My first post(need advice on upgrading)

bigjimmyauk · 23 Nov 2009 at 16:32

Hi all firstly would like to say hello to eveyone been reading posts from time to time for the last 6 months or so thought it was time i joined lol.#

I'm looking to upgrade my ATX that i got of my brother only problem is i'm not to technical on compatibility(basically don't have a clue.

i have a msi K8NGM2-FID (SOCKET939)
ATI RADEON 2600 XT (256mb)
AMD DUAL CORE 3600 PROCESSOR
2GB OF PC3200 (200MHZ)

Now from what i've read AMD no longer make processors for the 939 and buying second hand is not a option for me(just the way i am)

i mainly play RTS games such as rollercoaster tycoon and command and conquer but the system suffers when things get busy on screen and trying to play modern warfare resulted in a screen res of 680x420 (i think).

Is it worth adding to this system bearing in mind size constraints of the micro ATX case i have, or should i start building another system.

please bear in mind this is my first post any questions or problems let me know

naknakkus · 23 Nov 2009 at 16:35

Welcome. I'm sure that more qualified people will be with you shortly, but I'd suggest you think about a new build if you have the cash. Hardware is amazingly good value these days.

You should post a budget so people know what you can afford.

GobzzzMp3 · 23 Nov 2009 at 16:37

Welcome mate,

As above suggests, i think you should get a whole new system, due to your components being quite outdated as you said... If your just playing casual RTS games on the PC then you could easily pick up a new system for around 350-400 pound...

bigjimmyauk · 23 Nov 2009 at 16:38

well with money constraints due to bills and children it is something i will build over time maybe 3-6 months buying bits as and when i need them.
I want trouble free RTS gaming mainly command and conquer number 4 is coming out soon but not sure on the reccomended specs to run the game.
i also run WIN XP PRO

bigjimmyauk · 23 Nov 2009 at 16:49

just found this minimum requirements for command and conquer 4 when released in march 2010

# Operating System: Windows XP/ Vista
# Processor:

* XP: Intel Pentium 4 2.0GHz/AMD Athlon 2200+
* Vista: Intel Pentium 4 2.2GHz/AMD Athlon 2200+

# Memory: 1GB RAM
# Free Disk Space: 6GB (12GB for EA Link version)
# Video Card: nVidia GeForce 6800/ATI Radeon X1800
# Sound Card: DirectX 9.0 compatible

Musty Pie · 23 Nov 2009 at 17:06

building a machine over time will never work out.

the best plan of action is to make do with what you have and save towards a desired amount.

when you have the money saved buy the best you can for the money you have at the time. As parts/prices fluctuate so much in this industry.

iNPUt · 23 Nov 2009 at 17:08

Like the rest would recommend a new system, which can be got pretty cheap if you use
amd processor and a ati graphic card, maybe a 4850. I would save your money though
then buy all the parts.*

This is only really if you are want to play more games like MW, otherwise your specs seem
reasonable if you just want to play C&C4.

But a new cheapish build will destory through it, depends do not think its worth upgrading much on that old system

* urgh I always get beaten.

thepeganator · 23 Nov 2009 at 17:11

Best way is to give the kind people here a budget you have to spend, they can tell you the best build for the price...

bigjimmyauk · 23 Nov 2009 at 17:22

iNPUt said:
Like the rest would recommend a new system, which can be got pretty cheap if you use
amd processor and a ati graphic card, maybe a 4850. I would save your money though
then buy all the parts.*

This is only really if you are want to play more games like MW, otherwise your specs seem
reasonable if you just want to play C&C4.

But a new cheapish build will destory through it, depends do not think its worth upgrading much on that old system

* urgh I always get beaten.

I know what u mean my brother paid a arm and leg for this some years ago and i suppose this could be rebuilt for a small amount.
well christmas is around the corner got some stuff i could sell on and if i'm nice to the wife i could maybe squeeze £500
i already have monitor,xp pro OS, and a 24bit soundblaster live card which i can keep.
So i'll say budget would be 500 but i have no idea on whats compatible with what lol
If i go and get a new MOBO what processor would go with it,would it work with xp pro do i go AGP or PCI. It's the things like this i really need to know
if i had the parts infront of me i could build it no problem took this apart many times.
so qoute me
A MOBO
PROCESSOR
GRAPHICS CARD AGP OR PCI?
NEW CASE
CPU COOLER

many thanks for the replies

Grimley · 23 Nov 2009 at 18:19

Tried to keep it below budget but you probably need a new hard drive. New optical drive wouldn't go amiss either. BTW you need new memory as your current stuff wont be compatible with any new motherboard available for sale today. I've chosen AMD as it was your last rig.

Your basket
Product Name Qty Price Line Total
XFX ATI Radeon HD 4870 512MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card + Colin McRae Dirt 2 Full Game XFX ATI Radeon HD 4870 512MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card + Colin McRae Dirt 2 Full Game £97.99
(£85.21) £97.99
(£85.21)
Corsair XMS3 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 10666C9 1333MHz TwinX Dual Channel (TW3X4G1333C9) Corsair XMS3 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 10666C9 1333MHz TwinX Dual Channel (TW3X4G1333C9) £88.99
(£77.38) £88.99
(£77.38)
Asus M4A79XTD Evo (Socket AM3) PCI-Express DDR3 Motherboard Asus M4A79XTD Evo (Socket AM3) PCI-Express DDR3 Motherboard £83.98
(£73.03) £83.98
(£73.03)
AMD Athlon II X4 Quad Core 620 2.60GHz (Socket AM3) - Retail AMD Athlon II X4 Quad Core 620 2.60GHz (Socket AM3) - Retail £79.99
(£69.56) £79.99
(£69.56)
OCZ ModXStream Pro 600w Silent SLI Ready Modular Power Supply OCZ ModXStream Pro 600w Silent SLI Ready Modular Power Supply £59.98
(£52.16) £59.98
(£52.16)
Antec 300 Three Hundred Ultimate Gaming Case - Black (No PSU) Antec 300 Three Hundred Ultimate Gaming Case - Black (No PSU) £46.99
(£40.86) £46.99
(£40.86)
Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro Rev 2 CPU Cooler (Socket 939 / AM2 / AM2+ / 775 / 1156 / 1366) Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro Rev 2 CPU Cooler (Socket 939 / AM2 / AM2+ / 775 / 1156 / 1366) £19.99
(£17.38) £19.99
(£17.38)
Sub Total : £415.58
Shipping cost assumes delivery to UK Mainland with:
DPD Next Day Parcel
(This can be changed during checkout) Shipping : £11.75
VAT is being charged at 15% VAT : £64.10
Total : £491.43

bigjimmyauk · 23 Nov 2009 at 18:39

Grimley said:
Tried to keep it below budget but you probably need a new hard drive. New optical drive wouldn't go amiss either. BTW you need new memory as your current stuff wont be compatible with any new motherboard available for sale today. I've chosen AMD as it was your last rig.

thanx for the reply just looked at all the parts is there a mistake on the ram the ram u selected said it's for core i5's and i7's

correct me if i'm wrong as i know naff all about compatibility

bigjimmyauk · 23 Nov 2009 at 18:44

just out of curiousity is there anywhere i could get this for a similar price on BNPL

Grimley · 23 Nov 2009 at 19:19

bigjimmyauk said:
thanx for the reply just looked at all the parts is there a mistake on the ram the ram u selected said it's for core i5's and i7's

correct me if i'm wrong as i know naff all about compatibility

Nope - its says AMD in the product description & most of the user reviewers have used this ram in AMD rigs.

bigjimmyauk said:
just out of curiousity is there anywhere i could get this for a similar price on BNPL

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/financefaq.php