WANTED: Advice on budget gaming upgrade

[snapper]

hi all,

I've done some research and will do a bit more but I value your opinions so I would like them before I do much more research.

I wish to upgrade my machine, following are the parts I need and the tasks I will be using it for.

CPU, M/B, RAM (min 512 max 1024), video card and case.

I would like quotes on Intel and AMD systems.

My budget is around $1000 but I would prefer it if it was around $800 as $1000 is stretching it a bit.

tasks
--------

Mainly business related stuff but I do want to play games now and then. No more than $250 on the video card. I only need it to play the latest games for around 1.5 - 2 years. video card should have a DVI port (please make a note if you don't know if it has one or not or if you know if it does or does not).

I wont need to be running games at max res, if it handles 1024X768 for 1.5 years I would be happy to drop it to 800X600 down the track when it gets too slow.

Requirements and nice to haves
---------------------------------

I would prefer NOT to have a VIA chipset but this is not required.

I need to have at least 4 USB 2.0 ports
I need 8X AGP

I would like to have (not required just nice to have):

Firewire
Gigabit ethernet (built in to mobo)
SATA ports
SATA RAID
IDE RAID (I would prefer IDE raid over SATA)

Does not need to have any Ps/2 ports, I would rather more USB ports or firewire ports instead if this is an option.

Other
--------
I will NOT be overclocking it ever so tweaking options are not required.

I will most likely not be doing minor upgrades except for maybe more RAM (1 GB most likely more than enough, if more space is left on the mobo for up to 2GB this would be nice but not needed).

Case doesn't need to be too special or look fancy it should just do its job. No need for an easy to mod case. The case should however come with a PSU with enough power to run 2 HDDs, 1 DVD-ROM, 1 DVD-RW, 1 floppy disc and the video card (some cards need an extra power connector and thus needs more power) and other devices attached to power providing ports such as USB.

I don't want generic stuff for any part, something reliable is a must.

thanks

[q9]

You could go for an XP2400, Gigabyte GA-7S748, 512MB RAM, ASUS Ti 4800SE - 8X for around $700 then just add $50-$200 for the case of your choice (just get one with front USB ports, handy, VERY handy). I think that would be close to what you want.

Money spent and in budget!

[snapper]

hi,

thanks for the advice, will look into it.
So far I have found the following options and I will add in yours and do more research to narrow it down.
If any one has any info on incompatibility or known issues or if they know the parts are all good I would appreciate you letting me know.

Gigabyte GA-7VT600-1394
OR Abit NF7-S REV V2.
OR Gigabyte GA-7N400PRO2 (in the lead so far)

AMD XP2500+ 333FSB
512MB PC2700 DDR333 (Kingston) X 2
128M GIGA-BYTE ATI 9600 DVI W/TV
OR GeXcube GC-R96XTG-C3 128MB DDR with TV Out and DVI (in the lead so far)

case: not sure yet, still looking

thanks

[q9]

Looks good, go the Gigabyte - good stuff. I have found their stuff to be reliable and excellent value. I never have a problem with it.

You can get cases with 350W p/s with front USB for around $65 so there is no excuse not to have front USB ports. My pick would be an AOpen case, they are really quite good but can be exxy. You'll be looking in the region of $150-$200.

I think the budget you have is right in the value region, spend less and it will feel out of date when you first fire it up, spend more and the difference isn't as good as the money says it should be. My opinion of course.

[snapper]

q9,

thanks for that.
I found a few cases and have found some offer front firewire connections as well.
I now know to get at least 350W, a few nice ones around the $150-$200 as you point out.
It just seems a bit wrong to spend so much on the case, compare it to the CPU (AMD 2500+) at around $150 and you see what I mean.

Do you know the model numbers of the 350 PSU with front USB for around $65? Is the PSU quality any good?
I will pay the $150 if budget cases offer poor quality PSUs as I dont want to replace it.

Regarding budget, I have purchased 3 machines in my life and it has taken me that long to realise I should be going for a happy medium and not a full force $3000 machine like I used to spend.

For $1000 you can get quite a decent rig which im very happy about.

thanks

[q9]

Death dude can't find a brand name for ya but they are floating around. You might be better off to get a decent case to start with. It will be more worthwhile if you keep using it. I have a full atx case here I bought in '98 - just replaced the 230W ps with a 350W for $35.

[snapper]

q9,

When I upgrade I typically get the same parts as I am looking for now. I like to keep all the machines working and move parts around so I am left with 2 machines. One is the gaming/workhorse the other is the play/learning machine. On the play/learning machine I will play around with Linux.

So basically I don't keep the case for the newly upgraded machine I always buy another one.

thanks

[q9]

That's basically what I do except I keep the cases. I have a $45 case for the Linux/other os box, and a better one for my main comp. And a couple of others.... They are growing like weeds, time to sell some off.

If you aren't planning on keeping the case, then spend a bit less on it (up to $100). I'd only go the expensive stuff if asked for it, or if I wanted to keep it. Not really worth it otherwise.

[stus]

I recently bought the following:

Mobo: Gigabye GA-7N400 Pro2 (Website (http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/MotherBoard/Products/Products_Spec_GA-7N400%20Pro2.htm))
CPU: Athlon XP (Barton) 2600+
Mem: Kingston 512MB DDR400

All for under $500.

That mobo satisfies all your needs - plus 6 USB ports, (all V2/V1.1), and NVidia Nforce2 chipset. Mobo ain't real good for o'c'ing (multi changed via dipswitches), and that newer Barton cpu seems to be multi locked, but then you don't wanna o'c. :)

Re the case... while I'd reccomend a mid-tower for the space, I personally have a Rainbow series model (no website :( ) in which the mobo + pci/agp back panel are all bolted onto the hinged fold-down door, making quick/easy access to everything a sinch. All a tad cramped - but its a compromise I currently enjoy.

Videocard? I have a GF4-MX440SE (64MB) which is fine for Battlefield 1942 @ 1024x768 with most detail Max'd. If you're willing to spend more, then presumably a higher model will please, and be more future-proof.

As for where to buy form in Melb? I have come to like/trust Computers and Parts Land (http://www.cpl.net.au/) in Clayton. No flashy showroom (though it is fairly big), but they move a LOT of gear, always have stock (when I want it), have very competetive prices (they're regulars at the swap meets), and simply know what they're talking about, without the sales-pitch-rabble.

Good luck!! :)

sTu.

[snapper]

stu, thanks for the the info and link. That gigabyte looks perfect for me and it is reasonably priced as well.

[redbears]

death, check MSY on Waverley Rd near the corner of Burke Road, in East Malvern. They are pretty good on price too... www.msy.com.au

CPL are good, but not as cheap anymore.

[snapper]

redbears, thanks for that. I use them all the time but they dont have the mobo and video card according to thier site.
I will have to call and ask if they have them or not before purchasing.

CPL seem to have what I want.