[Stevenpd]

Hi,

I recently decided that i was going to update the motherboard and video card in my computer. I'm not quite sure what's a good deal and what's not, but im looking at a few things...

I found http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Produc...odlist=froogle
its an asus motherboard P5QC intel P45 board for $135. I want a motherboard with PCI-e 2.0 x16, and a 775 socket supporting the quad-cores (because i plan to use my pentium D 820 in it and also want the option of upgrading to a quad-core). I also found http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Produc...tCode=10008670
a GIGABYTE GA-EP45-DS3R Intel P45. What makes the big price difference in their prices? Is it just the DDR3. Other motherboards under $160 are welcome for suggestion.

And for a video card, i found http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/hot-deals/870687 A Geforce 9500 GT for $60, as well as a http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/hot-deals/871225, an Evega Geforce 8600 GT 500W psu combo at newegg.com for $40.... which brings me to my final question.

If i upgrade to these parts is a 450W rosewill PSU going to be enough power for it all? (running a pentium D 820). Also, any other video card suggestions are welcome... i need the card to run WoW nicely so i can play AT LEAST 30-40 fps... because my old Dell is running on AGP 4x and runs it at around 30.

Thanks!

[BG-0]

Get the Gigabyte version of those two, it's higher quality ATM... Or then go for a Gigabyte P35 board (has support for most quad-cores, I think only exceptions are the C2QXs, starting from 900 $), P45 are quite useless upgrade for the money.

Okay, I'm giving you newegg links for all parts, I'd suggest getting everything for there

Video card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150247
Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128337
Power supply: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817341010

Total: 240 $ plus shipping, minus 55 $ rebates...

You could also get a video card capable of running heavier games than wow at a good fps, if you ever play anything else... Example: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814127333

[Stevenpd]

Ok so first off i do need a new PSU then?? and second the motherboard you suggested doesn't support quad-cores. I wanted the option of upgrading that in the future.

[Obmutescence]

Originally Posted by Stevenpd

Ok so first off i do need a new PSU then?? and second the motherboard you suggested doesn't support quad-cores. I wanted the option of upgrading that in the future.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128337
You mean that one that he suggested? It does support quad cores, look at the first CPU type it says under specifications, right there.

[Stevenpd]

My question was do i need more power than a 450W psu if im just upgrading the motherboard and the video card? and you're right about the motherboard supporting quads, but i also noticed it doesn't support PCI-e 2.0, how much better is 2.0?

[BG-0]

Yes you need a new PSu. At least to be able to run the new vid card and the coming CPU. (graphics cards use the most power, if they are equally powerful with other parts) WAIT and i answer more, I'm off the comp for about 15 mins

A "450W psu tells" nothing about the actual power the PSU can output.
With video cards like 8600, 9600, (radeon 3850, 3870, 4670) PCI-Express 2.0 is about 2 % faster than 1.1. With the best cards (350-500$ ones), the difference is about 10 % max.

[Stevenpd]

ok haha. um while you're answering more, i'd also like to know a little about the x38 chipset. the x48 is a little out of my budget but it looks like i can get a motherboard with an x38 chipset and keep the price under about 160$ or so. is the x38 worth the extra money.

[BG-0]

X38 only has PCIE 2.0 support, it's not worth the extra. X48 would have Crossfire support, that's not worth the extra either in a system of the level you're at. Just stick with the stable and good-known P35.