Upgrading my computer

[jettlarue]

So I have this emachine-t3382. Now I was looking at some stuff on newegg because the onboard audio is half broken, and the onboard video sucks. At first I was looking to buy both pieces separately for about 100. Now I am thinking of buying this combo deal, which is a new motherboard and two sticks of ram (need new ram because old ram is ddr and the new motherboard is ddr2). Now the combo deal is $90, so it seems in my best interest to just buy that so I can upgrade my computer further in the future. http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.594963 is the combo. What I'm curious about is on the motherboard specs page it says ddr2 standard, but it seems the memory is ddr3? Will this combo work? Will my harddrive work or will I need a new one also? Here is a spec of my hardware I found to http://reviews.cnet.com/desktops/emachines-t3882/1707-3118_7-31341179.html

[JupiterShadow]

That mobo and ram combo won't work, the asus board only supports up to ddr2 1066mhz ram while the ram in the combo are Adata XPG ddr3 1600mhz sticks.

As for the hard disk, it should work as both the HDD and mobo utilizes sata so no problems there.

[jettlarue]

Thank. Yeah I figured it wouldn't work because of the discrepancy but just wanted to make sure because my hardware skills are like unborn childrens hardware skills. But any harddrive labeled sata will work? I know I have an old one and it would be cool to have it just plug in and I could always get another harddrive later. I've looked into some more options, here is my updated plan:

• ASUS M4A785-M AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131595
• AMD Athlon II X3 450 Rana 3.2GHz 3 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Desktop Processor ADX450WFGMBOX
  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103886
• A-DATA 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model AD2U800B1G5-DRHhttp://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=20-211-066&SortField=0&SummaryType=0&Pagesize=10&PurchaseMark=&SelectedRating=-1&VideoOnlyMark=False&VendorMark=&IsFeedbackTab=true&Page=3#scrollFullInfo
• And maybe this 500 gig seagate hd: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148395

So it seems I would be basically replacing everything besides the case and powersupply, except maybe the harddrive. I just wanna make sure I'm getting shit that will work well for me for a good price. The reason I kinda wanna go with amd is it looks like overall they are cheaper, and it leaves me with enough power so I can wait to get a graphics card.

[Illuminatus]

First of all: What you wanna do with your new computer? Gaming? Only office stuff? Some video-editing?

The AMD Athlon II X3 459 3.2GHz is good, but too "overpowered" if you will only do office, surfing and stuff. AMD Athlon II X2 250 3.0GHz would be enough. On the other hand, if you want to prepare for the future and maybe do some video-editing, 3D-stuff sometimes I would go for the AMD Athlon II X4 640 3.0GHz - nice value for money.

I would go for the ASRock 890GM Pro3, 890GX. Has USB 3.0, eSATA and a better IGP (integrated graphics processor). And of course a newer chipset.

Then the appropiate DDR3-RAM: ADATA Value DIMM Kit 4GB PC3-10667U CL9 (RAM is so low-cost nowadays, buy yourself 4GB)

The harddrive is OK.

But imo it would be much better to buy all of the components and don't use any of your old computer. It's over 5 years old and the power supply definitely seems like some random no-name-s**t. Don't underestimate the value of the power supply.

[jettlarue]

I want my computer to be able to play hd movies, be able to emulate android for testing applications but it does not need to be ultra responsive. Just enough so I can decently test some stuff. Rendering opengl 3d graphics, just for me and my coding stuff. I don't play a lot of games, some, but they are not too graphics intensive. The main reason I am upgrading is because I can only run a game I'm working on a 20fps. That is a bitch for testing it.
The reason I'm not getting a new computer is I just graduated and my dad said he would pay for like $140 for computer parts. So I think that covers mobo + cpu, and I have a personal budget of about 100, but want to spend less than that if possible.

Don't underestimate the value of the power supply.

is it bad for me to be running on such an old one? I looked at ones that were like 500w, probably enough for what I need, and they were like 20. But I think the one I have is 480, not sure though.

[Fireman]

I want my computer to be able to play hd movies, be able to emulate android for testing applications but it does not need to be ultra responsive. Just enough so I can decently test some stuff. Rendering opengl 3d graphics, just for me and my coding stuff. I don't play a lot of games, some, but they are not too graphics intensive. The main reason I am upgrading is because I can only run a game I'm working on a 20fps. That is a b***h for testing it.
The reason I'm not getting a new computer is I just graduated and my dad said he would pay for like $140 for computer parts. So I think that covers mobo + cpu, and I have a personal budget of about 100, but want to spend less than that if possible.

Don't underestimate the value of the power supply.

is it bad for me to be running on such an old one? I looked at ones that were like 500w, probably enough for what I need, and they were like 20. But I think the one I have is 480, not sure though.

Where do you live? Do you know if you got a Microcenter near you? ( google dat ) You can get a free $50-60 motherboard with almost any AMD CPU, plus they always have cheap/good deals.

Not really, some "no-name" PSUs from OEM's are quality ones, although some of them aren't so it would be better to spend $50-70+ on a quality PSU one day.

It's not always about the watts it also depends on the amps/volts/etc, you said 20 meaning $20? If you were to buy a crappy PSU it just might kill all of your components so it's not worth cheapening out on the PSU.

What is the name of your power supply and the model?

Illuminatus: That looks good so far, except the IGP isn't really that much better.. it only has DX10.1 and another decoder.

Also: if you are going to buy a motherboard with DDR3, I'd suggest waiting or looking on techbargain/pricewatcher/slickdeals/etc if you want to save some cash as I've seen 4gb for $20-30 sometimes with or without MIR.

[Blacksheepboy]

I'll say this. I've got a T6235 and the mobo is going to the point that, during the time I didn't have a dedicated video card, the onboard was fried (screen was super wavy), and then this: that the computer has to be turned on and off 20 times before I get a successful start, and then the audio is detected only 6 times out of 10 that the computer successfully starts.

But, when everything starts successfully, it runs beautifully, aside from freezing after 20 minutes 2 times out of 5. Hahah, I need a new motherboard

[jettlarue]

No microcenter near me, I'm in wisconsin, people here go to walmart and best buy if there trendy. Power supply is Bestec ATX-300-12E 300w ATX Power Supply. So its only 300w. What do you mean a bad one could kill everything? Wouldn't everything just power off? See, the reason I don't want to buy a whole new computer is, for one, my dad hates computers although because I graduate he wants to get me some parts, and two, I don't have the money for a whole new machine. But it seems like either way with the upgrades it will just be buying a whole new computer in pieces huh? Either way I think the tricore will fit me well for now and its a good price. Does anyone know if I should get a new powersupply while I'm at it? Or recommendations on high quality cheaper ones since I'm on a pretty tight budget for what I want to accomplish. Thank you everyone for the help, its making this a lot easier.

EDIT: Also I did the altec calculator for minimum recommended and I got 255, so I'm 25 watts away from it with the parts I'm looking at. That lead me to this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817170010 which seems to be a good power supply for my needs. Although, it is most likely that the push to get this would be a new graphics card. If it wont break the actual parts inside my computer I will probably stick with the weaker one I currently have until maybe a month after I order the mobo/cpu/ram.

[Fireman]

No microcenter near me, I'm in wisconsin, people here go to walmart and best buy if there trendy. Power supply is Bestec ATX-300-12E 300w ATX Power Supply. So its only 300w. What do you mean a bad one could kill everything? Wouldn't everything just power off? See, the reason I don't want to buy a whole new computer is, for one, my dad hates computers although because I graduate he wants to get me some parts, and two, I don't have the money for a whole new machine. But it seems like either way with the upgrades it will just be buying a whole new computer in pieces huh? Either way I think the tricore will fit me well for now and its a good price. Does anyone know if I should get a new powersupply while I'm at it? Or recommendations on high quality cheaper ones since I'm on a pretty tight budget for what I want to accomplish. Thank you everyone for the help, its making this a lot easier.

Depends where you live, I see one near Minnapolis and one near Chicago, if it's less than an hour away I'd go and get a free motherboard. That you way you can save money. The closest MC to me is in CA.

What do you mean trendy? You mean technologically impaired people? As they only sell prebuilts/regular consumer computers.

Well, there might be a surge/short/something and since the PSU powers everything, it sometimes may take down the cpu/motherboard/etc with it.

Cheaper power supplies generate heat, less output, have horrible stability, etc.

I forgot whoever made the Bestec, but that's one of the good OEM power supplys. My cousin has the same wattage ( well I do k\now, since he gave it to me ) different revision though. It worked great for his P4 @ 3.0ghz stock w/ hyperthreading/8800Gs/2gb of ram. The power supply should be good enough for now. ( Just clean it, if it's stuffed or dirty with dust to not have any problems )

I typed a long paragraph of buying used/like new/much cheaper/sometimes with warranty or not/etc on a computer forum, but you'd probably prefer from the 'egg with warranty or somewhere? ( you can try locally too if you'd like, I got my awesome quad q6600 cpu for $80 vs $130+ at the time on craigslist )

Arggh I don't know what to say, trying to help.. lul


you edit'd derp: look at my post if you haven't already please

That is a horrible powersupply, I had a green LED one before and it died. Even though it says "450 watts" that doesn't really mean it will be able to output, or even be able use that much. In reality it is a 250-300 watt and would most likely be worse than your current PSU.

Have a read:

http://www.directron.com/psu.html

[jettlarue]

I meant walmart for the majority of people, and people go to best buy if there trendy hah. My girlfriend got me a tripp lite which is a battery/surge protector, so hopefully I'm safe there. Good I have a decent one ay, thats reassuring. I've read your post, and skimmed through the psu link you gave me, I'll keep it open to read before I sleep. Anyways, thanks a lot for the help. If anyone else has any other input feel free though.

[Illuminatus]

I'll say this. I've got a T6235

What's a T6235? This? :p

That lead me to this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817170010 which seems to be a good power supply for my needs.

Don't get this. Logisys only labels other third-party PSUs. You will have no idea if it's a quality one or not.

Or recommendations on high quality cheaper ones since I'm on a pretty tight budget for what I want to accomplish.

Good brands are for example Seasonic, Enermax, Antec, Cougar and be quiet!.
But the Bestec one you have is really not that bad imo. Bestec even has it's own manufacturing plants.

[Fireman]

I'll say this. I've got a T6235

What's a T6235? This? :p

That lead me to this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817170010 which seems to be a good power supply for my needs.

Don't get this. Logisys only labels other third-party PSUs. You will have no idea if it's a quality one or not.

Or recommendations on high quality cheaper ones since I'm on a pretty tight budget for what I want to accomplish.

Good brands are for example Seasonic, Enermax, Antec, Cougar and be quiet!.
But the Bestec one you have is really not that bad imo. Bestec even has it's own manufacturing plants.

You forgot Corsair, several OCZ units, and several other power supplys are "re-branded" but they are actually quite good.

Logisys is never quality, from my experiences and what I've heard from others; it's cheap low-end stuff.

Almost everyone does that, they just slap their brand-name on it.

Have you figured out what you're gonna do?

[jettlarue]

Yeah I'm going with the asus board I mentioned last and the triple core processor. And 2 1gig sticks of adata ram. The mb has four slots so I figure I'll just buy 2 two gig ones later to fill it up. Then I'll have six . I'll stick with the psu I haveuntil I buy a new graphics card. And I'm gonna wait and get a new dvd burner and the seagate 500hd at a later time.

[jettlarue]

I just wanted to mention something I overlooked before this thread dies.
Wait for it...
I'LL BE ABLE TO PLAY SOLDAT ONCE I GET MY PARTS YAY
You guys have no idea the pain it's causing me to not be able to play right now. 4.6 fps, 4 point fucking six. Thats with wine, I thought for a second, hey maybe virtualbox will do the trick huh yeah?! Nope...less. Don't ask how much less, just less. Anyways please dont respond to this, if you want to for some reason please pm me instead.