Please recommend an upgrade...

[FergCu]

Hi everyone,

I was overjoyed when i tried to turn on my computer this evening, only to find that the monitor wouldn't come on. Turns out that my graphics card (ati 9800 pro) has decided to retire. While I get a new card, I would quite like to get a new motherboard, as the one i currently have (Asus A8V-Deluxe) only supports AGP 4x (even though it states 8x! believe me when i say that I have tried to get it up to 8x in a stable manner!!). It's also possible that I might need a new PSU, as the one that i currently have is an Akasa 460w psu, but with the 20 pin connector, and not the now standard 24pin connector.

So, please spec me a new motherboard, a new graphics card, and a new PSU (although I might stick with Akasa, but just get an updated one, as mentioned) all for approximately £300, although might be willing to go to 350 if its a damn good spec.

Thanks very muchly.

Ferg

Current spec:
asus a8v-deluxe
AMD64 3500
4 x 512mb geil value ram
ati 9800 pro (dead)
akasa 460W psu
a couple of hard drives
DVD-RW
2 x 120mm fans
1 x wireless network card
1 x extra NIC (I also use the onboard NIC)

 

[helpimcrap]

REFERENCE DESCRIPTION QUANTITY PRICE COST REMOVE
MB-014-DF DFI LanParty UT NF4 Ultra-D (Socket 939) PCI-Express Motherboard (MB-014-DF)
£79.95 £79.95
GX-044-CO Connect3D ATI Radeon X1800 XT 256MB GDDR3 AVIVO TV-Out/Dual DVI (PCI-Express) - Retail (GX-044-CO)
£169.95 £169.95
CA-006-HP Hiper HPU-4B580 Type R 580W Modular ATX2.2 PSU - Blue (CA-006-HP)
£52.95 £52.95
Subtotal £302.85
Shipping (City Link Parcel Next Day (Delivered Mon-Fri)) £8.95
VAT £54.57
Total £366.37

a little bit over but by god will it be quick!

could do with getting rid of the 4x512mb sticks and getting 2x1gb sticks.

 

[Explicit]

Connect3D ATI Radeon X1800 XT 256MB GDDR3 AVIVO TV-Out/Dual DVI (PCI-Express) - Retail (GX-044-CO) **this week only**
£199.69
Asus A8N-E nForce4 Ultra (Socket 939) PCI-Express Motherboard (MB-088-AS)
£70.44
Tagan TG530-U15 530W ATX2.01 Easycon SLi Compliant Modular Silent PSU (CA-008-TG)
£70.44
Shipping (City Link Parcel Next Day (Delivered Mon-Fri))
£8.95

Total inc VAT: £349.82

 

[Larok]

GX-044-CO Connect3D ATI Radeon X1800 XT 256MB GDDR3 AVIVO TV-Out/Dual DVI (PCI-Express) - Retail (GX-044-CO)
£169.95 £169.95
CA-025-EN Enermax Liberty 500W ELT500AWT ATX2.2 Modular SLI Compliant PSU (CA-025-EN)
£61.95 £61.95
MB-091-AB Abit AT8 ATI RD480 Crossfire (Socket 939) PCI-Express Motherboard (MB-091-AB)
£69.95 £69.95
Subtotal £301.85
VAT £52.83
Total £354.68

 

[ACESHIGH]

PowerColor ATI Radeon X1800 XT 512MB GDDR3 AVIVO TV-Out/Dual DVI (PCI-Express) - Retail (GX-048-PC)
£246.69

Abit AT8 ATI RD480 Crossfire (Socket 939) PCI-Express Motherboard (MB-091-AB)
£82.19

Total = £328.88 including VAT

An Akasa 460w psu is a good PSU & unless you have problems with it i would keep it. If you get the above 512MB card & mobo you then have approx £20 to get a 20-24 pin converter for you PSU to run with your new mobo. And you will be under budget.

 

[FergCu]

thanks for this guys.
just a quick question regarding power supplies:

will the Tagan TG530-U15 530W Easycon SLi Compliant Modular PSU (CA-008-TG) support the Abit AT8 Motherboard... I ask because the motherboard utilises Crossfire, and not SLI. I'm assuming it doesnt matter, but thought I shoud check.

thanks

Ferg

 

[ACESHIGH]

Yes, usualy if it supports SLI it supports crossfire. The Tagan is a good PSU, so there shouldnt be any problems there.

 

[FergCu]

thanks Ace,

just to let you know, Ive gone for the x1800, the Abit AT8 and the Tagan. Have also thrown in a new cooler, floppy, hard drive.

Cheers for all your help!

Ferg

 

[Delvis]

Just wondering mate...Hows the At8 working for you? Im kinda thinking of getting one...

 

[xirokx]

I'm with HelpImcrap all the way

Great spec and good suggestion re: RAM....