Need recommendation for rig

[thechew]

Hi all, need your expertise!

I want to build a new rig with a budget of 900 bucks. Dont need OS, dont need monitor.

This is my current comp

System Manufacturer: Compaq-Presario
System Model: NJ060AA-AB4 SR5890D
BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q9400 @ 2.66GHz (4 CPUs), ~2.7GHz
Memory: 4096MB RAM
Graphics Card name: NVIDIA GeForce GT 230
Harddrive - WDC WD10EADS - 65LB1 ATA Device

Monitor - HPw1907 (1440 x 900) 32Bit

This comp actually still works fine but it crashes quite often when i play games eg. Borderlands 2, LoL, Neverwinter, Tomb Raider

So as much as i would like to reuse some parts, idk if the problems will be carried forward to my new comp. Also, i've changed my GFX card once. Will reusing my harddrive cause problems for my new comp?

What i want in the new rig
1. If possible a SSD (120gig?)
2. Good Case (preferably micro atx cause i have limited space) + good/quiet fan (my current comp feels overheated)
3. no need for overclocking

Im using the rig for, gaming + watching video + work (excel/word)

I look forward to the suggestions!
Thank you

 

[thechew]

anyone? ><

 

[nippp0n]

IMO, if you are not into hardcore gaming, your cpu should still be able to do a decent job.

For $900, I will suggest you the following

GPU: MSI GTX 660 Twin Frozr @ $338
If i'm not wrong, Borderlands 2 graphics will look better with Nvidia PhysX enabled.
Case & PSU: Sharkoon T28 & Seasonic M12 620W @ $195
SSD: Plextor M5S 128GB @ $139

Total: $672
Buy at PC Themes.

Save the remaining money, hold on for 1-2 months and get a Haswell cpu and mobo.

 

[thechew]

actually i dont quite get haswell. i've read about it but still am not sure.
i only know its more efficient and performs better in laptops/ultrabooks.
anyone care to educate me in a nutshell?

my processor can actually still hold up quite well. but my computer has many malfunctions that i am not able to rectify thus i want to build a new rig.

edit - first post, changed casing preference

any other suggestions?

 

[xkiller213]

Actually the crashes are probably due to the gfx card getting overheated.. My dad has an Acer whose gfx card is 73degC on idle... Lol.. Change casing, plus add a few good fans and you'll probably be able to reuse everything inside...

 

[wilson2046]

I think you should sell your old rig & buy a new rig. Since your old rig still have some values on it.

 

[thechew]

Actually the crashes are probably due to the gfx card getting overheated.. My dad has an Acer whose gfx card is 73degC on idle... Lol.. Change casing, plus add a few good fans and you'll probably be able to reuse everything inside...

yea my comp does feel hot at times. this is my almost idle temps

i do have an extra fan but it sometimes hang even when my aircon is on. so im not sure =/

I think you should sell your old rig & buy a new rig. Since your old rig still have some values on it.

intending to sell off the parts once i get my new one

 

[thechew]

quick bump

 

[thechew]

from my understanding getting haswell matters if im doing a low budget build but doesnt matter so much on a high budget build. can anyone confirm this?

as of right now i think i'll wait another 10+ days for haswell to be released and see what happens then. seems like the appropriate thing to do