NiK_0_0

I have a bit of money to spend, about 275 Canadian dollars, and I'd like to upgrade my ram, case, psu and if I manage to have any money left over, a good heatsink.

**To sum it up, suggest me a nice 1gb (or 2x512mb) stick of DDR2-667mhz ram, tell me if the Sunbeam Transformer is a nice case, and suggest a nice, sub 100$ PSU, thank you**

For the ram, I have been suggested this - http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=17910

It looks very good, but I would like to know if it will run on a P5ND2-SLi Deluxe motherboard, because in my manual it says that it supports DDR2 of 667 MHz or 533 MHz, therefore is there any point in getting 800 MHz ram that won't work/will need underclocking?

Maybe this would be a better alternative? - http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...Z%20Technology

If anyone knows some good ram (any brand) that is DDR2 667 MHz (as I think that is my max), please post it here, and a tigerdirect.ca or ncix.com link would be greatly appreciated.

Next, the case. I am currently using a Sunbeam Samurai, and with only three fan slots and a very limited space (no chance of fitting a 120mm heatsink on it), I feel I need to upgrade, as I have another use for this case, if I can spare it.

I have heard good things about the Sunbeam Transformer - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811166004

And I believe I can get a good price through my friend, but I also look closely at this case - http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicatio...&sku=TC3J-2145

While the front is not very appealing to me at all, it is nice and tall, and I like the fact that the window is clear of obstructions (unlike the Transformer).

The PSU problem would be solved with the X2 Connect, although I have heard mixed reviews about it. Also my mobo needs a 24-pin connector, and the X2 says 20/24 pin connector, so I'm not sure about that.

Any other PSU suggestions are welcomed, as long as they are less than 100 CAD.

With a nice set of $100-150 ram, a new case ($100?) and a better psu, I hope I will be ready to play games until Vista demands DX10 and my graphics card/processor starts to fade under the pressure.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

NiK

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Next Upgrades:

1. Zalman 9500 or Tuniq Tower
2. C2D/X2 (eventually)

lightsource

Well... I suggest that first you don't worry about what memory speeds your motherboard supports, becuase from what I remember, my motherboard only supported DDR400 but I used a friend of mines DDR500, and it worked fine, it depends on how far you want to overclock.

The higher the memory speed, the more overclocking it allows. So I suggest the PC-6400

As for the case, I highly recommend Lian-Li, but it seems that you like the cases with the lights and such. A friend of mine that dosen't know much about pc's told me that he bought the Aspire X-Plorer case, and he really likes it, it seems like a good case: http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicatio...384989&CatId=0

As for your PSU, I suggest the SUNBEAM NUUO, I believe xoxide ships to CAD. I would've given you a link from tigredirect or ncix, but tigerdirect pushes those Ultra's soo hard that they hardly ever recommend any other power supplies.

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NiK_0_0

Well, I don't really want to overclock my ram or FSB much, I just push my CPU up by .2 or .4 and my gfx card 40 below artifacting, so if DDR-667 MHz will yield about the same performance as a 800 MHz, not thinking about overclocking, then I would go with the 667 MHz just to save a bit of money.

That X-Plorer case was very high up in my list of cases I was considering, but unforunately it is not alot bigger than my current case (one of the reasons I am upgrading), and when seen in real life, the front cover is sort of like a mesh (with little holes in it), which looks very unattractive to me.

I have been considering the X-Navigator, which is a bit more expensive, but is much bigger and doesn't have the unattractive front bezel, but is replaced with a much nicer one.

The Sunbeam Nuuo looks like a great PSU, but shipping from Xoxide is 40 USD, which puts it way out of my price range. I will look around and see if I can find a good deal on the Nuuo.

Now, I guess I just need to know Sunbeam Transformer or Aspire X-Navigator, and some good DDR2-667 MHz ram.

Thanks,

NiK

__________________
Next Upgrades:

1. Zalman 9500 or Tuniq Tower
2. C2D/X2 (eventually)

lightsource

Ok, I made a mistake, I meant to suggest the X-navigator to you, because that is the case that he got. The X-Plorer is just too small as you said. Its about as small as my current RAIDMAX Scorpio case which I hate with all my heart. However it's been a real good case as far as sturdyness and not bending or anything. I just can't wait till I get my Lian-Li case. So my suggestion... Don't get the X-plorer, get the X-navigator, it's got a 120mm side panel fan right on the vc area which is a major plus.

Then all you'll need to do after buying it is buy like a SilenX fan or somthing and mount it up there for some Silent cooling. Which'll be very good.

As for the sunbeam, I don't really think that's your only option, you can go with Ultra which has been loved by some people and hated by others, or you can go with somthing like FSP Group:

http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...%20GROUP%20USA

FSP is a company I really trust, and I would suggest them to anyone who wanted a good budget PC.

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NiK_0_0

I'm 99% sure I will be buying the Thermaltake Tsunami, unless anyone has a good reason to oppose it.

Now I just need somebody to help me find a good 1gb worth of DDR2-667 MHz ram, and I'll be set.

Anybody?



Thanks,

NiK

__________________
Next Upgrades:

1. Zalman 9500 or Tuniq Tower
2. C2D/X2 (eventually)

lightsource

667... I say mushkin or corsair.

I just read a review on some memory and it didn't really make much difference in speeds of games loading or fps. So I say to go w/ either of these:

Corsair Value: http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...acture=CORSAIR

Mushkin EM2: http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...acture=MUSHKIN

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