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Upgrading!
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Senior Member
5 product reviews
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5. April 2006 @ 10:08 |
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Ok, i'm a bit of newbie with a pretty fast pc. What could I upgrade to make this more game orientated and maybe faster??
Here?s my current spec:
PROC:
AMD Sempron 3000+
MOBO:
Asus A7v600-X
Ram:
Not 100% sure here but I know its corsair twin 512mb!
Video card:
Radeon X700 256MB
that?s all I know!
So i?m looking to upgrade it to make it a better faster machine.
Erm also if it helps it?s got an LG dual DVD burner 16x + a cd burner 54X I think.
The burner is adequate though!
Thank a lot
Alex
Also does anyone know a cheap place to buy any parts?
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boxwrench
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5. April 2006 @ 10:24 |
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First off, We would need to know your budgit.
-Do you plan on keeping that mother board?
-Do you do a lot of gaming?
-What else is your computer used for?
This is just some of the info that will be needed before anyone can seriously help you.
Main System- Amd/64 3800x2 currently@ 2.5ghz. Asus A8N-E,win.xp-pro.4x1gb.Ocz platnium ddr 400,Maxtor 40gb.& 250gb.ide & 2x W.D.250 sata,Benq 1650V dvd Reader & Benq DW-1655 Writer,EVGA Geforce 7600gs,Creative Audigy-LS,Antec 750w psu. Vizio 37"hdtv monitor 1360x768@75hz.
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 5. April 2006 @ 10:27
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5. April 2006 @ 10:27 |
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Well truthfully, you would need a new MOBO, because there aren't any great socket 754 CPU's out there. You'd need to go 939. Well... Your AGP graphics card if you want to keep it you will be severely limiting yourself on how good of a MOBO you can get because PCI-e is the new graphics solution, and 99% of new boards have PCI-e not AGP. So, to actually upgrade your system, you are looking at new MOBO, CPU, GPU.
Corsair Twin 512? 1G total or Twin 512's?? With twin 512's you would be alright keeping that, but performance wise you might want to get another G.
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Senior Member
5 product reviews
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5. April 2006 @ 10:28 |
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Ok, Sorry il clear this all up now. Budget say up to £100 if your from the Uk and $175 if your from the USA.
Mainly my Pc was built for my school work but i tend to use it for:
Gaming,
Listening to Music,
working every now and again!!
also would you call this a:
top notch PC
Middle Class Pc
Lowerclass Pc
??????
Hope that clears a few things up!
And its a twin 512mb of ram
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 5. April 2006 @ 10:30
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boxwrench
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5. April 2006 @ 10:32 |
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The search I did on that board led me to believe it's a socket A... leaving the upgrade possabilities even more limited.
Unfortunatly by todays standards it would be on the lower end of the list.
Main System- Amd/64 3800x2 currently@ 2.5ghz. Asus A8N-E,win.xp-pro.4x1gb.Ocz platnium ddr 400,Maxtor 40gb.& 250gb.ide & 2x W.D.250 sata,Benq 1650V dvd Reader & Benq DW-1655 Writer,EVGA Geforce 7600gs,Creative Audigy-LS,Antec 750w psu. Vizio 37"hdtv monitor 1360x768@75hz.
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 5. April 2006 @ 10:35
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Senior Member
5 product reviews
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5. April 2006 @ 10:34 |
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So can anyone see any upgrade possibilities on this computer within budget?
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boxwrench
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5. April 2006 @ 10:39 |
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If the motherboard is a socket A you could upgrade the processor to the Athlon xp3200+ which I believe was Amd's best offering for that socket. The problem might be finding one.
Main System- Amd/64 3800x2 currently@ 2.5ghz. Asus A8N-E,win.xp-pro.4x1gb.Ocz platnium ddr 400,Maxtor 40gb.& 250gb.ide & 2x W.D.250 sata,Benq 1650V dvd Reader & Benq DW-1655 Writer,EVGA Geforce 7600gs,Creative Audigy-LS,Antec 750w psu. Vizio 37"hdtv monitor 1360x768@75hz.
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Senior Member
5 product reviews
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5. April 2006 @ 10:46 |
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Ok cheers.
So if i wanted to change my MOBO to allow more upgrading what exactly else would i have to change?
Also taking into account all the changes that i would have to make would i actually be able to make worth while changes in budget?
Also can any one answer whether my pc is a
Top of the Range Pc
Middle Class Pc
Lower Class Pc
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 5. April 2006 @ 10:46
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Senior Member
5 product reviews
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5. April 2006 @ 13:39 |
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Ok, I need just a few more answers in easy english lol!
Apparently i need a MOBO, CPU, GPU.
S
o basically with lets say a budget of £200 is there anything i could get worthwhile. Also i dont mind going over budget a little.
Also if you can, can you give me either a link or a name of anything i could use to upgrade.
Thanks a lot alex
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 5. April 2006 @ 14:13
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boxwrench
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5. April 2006 @ 20:56 |
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Well I'd like to help you but the info you gave me don't add up right.
After doing a search on the m/b it comes up as a socket A
The info on your graphics card comes up as PCI-E. I admit that I have not seen everthing but those two platforms to the best of my knowledge have never met.
Maybe you would like to double check those items and try again,or maybe I'm not getting the right info on my searches...but I doubt that.Check out the components again and re-post your findings.
Download si soft sandra here>http://downloads-zdnet.com.com/3000-2086-10018691.html it will give your system info.Run the m/b and cpu info tests.
Main System- Amd/64 3800x2 currently@ 2.5ghz. Asus A8N-E,win.xp-pro.4x1gb.Ocz platnium ddr 400,Maxtor 40gb.& 250gb.ide & 2x W.D.250 sata,Benq 1650V dvd Reader & Benq DW-1655 Writer,EVGA Geforce 7600gs,Creative Audigy-LS,Antec 750w psu. Vizio 37"hdtv monitor 1360x768@75hz.
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 5. April 2006 @ 21:02
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Senior Member
5 product reviews
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6. April 2006 @ 02:57 |
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Ok, This is an updated list of specs:
A Asus A7V600-x
Corsair Twin 512Mb DDR-Sdram 16x
Board Temp 29.0 Celsius
CPU temp 44.0 Celcius
RADEON X700 x86/MMX/3DNow!/SSE
And if it helps apparently i have a AGP bus and a PCI bus!
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Senior Member
3 product reviews
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6. April 2006 @ 04:10 |
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Your board is a socket A, this is a long way off the current top technology.
As for your CPU, the Socket A Sempron is supported on this board only to what you already have, you can?t upgrade that.
Your board will accept 3GB of memory in 1GB sticks, so your most cost effective upgrade would be to add maybe 1GB.
Memory today runs in dual channel mode, your board does not support this, so there is another problem with its capability.
Best bet if you have to stick with this hardware, is to try and overclock it, ASUS boards are pretty good normally, but I?ve never used a Sempron so I don?t know what multipliers are unlocked.
Chances are you can probably tighten the memory timings, and crank up the fsb to speed up the ram, but how much will depend on whether the ram is value range or the good stuff.
Also you?ll need to start upping voltages to get the board to keep stable when overclocking, and keep an eye on cooling, so maybe a new cpu cooler would help.
As for where is sits in your list of class:
I would put it at the bottom of middle class, there are plenty of P2?s and P3?s out there still being used.
Your board is pretty good, the CPU as good as it gets for it, the GPU is a nice card.
You won?t be setting any records with it now or in the future.
My advise would be to save the money you?d spend on upgrading this, and put it towards a new machine.
Once the AM2 cpus are out, the 939?s should drop in price along with the boards, you?ll be able to get a very good system without having to spend a fortune.
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Senior Member
5 product reviews
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6. April 2006 @ 04:34 |
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Alrite kool, One question. At the moment ive got a good drive a good monitor good speakers. How much would you say it would cost to build a good gaming machine. Resusing any parts you can see.
Say a top budget of AROUND $500??
iS THIS POSSIBLE?
ThaNKS ALOT
Alex
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 6. April 2006 @ 04:41
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Dad_Of_3
Junior Member
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6. April 2006 @ 05:54 |
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Senior Member
5 product reviews
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6. April 2006 @ 05:58 |
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this might be a real newbie question but can i keep my memory ive got at the moment. Also whats a normal temperature for a graphics card???
Thanks a lot
ALex
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Dad_Of_3
Junior Member
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6. April 2006 @ 06:05 |
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For gaming you should have atleast 1 gig of quality memory. You can try with yours i guess but it would be much better with some performance memory.
As far as GPU temps it all depends on the card and cooling you have setup. The cooler you can get them is obviously better. I would say normal temps without additional cooling are idle around 40c to 50c and up to 65c full load. It really depends on the card itself i guess.
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 6. April 2006 @ 06:06
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Senior Member
5 product reviews
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6. April 2006 @ 06:23 |
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I see, Whats the difference between my memory and "Quality" Memory?
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Dad_Of_3
Junior Member
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6. April 2006 @ 06:54 |
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Some of the advantages would be tighter timings and more stable OC's.
Also, i am not sure what memory you have - PC3200, PC4000, value select , etc. But you should be ok with your current memory. Just test it and see.
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 6. April 2006 @ 06:57
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Senior Member
5 product reviews
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6. April 2006 @ 08:09 |
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How do i test it?
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Senior Member
3 product reviews
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6. April 2006 @ 08:19 |
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An Opteron 146 939 pin CPU retail $210, better to look for an OEM and add a better cooler for $30, should be about the same $210 price in total.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103598 $210
Motherboard such as this from DFI would be very good, this one is a refurb, so you won't get all the cables, manuals etc... But all drivers and software can be downloaded, and cables easily obtained.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813136166 $123
or this from Asus.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131540R $113
Your memory (not sure if you have 2x 512 or 2 x 256) but this will run in dual channel mode, so that is okay.
Ideally you can add to it later, but for a start it will work.
Corsair is still very good memory regardless of the value or premium label.
If it doesn't have heat spreaders, then maybe add those to it.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835110104 $4.55
x2 for both sticks $9.10
You should be able to use the case, and maybe the PSU depending on how good it is and what power rating it has.
The boards I've suggested will need an ATX 2.2 PSU 20+4 pin main board connector + another 4 pin connector to the motherboard.
You DVD drive will be fine so will any floppy drive you use.
You could use your existing HDD as well.
So then you?re looking at a new GPU as the boards don't accept AGP type boards.
An NVIDIA PCI-E card would be my suggestion, as the Mobos are SLi not Crossfire.
A 6600GT 256MB card is a very good card, and you could either change it later or add another on and use it in SLi to boost the performance.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814150099 $162
If you did need to change the PSU then your looking at $30 upwards, you could send over $200 just on a PSU, but this one would do the job.
I definitely wouldn't go for the cheapest regardless, as the more stable it is the better performance you'll get.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817171007 $33
This lot would be $536 at the site listed.
Not being in the US, I can't tell you where the best deals are, I'm in the UK!.
This board would give you a very stable platform with great expansion capability.
The Opteron 146, although only clocking at 2.0 Ghz, will overclock on air to about 2.5, possibly higher.
The Opteron is designed for servers and use better quality silicon and have more stringent testing, so the overclocking capability is far better then most other AMDs.
The single cores OC better than dual cores as well.
The boards listed have loads of overclocking features; the DFI is better but more awkward to set up correctly.
You could later change to dual core CPU which is supported on both these boards, also SATA 2 HDD's but the main thing is you would have a very good base system already with a lot of room for improvement when you have the money.
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 6. April 2006 @ 09:09
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Senior Member
5 product reviews
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6. April 2006 @ 08:25 |
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Erm im from the Uk to so if you know were the best deals are in the Uk that would be great. P.s i just want to say how gratefull i am for everything and all the information youve given to me.
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Senior Member
3 product reviews
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6. April 2006 @ 08:35 |
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No problem.
I love building PCs and if I'm not building my own, I'm more than happy spec'n one up for someone else.
I'll have look around and post again as soon as I've got you a list.
In the meantime you may want to look around at some OCing sites to see the type of performance you'd be getting and how other people have set up similar kit.
P.S. I'll work on £300 as a rough guide.
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 6. April 2006 @ 08:36
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Senior Member
5 product reviews
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6. April 2006 @ 08:45 |
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Hey,
As you can probably tell im quite a newbie thats very intrested in getting into building a new pc. I was wondering would it be ok if i asked you a few questions?
For example is a Psu something that powers the computer?
What is sockets A and pci express?
What is a bus?
Whats a socket 754 and 939?
whats an ocing site?
I have plenty of questions and i totally understand if you cant be bothered to answer them but if you can i would be so gratefull.
Thanks alot
Alex
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Senior Member
3 product reviews
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6. April 2006 @ 09:04 |
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For example is a Psu something that powers the computer?
Its the Power Supply unit, taking the 240V AC and distrubuting through the PC at 12V etc...
What is sockets A and pci express?
SKT A is just the type of socket that the CPU is designed to (what pin layout it has).
PCI-E is the latest type of BUS The 164-pin X16 slot provides a total usable bandwidth of around 4GB/s in each direction, double the 2.1GB/s bandwidth that the 8x AGP spec boasts. It also provides far more power to the card as well.
Origianl PCI transported data at 9MB, way below what we're using now.
What is a bus?
Its just the electrical/mechanical connections on the PC that transfer data and power between components.
As technolgy has updated, they have found better, faster ways to move the data around, hence the upgrades to AGP then PCI-e etc...
Whats a socket 754 and 939?
Different types of AMD socket layouts, using differing technolgies as they are developed, changes in transistor engineering results in better performance and lower power consumption (then lower heat output) etc...
whats an ocing site?
A web site dedicated to exploring OverClocking of peoples PCs
Back later on, gotta eat!
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Senior Member
5 product reviews
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6. April 2006 @ 09:22 |
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Allright cheers!!! That really helps hows the list going?
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