COmputer Upgrade

[jhouse]

This is my current computer...

Intel Pentium III, 800 MHz
133MHz external bus

BIOS
Intel Corp. WL81020A.15A.0005.P04.0008221347 08/22/2000

Memory
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511MB physical
90% free resources
2 memory slots, 0 free (256+255)

Video
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Graphics Adapter: Intel(R) 82810E Graphics Controller (Microsoft Corporation)
Screen Area/Colors: 1024x768 pixels, 16 million colors
Monitor: Gateway 35151


I was thinking about building my first computer with an AMD Athlon 64 3200+ (90 nm, socket 939) retail and a MSI "K8N Neo Platinum" nForce 3 Ultra for socket 939, probably a 6600 graphics card and 512mb of ram. Then i thought I might just upgrade my mobo in my current case. It will save a few bucks. I'd still need the new ram and a graphics card(?)

Is this a good idea?

J

 

[slash196]

Your whole rig needs an overhaul, IMO. Your plan sounds solid, just do it!

 

[Appledrop]

ya, id recommend 1gb of ram, though mate. much better, and a necessity for running recent games smoothly.

 

[db2]

If you decide to keep your motherboard and upgrade parts of it - check its specs to see if it is capable of using what you want to put in it.
If you decide to build a computer - decide what you can spend then put together parts to fit the overall price.

 

[jhouse]

1. can i just do the mobo upgrade in my current case?
2. I don't really game, would this be the best graphics card for me?
3. anything else?

 

[db2]

If you will not be doing much gaming - what do you want out of any upgrades to your motherboard?

 

[jhouse]

a faster system in general.

 

[db2]

A new graphics card on your present system would improve gaming but not do much for internet use.

If you want a much faster system - you would need new MB , memory , cpu , graphics card etc. .

 

[Gamingphreek]

Well if you aren't in to gaming and stuff then just get a slower CPU. Look at the Bartons they are decent and OC a lot.

If not then you do not need a 6600 for web surfing. Get a Geforce 4Ti 4200 (Possibly used) and spring for 1gig of RAM. Also that is, generall speaking, a high end gaming M/B. Set your sights a bit low for an entry system. Heck why not do Sckt 754, almost as fast but cheaper.

We need more info on what exactly you are going to be doing.

-Kevin

 

[jhouse]

i used this computer at work. web, office, quickbooks, inet...

this set up is getting slow and i like new tech.

 

[RussianSensation]

Just get A64, 1 gig of ram, and Geforce 4200 for $60.

Or A64, 512mb of ram, Geforce 4200 and WD74 gig Raptor.

For office performance and general tasks, you'd first want a fast cpu, a fast HDD, then memory size assuming you have 512mb already. Unless you are heavy into photoshop or something or multitasking, i'd stay away from P4 and from 1 gig of ram. If you have $ left over, then get 1 gig. I'd personally go with the raptor HDD over extra 512mb of ram.

 

[Gamingphreek]

Get a Sckt 754 Athlon 64 2800+. THen get a Seagate 7200.7 series IDE harddrive with 8mb of cache.

Next get a Geforce 4 Ti 4200, 512mb Corsair Value Select PC3200 Memory. Then for M/B Gigabyte GA-K8NS for $74 or a DFI Lan Party UT for 99. For soundcard you could use onboard or you could get like a Soundblaster Live 5.1 or something. 1gig isn't really necessary for what you do but if you have any left over money then go for it.

Dont get a Raptor, for what you do it is a waste of money.

-Kevin

 

[jhouse]

and i could put this in my current case?

 

[db2]

If your system is actually slowing - do you have antivirus & firewall apps installed on your computer?
If not you could have some unwanted visitors on it.

When you get a new computer ( or build a new one ) you most likely will have a new operating system as well. You may have to upgrade older programs to run on a newer operating system( such as going from either W98 or WME to WXP ) .

 

[Gamingphreek]

Should be able to. Is the case a resellers case like a dell or something or did you build this computer originally. The PSU has to be ATX for factor which it probably is.

-Kevin

 

[edelbrock]

You should be able to put that into your old case. The power supply for a PIII 800 system may be underpowered. Make sure it is a 300 watt. Maybe get by with a good quality 250.