My delima....

[Hazar]

Ok, let me tell you my story: I've had a 9800pro for about the last year. About 4 months ago (might have been less, can't remember) the first msi 9800pro failed and I RMA'd it to newegg for a new one. I got the new one and it's worked fine, till about 3 days ago. Games just started crashing for no apparent reason after about 5-10 minutes of playing them. So about 20 min ago I opened up the case, and sure enough, the video card fan had died.

So, I filled out an RMA thing to newegg, telling them the problem and asking them to email me back if it would be possible to exchange the RMA value of that card for an upgrade card plus at least a mobo and cpu.

brief interlude: my computer specs as of right now are thus:
broken 9800pro
amd xp 2700+
shuttle ak39n mobo
thermaltake 420w psu
1 gb 3200 kingston ram
160 gb of hd space
19" flatscreen monitor
audigy 2 zs
4.1 speakers
1 cd burner/dvd reader drive
1 dvd burner/do everything drive
generic case that I need to replace

Ok, back to the story. Assuming newegg will let me trade in the 9800pro, what should I get?
Should I get a new video card, and which one?
I would have to get a new mobo, which one?
and a new cpu obviously, which one?
and a case, which one?

ok, as for my inclinations they are:
cpu: http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16819103562
mobo possibility: http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813131569
gpu, splurge: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130247
don't know about the case, they discontiuned the one I wanted.

The problem is I obviously have a limited budget, around $500 if possible
perhaps a x800 to keep the price lower

OR

should I just get another 9800 pro, and wait to upgrade.

 

[giant384]

i would upgrade might as well if you can and wow i cant believe how much the gt has dropped

 

[Hazar]

hmm, the mobo case and cpu are about 730, not including a case which I need

I just realized I still have to pay for my monitor, so the budget would be more around 400 or so, depending on how long I wait to do this

 

[giant384]

why do u need a new monitor or do u mean paying off?

 

[Hazar]

I have it, just haven't paid my parents for it yet, I was looking at my checkbook and forgot about that

 

[Hazar]

need more opinions D:

 

[Hazar]

ok, update: I'll have to sell the rma'd 9800 pro myself if I want to upgrade

 

[The Hulk]

Hazar - I'd spend as little as possible right now (i.e. trade for another 9800 Pro) and save, save, save and really treat yourself when you decide to do the full upgrade.
Also - do you have a PCI-E slot in your current M/B? I think that 7800GT only comes in PCI-E (no AGP for the 7800 series).

Hulk

 

[Hazar]

yeah, I'll just save the 9800 pro for a bit till I can afford it all

I'd have to spend $700+ for the whole gpu, cpu, and mobo upgrade (case too)

 

[chewyxx]

why wont u just buy a new video card fan?

 

[Hazar]

'cause I'd rather get a brand new 9800 pro and not have to worry about installing/buying a new fan.

 

[giant384]

its really not that hard to do u know and it is a cheaper way but i guess its your choice

 

[Hazar]

how is it cheaper?

the fan part is only like what 5-$10 depending on how good of fan you get, but then you have to ship it which would be like $5. Plus, I don't know for sure that the card isn't actually damaged from th 3 or 4 times I overheated it before I knew the fan wasn't working.

 

[giant384]

its not hard to tell if its damaged either i mean if theres a big black spot on the gpu then you will know

 

[Hazar]

I'm just not gonna take that chance

 

[Asus]

Personally, I would save a little more, 600$ total or so. You don't want to be putting a little money to your PC here and there. My friend does that and he never has the best system compared to if he held onto that money and spent it at once. He's always adding 512MB memory, getting a better board or upgrading the CPU a few speed grades but never at the same time so he spends way too much money for what he gets.

Lets run some numbers.
Just a graphics card.
6800GT AGP = 290$

System upgrade.
A64 3200+ = 170$
Asus nForce4 = 110$
$280

400$ budget -280$ = 120$ left for gfx card
Yeah...I'd save a bit more if you want to upgrade the system.

FYI Zalman has their fan for 26$

 

[Hazar]

yeah, I'm planning on going for one big upgrade with this stuff:

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16814130247
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813131569
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16819103562
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811156011

comes out to around 740