[Dougger]

I have a PIII 550 Mhz in an Abit BE6 with 512 MB ram. As you might imagine, it's age has been showing as of late. I know I could call up dell and get a system for maybe $400 or so, but all I really need is the mainboard, processor, some starter ram, cpu cooling fan, and maybe a new power supply.

I've been looking at Gigabyte for the MOBO. I saw THIS ONE suggested in another thread.

...and as I was browsing, noted the $127 package shown HERE.

So given my $300 neighborhood constraint, and the system I'm ugrading from, I'm thinking the Pentium D805 could tide me over until prices recede a bit for the core duo's. I'd stay with my collection of IDE drives for the time being, although that's another upgrade area I'd explore soon. At that price for MB + CPU, it leaves more room for RAM and other sundries.

The price point is to counter spousal pressure to get a new low end system. But doing that would get me a lot of redundant giblets. Plus, doing the changeout myself is generally more satisfying, as I'm sure you guys can relate.

Power supply is kind of a wildcard. I can't remember what I have offhand. But after 7 years, probably would be a good idea to start fresh in any case.

Sound like a logical approach?

Edited by Dougger, 11 January 2007 - 12:41 PM.

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To change from what you have now, you'll need to change absolutely everything, as you won't be able to use your current graphics card, memory, processor, heatsink, fan or (most likely) your power supply (as a) it won't be big enough power-wise and b) will be missing the extra connectors needed on current boards).

You'd also probably have to change your hard drive as well, as the Gigabyte board only has one IDE connector on it, which is almost certainly going to be used by your CD Unit. Which you may also want to change as well in favour of a CD or DVD Writer.

[Neil Jones]

To change from what you have now, you'll need to change absolutely everything, as you won't be able to use your current graphics card, memory, processor, heatsink, fan or (most likely) your power supply (as a) it won't be big enough power-wise and b) will be missing the extra connectors needed on current boards).

You'd also probably have to change your hard drive as well, as the Gigabyte board only has one IDE connector on it, which is almost certainly going to be used by your CD Unit. Which you may also want to change as well in favour of a CD or DVD Writer.

[Dougger]

For the HDD issue, I thought about maybe getting an IDE card to keep the primary drive alive for a while. I'd replace it with a SATA drive before too long. The other two drives are an 80GB RAID pair - hopefully the Adaptec card will be ok.

Specs notwithstanding, I'll most likely replace the power supply based on age anyway.

But yeah, it is mostly a gut job. I got some real numbers from Newegg, and here's what I came up with:
GIGABYTE GA-8I945GZME-RH LGA 775 Intel 945GZ Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Model #: GA-8I945GZME-RH
Item #: N82E16813128322
$64.99 $64.99

ENERMAX EG495AX-VE FMA ATX12V Ver 2.2 485W Power Supply - Retail
Model #: EG495AX-VE FMA
Item #: N82E16817194015
$89.99 -$15.00 Instant $74.99

Intel Pentium D 805 Smithfield 2.66GHz LGA 775 Processor Model HH80551PE0672MN - OEM
Model #: HH80551PE0672MN
Item #: N82E16819116249
$89.00 $89.00

CORSAIR ValueSelect 512MB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 533 (PC2 4200) Desktop Memory Model VS512MB533D2 - Retail
Model #: VS512MB533D2
Item #: N82E16820145529
$53.99 $53.99

Update ZALMAN CNPS9500 LED 92mm 2 Ball Cooling Fan with Heatsink - Retail
Model #: CNPS 9500 LED
Item #: N82E16835118223
$63.99 -$10.00 Instant $53.99
Subtotal: $336.96

And with a $27 discount for mobo + cpu package, gets me around $310. Alowing for some misc. other stuff, like an IDE adaptor, or maybe a new HDD rigth off the bat, I could stay within $300-400, which I can live with. In another few months, maybe boost the RAM.

Seem like a plan?

Edited by Dougger, 12 January 2007 - 09:42 AM.

[troppo]

or you could go down this route

with an AMD X2 3800+ 2.0Ghz 64-bit CPU-->$ 133

ASUS M2N-E Socket AM2 NVIDIA nForce 570 Ultra MCP ATX AMD Motherboard-->$ 92

CORSAIR XMS2 1GB (2 x 512MB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 675 (PC2 5400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X1024-5400C4 -->$ 109

and thats 335 (Rounded)

but i realise you would still need a PSU but believe me tat system would cream all over that Intel system and would last you alot longer beause it is vista compatable and all

plus it has more RAM Faster RAM faster CPU and a better motherboard

its just stronger parts thats all

troppo

[Dougger]

troppo - thanks; you might be right aboot that.

But...the plan is in motion.