Want to buy new processor and motherboard

[bluezz]

As a result of :
https://www.techspot.com/vb/topic68951.html

my friend is now planning to buy a new mobo and processor. Call it lack of funds but he can afford to spend $150 for both mobo and processor. I'll try to chip-in $50 so we are looking for about $150 to $200. what would be the best options for us.
Thanks

 

[nickslick74]

What kind of memory are you going to be re-using, DDR or DDR2?

 

[bluezz]

should have mentioned it..
DDR ram
have 2 x 512MB

how good are the Preslers??
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819116253

 

[zipperman]

That amount US $ might get a good combo.
Buying both save bucks
and your sure of a proper match and compatible cpu already installed.
The cost rises as the cpu rises,but try to afford 3.0 hyperthreading combo.
2.0 cpu minimum for todays devices.Also 1 gb ram minimum.The best it will accept.

 

[nickslick74]

Yeah, that processor is fine. You are going to be fairly limited on mobos that support the Pentium D and DDR400. Here is a decent one that supports both types of memory: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813157092

It does only have AGP slots though. You also might want to think about upgrading your psu.

 

[bluezz]

I am a little confused..

The Processor I am planning is:
Intel Pentium D 915 Presler 2.8GHz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819116253

The Motherboard I am planning is:
ASRock 775Dual-VSTA LGA 775
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813157092

Apart from that, I have 2 sticks of DDR SDRAM
AGP: ATI Radeon 9600 pro
Hitachi SATA hard disk drive
1 CDRW drive
1 DVD-rw drive
PCI: an ethernet card
2-3 USB devices
An additional FANS for the case (without any LED’s)

I tried using the power supply calculator at eXtreme Power Supply Calculator but that too is confusing for me.

My old Power Supply says “Max Wattage 400W”
I also have a new spare PSU 350W
Would this be enough or do I need to upgrade the PSU as well ?
In case of an upgrade, what wattage should I be looking for ?

Thanks in advance

 

[Rage_3K_Moiz]

You should be looking for an affordable, good quality 450W PSU. Try this one.

 

[zipperman]

Power supply is ok

It's you motherboard and cpu,They might not match as far as stats posted.
Just be sure the mbd accepts that cpu type.
Go to the mbd website and view that boards cpu type it takes.
Otherwise your choices seem ok.I have a 375 PWS.
No problems,similar system.

 

[sllewe]

First off, that mobo and CPU should work, although I am never a fan of a VIA chipset. I will do a little hunting to see if I cant find you something a little better. Asrock carries somewhat of a bad reputation although I have used one without any problems.

As far as the PSU goes it should be ok if it is of decent quality. The 9600 is not a very demanding card as far as power goes.

Sean

 

[Rage_3K_Moiz]

Nope ASRock is a budget line of mobos made by ASUS and I've yet to see one fail.

As far as the PSU goes it should be ok if it is of decent quality. The 9600 is not a very demanding card as far as power goes.

Yeah, but the Presler CPU is a huge power-guzzler as far as I know.

 

[wolfram]

That 450W PSU is completely necessary, especially if he wants to overclock or something like that.

That PSU should be strong enough for better GPU's, in case you want to upgrade the 9600 card someday.

 

[sllewe]

Nope ASRock is a budget line of mobos made by ASUS and I've yet to see one fail.

Yeah, but the Presler CPU is a huge power-guzzler as far as I know.

Yes but the 9600 is a last gen card that does not require much power to run.

We are not making a future proof machine, this is a budget upgrade that is obviously on a very strict spending. Adding a 50 Dollar PSU because it may need it for the future is not a helpful recommendation.

I have calculated it out and that machine will run on a decent 400w power supply with no problem.

Basically if this was a major upgrade with current gen parts I could see getting a new PSU. But with a Pentium D, 9600 and a low end Mobo, I dont think it is his/her budget.

 

[Rage_3K_Moiz]

I know that AtK but I've heard of (a lot) Pentium Ds being major power-suckers hence the recommendation. I was merely suggesting the PSU for that reason. I simply thought the 450W of power would help in some way. I'm not the last authority when it comes to PSUs anyways.

 

[sllewe]

I understand what you were getting at and I am certainly not the last authority on power supplies either. We could argue and dabble but we both have good points .

 

[bluezz]

Thanks a lot everyone
you guys were great help.. :grinthumb

quick last n00b question about power supplies..
are the cheap ones a hazard to mobo and processor ??

I saw these 4 cheap ones..

choice 1)
A-Power Golden Deluxe 480-Watt 20/24-Pin ATX Power Supply
http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=APGD480

choice 2)
and this one is FREE after rebate.. only shipping:
COOLMAX V-500 ATX 500W Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817159062

3)
Logisys 480W Dual Fan 20-24 Pin ATX Power Supply
http://www.pcimicro.com/.sc/ms/dd/P...al Fan 20-24 Pin ATX Power Supply Bulk Pack

last one)
Chiefmax 450 watt Power Supply
http://3btech.net/ch45atxposup.html

 

[foozy]

Uh, yeah, those PSU's are scary cheap. I wouldn't use any of them to power a microwave, let alone a PC.

As far as wattage... 400w seems safe to me, but I'm also not the last authority on power supplies.

 

[Rage_3K_Moiz]

Let me tell you one thing straight. If you want to assassinate someone without making it look like a hit, use one of those PSUs in their PC. They do not come with Active PFC or overvoltage protection and will more than likely blow, taking one or more components(or even the whole PC) along with them. Avoid them like the plague.

 

[sllewe]

Amen to Rage

 

[bluezz]

Avoid them like the plague.

i lol'd
alright.. getting a decent PSU with price > $50 power supply.

thanks everyone for all the help again

 

[tifc8lraz]

...although I am never a fan of a VIA chipset...

I have never had any problems with a Via chipset, as my "old" pc used to run on one. Although, Via, I think (correct me if I'm wrong), caters to the affordable mobo buyer.

 

[F1N3ST]

Very affordable, i would use them ovr a ECS.

 

[beef_jerky4104]

That sounds like a decent low end upgrade.

I wouldn't reccomend any of the power supplies you've mentioned. Actually let me reccomend you a cheap yet very reliable power supply that my friends and I like to use in lower end setups.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817148027

A very low price, but it comes with dual 12V rails and 2 fans to keep it cool.

 

[Tedster]

You can get an older Athlon XP 3200+ and motherboard for less than $150. Bear in mind it is not dual-core. It will still run fairly quick though. 2.2ghz speed. That should fit your budget.