Hey guys, need some upgrading help...

[freestyler105]

For $500, I would get the following:

Core 2 Duo E6400 $187
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115004

Gigabyte Motherboard - $100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128017

2 GB G.Skill DDR2-800 RAM $83
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231098

500 watt Silverstone PSU $90
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817256008


And you've got money left over. Save up for one of these:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130084

@ MSchmiess, he doesn't need an 8800. That's just overkill. An 8600GTS will max out all the games he plays.
@ Thelis, he probably wants some better RAM, DDR2-800 at least. And that PSU is kind of overkill, not to mention OCZ PSUs are not my favorite.

 

[doe]

Umm...Here's my advice. From what it sounds like, you want a new higher-en graphics card, but with that you'll need a new PSU. You also want a new mobo, in which case you'll need new RAM. If you're going that far, why not just do a new build?

My advice on parts:
GPU - 8800GTS or GTX (depending on money). You could also do the 8600GTS. I don't know much about radeon but they released their HD 2900. You could look into those.

mobo- Like Thelis said, the P5Ns are good ASUS motherboards. Or the Gigabyte DS3s are really good too. Do you want SLI or not? (SLi - 2 video cards)

RAM - Depending on if you want to OC or not (it sounds like you probably won't), PC2-5300 should be fine. OCZ, Corsair and Crucial are good brands.

Processor - Intel Core 2 Duo. Depends on budget which one to get. Look into maybe a 6400, 6420, or 6600. Right now Intel Core 2 Duos are the processors to have.

PSU - It looks like yours is a 350W with a combined 12.5amps on the 12V rails. You'll need something much better. Good brands are Antec, Silverstone, PC Power and Cooling, OCZ. Get something with at least 500W...bare minimum. Once you have your parts picked out we could help you with a specific PSU, but one thing to think about is NEVER EVER EVER buy a cheap PSU, unless you know what you're doing. PSUs get overlooked, people buy $40 PSUs, then wonder why their rig won't work.

Other advice: read as much as you can on these forums and other forums. Read other people's post with new builds, find out what stuff does and how it works. The more you read, the better decisions you can make for yourself.

no, i don't think i will need two graphics cards. do you think the motherboard i posted before would be good?
thanks for all your advice, it helps very much

 

[Thelis]

Look at mine and freestyler's posts.

 

[MSchmiess]

Very true, but not knowing the budget (He posted right before I posted), I was recommending that for the future. If it's for gaming, he'll be gaming later on and might want an 8800 in the future.

 

[doe]

sorry guys i cant post fast enough to keep up with all the advice... im prolly gunna go with freestyler's advice. thanks so much for all the help you guys, i cant thank you enough.

 

[freestyler105]

Well, then after he plays these future games that come out, he can get a new video card. The 8600GTS will play any games that come out in the next year or 2. And I don't think he said anywhere that he wanted to play anything more intensive than FEAR.