Upgrading a compaq s4700uk

bubonicus

Hi,

I am interested in upgrading my compaq s4700uk.

A7N8x-LA mobo
athlon xp 3200+
1024gb ddr ram
2 x 120mb maxtor HD (which are crap)
Ati 9600 pro 128mb
19" Hansol CRT.

First off I want a new monitor and GFX card.

I'm looking for a 17" TFT with DVI. Saw an Ilyama on overclockers.co.uk. Any suggestions on good 17" TFT's budget 250 - 300 euro.

Also I want the HIS 9800 pro Iceq.
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatalog/9700_to_9800_Series.html
Any comments?

I was also thinking of getting a new case and PSU which I think I will need for the new GFX card.
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatalog/Sunbeam_cases.html (green transformer)
PSU I would like some input on?

So my main question is. I will have the guts or somewhat of a PC left. I want to make a second PC out of it for LAN sessions. So I'm looking at one of those bundle packs, with mobo, CPU, RAM....Any comments, suggestions, abuse welcome.

Hopefully that's as clear as mud....

Cheers,
Al.

bubonicus

bump

uberpixie

bubonicus wrote:

Hi,

I am interested in upgrading my compaq s4700uk.

A7N8x-LA mobo
athlon xp 3200+
1024gb ddr ram
2 x 120mb maxtor HD (which are crap)
Ati 9600 pro 128mb
19" Hansol CRT.

First off I want a new monitor and GFX card.

I'm looking for a 17" TFT with DVI. Saw an Ilyama on overclockers.co.uk. Any suggestions on good 17" TFT's budget 250 - 300 euro.

Also I want the HIS 9800 pro Iceq.
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatalog/9700_to_9800_Series.html
Any comments?

I was also thinking of getting a new case and PSU which I think I will need for the new GFX card.
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatalog/Sunbeam_cases.html (green transformer)
PSU I would like some input on?

So my main question is. I will have the guts or somewhat of a PC left. I want to make a second PC out of it for LAN sessions. So I'm looking at one of those bundle packs, with mobo, CPU, RAM....Any comments, suggestions, abuse welcome.

Hopefully that's as clear as mud....

Cheers,
Al.

Ok you have me confused.

You want to upgrade your currant pc, replace someparts and then build a 2nd pc out of the spares?

Why dont you just either:

(a) slap in a nvidia 6600GT into your box as is and get some more millage out of it for the next 6 months to a year.Tis a grand spec with the new gfx and then build a new box with all the newer shiny stuff then?

(b)Or just leave pc as is and just make a new one now......


monitor:http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.asp?sku=304451&cks=PRL

meant to be nice by 3rd hand reports from friends of friends who bought it. Will buy it myself when i get the chance.

GFX: get a 6600GT tis faster than a 9800 pro. Fact. And only a tiny bit more expensive. Also doubt you need to replace the psu to run that or a 9800pro.

Case: that sunbeam seams ok, but seems to place looks first over everything else. I also think it looks crap! Check for some reviews for it.

Have a look at an antec p160
http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.asp?sku=304339&cks=PRL
Have seen it in the flesh a very sweet sexy case.

Also have a look at this:
http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.asp?sku=301979&cks=PRL

Thermaltake Xaser Tsunami Black, my friend is a picky bastard and bought one and has no real complaints about. Looks great wih a few leds/ cath tubes in it.

If you want a very different case have a look at the asus vento 3600
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_Other_Cases_35.html

Have seen it in peats, it's different but it does catch the eye alright. Has gotten deacent reviews.

PSU: Fortran, Zalman, Antec, Enermax, Tagan psu's have a very good rep as regards quality and stability. Thermaltake stuff is meant to be good also. Never used any of the above stuff myself so go check some reviews yourself.

Here are 2 to get you started.
http://www6.tomshardware.com/howto/20030609/index.html
http://www6.tomshardware.com/howto/20040122/index.html

Just don't get a qtech psu. 1st build i had one in a qtech case. Replaced the whole lot for a chieftech case with a 360w psu after a month. A nightmare.

bubonicus

Jasus man, great response.. Cheers.