[barnes]

When I was in 7th grade, my parents offered me a computer if I could pull off honor roll all year. Sure enough, I worked for it, and won my self a PC. Considering this was in fact 7th grade, I went with the stock PC route and bought an eMachines computer. A great deal at the time. It grew with me. I replaced the video card, the sound card twice, added some RAM, and even installed an electronic key lock that I discovered in a bin of parts. While it has served me well, its just aged to much. The processors beat, and it doesn't seem cost effective enough to buy a whole new mother board and processor at this point. Its time to upgrade my whole system.

I want a new system that will cost me about 400 - 500, with a powerful processor, DX10 graphics, 2gb memory, and room to grow. I've done some research on my own, and found a barebone deal at TigerDirect that seems to touch upon all of my requests.

I assume explaining my uses might also be worth while. I'm a web developer, using Photoshop, Dreamweaver, etc. Sometimes I'll run test servers off of it, play games competitively for fun, and a hobbiest game developer. (using XNA and Source, modeling in XSA, Blender, and 3Ds Max, compiling code in Visual Studio) I also take engineering courses at school, so CAD modeling like Inventor and AutoCAD are important.

If anyone else has any suggestions, or even trying to sell a system, I'm all ears. Thanks in advance!

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Hello and welcome to geekstogo,
It's a good system and your probably not going to get anything better for the price.
Be cautioned though, that video card is fairly low end and will struggle with video editing and gaming.
James

Edited by james_8970, 12 November 2007 - 02:54 PM.

[james_8970]

Hello and welcome to geekstogo,
It's a good system and your probably not going to get anything better for the price.
Be cautioned though, that video card is fairly low end and will struggle with video editing and gaming.
James

Edited by james_8970, 12 November 2007 - 02:54 PM.

[barnes]

Thanks for the help..I'm still trying to decide whether to upgrade now, or hold off til after X-mas and my Birthday...I still need to but gifts for everyone, and I'm in a bit of a cash slump at the moment to begin with.

[james_8970]

It's your call, if you have any further questions just let me know.
James

[barnes]

Well, what about a suggestion on getting just a new processor? I know my stock eMachines board is trash, and I would have to get a board and a processor, but if I were to do that, what would be best for 150 - 200 bucks?

[james_8970]

If I were you I'd get the following.
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819103759
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813128034
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817703011

This is assuming you already have DDR2 memory, hard drive and and OS. If you don't get the memory below.
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820227139
Your existing hard drive and OS (if you have the CD and serial code) will work on your new computer.

Aside from the GPU, this setup is better then the barebones unit you provide before hand and for less. I find a case is based on personal preferences, the PSU I have provided will have different physical dimensions then the PSU that came with your emachines. Keep in mind, the PSU I have mentioned will not power a really high end GPU and/or quad core processor.
If you want to spend a little more on a PSU get this one. I'm just cutting as many corners as possible (without sacrificing quality) to save you a buck.
http://www.clubit.co...itemno=A6276522
James

Edited by james_8970, 12 November 2007 - 03:46 PM.

[barnes]

Humm..thats a good deal, and a lot to think about, thank you!

The issue with building off my old PC is that is has DDR, not DDR2 ram, and an AGP video card. Considering that, I might do better just building from scratch and not adopting any hardware from my old machine and selling it as is. Should get 200-250 for it.

I'm talking to my self a lot, but I'm just trying to organize my thoughts.

If I don't use any hardware from my old machine, I get into worrying about a new case, HDD, and a DVD drive...though I do have my brothers desktop that sits unused while he is at school on his new Macbook, and my dads old desktop that also sits unused as he tinkers with slideshows on his new iMac...could salvage a DVD drive here, and a HDD there...

Right now, considering I build from scratch, I get to total of 606 before rebates and shipping, verify I have a full working system here:
-Rosewill cheapo case: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16811147071
-Cheap, 80gb SATA HDD: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16822210003
-Suggested MoBo: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813128034
-Suggested PCU: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817703011
-Suggested Memory: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820227139 (and I'll probably grab the 9.99 after rebates deal that TigerDirect has going on.)
-Suggested CPU: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819103759
-Red LED Case Fan: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16835200002
-Coolmaster CPU Fan(Good deal.): http://www.newegg.co...N82E16835103031
-Nvidia Geforce 8600GTS(I am a sucker for rebates and free games.): http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814130086

Total after rebates: $530 (with shipping it becomes $638 total up front...)

Now, that builds better then the barebone kit, but still expensive...

I'm going to salvage together all the junk I don't need anymore and use Craigslist to support my fund.

[james_8970]

If you want to save even more money you could get this motherboard but it's quite limited in terms of upgradability.
Just keep in mind, even though that PSU is a high quality PSU, it will not be able to power anything more then what your ordering, by buying the OCZ PSU, you will have more of an upgradable route.
You missing a DVD drive in there.
The fact that your in university now and got your old computer when you were in grade 7 means it's pretty old, you'd be saving more money salvaging the parts you already have, then trying to sell it. There really is no market for old computer equipment.
James

Edited by james_8970, 12 November 2007 - 06:06 PM.

[barnes]

You missing a DVD drive in there.
The fact that your in university now and got your old computer when you were in grade 7 means it's pretty old, you'd be saving more money salvaging the parts you already have, then trying to sell it. There really is no market for old computer equipment.
James

DVD Drive is easily ripped out of an old PC I have laying around. the HDD on the other hand would require backing up the files that are needed on it. I'm not in college just yet, I'm a Junior in Highschool, my brothers the one whos in college. My machines not that bad at all, its playing games up until CoD4 at pretty high settings. I've upgraded everything in it, other then the MoBo and CPU, which is what is restricting the CoD4 playing.

[james_8970]

Sorry by this statement,

I also take engineering courses at school, so CAD modeling like Inventor and AutoCAD are important.

I assumed you were in university. If it is running COD4 then it's still a pretty good rig.
James