So I have been Building a little Frankenstein computer over the past few days. The motherboard I got in it is a MSI k9vgm-v; a dual core compatible with a 2.0 GHz CPU that can be turned up to 3.5 GHz maxed with 2 gigs of ram. Using miscellaneous computer parts i managed to get her running good, the only part is that I lack a video card as the GT430 I had decided to die on me at the last moment. So my question to you is what is a decent graphics card for around $100. (ill drop any more advice requests as they arrive)
We could help you a lot more if you put up a link for every part of your pc. So far we only know your motherboard. BTW 2gb of RAM are not enough, RAM is cheap you should get at least 4GB. As for the graphics card I would buy the AMD HD 7770. Its around 100€ which is about 120$ here, but maybe it costs less in Florida. As for the Model I would buy this one: Gygabite Radeon hd 7770 GHz Edition
Well other parts to my computer is a R/W DVD player, A 240w power-supply which I planning to upgrade to a 450w, a built in memory card reader capably of holding 4 SD cards, 500gig hard-drive, and a generic keyboard and infrared mouse. Nothing about it so far is outstanding but I am not really going for an outstanding computer, just one that will work. I just really needed some product advice as it has been a couple of years since I built a PC from the ground up and I never bothered to keep up with the hardware advances.
First suggestion: This According to the MSI website. Your motherboard only has 2 ram slots. With max ram size of 2 GB in each slot. I would get 4 GB ram (2 x 2GB) right away. OR seriously consider upgrading your mother board. This suggestion would lead to you upgrading your cpu and ram. However, I believe the latter may cost you a little more, but give your system much more longevity. Second suggestion: Upgrade you power source ASAP. You are running bare minimum for almost any current computer. 450w would be ok, but push for 500w - 600w if you ever plan to get a mid to high end video card. Power sources go on sale a lot and you can get a solid one for a pretty good price. Third suggestion: Graphics card. I like EVGA and they sell a lot of solid low and mid level cards. However, beware. Your current power source is too small. Before you get any newer card. You need to upgrade it. Solid card for right at your suggested limit: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4501123&CatId=7387 Also, you may or may not need a new case. Most of the current video cards are somewhat large and need more room. A lot of the older mid sized towers don't offer a lot of room. A newer case may offer a little more room. Air flow is critical in a smaller sized case. So one with a side panel fan along with one on top of the case would be recommended.
I second CaptainTerrific upgrade that power source to at least 450 watt. To save some money you can use 2 4gb RAM sticks and. You wont have to change your motherboard. Btw whats the name of your cpu?
It is an AMD dual core, I would give you more information but I accidentally misplaced the memory sticks so I cant boot it up and read it. On the other hand now I got another reason to buy some 2gb sticks for the PC. (also I always thought that that limitation given for memory was for the entire system not per slot) The case I am using is a reused Inteva case, she has enough room for a larger card the only down size is that it will cover up one of the PCI slots on the motherboard. Also one of my friends gave me his 350W power-supply so I am no longer desperately underpowered but I will still buy a better power-supply when the money comes in. I will be looking closely at the GTX650 now.
Hmm that processor does sound a bit weak to be honest. Im afraid It might act as a bottle neck for the gtx650. I suggest you to upgrade as soon as possible. One of the cheepest and good CPUs is the amd phenom II x4 965 BE. Its a Quadcore for about 100€. Also do you have Windows 7 64 bit? If you dont anything more then 2gb of Ram will be useless...
I'm using Windows XP professional x64 edition. Also I found 1 of the sticks and the Cpu is Athlon 64 X2 currently clocked at 3.0 ghz but it was originally set at 2.0 ghz. I figure I will be doing perpetual upgrades on this system. once I get a decent video-card and a more powerful power-supply I will start looking towards towards an X4 or X6 capable motherboard. I figure the longer I wait the cheaper they will get. The current motherboard I have my eyes one is the MSI 970A-G46 But ill be holding off on that purchase until a later date. Ill also try to grab Win7 ultimate while I'm at it, but I am setting goals my wallet might not be able to make.
dont bother with ultimate unless your a pirate. Not worth paying the money Home Edition is fine just as it is...
I don't think a GTX 650 or similar in your system is going to do you justice. A GTX 460 will suffice. You will need Windows 7 64 bit if you are a gamer or in future you may find XP isn't supported. I am dubious of recommending you spend more money on an out dated motherboard with no clear upgrade path. I think you would be better off starting again with an AMD rig and going from there. A mid spec phenom will work well, then you can upgrade your whole rig as time and finances allow but at the same time you won't be barred from playing any games.
Well my original plan was to get the graphics card to extend the life span of this rig until i scrounged up the ~$230 for the motherboard processor and memory sticks. It just may be some ignorance showing but if the graphics card will fit in both motherboards I seen no reason why a simple transfer would be any problem. But now that I have been doing a bit more research now that I better know what to look for I figure I will go on a ramen noodle diet for a few weeks and buy the that MSI motherboard (~$80 without processor or memory chips... or shipping) I mentioned earlier and grab either an X4 ($80-99) or an X6 ($130) processor and hope that I can get some more money up before my friend decides to retrieve the GTS-250 he has let me borrow for the past week. But at this point I guess time will tell, sooner or later... time will tell.
But then again man where are you living? It sure sounds hard as hell at your place... Is economy crashed that badly over there?
Don't get too strung out with AMD motherboards, so long as it is ATX, has the AMD3+ socket and the 990 chipset ideally, and is from gigabyte, MSI or Asus etc you won't go far wrong. The X4 phenom is pretty fast in gaming, and you can upgrade all the way to pile driver no sweat in future with just a bios update. I seriously believe you will be better with a GTX 460 or 560 for now if matched with the above rig. You will want 8GB of DDR3 RAM at 1600mhz really, too but anything will do for now. W7 64 bit is a must, too. Personally I would go the PSU first if it is too old- get a 600W one, then get the mobo (PCIE 3 if you can), ram and cpu sorted. Keep borrowing the GTS 250 for now, then lastly, upgrade the graphics card to a 460 or similar. The 460 was in its day pitched at the everyday gamer and sold in heaps. It is now three generations old but it will still do the business, best spec it with 1GB of VRAM if you can. Failing that and if cash allows, opt for a 560 with 2GB of VRAM. The beauty of this system I have outlined is that your upgrade path will be open in all avenues in future with only needing to change one piece at a time. On the 990 and AM3+ platform, you're good to go on changing cpus and graphics cards alternately to bring you up to the level of piledriver/steamroller and the GTX 780 etc if you so wish. Hope this helps. Enjoy your gaming in the AMD fold. It is aok despite what anyone might say.
@belakor502 it is not really that the economy is bad, I live around a tourist destination so when it is not tourist season there is not much going on in the economy besides the Air-force base. And I am just in a financial slump because I am not scheduled for as many work hours as I use to be. @modifiedgenes That seems good, I will be checking ebay for either the GTX560 maybe I can find one fairly cheep as so far they look a bit pricey. Other than the Graphics card the rest of the PC build looks financially doable. I will buy a 600W psu first then I'll buy a motherboard and processor and see where things go from there.
If you link me to the website you intend to buy from I will help you. All the ones I usually visit price stuff in £s which is no good. The PSU is going to be pricey for what it is, I would recommend the Corsair builder series, they are reliable but they need to be, as if the PSU has any kind of problem it can kill other components very readily. For the mobo, any reputable brand will suffice. I was looking on newegg and they have an ATX mobo here for less than $100 and it includes the RAM as well. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157280 Granted it hasn't got the 990 chipset nor is it PCI-E 3.0 and the ram is a bit cheap looking but it'll run games fine. Next an AM3+ compatible processor: Your phenom X4 fits the bill, yours for $100 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157280 Black editon, too so you can overclock that witch later on. The 560 is a great card, but for now run with the 250, and maybe later on when funds allow you can move up to the 460 or similar. The beauty of building your own rig is that you can work with it and move it on a piece at a time. Also consider the AMD graphics card camp, they do make some potent cards for reasonable money and you can often find a bargain. Here is a 6850 for about $150. Won't run every game on max settings at 60fps but you'll be playing them well at medium settings. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125353 Hope this helps man.
