It's time to upgrade (suggestions)

[CrazyVlad]

My current PC is an HP pavilion I ordered 2 years ago, and i have came to the conclusion that its crap and the only good thing that i like is the monitor . So i have about $550 dollars to upgrade looking to spend at tigerdirect.com

Here are my current Specs

MB: ASUS: P5LP-LE <---Crap
CPU: Pentium 4 641 (3.2 GHz / 800 MHz FSB); 2 MB L2 cache with Hyper-Threading technology
GPU: ATI Radeon x1300 Pro <---Crap
RAM: 1 GB DDR2 PC2-4200 (2 DIMMs) <---Worthless

Because my budget is so tight I'm thinking about just keeping my CPU and getting a new MB,GPU,RAM, and a PowerSupply

I'm deciding between Asus-P5N-D nVdia 750i for $170 or EVGA nForce 750i for $200

For GPU I'm thinking EVGA 8800GT AKIMBO SC 720core/2000mem/1500shader for $200

For RAM and PSU I'm still looking but I can't seem to make up my mind So suggestions will be nice. For PSU anything between 500W-600W would be good.

[MpG]

Hmm... You're determined to get your stuff at TigerDirect?

Exactly what kind of budget are you looking at?

[CrazyVlad]

I have $550 to spend on parts its pretty tight . I live in Chicago and I can drive to TigerDirect so it would be easier for me and wouldn't have to pay for shipping lol.

[kruzn4evr]

I thought you were in canada and had lots of suggestions on where to buy....never mind...lol

[MpG]

Ah, you're American, that makes more sense. I stopped ordering from them after the third $500 package was just left on my welcome mat by UPS. But anyway...

Motherboard: MSI P35 Neo-2. Personally, I'd recommend a Gigabyte or Asus P35 model, but this'll do the trick as well, I just wouldn't recommend it for any heavy-duty overclocking with Quad-core CPUs, but that's not in the picture at the moment.

Memory: Corsair XMS2 4GB. You could get by with 2 GB of memory, more than likely, but this stuff will last you well into the future, and support mild overclocking as well. Shouldn't be any compatibility issues with popular motherboards, either.

PSU: Corsair VX550. Seriously, you don't need 600W. I'm using the 450W version of this, and it's powering the second system in my signature, and it's not even breaking a sweat. The 550W version has two PCI-E power plugs, which might be useful if you find yourself running a card that needs them, but the 8800GT you listed doesn't need it. Otherwise, save $20 by getting the VX450 instead.

Adding on that video card (nice price, I'd say) for $200 will put you around $500.

[misterlarry]

Welcome to HWC CrazyVlad. Here's a link from ExtremeTech (US) talking about building a rig for under $800. It might give you some good ideas.

Build an $800 Gaming PC

Hope it helps. I'm still too much of a noob to be suggesting hardware choices.

[CrazyVlad]

Thanks guys for all the replies. MpG I will def be getting the RAM and the PSU, but i want to ask about the two Motherboards that i have selected Asus-P5N-D nVdia 750i and the EVGA nForce 750i. Are they any good or should I go for something else keeping in mind that I will probably be going SLI once i get more money.

[1Tanker]

For $550 from TD.com, this is the best you'll do. I chose parts without M.I.R.'s because it doesn't sound like you could pay the extra money initially. If you ordered from somewhere else, you could do better. An 8800GT won't fit your budget.. and maybe your case too.
- Pentium Dual Core E2200 - $84.99
- MSI P35 Neo2-FR Mobo - $119.99
- Corsair XMS2 DHX 2048MB
Dual Channel PC6400 - $57.99
- Corsair VX550W 550-Watt - $99.99
- HIS Radeon HD 3870 IceQ3 - $189.99

Total = $552.95

GL

Edit: I see MPG picked some of the same parts.

[CrazyVlad]

Tanker thanks for the suggestion, but buying a CPU is what I'll do in about a month as I'll be getting around another $200 dollars or more. So the $550 is gonna be on MOBO RAM and def I'll be getting the Akimbo. As of powersupply i just dug out a 500W RAIDMAX so i don't think I'll be needing one but for insurance I'll get one with the Cpu in about a month. I'm just wondering if Asus-P5N-D nVdia 750i and the EVGA nForce 750i are any good reliable boards and which one would you suggest? I appreciate the suggestions guys

[1Tanker]

Originally Posted by CrazyVlad

Tanker thanks for the suggestion, but buying a CPU is what I'll do in about a month as I'll be getting around another $200 dollars or more. So the $550 is gonna be on MOBO RAM and def I'll be getting the Akimbo. As of powersupply i just dug out a 500W RAIDMAX so i don't think I'll be needing one but for insurance I'll get one with the Cpu in about a month. I'm just wondering if Asus-P5N-D nVdia 750i and the EVGA nForce 750i are any good reliable boards and which one would you suggest? I appreciate the suggestions guys

You seem to be bent on getting an nVidia chipset. Are you planning on SLI in the future? If not, try and get a P35 motherboard.. they're hard to beat for performance/$. The Gigabyte P35 DS3L is unmatched in performance/$ @ ~$90.The P35 chipset will be better than the 750i.