I have $500. What can I upgrade?

[nubscaper]

Through some savings and hard work I've gotten about $1000 that I would like to put towards my computer/other general technology stuff.

I am going to put away half of the $1000 in a CD that has a mature length of 6 months, which means I am left with $500 to spend and $500 that I cannot touch, gaining interest.

This is my current computer build:
Specs:
[B]CPU:[/B] Core 2 duo 2.66ghz @ 3.3 Ghz
[B]HDD1:[/B] 300gb maxtor
[B]HDD2:[/B] 1000gb (1tb) Seagate
[b]HDD3:[/b] 500gb Western Digital
[B]GPU:[/B] Sapphire 4870 1gb
[B]RAM:[/B] 2gb XMS2 DDR2 RAM (800mhz) and 2gb kingston DDR2 RAM (667 mhz) I want to swap the kingston out, and try to keep the other RAM if possible
[B]PSU:[/B] Antec 550 watt (Need a new one)
[B]MOBO:[/B] Gigabyte GA-X38-DQ6
[B]CASE:[/B] Azza Solano 1000 (blue)
[B]Heatsink: [/B] Coolermaster Hyper TX3
[B]FANS: [/B] 2x 230mm Blue LEDs, 2x 140mm Blue LED fans, 2x 120mm Fans.

[img]http://filesmelt.com/dl/2222.png[/img]

My thoughts: Upgrade the PSU, Mobo, processor, and RAM. I've got an ok graphics card for now, and plenty of storage space.

My question to you, Facepunch, Is what are the components I could get for the best bang for my buck?

Thanks in advance.

[erfinjerfin]

The Mobo definitely needs to be upgraded to one with DDR3 support. Get at least 3GB of DDR3 and a Corsair 750W PSU, as well. By the way - take a look at OCZ's RAM, it's good quality at a reasonable price.

[Kabstract]

Get a AM3 motherboard, DDR3 4gb RAM (kingston or something cheap), get a 650 watt PSU and a AMD 955 Phenom II BE X4(OC to atleast 3.4ghz.)

I am getting all that for $480 myself. Or, you could wait for the AMD X6 processor coming out soon.

[AesoSpadez]

G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800
[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231087[/url]

Intel Xeon X3360 Yorkfield 2.83GHz 12MB L2 Cache LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor (same as Q9550, except lower voltages and higher possible OCs)
[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117166[/url]

CORSAIR CMPSU-650HX 650W
[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139012[/url]

Here's your best best, and it's under your total cost, too. Your motherboard looks fine. Although if you want the highest stable OC out of that X3360, sell your 2 DDR2 800 DIMMS, ditch the ones on the list, and get 2x2GB DDR2 1066.

Hope this helps!

[editline]10:32PM[/editline]

Also in response to that X4 965 upgrade:
[url]http://www.cluboc.net/reviews/cpu/amd/x4_965_BE/p6.asp[/url]

[Gamerkiwi]

I'd say upgrade the Mobo, CPU and RAM.

Also, unless your PSU is dead, you don't really need a new one. It should do fine, I have a more powerful computer (Except for the GPU, I have a 4850) and it did good with a 500W.

I'd say get this:
[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.359223[/url] - Mobo and RAM
And
[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103727[/url] - CPU

[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118223[/url] - CPU cooler

[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100007[/url] - Thermal Paste

OR (If you would prefer an Intel CPU)

[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.359227[/url] - Mobo and RAM

[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115220[/url] - CPU

[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835114094[/url] - CPU Cooler

[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100007[/url] - Thermal Paste

You can buy this PSU if you really want:

[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171036[/url]

Or this:

[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371015[/url]

Or this:
[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005[/url]

[AesoSpadez]

[QUOTE=GamerKiwi;20984936]-lotsoflinkshere-[/QUOTE]

Christ, that intel build is horrendous. Dual core?

Go with my build, as the only benefit you get from that (noticeably more expensive) AMD build is more memory bandwidth, which you won't utilize anyways, since the real bottleneck on data-loading is your HDDs.

Just upgrade this rig knowing the next time you upgrade (anything except the GPU), just build new. If you build new every time, you're wasting money.

[Gamerkiwi]

I didn't notice that Intel processor was dual core. I'm kind of tired.

Try this?
[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115215[/url]

[Dr. Punchgroin]

4870 is okay, but a 5000 series graphics card would make your computer more future proof.

The one thing you DO need is a better processor. You could get one in addition to the graphics card, good ones come at a little over 100$.

Just including my thoughts on the matter.

[Reapaninja]

[QUOTE=Dr. Punchgroin;20985222]future proof. [/QUOTE]

ughhh

[FHamster]

Just get a higher tier core2
[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115041[/url]

And crossfire your 4870
[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161292&cm_re=4870-_-14-161-292-_-Product[/url]

[Evilan]

[QUOTE=GamerKiwi;20984936]Good AMD build, bad Intel build[/QUOTE]

You didn't even try to create an alternative Intel build did you? That motherboard doesn't work with the cpu and that cpu isn't worth $185.

Alternative Intel Build
[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130253[/url] - Motherboard
[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277&cm_re=Gskill-_-20-231-277-_-Product[/url] - Memory
[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115215&cm_re=i5-_-19-115-215-_-Product[/url] - CPU
[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065[/url] - Heatsink
[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835154007&cm_re=Thermal_Paste-_-35-154-007-_-Product[/url] - Thermal Paste
[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371015[/url] - Power Supply
It's a little over $520, but you can easily scale down the PSU, because I don't think a 48xx series card needs that much power.

[Dr. Punchgroin]

[QUOTE=reapaninja;20985939]ughhh[/QUOTE]

Sucks to be a pc gamer sometimes man

[tommyc225]

[QUOTE=Dr. Punchgroin;21049713]Sucks to be a pc gamer sometimes man[/QUOTE]

He means that 'Future proofing' is a terrible term, which it is. There is simply no such thing.

[Armotekma]

get a new psu

probably new cpu/mobo and ram

[Gamerkiwi]

[QUOTE=Evilan;20988524]You didn't even try to create an alternative Intel build did you? That motherboard doesn't work with the cpu and that cpu isn't worth $185.

Alternative Intel Build
[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130253[/url] - Motherboard
[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277&cm_re=Gskill-_-20-231-277-_-Product[/url] - Memory
[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115215&cm_re=i5-_-19-115-215-_-Product[/url] - CPU
[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065[/url] - Heatsink
[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835154007&cm_re=Thermal_Paste-_-35-154-007-_-Product[/url] - Thermal Paste
[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371015[/url] - Power Supply
It's a little over $520, but you can easily scale down the PSU, because I don't think a 48xx series card needs that much power.[/QUOTE]

I know I sound like a broken record always suggesting this PSU, but this is a really good deal:
[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341018[/url]
$54 for a 700W? Fuck yes! Just make sure you take advantage of the rebate.

Also, my Intel build is pretty dumb, I'll admit.

[derlicious]

[QUOTE=GamerKiwi;21066040]I know I sound like a broken record always suggesting this PSU, but this is a really good deal:
[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341018[/url]
$54 for a 700W? Fuck yes! Just make sure you take advantage of the rebate.

Also, my Intel build is pretty dumb, I'll admit.[/QUOTE]

Thats a pretty good deal :3