Phædrus2401

Hey y'all, I've been doing a staggered upgrade of my computer, basing it off a mid-line HP Pavilion I got about a year and a half ago. So far I've upgraded the GPU, PSU, and hard drive. However, I'm about to take the plunge and install everything in a new case and motherboard, plus make a few other changes. Here are my current specs:

MBD: Stock HP ATX
Case: Stock HP Pavilion mini-tower
CPU: Intel Core2 Duo e2200 2.2GHz
RAM: 3GB stock DDR2
GPU: Sapphire Radeon HD 4870 1GB GDDR5
HDD: 180GB+240GB Western Digital SATA
PSU: Rocketfish 700 Watt ATX

Now, I already have a case, a used version of this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811144151 (APEVIA mid-tower w/ 2 intake fans and 3 out fans) that I got from a friend for $40.

I was thinking of an EVGA 132-CK-NF79-TR (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813188044) for a motherboard, and 4GB of Mushkin DDR3 RAM (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820146740). I'm planning on the possibility of using Crossfire or adding more RAM in the future, so I need a mobo that has extra PCI Express 2.0 and RAM slots.

I was also hoping to overclock my CPU. A friend of mine whose dad builds custom rigs for people says that e2200s overclock pretty well, and that I could get 2.6 to 2.8 GHz without too much trouble, if I have enough power and cooling. Is this true? Also, I've heard of using paste on the CPU, but this is the first time I've had to mess with installing a CPU so I don't know how/what to do.

Also, I know that Rocketfish isn't a great brand for PSUs, so I'd be willing to replace it as long as it isn't too expensive. Mine hasn't given me any trouble (aside from being a tad large for my current case), so if it's adequate for what I need I'd like to keep it.

Overall, for a mobo, RAM, and possibly PSU, I'd like to stay under $300 if possible. Also, advice on installing and overclocking a CPU.

BoT

the cpu should be able to clock that high but it depends on a lot of things including the cpu itself.
are you set on going to ddr3?

hmm, i dunno but running crossfire on a nvidia sli platform .. can work.
i'd rather go with something like this
ASUS P5Q3 DELUXE/WIFI-AP - $212.99
or
GIGABYTE GA-EP45T-UD3P - $139.99

i'd also consider these ram modules
OCZ Platinum 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) - $74.99

if, when you upgrade in the future or add a second video card and maybe a cpu, you should also look into a good psu.

wrench97

To use Xfire you need an Intel chipset like the P45 not a Nvidia SLI chipset, Take a look at the P5Q-E, P5Q Pro, GA EP45 UD3P, GA EP45 DQ6, Your better off using DDR2 800 or 1066 then DDR3 Ram.

Thermal paste isn't hard to do I would however use something like the Thermaltake 9700 heat sink fan assembly to overclock with rather then the stock HP unit. > http://www.arcticsilver.com/arctic_s...structions.htm
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835118019

linderman

the man left NOTHING for me ....................... he said it all .........all I got is DITTO

Phædrus2401

So would this be a good set of purchases?

MBD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...1296&Tpk=P5Q-E $145
RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820227371 $51
CPU cooler: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835118019 $44
Thermal paste: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835100007 $9

Total: $249
- Rebates: $229

Heh, $30-50 cheaper than what I was planning on, and ostensibly better? Alright. Look good?

Would it be a good idea to transfer over my current 3GB to the new build as secondary RAM? Obviously it isn't near as fast, but perhaps as an overflow...

linderman

good plan you have



2 x2 gig is all the ram you will ever need ............. put the slow stuff on ebay

BoT

also, the 3 gig set will not run in dual channel as the 2x2 will.

linderman

correct -A- mundo.........

Phædrus2401

Alright, well, thanks y'all. I'll bundle that RAM and my old BFG 9500 on ebay and make myself $30, and buy that stuff later this week. Thanks. :)