General

[Looper]

Originally Posted by desertT1

AMD is coming/has come out with a 6 core and the last I heard, it will share the same socket as it's current quad core. That might be something to look into to lengthen the life of your next machine.

With that much CPU(s) you still need to get in/out of the cpu socket, your CPU won't be the bottle neck, the bottle neck just moved to your data bus.

[DFSniper]

Originally Posted by SlvrDragon50

It's pretty much the standard for computers now anyways. I rarely see anything around 500 dollars that doesn't have a quad core processor.

thing is, unless you do hardcore multitasking, theres is no reason to ever run a quad core. the performance difference between a dual core and quad core of the same speed is negligible because you'll never use the processing power to its full potential.

[Clearush]

You have a PCI-e and a x16 PCI-e slot on that system your best "cheap" choice is a Video card upgrade.

something like this - Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GV-R435OC-512I Radeon HD 4350 512MB 64-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Low Profile Ready Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

Free shipping so it $30 shipped plus you can do a $10 mail-in rebate so $20 for a 512 megabyte video card for a low profile system. (read the comments on it seems the best deal is to download and install the drivers from the gigbyte site directly ignore the drivers sent with the card). (also supposedly the audio doesn't work with the hdmi connection to a TV but who cares for $30).



And get a freaking bigger hdd 80 is like a floppy used to be. If you look hard you can find 750 gigabyte drives for around $50 bucks try PRICEWATCH :: Price Comparison Shopping Tool - Find the lowest prices on computers, parts, electronics, clothing and more before you buy

[G-man75]

go to tomshardware.com.
i built a gaming rig a couple years ago following his article for under 400$ if i recall its called the untlimate 400$ gaming machine. over the years i have added more HD's but thats about it. for the money i spent i have been nothen but happy. now with prices being very low 500$ is very resonable if you have a monitor, mouse,keyboard,speakers, old HD and operating system.
you could have dam near top of the line stuff in it.

[Azzy]

I just got this in today if you have some cash burning a hole in your poket and want to deal with rebates.

Asus M3A78-EM AMD 780G Socket AM2+ Bundle - Asus M3A78-EM Motherboard, AMD Phenom X4 9600 2.3GHz, 2GB DDR2, 1TB SATA HDD, Case, 400w PSU at TigerDirect.com

[punkncat]

Yup, I have been watching them for a few weeks looking for a new server. They had a deal about two weeks ago that was well better than that....Those things go FAST too.

[Orpackrat]

Originally Posted by Azzy

I just got this in today if you have some cash burning a hole in your poket and want to deal with rebates.

I have cash, its just being unemployed, I have to hold on to it and I have to eventually move which the current plan is to buy an old school bus (1993), convert it too a motorhome, and move in. Once I start getting a paycheck, I can go buy or build a computer.

[Looper]

Originally Posted by DFSniper

thing is, unless you do hardcore multitasking, theres is no reason to ever run a quad core. the performance difference between a dual core and quad core of the same speed is negligible because you'll never use the processing power to its full potential.

Hey... I resemble that...
It comes in handy when you are running multiple VMWare Virtual Machines. I actually have an Windows VM in a VMWare ESX Server running in VMware Workstation. I need to get another 6GB's of RAM though.

How to Install VMware ESX 3.5 on VMware Workstation 6.5 as a VM | Xtravirt

Intel I7 Quad with Hyper threading (current load = Browsing MCB)

[Orpackrat]

Originally Posted by Clearush

You have a PCI-e and a x16 PCI-e slot on that system your best "cheap" choice is a Video card upgrade.

something like this - Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GV-R435OC-512I Radeon HD 4350 512MB 64-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Low Profile Ready Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

Free shipping so it $30 shipped plus you can do a $10 mail-in rebate so $20 for a 512 megabyte video card for a low profile system. (read the comments on it seems the best deal is to download and install the drivers from the gigbyte site directly ignore the drivers sent with the card). (also supposedly the audio doesn't work with the hdmi connection to a TV but who cares for $30).



And get a freaking bigger hdd 80 is like a floppy used to be. If you look hard you can find 750 gigabyte drives for around $50 bucks try PRICEWATCH :: Price Comparison Shopping Tool - Find the lowest prices on computers, parts, electronics, clothing and more before you buy

I got the video card and its working much better now, thanks.

I don't have much on the hard drive, all my files I save to my 1TB external drive since I tend to have computer problems and don't want to loose any more data.

[Clearush]

Ahh ok just make sure to keep that drive at least 40%+ of freespace on it to allow for optimal performance.