the $300 upgrade challenge

alright then, i have a mission for all you sharkyforumers (?) out there. an upgrade from this:

p3 450 mhz
512 pc133 sdram
geforce2 mx400
that's it

the cpu and mobo definitly have to go because i want to build another system with those + lotsa spare parts lying around. I have a 300w case.

i dont game much. i mainly play CS and rainbow 6. I just want a faster machine so i can play at higher res. i would also like to play jedi knight 2 on the machine :)

i dont really play on the comp as much as i used to anymore and i'm not going to overclock, so i dont need extreme performance. just something that will be cookie-cutter for new games. the comp would mainly be used for homework, chatting and downloading porn, err.. gospel music i mean. so stability is an issue.

naturally i thought a duron + sdram combo would be best since i already have plenty of pc133 (which is plenty fast for me). that way i can have money left over to upgrade the video card. i'm thinking radeon 8500 LE or gf3 ti200 - which one do u guys think?

like i said the sdram platform should be plenty fast for me, but hey if u can take $300 and get me a ddr upgrade ill be thoroughly impressed. i'd just like to see what u guys can do with the upgrae money. thanks for your time.

Well that's four parts you have to upgrade...Man that's tough...I'll try...

GAINWARD/CARDEXPERT GEFORCE2 Ti450, 64MB (NO TV-OUT) DDR 4.5ns. GeForce2 Ti450 incorporating GeForce2 Pro breakthrough 3D architecture, in a 2-pipe form, which delivers the full GeForce2 Pro/450, 3D features set at mainstream price points

ECS K7S5A SiS® 735 SOCKET A MOTHERBOARD - RETAIL with On-Board LAN Port and Sound 5 PCI Slots, 1 4X AGP slot, 1 AMR slot. 2 DDR DIMM sockets and 2 DIMM sockets support (can not be used simultaneously). Two 184-pin DDR SDRAM (DDR200, DDR266) or Two 168-pin 3.3V SDRAM (PC100, PC133). Maximum: 1.0GB (DDR or SDRAM). Supports all AMD XP Processors

AMD 1600+/266 FSB Athlon XP PROCESSOR CPU - OEM Athlon XP 1600+/ 1.40GHz, AX1600DMT3C. The AMD Athlon XP processor with QuantiSpeed architecture powers the next generation in computing platforms, delivering extra performance for cutting-edge applications and an extraordinary computing experience.
Specifications:
CPU: 1.4 GHz
Type: 1600 XP
Cache: 256K
BUS: 266MHz
Socket A (PGA) OEM (Processor Only

Samsung Original DDR333 PC-2700 256mb CAS2.5 - OEM VersionDDR 333MHz True PC 2700 chip (Not over clock from PC-2100 chip) New release for Best Performance-Lifetime warranty

TOTAL: $287!!!!

w00t! I did it with DDR. :)

You can get all of that at Newegg...Have fun! :)

This is my suggestion.....

AMD XP 1600+ OEM=$80
COOLMASTER EP5-6i11=$7
ECS K7S5A=$54 (uses either 2 sticks of SDRAM pc133(now) or 2 sticks pc2100 DDR(later))
HERC. RADEON 8500LE=$115
Shipping to MI (where I live)=$14.95

TOTAL=$270.95

Its all from newegg.com
I hope this helps......

You could add 256mb DDR pc2100 (DANE-ELEC) for $39+shipping.....
GRAND TOTAL THEN=$313.60 (whats an extra $13.60 over your MAX?)

I'm gonna second TUN's suggestion. You need a motherboard/CPU/RAM/ Video Card.

Also I hope that's not an OEM computer you're upgrading. If it is.. you will NEED to replace the power supply or you'll start a fire. :(

I'd go with TUN and akhad612.

thanks, and yes it is a custom case w/ a normal 300w power supply.

TUN, i like your suggestions except for the following:

i think iwant to get a geforce3 or radeon 8500 card because of the full directx8 featureset. i'm hoping to be able to keep the card for a while (i dont upgrade often)

also for the fan, would i be ok cooling wise with a coolermaster? i DO NOT want a loud fan at all. i am hoping temps will be ok with a generic coolermaster, im not going to overclock but i never had a system with an athlon before.

any more suggestions?

Radeon 8500le - $115
ECS k7s5a - $54
AXP 1600+ - $80
VANTEC CCK-6027D - $18
Total: $267 (DNI S/H)

When you scrounge up a little more dinero, you can buy DDR to go along with that XP...I think this is as good as you can get with just $300.

I have one more suggestion. Check out neweggs refurbished MOBOs. I just received one, it wooks great and I saved $25!