Time for an upgrade, little help?

tribesman2004 · 26-05-2008, 09:32 AM

I have had my PC for about 3 years now. While the model of the Motherboard escapes me, I know I had an AMD FX-57 processer. Its in dire need of replacement if I'm going to be playing any PC games at any decent settings.

To this end, I need a new processer... which means a new Motherboard... which means new RAM... All of which I have let myself become woefully uneducated on in the last 3 years. I don't even know where to start to look at the moment. I was hoping I could ask some of you for upgrade advice? I'm looking for something midrange for gaming. I've always been an AMD guy, but I have heard that Intel is putting a hurting on AMD these days, so I would be happy to jump ship.

I'm looking at the $500 range right now... I could go a bit over if I had to, but not by much. If I could get some advice on Motherboards, CPUs, and RAM, I would appreciate it! Already looked at GPUs (Which I managed to stay somewhat abreast on) and I think This guy (Newegg.com - ZOTAC ZT-88TES3P-FCP GeForce 8800 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards) would serve me well. Obviously, hes not included in my $500 budget

THanks in advance!

Adjudicator · 26-05-2008, 05:49 PM

Firstly, Welcome.
Second, Down To Business:

Unfortunately, I'm not very up to speed with motherboards, so I can't advise you on one, but I can still recommend CPU's and RAM

CPU:
I recommend a dual core CPU because quad core is only (sometimes) marginally better and they consume more power. So, here are 2 Options: an Intel and an AMD:

Newegg.com - AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+ Brisbane 2.3GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 65W Dual-Core Processor - CPUs / Processors

and now. The Intel:

Newegg.com - Intel Core 2 Duo E6550 Conroe 2.33GHz 4M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - CPUs / Processors

Now On to RAM

If you are going to use a 32-bit OS then you have the 3gig Limit. but if you want more (up to 8gigs), you'll need a 64-bit OS.

In the event of you getting a 64-bot OS then this is for you:
Newegg.com - OCZ Reaper HPC Edition 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory

If you are going for a 32-Bit OS, get 2GB of RAM unless you are going to run hundreds of background programs in which case, get another gig. I suggest:

Newegg.com - OCZ Reaper HPC Edition 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory

Well, I hope this Helps. I'm open to any criticism from others.

26-05-2008, 09:32 AM	#1 (permalink) Top
tribesman2004 Geek Trainee Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 4 Status: Offline	Time for an upgrade, little help? I have had my PC for about 3 years now. While the model of the Motherboard escapes me, I know I had an AMD FX-57 processer. Its in dire need of replacement if I'm going to be playing any PC games at any decent settings. To this end, I need a new processer... which means a new Motherboard... which means new RAM... All of which I have let myself become woefully uneducated on in the last 3 years. I don't even know where to start to look at the moment. I was hoping I could ask some of you for upgrade advice? I'm looking for something midrange for gaming. I've always been an AMD guy, but I have heard that Intel is putting a hurting on AMD these days, so I would be happy to jump ship. I'm looking at the $500 range right now... I could go a bit over if I had to, but not by much. If I could get some advice on Motherboards, CPUs, and RAM, I would appreciate it! Already looked at GPUs (Which I managed to stay somewhat abreast on) and I think This guy (Newegg.com - ZOTAC ZT-88TES3P-FCP GeForce 8800 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards) would serve me well. Obviously, hes not included in my $500 budget THanks in advance!

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26-05-2008, 05:49 PM	#2 (permalink) Top
Adjudicator Geek Trainee Join Date: Apr 2008 Gender: Male Posts: 40 Times Helpful: 2 My Mood: Dead Status: Offline My Computer	Firstly, Welcome. Second, Down To Business: Unfortunately, I'm not very up to speed with motherboards, so I can't advise you on one, but I can still recommend CPU's and RAM CPU: I recommend a dual core CPU because quad core is only (sometimes) marginally better and they consume more power. So, here are 2 Options: an Intel and an AMD: Newegg.com - AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+ Brisbane 2.3GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 65W Dual-Core Processor - CPUs / Processors and now. The Intel: Newegg.com - Intel Core 2 Duo E6550 Conroe 2.33GHz 4M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - CPUs / Processors Now On to RAM If you are going to use a 32-bit OS then you have the 3gig Limit. but if you want more (up to 8gigs), you'll need a 64-bit OS. In the event of you getting a 64-bot OS then this is for you: Newegg.com - OCZ Reaper HPC Edition 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory If you are going for a 32-Bit OS, get 2GB of RAM unless you are going to run hundreds of background programs in which case, get another gig. I suggest: Newegg.com - OCZ Reaper HPC Edition 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory Well, I hope this Helps. I'm open to any criticism from others.

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