Building/Upgrading a Computer. Need Advice.

[Mydis]

Hmm... that's strange... pricewatch doesnt seem to have any radeon 9500 pro. They have every radeon but that one...

[OneManArmy]

just do a search for it, thats how I found mine

[Mydis]

Ok, Im going to buy a new case. Im tierd of looking at this thing.

Would you suggest a different mobo?

[Sentrosi]

It all depends. Are you still working with the $350 budget? If so, I just did a quote for someone else for below $300. It's not the UBER best mobo, but it's stable, reliable and gets great marks for ppl who don't like to fiddle with their settings. http://www.planetside-universe.com/f...&threadid=6302
Just look for my name. It's there along with all the links for each component.

If you do decide that you need a new case, go with Enermax or Skyhawk. Great cases with plenty of room.

[Mydis]

"I could probably squeeze out up to $425-$450. $350 is how much I have in actual cash. Then I have bestbuy cards I could sell my parents(or actually use to buy a part), a PS2 game I got for christmas and never opened to return, my mom owes me an old christmas present, and maybe some money my parants will just "loan" me."

Im looking for something as simple, reliable, and as cheap as possible. If one cost a little less without integrated sound or video, thats what I want, because Im planning on buying sound and video cards.

[Hunter83]

I'm currently looking into a new system that won't cost me more then $300.
I'll finish up my stuff then post here about what I'm getting, why, and how much it is.

[Mydis]

First, are there any sites that I should avoid? Sites with a bad reputation? Tell me if you know anything about the the dependability of the following sites.

Corsair 512MB DDR PC2100 = $63 (I thought 10 extra bucks for a dependable brandname would be a good idea)
http://www.buymstar.com/detailsMem.asp?pid=1191

Enermax CA5018NB ATX Case w/ Sliding Front Bezels w/ Power Up 350W Power Supply(is 350W enough? I can buy it without a PS for $10 cheaper.) = $48 (case is not coming out of my $350-$400. This will be the present my mom owes me.)
http://www.upgradecenterinc.com/caatxcawatxp9.html

ATI RADEON 9500 Pro 128MB DDR 8X/4X AGP DVI, Dual Video & TV Output, OEM white box = $165 + options(take a look at the link. Im not sure what, if any cooling/DVI options I would want.)
http://www.ocsystem.com/atirad95pro1.html

If either the site or the product it's self is not what you would recommend, you know of something better, or you know where to find it cheaper, let me know. Im going to keep updating this post as I find parts.

[Mydis]

I took a look at the chart zatrias provided, and Im wondering what exactly a pipe does. When he said 9500 had 4 pipes and PRO had 8, I didnt think that was the only difference. Turns out I was wrong.

So are four pipes worth $40? Are the pipes made of platinum and encrusted with diamonds?

[NoSurrender]

the pipes are in the core = GPU

[Mydis]

"to make it easy whatever the AMD number says is what its = to in Pentium standards for example AMD 2100+ = p4 2.1Ghz"

Woah, wait...

Looking at pricewatch, when I click on a link saying "Athlon XP 1800 with cpu, fan" it brings up "AMD ATHLON XP 1800+, 1.53GHZ 266MHz", and I also looked back at that link Sentrosi put up for a CPU for under $300 and for the processor you say "AMD XP 1700 (1.47Ghz) with Heatsink / Fan".

Where is this 300MHz going?

P.S. Im sorry if I am coming off annoying or anything. I have been gaming(trying to anyway) on below minimum requirments for years and I finally have a chance to catch up. I really dont want to make the mistake I made with my emachines all over again. That is why I am looking very closly at every part I plan to buy. I am very thankfull for any and all of the advice I am getting.

[Sentrosi]

Whoever posted that is wrong Mydis.

Why AMD went with this numbering system is beyond me. It causes more screw ups than anything. That being said....

$450 upgrade is very nice. Here's what I got for ya. None of these items include shipping/taxes/handling/etc charges.

Your system off of NewEgg.com

I've looked around, and can't find a better deal on all of these components. If anyone else can, they're invited to try.

[Mydis]

Wish lists must be username only becuase when I click on your link it tells me my wish list is empty and there are some wish lists other people have posted... unless you mean for me to check the wishlists posted.

[Sentrosi]

Oops, sorry abou that. Here you go.

Case:
Foxconn 400W

Motherboard:
Epox 8RDA+

Video Card:
FIC 9500pro

Processor:
AMD XP2200+ (1.8Ghz)

RAM:
GEIL 512MB DDR PC2700

[Duffman]

im not sure if you want to go with a new case still but heres what i would recommend for a p4 system if thats what you want:

1. http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...ion=11-150-015

2. http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...ion=20-144-201

3. http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...ion=13-128-175

4. http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...ion=33-128-001

5. http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...ion=19-116-139

6. http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...ion=14-102-258

ok its 500$ without the case a little over your budget you could always go to a p4 1.8 or less for quite a bit less than the 2.4 but this setup will hold you over for a very long time. O and by the way i made the same mistake as you by buying Emachines last year.

[Mydis]

Motherboards still scare me. So many different features and numbers and chips: all of which I dont understand. $95 seems a little steep but if you think it's worth the price Ill take your word for it. Will that on board audio sufice or should I get a sound card?

Processor Ill probably go a little slower and save a little cash.

Videocard is good.

RAM is good.

For case I found a new one I like: not bad for the price.
50W lower and $10 more... buts it's pretty.