ADVICE! HELP! $450 WHAT TO GET?!

[Capper]

The OCZ GameXstream, Corsair HX620, ANTEC Trio 650W.... in that order

[[Dr. V]]

nice i was actually thinking the OCZ is my most favourite one of that group.

i know u have the Corsair, but what makes it so good i still dont get it about these modular things...is there simply more true continuous power or something?

the thing is if the OCZ is better, i shouldnt care, right? but i do!

im probably gona be picking up the OCZ GXS 700W along with a kit of 2x1024 Platinum Revision 2 XTC - together including taxes = $503.86

i should be able to do that.

if i really, honestly, truly, in no way possible can do that until a little later, then i'll pick up a big typhoon in place of that PSU, and keep the rest of the cash till i build up enuff for a PSU. but i should be able to get the extra doh.

i still cant help but think my RAM could be a better choice. i know im probably being paranoid, the plat rev2 xtc has amazing reviews, and so many ppl are saying its good...are there any contendors in the same category in terms of price, size, and quality?

sorry if i sound like im repeating myself with the ram, but im still unsure...

[Capper]

You are being paranoid......stop worrying, and trust the advise of some really great, and helpful people.

You are in a "damned if you do, damned if you don't" bind. You definitely need to upgrade your memory and PSU, and given the choice, I'd do those two first and hold back on overclocking while you save up enough for a quality cooler.
I'd hate to see you kill a nice system with a really poor PSU.

As to Modular PSUs....they were a source of great debate awhile back, as in poorer quality offerings were unreliable, and poorly thought out. The truth of the matter now is that a good Modular offering from a reputable company will perform no worse than a wired solution. These people who complain of poor voltage should be more concerned about the power quality coming into their homes........

[One4yu2c]

You're on the track in leaning towards the OCZ 700w, which would be my personal first choice out of those listed (with the Seasonic S12 650w a close second). However, if you have a need/desire for modular cables (the benefit being easier cable management), then snatch up that Corsair.

Originally Posted by ST!X

i still cant help but think my RAM could be a better choice. i know im probably being paranoid, the plat rev2 xtc has amazing reviews, and so many ppl are saying its good...are there any contendors in the same category in terms of price, size, and quality?

What exactly is it about the RAM that causes you hesitation? You're going to hard pressed to find another 2GB DDR2-800 kit rated at 4-4-4-15 in the $240CAD range.

[[Dr. V]]

Originally Posted by One4yu2c

You're on the track in leaning towards the OCZ 700w, which would be my personal first choice out of those listed (with the Seasonic S12 650w a close second). However, if you have a need/desire for modular cables (the benefit being easier cable management), then snatch up that Corsair.

great! OCZ it is! im snagging my buddy's OCZ for a day to test it in my system and check the cable management based on how its gona be extremely similar to my final set up. if i like it, then OCZ for sure. if not i guess Corsair is coming my way!

Originally Posted by One4yu2c

What exactly is it about the RAM that causes you hesitation? You're going to hard pressed to find another 2GB DDR2-800 kit rated at 4-4-4-15 in the $240CAD range.

hmm i wasnt unsure that a) its an awesome set of ram or b) whether or not i like it, cuz i do - very much. i was unsure if there is any other RAM thats better than it, meaning price-to-product value in the similar price point. thanks for clearing that up for me -- and this ram is 100% now :D

by the way One4, very nice system.

[Quakindude]

Like Capper and One4 have said, with your budget, the OCZ is an awesome PSU. You should see all the stuff I have hooked up to mine and I overclock the nutz off my CPU, Ram and Video Card.

[One4yu2c]

Originally Posted by ST!X

what i was unsure of if its the best possible price-to-product value in its price range.

That's the best bang/buck I found from scrounging Canada Computers and NCIX. I'm not sure what you could find from looking at other Canadian vendors (I'm just not familiar with many of them), but one thing about OCZ is they consistently offer good price points on their RAM.

Originally Posted by ST!X

by the way One4 -- very nice system.

Thanks - I actually need to update those specs! Once I get caught up with work, I'll be transferring my components to my Core 2 Duo rig.

[[Dr. V]]

capper = sick system too!

nice C2D alas! i love it so much i can never go back. octacore end of the year is the next upgrade hehe.

if i can get this sucker up past 3.2, i'll be content and keep it. if not ill b upgrading to E6600 soon.

so OCZ RAM and PSU it looks like. OCZ upgrades galore!

this 1GB ram i have now will be going to my sister, and i have an AM2 Sempron 3000+ for her. im wondering on some parts for her too.

i have a 80GB HDD for her already thats not changing. i have the ram, cpu, and now i need a motherboard. no gaming whatsoever, so graphics on-board sounds good. she has a 17" LCD which she's in love with, i cant stand it - WAY to small cant go lower than 22" WS anymore im brainwashed. also, my ZALMAN CNPS7700-AlCu will be in her system, so overclocking will be lurking. nothing major, just want it up to 2.0GHz if i can. also, the 480W PSU i have now will probably migrate to replace her generic 300-watt carrying her celeron 1000mhz OCed to 1200 (omg wow), 2x128MB SDRAM, 80GB drive, and antient ASUS TUSI-M mobo =D time for an upgrade? I THINK SO!

1) ASRock AM2NF6G 4xDDRII, up to 256MB on-board nForce 6100-405 video, 8-chanel audio ports = 7.1 HD support

2) ASUS M2V-TVM 2xDDRII, VIA-DeltaChrome on-board video, 6-channel audio ports = 5.1 HD support

the obvious and by far choice would be the ASRock, but im wondering if its worth sacrificing a bit for an ASUS board. isnt there minimal to no quality loss in this situation? wouldnt ASRock be better, or does ASUS qualirty overtake and conquer?

at a 3-dollar higher pricetag it seems like the ASRock completely owns this.

[Quakindude]

I'd go with the ASRock board over that Asus one. I've never even heard of VIA's Delta-Chrome video before. Between the two, the ASRock board is the one I'd pick.

[[Dr. V]]

thats good one agreement:D