Is an upgrade right for me?

[BaldEagl]

You also didn't include a PSU BaldEagl, so tack on at least $40-$50.

Ummm... that's because he won't be able to re-use his PSU.

[Anaxogoras]

Yeah, baldeagl is correct on that one.

Fulmar, were you able to tell if this case is a micro atx or a regular atx?  Anyway, if I have to buy a new case I can at least reuse the other things baldeagle listed.

[Fulmar]

Ummm... that's because he won't be able to re-use his PSU.

Yeah, don't ask me what the hell I was thinking, Friday was a long day at work....

[Fulmar]

You case is a Micro-ATX and yes you can still use those other things BaldEagl listed.

[humble]

Cheapest AH build I saw...

MB $45

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157125

CPU $40

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103215

VC $22 (after $10 rebate)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127367

Case (with PS) $40 (free shipping)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811156201

2G memory $40

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145180

HD $42

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822145162

DVD/CD burner $24 (sata)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106263

I get $253 + OS tax & shipping.

[Anaxogoras]

Wow humble!  That is amazing.  Who has built a machine with these components?  I am a satisfier, not a maximizer (economics/psychology) and so that might just do it for me.

[humble]

I doubt anyone has put that exact combo togeather. You can sift and sort and look at a bunch of options within $50 total of that build...

[BoilerDown]

That's certainly cheap.  But unless that's the extent of your budget, I'd get a better video card than that 8400... that is a real low end card.  Spend $100 on the video card (better yet would be an 8800 GT which will probably run somewhat less than $150), its the most important component these days.  That will put you real close to $400.  If there's still room in the budget after that, get an Audigy audio card instead of the on-board audio.  Your ears will thank you later.

[humble]

Again that was the cheapest build out I could come up with that will run AH at 60 fps on default settings. The VC is the weakest link and easiest upgrade for sure based on budget.

[Charge]

"In my experience, I wouldn't advise using the same Windows installation after replacing a motherboard..  I've been semi successful in this after doing a repair install, but things usually start to screw up after a short while..  It's better just to re-format and re-install (after saving what ever data you need)."

If you have XP it is advisable to remove the motherboard drivers before disassembling the PC and installing new hardware. After that when you boot up the OS tries to find new drivers for mobo hardware and installs default Windows drivers (if you do not use the installation disk) after which you can update to proper drivers when the PC is up and running. Worked for me everytime, before I knew this I always had to make a clean install to get it work.

***

Power supplies are a bit of a problem since it depends on what you put inside your PC case. With such a small amount of load you should do fine with 350-400W power supply if 250W has been enough considering that you may install something new which may need a bit more power -although having more than that does not really hurt unless you need to bargain on something else for little extra wattage you do not necessarily need. But one thing that is good with a powersupply with some excess capability is that it tends to be more silent since it runs relatively under a smaller load than a smaller powersupply would with same configuration.

-C+