Upgrading an OEM pc...

[imported_newbert]

I was rencently given a hand-me-down HP a810a with an athlon 64 3300+ (2.4Ghz with 256k l2 cache) and 512Mb micron ram and integrated graphics. I would like to do some gaming so I'm figuring I should probably add memory and a video card.

Should I try to stick with micron or can i mix manufacturers? And can I add a 1gig stick to the other slot or should I try to match module sizes? Would I be better tossing the 512 stick and buy a matching pair?

Also, have been given an asus n6600le /w 256Mb ddr. Still in the box non-returnable due to lack of reciept. Should I trade up or will it suffice with the aforementioned memory upgrade?


Any advice is appreciated. Feel free to let me know if I'm asking the wrong questions.

:beer:

 

[Bonesdad]

Welcome to AT!!!

Do you have a budget in mind here? What is the speed of the micron RAM you have...PC3200?? If it is...I'd say try to match that one with another 512. What games do you plan to play? Are we talking BF2 or Frogger? Do you overclock?

so many questions...

 

[imported_newbert]

Originally posted by: Bonesdad
Welcome to AT!!!

Do you have a budget in mind here? What is the speed of the micron RAM you have...PC3200?? If it is...I'd say try to match that one with another 512. What games do you plan to play? Are we talking BF2 or Frogger? Do you overclock?

so many questions...

My budget is around $300. Cpuid says the RAM is ddr400 running 3-3-3-8.

Games im looking at are doom3 hl2 and quake 4. Possibly the newest Civilisation.

edit: I have yet to try overclocking and as this box has a locked bios probably wont get the chance on this machine.

PS: Thanks for the warm welcome. 😎

 

[imported_newbert]

Forgive the bump. Can anyone on the day shift help me? 😛

 

[Bonesdad]

Well, I'd get the numbers off the micron memory stick and look it up on their website, from there you can shop for the best price. Alternately, you can buy a 1GB stick of PC3200 (say Corsair or OCZ value ram) and sell the Micron in FS/FT. That way you can buy another 1GB stick in the future as an ez upgrade.

The video card you have (6600?) should be fine to run the games you mentioned. Recognize you won't be able to run it flat out with all bells and whistles on, but the games should look really nice.

Also, take a look at your PSU...how much power does it have? It should be OK to run the machine with the new vid card, but better safe than sorry.

 

[halw]

For the memory upgrade go to Crucial and use their memory configurator.

If you are running window$ it can actually look at your system and tell you what you need. Otherwise, you can step through it manually.

BTW, Crucial is Micron or vise versa.

 

[Rockhound1]

I would not waste my time using the ASUS N6600LE. That is a plain 6600 video card and you are going to need more "horsepower" if you are going to play Doom3, HL2, and Quake 4. See if you can sell it. Use the money you get from the sale of the ASUS card and the $300 to up your RAM to 1 GB of PC3200. It would be ideal if you can match 512 MB stick of RAM you already have.

As for your video card, I would recommend the Sapphire X800 GTO. If your budget will not handle the Sapphire X800 GTO, then get a 6600GT. Do not get more than 128 MB of memory on the 6600GT. You are limited in your selection of video cards because your graphics interface is AGP.

Hopefully, your PSU will be adequate to run the upgraded system. If not, I would recommend a Fortron PSU (400 - 450 Watt).

 

[t3h l337 n3wb]

Get a 6800 AGP. You can unlock pipelines on it.

 

[zagood]

My wife's got an a230n, and I've done some work on it.

Ditched the memory and got her 1gb of new stuff. PNY works well on the system, Kingston failed memtest.

If you're going to use that video card or buy another one like it, you're going to need a new PSU. Replacing the power supply can be kind of tough, they really jam stuff in their cases.

Have fun!

-z