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#1
Desktop upgrading
So, I'm using my desktop, "Rex", right now in place of my laptop while I wait for parts to come in to fix it. I'm thinking I want to also look into updating my desktop to be able to keep using it as a work station after I fix my laptop. It is, after all, perfectly fine. I want to upgrade it, though, because right now it's a bit of a dinosaur (hence the name) and runs like one, even at its best..
Acer Aspire AST 180-UA381B (desktop)
AMD Athlon 64 3800+ 2.4GHz CPU
3GB ram
160GB HDD (5400RPM)
NVIDIA GeForece 9800 GT (graphics card; HDMI, DVI, VGA)
Coolermaster 500W PSU
COOLING:
CPU fan (stock)
200MM fan (side; intake)
PSU fan (rear; exhaust)
140MM fan (top; exhaust)
Right now I have my laptop's 750GB HDD hooked into the second SATA port on the mobo and all my libraries switched to that drive so I can keep working on school stuff.
Anyway, I don't have a big budget so upgrades will be coming a bit at a time. But, here are two options I'm entertaining right now.
OPTION 1
Keep the motherboard and graphics card the same, upgrade to a newer dual-core AMD CPU that will fit the same slot on my mobo. Upgrade the RAM to 4GB. Upgrade the HDD to something 500GB 7200 RPM.
OPTION 2
Get a new motherboard, convert to Intel (my personal preference anyway). Intel i5 (quad core) CPU, 6GB RAM (or 8GB), 500GB 7200 RPM HDD, 256GB SSD. Keep the graphics card the same for now.
Obviously, option 2 would be the more preferential option without taking budget into consideration, but my budget isn't very great either. That's why I'm entertaining option one and thinking about it.
What would y'all recommend, and why? If build/price estimates could be included, that would be great. If you have a better idea than what I've listed, that would be great too. I can always plan for a budget adjustment if necessary.
Here's a picture for your entertainment.
PS: Yes, this is the same desktop I posted threads about in 2011 regarding the case modification and fan installation.
PPS: This should probably be moved to PC builds, not hardware... sorry, mods.
Last edited by kbronski; 03 Dec 2013 at 21:06.