[Mendax]

I have to build a computer for my CMT school project, though I've decided to upgrade my current one, (seen in my sig), and use the old parts to rebuild the new computer for my mom. Now, if you look at my specs, you'll notice that I have an 8800GTS with 1GB of RAM, but an Athlon 64+ 3000. Yes, I know it's a huge bottleneck. I upgraded my videocard, powersupply, and hard drive last year, so I will not be needing to replace those for the rebuild. To upgrade, I need a new motherboard, RAM, and processor.

That will leave me with my old videocard (6600GT), old powersupply (350W I think), old hard drive, current motherboard, ram and processor to build a new computer for my mom. I will need to buy a new case and CD/DVD drives to finish it off.

So in short:

I need a new motherboard, processor, and RAM for my current computer (in sig), and then a new case and CD/DVD drives for this computer:

Athlon 64+ 3000
6600GT
Chaintech NForce4 Ultra ATX Motheboard
80GB Harddrive
350Watt Antec powersupply

In total, I don't really want to spend more than $300. I plan on buying a bit later, maybe in November, so I'll be checking again before I buy to be sure I'm getting the most efficient deals. I plan on ordering from Newegg.

If this doesn't make any sense then please tell me and I'll try to reword it.

EDIT: I guess you have to view my profile to see my sig, so to make it easier I'll post my specs here:

A64 3000+ Venice
BFG 8800GTS 640MB PCIE
Corsair ValueSelect 1GB RAM
250GB 7200 RPM 16MB HDD
Chaintech NForce4 Ultra ATX MOBO
600W StealthXStream PS

[Mendax]

Bump

[Triple6]

Pick any case you like: http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCateg...Computer-Cases
Avoid the real cheap cases as the quality is going to be poor, get one that you like, is the right color, and that has good airflow with options to mount fans or one that already comes with fans.

As for DVD drives, I don't know what color you need, for moedearte use any DVD-RW will do.: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...nd&Order=PRICE

[Triple6]

Here's a good Intel P45 based motherboard from Gigabyte for $99.99: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128345
Don't know if you need any specific features.

Here's some OCZ 2 x 1GB PC6400 RAM for $45.99($25.99 after rebate): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820227124

Intel E7200 2.53Ghz Core 2 Duo Processor for $119.99: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115052

Depending on what case and drive you get, and after the mail-in-rebates that should be around $300 total.

[Mendax]

Compatiblity wise, is there any difference between an ATX Mid Tower and ATX Full Tower case regading the motherboard? I like the look of this case, though it is a bit more than I wanted. The more I spend on the case and CD/DVD Drives the less I'll have for the Motherboard, RAM, and Processor.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119047

As far as CD/DVD drives go... I'm not really sure how to tell if they're any good. I don't know what the abreviations mean (DVD+RW, DVD-RAM DVD±R, ect). I just want a decent drive that can read both CDs and DVDs, and it should probably write CDs aswell. Writing on DVDs would be nice, but I don't think it's a huge deal since, as far as I know, Windows XP doesn't even support that without 3rd party programs.

This is the motherboard I'm updating from:

http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16813152049

Please note that it must be compatible with the case above, and it should give you an example of the motheroboard that will work with my current case.

[Triple6]

The mainboard will fit into either of those cases. I like the CoolerMaster case you choose, I've used it before and its a good case.

I would get a DVD burner, it will read and burn both CD's and DVD's. As for the formats, it should be able to do DVD - and + RW formats, DVD-RAM isn't all that important.

Most of those drives should come with CD\DVD burning and DVD playback software.
Go for the LiteOn drive as they are priced low and work good. Make sure its listed as PATA or IDE so thats its compatible with the older system.

[Mendax]

The motherboard you suggested doesn't have many good reviews. I'm not really too comfortable buying it just yet, (I'll do some research in just a minute). I'll look for another one, but if there's another one you'd like to suggest then that would be excellent.

[Triple6]

79% of the users gave it a 4 or 5 at Newegg.com, there's always goning ot be some bad reviews, especially when some of the posters wil have limitied or ne experience building computers.

[Mendax]

Ok, I went and did a bunch of research and found most of the parts to ensure everything will be compatible. Unfortunatly, most of them are deactivated so I can't combine them as a Wish List. So...:

New

Motherboard
Not yet selected

Processor
Not Yet Selected

Videocard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814143081

RAM
Not Yet Selected

Powersupply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817341010

Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148262

CD/DVD Drive
Liteon SOHW-1693S (Sorry, I couldn't find a link. I have the box with the specs so any questions can probably be answered.

Case
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16811129152

Sound Card(?)
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16829102011

Old

Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16813152049

Processor
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16819103501

Videocard
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16814122201

RAM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145440

Powersupply
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16817103934

Hard Drive(?)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...2E16822148019R

CD/DVD Drive
Not Yet Selected

Case
Not Yet Selected

Sound Card
None

*Note: I didn't add any of the parts that I'm planning on purchasing soon.

About the motherboard, I searched Newegg and it seems like most of the budget boards don't have the best reviews. However, I did find this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813186148

I'm not sure what I was supposed to be searching for, (I just looked for a P45, LGA 775 board), so I'm not sure if it's compatible.

By the way, the RAM you posted was originally $37.49, but $17.49 after $20.00 Mail-In
Rebate.

[Triple6]

Looks like an OK board, Foxconn is a little new to making their own boards, but have been making boards and components for other companies for a while. Their products and packaging don't always have bells and whistles, some have lots though, but the products are solid.

You're right, the memory is cheaper and thats good. Not sure if the price changed or if I was looking at something else.

I don't think I'd bother with a sound card, use the onboard sound as it actually compares well to the older Creative cards at this point. If you want a good card for gaming and audio then the cheapest I would recommend is the Creative X-Fi Gamer. Other wise the difference isn't there or very small.

[Mendax]

I already bought the sound card last year. Should I keep it or scrap it?

Anyways, I guess you'd still suggest the first motherboard? I'll probably be keeping the ram for sure, and the processor is fine, (I don't know enough about the current processors to really have an opinion on it).

It's not Liteon, but how does this CD/DVD drive look?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827129018

I think it should read and burn CDs and DVDs. However, you said that I need to make sure it's IDE or PATA to work with my old motherboard. Does that mean the new motherboard won't be compatable with my current (old) drive?

[Triple6]

If you have the sound card, then keep it.

I don't see anything wrong with the Foxconn board, and its priced well.

Pioneer drives are some of the best, its a good choice. It's compatible with either the old and new system as should your old drive be compatible with the new one. New motherboards support only 2 IDE/PATA devices but older boards supported 4 devices - new baords are mvoing toward SATA.

[Mendax]

I don't believe this, the drive has been deactivated! So, hows this one:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827129023

Also, in some of the reviews for the RAM, people were saying that they "need to up your mobo's voltage to run it stable." Am I going to have this problem, and if so, how do I fix it?

By the way, what are these special features on the motherboard that you talked about?

[Triple6]

Some boards include lots of tuning software or utilities, higher grade solid capacitors, dual BIOS, greater overclocking options in the BIOS, lots of extra ports like more SATA or PATA controllers or firewire or eSATA.

Almost all motherboards now have t he option to increase memory voltage so its just a matter of entering the BIOS setup and adjusting it to what is specified on the memory.

[Mendax]

Ok, here's what I decided to buy:

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115017

I decided to spend a little bit more on the processor because if I'm going to be buying one, I minus well spend a little more and get something worthwhile.

Then, I've chosen the motherboard you suggested because it's cheaper. I did some research and many computer websites gave it a good rating.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128345

And then the same RAM, case, and optical drive as before:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820227124
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119047
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827129023

So how does that look?