I'm going to try and build a computer... any experts here?

[srv656s]

I actually don't know much at all about hardware stuff. What I'm trying to do is do some decent upgrades to my hardware without spending any more than $400 or so.

I've already got a good power supply (bought a new one when I thought my old one was bad) and I have a Radeon 9700 which is still pretty decent for today's software.

That means, in my estimation, all I need is a new Motherboard, processor and some RAM. Right? I pinned it down to the following crap and want to know if you think it'll all work together. Or if you think I'm an idiot.

Motherboard:
http://techbargains.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=814638/search=pentium%25204
$131.00

Chip:
http://techbargains.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=2058578/search=pentium%25204
$189.00

Memory I will go with either:
Kingston-
http://techbargains.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php?masterid=894628&blsrt=1
$89.00

Corsair-
http://techbargains.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=1747158
$88.00

If I'm correct, that all should work together for a good performance, and will work with the crap I've already got. As far as I can tell, I can put that crap in my case and plug all my old crap into it and it should work... right?

Will my old hard drives work with that setup without having to re-install windows? I wonder if I can just plug them in and it'll boot and work...

Any advice is appreciated...

Shawn

[ginman999]

Make sure FSB speed is the same for MB, RAM and MP. Do you have an ATX case or brand name like Dell, Compaq? If a Compaq they will only take special MB's. At under $50 get a aftermarket case. I would want to start with a clean install of you OS with new stuff.

[Muzzle Flash]

I recently built a new pc about a week and a half ago:

Gigabyte GA-8IK1100 $122
P4/3.0EGHz 800M 478P/1MB HT RT $213
OCZ enhanced latency RAM 3200 dual channel 1 gig(better deal than kingston and i havent had any problems) 236.00
Samsung SATA 120 gig HD $91
EVGA GF 6800GT $424

I have Farcry, Doom3, UT2004 and can run them with the graphics maxed out, no problem. I had to turn on VSync on Doom3 though because of tearing.

U should probably reinstall windows after you hook everything up or you'll probably run into problems.

The biggest leap in performace you'll get is probably from a new graphics card, the new 800xts and geforce 6800 blow everything else out of the water.

I purchased everything from newegg.com except my soundcard and built my last computer in 2001 using them, I highly suggest you buy your components from them

[Guns Network Staff]

srv656s, you can still save yourself some more bucks on just those parts you want above by going here and doing some searches for the various parts you posted above.

http://www.pricewatch.com/

[Muzzle Flash]

oh and I also got a case from newegg with a 400watt power supply for 50 bucks

this one

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=11-147-001&DEPA=0

[srv656s]

THanks guys... I ended up buying some of the stuff from a guy on a discussion board for computers... hopefully he doesn't rape me on the deal, but if it works out, I'll be setup fairly well...

Shawn

[second amendment]

take your time doing it and read the mobo manual.....

and make sure you have your heatsink on before firing up the chip...........or else

[1 Patriot-of-many]

Newegg.com
AMD.........