Upgrading an eight-year old system

[eggrolls]

This is probably crazy, but whatever...

The eight-year old system:

Asus P2B motherboard
350MHz P2
192MB memory (64mb pc100, 128mb pc133)
6.8gb ata-33 maxtor
5x dvd drive with decoder card
ati agp 8mb rage pro or something
isa sound blaster awe64
some lan card
some unknown psu that still works after 8 years

Some spare parts I already have lying around:

evga geforce 6200 256mb agp 4x/8x
ati radeon 9000 pro 128mb agp 2x/4x
wd 80gb hard drive ata-100
420w psu


The motherboard is supposed to support either 128mb or 256mb per slot (sources differ), for a total of either 384 or 768mb. Am I correct to assume that a bios update would let it a 256mb stick work (which I need to buy) if it doesn't already work? How much memory should I put in it?

Do I have to worry about agp voltages if I put in a new video card?

If I add a PCI IDE controller card, the system would be able to boot from the newer hard drive, right?

So the only things I need to purchase are memory (128mb for $20, 256mb for $35) and a ide controller card. Should I do it, or is $40-60 too much to spend on such an old computer?

Thanks

 

[MadAmos]

I would not spend anything on it!! :disgust: ANY modern computer even a $300 E-Machine or similar would beat it like a drum. Save up and for a little more you can build somthing even better. 😀

Amos 😎

 

[Ruptga]

Originally posted by: MadAmos
I would not spend anything on it!! :disgust: ANY modern computer even a $300 E-Machine or similar would beat it like a drum. Save up and for a little more you can build somthing even better. 😀

Amos 😎

The man has a good point, I'd recommend selling it on ebay or donating it to some charity, believe it or not there are folks outside the US and EU and etc, that would absolutely love to have that computer.

 

[kuqdew]

Yeah, my $250 CAN emachines 3120(about 200 US) can kick your ass seriously

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

What do you need it to do that it's not doing already?

 

[pkrush]

Considering just how cheap modern hardware is, you'd have a hard time justifying upgrading that computer. I went through pretty much the same thing a few weeks ago when i was debating whether or not to buy a new motherboard for my ancient Duron 950 when the old one suddenly started refusing to boot (it was a K7S5A, and it already had dead sound and Ethernet). In the end, I just ordered a Sempron 64 2600+ and motherboard off geeks.com for a total of 80 bucks (they're sold out now, but I'm sure you can find a similar deal other places). Of course, that machine already had a combo drive and a decently large hard drive which I'm carrying over. Since you're going to end up having to replace pretty much the entire system for something current, I'd find a cheap CPU, motherboard, and 512 megs of memory (and possibly a case too, since the old one probably doesn't have much ventilation) to use with the newer parts you already have laying around.

 

[stevty2889]

Crucial configurator says 768mb max, and is usualy very reliable. Uses AGP 2x, but your 9000 pro may not work due to voltage differances between the older agp spec, and the newer. I believe there was 2 differant AGP 2x specs, that aren't compatible, but not 100% sure. Either way, in reality its not really worth upgrading such an old system.

 

[hoorah]

Much like everyone else said, it makes no sense financially in the long run to upgrade the computer. At the same time though, everyone on AT always suggests building a whole new system, and for a lot of people the cash flow to upgrade a computer just isn't a priority.

I don't want to give you poor advice for my own gain, but, if you know for sure that you will not be purchasing a new $299 emachine (which, again, is a much better deal), I may have some stuff for you.

I don't know if its against the rules to offer stuff for sale in a non FS/FT thread, but I have a handful of old computer parts I was planning on selling on ebay. At first, I was going to sell all of them, but as usual, I never got around to it. This year, I was planning on just taking all of my stuff and selling it as a 'grab it all and take it away' auction on ebay for whatever I can get for it, but I'd be willing to send you some stuff early.

I have a PIII 550Mhz CPU that your board can probably handle if it has the 100Mhz FSB. I also have a stick of 256 mb of PC133 memory (and a few other sticks too, but they might be going to my neighbor in return for a car wash or two). I also have a PCI IDE ATA100 controller (Maxtor I believe) that I never got around to using.

I'd be willing to sell all 3 together for $50 including the shipping, or you can make me an offer. If you think you will get the $50 back out of the computer in time/aggravation savings by upgrading it a little and you know you won't be buying a new system anyway, I'd say go for it, but belive me when I say that my feelings won't be hurt if you don't want to waste the money.