000 // Seasonic Gold 760
Software	Windows 8 Pro x64 // Windows 7 Pro x64

System Name	Orange! // ItchyHands
Processor	3570K // 10400F
Motherboard	ASRock z77 Extreme4 // TUF Gaming B460M-Plus
Cooling	Stock // Stock
Memory	2x4Gb 1600Mhz CL9 Corsair XMS3 // 2x8Gb 3200 Mhz XPG D41
Video Card(s)	Sapphire Nitro+ RX 570 // Asus TUF RTX 2070
Storage	Samsung 840 250Gb // SX8200 480GB
Display(s)	LG 22EA53VQ // Philips 275M QHD
Case	NZXT Phantom 410 Black/Orange // Tecware Forge M
Power Supply	Corsair CXM500w // CM MWE 600w

System Name	Filtration tower
Processor	i9 7900@4.4ghz
Motherboard	ASRock X299 Taichi
Cooling	Air
Memory	64g 3200 quad channel
Video Card(s)	ASUS GTX 1080Ti
Storage	500gb Nvme, 200gb SSD, 1700gb HDD
Display(s)	34" Acer Predator 3440x1440
Case	Thermaltake v71
Power Supply	EVGA supernova 850 T2