Building or upgrading?

Guamek · 11-02-2009, 11:53 PM

I have a dell dimension 8400 but just dont know how outdated it is in comparison to newer systems. Its a p4 3.2 ht , 1gb ram, radeon x300 running on win xp. Should i just get some more ram and a better gpu? or would it be better if i just built a new system from scratch? my budget isnt too high ($400)

**Tyree** · 11-03-2009, 07:21 AM

More RAM and a better GPU would be good as an upgrade but you will probably have to replace the power supply to go with the GPU.

**linderman** · 11-03-2009, 11:47 AM

I personally would not spend much money on such an out dated system.

"if" you are a gamer I suggest you shoot for a used motherboard from ebay / Intel E7500 cpu / 4 gigs of memory / used video card like the 8800GTS that could all be had for $400.00

if you try to go all new stuff, you will blow your budget

I have seen boards like the Asus P5N32-E SLI on ebay sell for $75.00
same with the 8800 GTS

Intel E7500 would cost about $120.00 (look for one of those on ebay too ?)

memory would cost $80.00 for this 4 gig kit
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820227199

**linderman** · 11-03-2009, 11:48 AM

before you are done though I suggest you get a better power supply which could cost you $60.00 to $70.00 for an mwave.com / refurb OCZ 700 watt

Guamek · 11-04-2009, 12:15 AM

and with $800 what could i build?

**linderman** · 11-04-2009, 05:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guamek

and with $800 what could i build?

for $800.00 you could build a rather muscular gaming machine

Intel E8500 CPU = $189.00

GA-EP45-UD3L = around $100.00

4 gigs of Corsair Dominator DDR2-1066 memory with 5-5-5-15 timings (around $120.00)

Coolermaster centurion case $50.00

Corsair 850-TX power supply $139.00

ATI 4890 video = $200.00

you would be able to play anything with that set-up >>>>and with only the addition of a $55.00 cpu cooler, the spec above would overclock to 4.0ghz rather easily

Guamek · 11-05-2009, 12:09 AM

is there an amd option? or why wouldnt you recommend it?

JCP21 · 11-05-2009, 02:15 PM

Do you want to go amd?

**Tyree** · 11-05-2009, 02:55 PM

There is an AMD option under the $800 build here: Want to Build A New Intel or AMD Computer? Here are 6 suggested models with Spec

11-02-2009, 11:53 PM	#1 (permalink)
Guamek Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 3 OS: Win XP	Building or upgrading? I have a dell dimension 8400 but just dont know how outdated it is in comparison to newer systems. Its a p4 3.2 ht , 1gb ram, radeon x300 running on win xp. Should i just get some more ram and a better gpu? or would it be better if i just built a new system from scratch? my budget isnt too high ($400) Last edited by Guamek; 11-02-2009 at 11:55 PM.

11-03-2009, 07:21 AM	#2 (permalink)
Tyree Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 5,629 OS: XP Pro-7RC-Mandriva My System	Re: Building or upgrading? More RAM and a better GPU would be good as an upgrade but you will probably have to replace the power supply to go with the GPU. __________________ Posting your PC specs will help us to help you quicker and more efficiently.

11-03-2009, 11:47 AM	#3 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 20,437 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Re: Building or upgrading? I personally would not spend much money on such an out dated system. "if" you are a gamer I suggest you shoot for a used motherboard from ebay / Intel E7500 cpu / 4 gigs of memory / used video card like the 8800GTS that could all be had for $400.00 if you try to go all new stuff, you will blow your budget I have seen boards like the Asus P5N32-E SLI on ebay sell for $75.00 same with the 8800 GTS Intel E7500 would cost about $120.00 (look for one of those on ebay too ?) memory would cost $80.00 for this 4 gig kit http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820227199 __________________ I still know nothing and I respect that fact, striving to improve and, along the way, help anyone that comes from the place that I used to be! Power Supply Selection LEARN TO BACK-UP YOUR DATA FREE & EASY YouTube - Runtime Software DriveImage XML tutorial

11-03-2009, 11:48 AM	#4 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 20,437 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Re: Building or upgrading? before you are done though I suggest you get a better power supply which could cost you $60.00 to $70.00 for an mwave.com / refurb OCZ 700 watt __________________ I still know nothing and I respect that fact, striving to improve and, along the way, help anyone that comes from the place that I used to be! Power Supply Selection LEARN TO BACK-UP YOUR DATA FREE & EASY YouTube - Runtime Software DriveImage XML tutorial

11-04-2009, 12:15 AM	#5 (permalink)
Guamek Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 3 OS: Win XP	Re: Building or upgrading? and with $800 what could i build?

11-05-2009, 12:09 AM	#7 (permalink)
Guamek Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 3 OS: Win XP	Re: Building or upgrading? is there an amd option? or why wouldnt you recommend it?

11-05-2009, 02:15 PM	#8 (permalink)
JCP21 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 18 OS: Windows 7	Re: Building or upgrading? Do you want to go amd?

11-05-2009, 02:55 PM	#9 (permalink)
Tyree Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 5,629 OS: XP Pro-7RC-Mandriva My System	Re: Building or upgrading? There is an AMD option under the $800 build here: Want to Build A New Intel or AMD Computer? Here are 6 suggested models with Spec __________________ Posting your PC specs will help us to help you quicker and more efficiently.