Upgrading computer under money and parts limit

Sister had called me recently and asked if I can advice on new PC for my nephew. At which point I basically wrestled old computer and upgrade money from them before they repeated what they did last time – buying crappy unbalanced off-the-shelf computer.

So I ended up with very dusty box, money limit (under $600 for hardware) and crappy choice of parts – good stuff is customary gone in January (bought for gifts and not restocked because of customs on vacation).

Somewhat challenging combination to try bring old PC up to date on limited choice of parts and so it will last for several years.

Starting point

First I took old computer completely apart. It started its life as serial-made AMD-based PC from 2002. During lifetime it went through at least one upgrade (newish additional hard and dvd drives) and PSU was almost new.

I decided to keep case (bit sad but its looks and features are rarely a concern to user) and PSU. Latter being solid Chieftec model, but 400W unit without some newer connectors – sets a limit to choice of motherboards/processors (newer might need 8-pin power) and video cards (might need 6-pin or 8-pin, supplied by 2×6-pin) power.

I decided to skip on Core iX platform. Budget tier Core i3 got released at last, but overall there is still drag of novelty premium in prices on this platform.

Motherboard

Asus has been my brand of choice for motherboards in last few years so I went for that. One downside is that there are a lot of similar models with very minor differences in spec. You either kill too much time choosing or just take what comes up first.

In the end I chose P5Q SE2 motherboard.

asus_p5q_se2

It is full-size ATX motherboard, passive radiators, single slot for video card. Lacks some extras like FireWire and eSATA ports. Solid model for home PC.

Processor

This part sucked, I had to wait for over a week because there had been no CPUs under $200 at all.

After some stalking places I commonly buy from I scored Core 2 Duo E7600.

intel_core2duo

Can’t say specs inspire awe. Still at 3.06GHz clock it is quite snappy and even if not maxed 3MB cache and 1066 bus will handle most of tasks just fine.

Memory

Much like processors there weren’t much to choose from. I barely found nice kit of Kingston memory KHX8500D2K2/4G.

kingston_hyperx_ddr2

Two 2048MB PC-8500 modules with radiators (regular-sized, not those freakish fins Kingston puts on DDR3 :).

Video card

Needed something not too crazy, sufficient for games and with low power requirements. ATI cards seem to be all the rage lately, but I found good fit with Gigabyte Nvidia GT240 GV-N240D5-512I.

gigabyte_gt240

It is compact card at exactly mainstream price point, that requires no external power at all. After reading reviews around I went for version with 512MB DDR5 over larger but slower 1024MB DDR3.

Hard drive

Another no-brainer since I am buying Western Digital drives since forever. Or so I thought going for 750GB Caviar Black model WD7501AALS.

wd_caviar_black

It is really noisy and after googling around people strongly recommend two-platter 640GB version over this three-platter one.

DVD drive

Samsung SH-223C DVD-RW drive.

It works. Most modern optical drives can’t even boast that much.

Overall

Between hard drive, video card and box CPU cooler PC sounds like it’s trying to take off to space on power on. In Windows drivers kick in and noise lowers to bearable level. Well, no premium quiet components among these.

Performance-wise it is very snappy system and is absolutely stable even with older PSU. End user is happy. :)

2 comments

  1. kalmly
    kalmly

    The less you know about hardware, the happier you are with upgrades. I recently spent a whopping $388 on upgrading my 2004 computer. New PSU, new cd/dvd writer, slightly more powerful Nvidia graphics card, a couple of ram sticks, and an additional hard drive. I know what you’re thinking, “must be a bunch of crap,” right? But, from my uneducated point of view, what I have is a faster, happier system with all its parts humming along with no glitches. At least, that was my attitude until I read your article, here :)

    Your sister and your nephew will be happier if you don’t express your opinion too honestly.

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  2. Rarst
    Rarst

    @kalmly

    The less you know about hardware, the happier you are with upgrades.

    Arguable. :) Upgrade fact itself is nice, but process of putting it together and recognition of specific improvements are also enjoyable.

    I know what you’re thinking, “must be a bunch of crap,” right?

    Actually I don’t. I strongly believe that we approach point where there would be impossible to have really crappy system.

    Currently even lowest tier hardware manages to provide reasonable performance in office tasks and basic (at least) multimedia functions. And convergence of functions into less physical chips makes harder to put together unbalanced and unfair configurations.

    At least, that was my attitude until I read your article, here :)

    Ehm, so what is your attitude now?

    Your sister and your nephew will be happier if you don’t express your opinion too honestly.

    For a long time reader you think too highly of my tact. :)

    reply quote #

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