Upgrade, buy, or build ?

Discussion in 'Building a new PC' started by darkparad, Sep 19, 2008.

  1. darkparad

    darkparad Member

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    Hi. My previous computer has just died. From what I can tell the hard drive is shot. So I am presented with three options. Buying a new hard drive and trying to upgrade a five year old computer, buying a new computer, or building one. I am not the most computer savvy individual so I’m hesitant in building one. But I’m also looking for the most cost effective solution to my needs.

    My needs are primarily gaming. Graphics aren’t my primary concern. I would prefer a computer that can handle multiple applications at once. And be easily upgraded throughout the years. Longevity is key. I mostly play MMOs like everquest and world of warcraft. And was planning to play war hammer… but my computer died the day I purchased the game. Leading me to believe war hammer is in fact the anti-Christ.

    Any suggestions on which route to take ?
     
  2. abuzar1

    abuzar1 Senior member

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    Build yourself a new computer. Upgrading machins after 5 years is not worth it and if you buy one then it wont come with a video card unless it's ridiculously overpriced.
     
  3. sammorris

    sammorris Senior member

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    Warhammer isn't very demanding, so a new PC to run it will be cheap. Warhammer will not, however, run on a really old PC, so I maintain a new build as being the best option.
     
  4. darkparad

    darkparad Member

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    Building a new PC does seem to be the best option. And is something I’ve wanted to give a shot for awhile. I am fairly confident that war hammer would have ran on my old computer, but my demands regarding performance and having all the graphical options aren’t very high. To illustrate I’ve been fairly content playing Eq and WoW on a five year old Hp. The only upgrades (and technical knowledge I have) is that it had 1gig ram and a geforce 5500.

    Not being overly computer savvy and such. What is a good starting point in building your first PC ? My finical target is between $500-1,000. With the lower range being optimal. I would much rather have something that can get me by for the time being that I am capable of upgrading at a later time as it becomes necessary. Being able to launch / task between multiple instances of games is key. Other uses will be browsing the internet and storing pictures.

    I appreciate any advice =)
     
  5. Faugs

    Faugs Guest

    [​IMG]

    The total is $875
     
  6. abuzar1

    abuzar1 Senior member

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  7. sammorris

    sammorris Senior member

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    Agreed, on all those points.
     
  8. darkparad

    darkparad Member

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    PU: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80570E8400

    Motherboard: ASUS P5Q Pro LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard

    GPU: MSI R4850-512M Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card

    PCU: CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply

    Memory: CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X4096-6400C5

    Hard drive: Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive

    CD drive: SAMSUNG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model SH-S223Q

    Case: Antec Three Hundred Black ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

    Would switching to an E5200 processor. Would this dramatically reduce performance?

    Thanks
     
  9. abuzar1

    abuzar1 Senior member

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    Looks good, but I would keep a Q6600. If you are strapped for cash then a E5200 will be just fine and you can overclock it a lot too.
     
  10. sammorris

    sammorris Senior member

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    An E5200 is capable enough, it's nowhere near as powerful as a Q6600, and a bit behind an E8400, but once you overclock those differences drop back a bit, and it's not a bad CPU at all, miles faster than the old P4s. (An E5200 overclocked to 3.0Ghz is about 4x as fast as a 3.2Ghz P4 HT)
     

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