Should I upgrade my computer?

Yeeny

Lifer
Feb 2, 2000
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Right now, I have a 900 mhz tbird, and the only thing I would need to upgrade would be motherboard, processor and possibly ram, as I have a good sound/video card, and a good sized hard drive. Is it worth it to upgrade, or should I just stick with what I have. I like to game, and do things like watch dvds, and such on my computer. Opinions?
 

Yeeny

Lifer
Feb 2, 2000
10,848
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I don't spend money just to have a new toy, I'm cheap. ;) This computer hasn't been upgraded in just about two years.
 

slycat

Diamond Member
Jul 18, 2001
5,656
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don't upgrade..
900 is good..just put in between 256-512megs ram...and a good video card
and ur done. if u already have those then do nothing.
don't get caught up in the hype.
 

Anubis

No Lifer
Aug 31, 2001
78,712
427
126
tbqhwy.com
no need to upgrade. if its bein slow. format and reinstall that always helps. also if you still on win 98 get rid of that and get win 2K
 

Nohr

Diamond Member
Jan 6, 2001
7,302
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101
www.flickr.com
If you play games regularly then you could probably use an upgrade. Otherwise, nah. Well, unless you're playing things like chess and mahjongg and such.
 

Kadarin

Lifer
Nov 23, 2001
44,296
16
81
I'd only suggest upgrading if you feel that the computer is bogging down on you, and only then if it's not due to some HD, OS, or software issue. Formant and reinstall your OS (Win2K, preferably), or defrag your HD and see if that helps.
 

placebo139

Golden Member
Jun 25, 2001
1,381
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76
decent motherboard combos go for ~100... so it's a good consideration. but if it were up to me, i think i'd pass for another year.
 

Murpheeee

Diamond Member
Apr 30, 2000
3,326
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I'm still running a 1.2Ghz Tbird w/256MB RAM

Every 6 months I wipe it out and reinstall OS - it's like getting a new computer :D
 

Yeeny

Lifer
Feb 2, 2000
10,848
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It is a little slow, when I try to play some games, like Warcraft III, so thats what I was wondering, if I did upgrade, what would I need to go to? I have the ECS K7S5A, so it supports alot of AMD processors, maybe I wouldn't need to upgrade my mobo at all. I run XP, I love it, and besides the gaming thing, its more than fast enough for what I need.

I have 256 mgs of PC 100 ram, and a GeForce 2 Ultra, which is more than enough video card for me I would think.
 

Electric Amish

Elite Member
Oct 11, 1999
23,578
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Originally posted by: Yeeny
It is a little slow, when I try to play some games, like Warcraft III, so thats what I was wondering, if I did upgrade, what would I need to go to? I have the ECS K7S5A, so it supports alot of AMD processors, maybe I wouldn't need to upgrade my mobo at all. I run XP, I love it, and besides the gaming thing, its more than fast enough for what I need.

I have 256 mgs of PC 100 ram, and a GeForce 2 Ultra, which is more than enough video card for me I would think.

Upgrade to 512mb of PC2100 DDR Ram. That mobo should take it.

amish
 

bleeb

Lifer
Feb 3, 2000
10,868
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upgrade! its always nice to search for new components and then finally assemble it.
 

Nohr

Diamond Member
Jan 6, 2001
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Originally posted by: Yeeny
It is a little slow, when I try to play some games, like Warcraft III, so thats what I was wondering, if I did upgrade, what would I need to go to? I have the ECS K7S5A, so it supports alot of AMD processors, maybe I wouldn't need to upgrade my mobo at all. I run XP, I love it, and besides the gaming thing, its more than fast enough for what I need.

I have 256 mgs of PC 100 ram, and a GeForce 2 Ultra, which is more than enough video card for me I would think.

Your motherboard should be fine. Upgrading to DDR RAM wouldn't hurt, it's fairly cheap and your mobo already has the slots. I think first try plopping in a new cpu like a 1700+ since it's cheap, and see how that does.
 

Supermercado

Diamond Member
Jan 18, 2002
5,893
0
76
If the games you play run fine on the system as it is, I don't really see a point in upgrading, unless you just have some money you want to spend. If that's the case, I say go for it.
 

Geekbabe

Moderator Emeritus<br>Elite Member
Oct 16, 1999
32,229
2,539
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www.theshoppinqueen.com
Originally posted by: Yeeny
It is a little slow, when I try to play some games, like Warcraft III, so thats what I was wondering, if I did upgrade, what would I need to go to? I have the ECS K7S5A, so it supports alot of AMD processors, maybe I wouldn't need to upgrade my mobo at all. I run XP, I love it, and besides the gaming thing, its more than fast enough for what I need.

I have 256 mgs of PC 100 ram, and a GeForce 2 Ultra, which is more than enough video card for me I would think.



If it's choking on your games I'd first try a faster CPU and upgrade to DDR,next up would be a new video card
 

Ausm

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
25,213
14
81
Originally posted by: Yeeny
I don't spend money just to have a new toy, I'm cheap. ;) This computer hasn't been upgraded in just about two years.

I am on the other extreme ,I change my puter parts like my shorts...Thank God it is often ;)

Ausm
 

Yeeny

Lifer
Feb 2, 2000
10,848
2
0
Originally posted by: SuperCommando
If the games you play run fine on the system as it is, I don't really see a point in upgrading, unless you just have some money you want to spend. If that's the case, I say go for it.

They don't run fine though, they lag some, and it bugs me. :p

Thanks guys, I think I will look into upgrading my processor first, and then try the ram as suggested. Thats what I thought, but I wanted to be sure, I am far from an expert. :p Now hopefully, I won't forget my artic silver this time dammit!
 

Electric Amish

Elite Member
Oct 11, 1999
23,578
1
0
Originally posted by: Yeeny
Originally posted by: SuperCommando
If the games you play run fine on the system as it is, I don't really see a point in upgrading, unless you just have some money you want to spend. If that's the case, I say go for it.

They don't run fine though, they lag some, and it bugs me. :p

Thanks guys, I think I will look into upgrading my processor first, and then try the ram as suggested. Thats what I thought, but I wanted to be sure, I am far from an expert. :p Now hopefully, I won't forget my artic silver this time dammit!

Personally, I'd go the other way around (RAM then CPU). Running WinXP you're chewing up ~2/3 of your RAM just in OS. More RAM will help you out, not to mention the increase in RAM speed. You should be able to do both for less than $150. :)

amish
 

Quixfire

Diamond Member
Jul 31, 2001
6,892
0
0
Originally posted by: Yeeny
Originally posted by: SuperCommando
If the games you play run fine on the system as it is, I don't really see a point in upgrading, unless you just have some money you want to spend. If that's the case, I say go for it.

They don't run fine though, they lag some, and it bugs me. :p

Thanks guys, I think I will look into upgrading my processor first, and then try the ram as suggested. Thats what I thought, but I wanted to be sure, I am far from an expert. :p Now hopefully, I won't forget my artic silver this time dammit!
I'd upgrade the memory first, my son's computer has the same mobo/cpu as yours and when I changed from SDR to DDR it made a noticeable difference.
 

RossMAN

Grand Nagus
Feb 24, 2000
79,034
441
136
Originally posted by: Electric Amish
Originally posted by: Yeeny
It is a little slow, when I try to play some games, like Warcraft III, so thats what I was wondering, if I did upgrade, what would I need to go to? I have the ECS K7S5A, so it supports alot of AMD processors, maybe I wouldn't need to upgrade my mobo at all. I run XP, I love it, and besides the gaming thing, its more than fast enough for what I need.

I have 256 mgs of PC 100 ram, and a GeForce 2 Ultra, which is more than enough video card for me I would think.

Upgrade to 512mb of PC2100 DDR Ram. That mobo should take it.

amish

Yep, I routinely see 256MB PC2100 going for $35 after MIR.

If your mobo does take DDR PC2100 definitely upgrade it to 512MB, cost effective upgrade for only $70.