Is it worth it? Proposed Upgrade...

cheezhead18 · 06-29-2009, 01:30 PM

Hey all,

So my current system is this:
AMD Opteron 180 2.4 GHz
ATI x1950 XT
2 GB RAM
MSI MS-7184 AmethystM mobo
APEVIA ATX-AS520W-BK 520W PSU
XP
(as seen also in my sig)

I'm wondering was the cost analysis would be to upgrading this system would be. Currently I am unhappy with the performance of this system as I have been seeing slowdowns in relatively easy to run programs (CS: Source). I have a feeling it is my aging motherboard, as it came with a prebuilt bought back in October of 2005 that I have upgraded over the years. (It has a serial printer port, lol)

Currently I am considering a Core 2 Quad Q8200,
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115055
this Gigabyte motherboard,
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128358
and 2 gigs of DDR2 RAM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820134488
and keeping my current PSU, Graphics Card, case, etc.

My questions are as follows:
Is the cost of this upgrade (about $320 with NewEgg's prices) worth it with the new i7 core pushing out the socket 775 Processors?
If so, will a more expensive processor give me more of a deal?
Is my current PSU able to handle this upgrade?
Should I get more RAM?
How will this upgrade handle games like Empire: Total War?

I also will be selling my Opteron if I do in fact go through with this upgrade, if anyone is interested.

Thanks!

Tumbleweed36 · 06-29-2009, 05:50 PM

To be quite honest, you would be better off starting off with new components with the exception of some drives, case, etc. You really need to get a better video card and with that comes a new power supply, and then there is a new motherboard, new CPU, new memory, so by the time you upgrade those, you have a new system.

Take a look at this and evaluate your status, because I think you would be much better off with the cost/efficiency ration to just build new and sell your old on Ebay or something like that:

Want to Build A New Intel or AMD Computer? Here are 6 suggested models with Spec

**linderman** · 06-29-2009, 06:14 PM

good news though, you should still get good money for the opty 180 on ebay and the other abandoned parts should sell too, but that wont be nearly as pretty a deal

if you are on a budget; forget the i7 they are not that much better than socket 775

you will need a new psu too !

06-29-2009, 01:30 PM	#1 (permalink)
cheezhead18 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Chicago Suburbs Posts: 16 OS: XP My System	Is it worth it? Proposed Upgrade... Hey all, So my current system is this: AMD Opteron 180 2.4 GHz ATI x1950 XT 2 GB RAM MSI MS-7184 AmethystM mobo APEVIA ATX-AS520W-BK 520W PSU XP (as seen also in my sig) I'm wondering was the cost analysis would be to upgrading this system would be. Currently I am unhappy with the performance of this system as I have been seeing slowdowns in relatively easy to run programs (CS: Source). I have a feeling it is my aging motherboard, as it came with a prebuilt bought back in October of 2005 that I have upgraded over the years. (It has a serial printer port, lol) Currently I am considering a Core 2 Quad Q8200, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115055 this Gigabyte motherboard, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128358 and 2 gigs of DDR2 RAM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820134488 and keeping my current PSU, Graphics Card, case, etc. My questions are as follows: Is the cost of this upgrade (about $320 with NewEgg's prices) worth it with the new i7 core pushing out the socket 775 Processors? If so, will a more expensive processor give me more of a deal? Is my current PSU able to handle this upgrade? Should I get more RAM? How will this upgrade handle games like Empire: Total War? I also will be selling my Opteron if I do in fact go through with this upgrade, if anyone is interested. Thanks! __________________ "I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones" --Albert Einstein

06-29-2009, 05:50 PM	#2 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 19,465 OS: XP Professional	Re: Is it worth it? Proposed Upgrade... To be quite honest, you would be better off starting off with new components with the exception of some drives, case, etc. You really need to get a better video card and with that comes a new power supply, and then there is a new motherboard, new CPU, new memory, so by the time you upgrade those, you have a new system. Take a look at this and evaluate your status, because I think you would be much better off with the cost/efficiency ration to just build new and sell your old on Ebay or something like that: Want to Build A New Intel or AMD Computer? Here are 6 suggested models with Spec __________________ ---------- I don't receive email notifications of replies to subscribed threads. (Internet provider policy) Therefore, if I don't respond to your post within 24 hours, please send me a reminder PM and include the link to your thread.

06-29-2009, 06:14 PM	#3 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 20,402 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Re: Is it worth it? Proposed Upgrade... good news though, you should still get good money for the opty 180 on ebay and the other abandoned parts should sell too, but that wont be nearly as pretty a deal if you are on a budget; forget the i7 they are not that much better than socket 775 you will need a new psu too ! __________________ Even a Broken Clock is Right Twice a Day ! Power Supply Selection LEARN TO BACK-UP YOUR DATA FREE & EASY YouTube - Runtime Software DriveImage XML tutorial