any tips on upgrading

[smittybg]

I have a Dell P3 550 with 128MB RAM
Nvidia TNT 16MB video
Sound Blaster live
8x dvd
10 gig HD
17" Dell trinitron monitor
altec lansing speakers an subwoofer
HP deskjet 812c printer
Microsft sidwinder game controller
Win 98 SE
v 90 56k modem
10/100 NIC
I also used both of my USB ports for my printer and sidewinder

mostly used for web browsing and playing the newest EA Sports games
please reply

 

[soulm4tter]

What sports games do you play?

I doubt you can upgrade your CPU enough to make a difference with an OEM Dell motherboard.

Another 128MB RAM
GeForce2 GTS
40GB IBM 60GXP, Maxtor DiamondMax Plus, or Seagate Barracuda ATA III (Install your OS and programs on the the new drive of course)
19" monitor Samsung 955DF or 900NF

 

[tony710]

A new video card will definitly make your games run faster, also you can never go wrong with more RAM

 

[MallowJr]

You will be needing a new processor to play the latest EA Sports games.

 

[chansen]

First, get another 128MB SDRAM (or even 256MB) from Crucial. Prices are low right now.

Then, get another video card. Good budget choices right now include the ATI Radeon LE and GeForce 2 GTS.

These will help with EA games.

I would say install Windows 2000 Professional, but EA games don't like that OS. Pitty. Stick with Win98SE for now.

A P3-550 will still play games quite effectively, and you are certainly more limited by the 16MB TNT. A CPU upgrade may be considered if you know that you're MB can accept a P3-800 or so.

Only upgrade your HD if you're running low on space. If so, something like the Maxtor or IBM 7200rpm offerings are pretty much accepted around here.

For a better gaming experience, you're monitor may be a consideration to replace as well. 19" monitors are great, but that should be at the bottom of your list, IMO.

Really, though, the memory and video card are the first priorities.

Regards,
Craig