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upgrading my dad's 'puter

W

wviperw

Senior member
My dad FINALLY is allowing me to upgrade his computer for him. My family has been trying to do web surfing, various "lite" gaming, and media creation for years on this incredibly slow computer. Just how slow is it? 60mhz to be exact. Ahh, the good ole' days of the Pentium 1, SIMMS, and Windows 95... As you can tell, computer upgrades don't come very often in this family (except for my computer of course 😛). The worst thing is, that my dad is a computer programmer! He's just never used his home computer for his work all that much.

So I'll be upgrading the computer as soon as I find what to get. He's looking to spend up to $600 total. I'm thining I can get the 4 primary parts for well under $400, and then he'll have $200 more to optionally spend on other stuff (e.g. - hd,cdrom,etc.). The major parts he needs of course would be

1)Mobo
2)CPU/FAN
3)RAM
4)Case

I'm currently thinking somewhere along the lines of this:

mobo=Epox 8RDA+ ($85)
CPU=Athlon XP Barton 2600+ - 2800+ (333mhz fsb )Depending on how much money we've got left after the other stuff. ($95-$170)
RAM=Probably some somewhat reasonably priced PC2700 chips. Most likely 2X256mb in order to do DualDDR. Kingston or Crucial or PNY or Pricewatch or whatever is the best value. (2x$30-$40 =$60-$80)
Case=not sure yet. Probably just find a cheap, boring, beige one. (under $50)

As you can tell from the time between upgrades, I'm going to want parts that will last a while and have decent upgrade paths down the road. (although if he waits this long for his next upgrade again, there will be no upgrade paths 🙂)
 
directron has a great liteon psu for $20 and shipping
300w server replacement unit, havent had an issue yet and its in my main rig
get that, as opposed to some cheap generic one that comes with the case

sounds good though, newegg had a gf4 4200 for 90 the other day, my friend got it, nice card (retail version) great deal for the money (with 8 speed agp)
you should get the ram (2256) form newegg for around 70 or 80 dollars easy, nice to keep things with one vendor
get the 2600+ cpu (95 right?) almost twice the money isnt worth it even for the faster bus(they wont ever notice it) and itll still go one hell of alot faster than the old system

dont forget the os 🙂
 
thanks for the quick reply xSauronx.

I'm not sure buying a psu separately is worth it. As long as you pay attention to what case you're getting, I don't think it matters all that much.

As for a video card, I was going to attempt to go w/o one and just use the integrated video on the nforce2. It might seem really crippled in comparison to today's other video cards, but I think it'd probably get the job done. It looks like it runs all of yesterday's (and even most of today's) games decently enough from what I can tell. I'm still unsure about this though, so you may still be able to convince otherwise.

About the CPU, yea I was thinking get the 2600+ also since its so much cheaper. Plus, the 333mhz version of it looks to be the same price so I can have the higher fsb(+L2 cache I think) for the cheaper price.

OS: Already got that taken care of. I got in on the MS Online Retail Training deal so I'm going to stick the WinXP currently running on my computer into my dad's, and put the winxp pro I got for $10 on mine. 🙂
 
Originally posted by: wviperw
thanks for the quick reply xSauronx.

As for a video card, I was going to attempt to go w/o one and just use the integrated video on the nforce2. It might seem really crippled in comparison to today's other video cards, but I think it'd probably get the job done. It looks like it runs all of yesterday's (and even most of today's) games decently enough from what I can tell. I'm still unsure about this though, so you may still be able to convince otherwise.
Click to expand...

Well, if like you said, all they do is light gaming you could use onboard video, and then if they ever need to upgrade in the future that is still possible to throw another vid card in, don't have to do it now. See if the need is there then buy a vid card if necessary.
 
heres wut ur gunna do--- dont be dum and try and "upgrade" a 60 mhz comp...get a new 1

www.cyberpowerinc.com--- gr8 site witht the cheapest stuff rated 10.0 on cnet

u can configure a computer w/ video card, 512 ram, 2600, nice case etc for 550 + 50 shipping or u can get less stuff like 256 ram and no video card and like a 2500 and retail case for like 490...heres 1 i configured 4 ya just to give u an idea:

Item Options Unit
Price Quantity Subtotal
AMD ATHLON/DURON Custom Build Configurator SPECIAL
CAS: [SILVER]X-Dreamer MEDIUM 10-BAY 350WATT ATX CASE w/ See Through Window [+49]
CASUPGRADE: ---Optional----
CD: 16X DVD ROM [+33]
CDRW: (WHITE) CD-RW 48X16X48 [+45]
CPU: AMD Athlon? XP-2600+ Processor [+115]
FAN: AMD CERTIFIED CPU FAN & HEATSINK + 3 EXTRA CASE FANS [+9]
FLASHMEDIA: --- Optional ---
FLOPPY: MITSUMI 1.44 MB FLOPPY DR [+10]
Gaming1: ---Optional---
Gaming2: ---Optional---
Gaming3: ---Optional---
Gaming4: ---Optional---
Gaming5: ---Optional---
HDD: 60GB 7200 RPM ATA 100 HARD DRIVE [+79]
HDD2: ---Optional---
KEYBOARD: [WHITE] PS2 MULTIMEDIA INTERNET KEYBOARD [+8]
MEMORY: 256 MB PC3200 400MHz DDR MEMORY (REQUIRES KT400 MB) [+49]
MEMORYUPGRADE: ---Optional----
MODEM: PCI 56K V.90 FAX MODEM W/ VOICE [+ 12]
MOTHERBOARD: GigaByte? GA-7N400-L1 nForce2 400FSB DDR400 AGP8X w/Audio,USB2,&LAN [+82]
MOUSE: [WHITE] PS2 INTERNET MOUSE W/ WHEEL [+5]
NETWORK: ---Optional----
OS: NONE FORMAT HARD DRIVE ONLY
RAID: ----- OPTIONAL REQUIRES (2) IDENTICAL HARD DRIVES-----
RUSH: NO; SHIP OUT IN 5~10 BUSINESS DAYS
SERVICE: 3-Year STANDARD WARRANTY PLUS ONE-YEAR ONSITE SERVICE
SOFT1: ---Optional---
SOFT2: ---Optional---
SOUND: AC97 3D WAVE ON-BOARD SOUND CARD
SPEAKERS: 480WATT SUBWOOFER STEREO SPEAKERS [+10]
SUPER_PAK: ---Optional----
Subtotal1: (+506.00)
Subtotal2: 506.00
TEMP: ----- Optional [as shown] -----
VIDEO: ---Optional---
WIRELESSCARD: ---Optional----
WIRELESSPOINT: ---Optional----
ZIP: ---Optional---- 506.00 506.00 Remove
Subtotal for Cyberpower Inc. 506.00










c? its a good site cehck it out u wont be sorry
 
You need the 8RGA+ to get onboard video. I would take the XP2500 "Barton" instead of the XP2600 Tbred. You could also get the XP1700 and save some money, but the XP2500 is still an amazing value.

Other than that it seems you have everything under control.

But using a Pentium 60Mhz in 2003. WOW.
 
niwi7: Several reasons why I don't follow that path. First of all, its generally more fun to build your own. Secondly, it's not fun putting up w/ companies when you can fix things yourself. Their warranties and stuff do no good when you void them as soon as you open the case--let alone start overclocking things. Third, its cheaper to DIY. Don't think of it as an upgrade as much as just using a few old parts from the last computer. It's really a waste of money to buy a floppy drive, keyboard, mouse, etc.

JZilla: You need a 8RGA for onboard video?!? Thanks for the info, thats definately good to know. It looks like the onboard video version of the mobo costs about $15 more which isn't too bad I guess.

Also, I was planning to get the 2600+ Barton since it is $95 ( only 5 more than the 2500 Barton you talk of). Or am I mistaken that this 2600mhz version isn't a Barton? Does a 333mhz fsb not equate with a 512kb L2 cache?

EDIT: nm, I just read up on it and I guess the Barton isn't 333mhz exclusive. Therefore the 2500 may just be the one to get then.
 
u can tell that site that u dont want keyboard, cd, floppy wutever u want its totally customizable...just check it out ull like it...unless ur stuck on that fun part thing then go for it


also it comes with 3 year warranty and 1 year in home warranty and u can upgrade it for more money
 
SleepyGreggy: yeah, but the only thing is its on 512mb only. I'm wanting to do the dual ddr thing, and 2x512 is a little bit overkill IMO. I don't think I want the RAM to be over $100.
 
For onboard video you will need either the 8RGA (without "soundstorm"), or the 8RGA+ which has "soundstorm" capability, but you will need the spdif bracket first. But it has the "NForce sound"/MCP-T to put it short. You can read more about some NForce2 mobos here. Also visit the mobo forum for more info, NForcersHQ and AMDMB are also very good sites, they also have some excellent forums.

If you plan to use the onboard video, it would be best to use the dual channel. If not it doesn't really matter, then you might aswell get 1 512mb stick.

The 2500 "Barton" has a larger cache, 512k I believe. The XP2600 is a Tbred, it was a 266mhz fsb cpu to start with, but I don't think you can get a 266mhz fsb XP2600 anymore, only 333mhz fsb (like the XP2500) today.

IMO going from XP2500 to XP2800 is not worth it, not with the type of usage this system will get. But I am a value type of person. I want the most bang for the buck.
 
Originally posted by: wviperw
SleepyGreggy: yeah, but the only thing is its on 512mb only. I'm wanting to do the dual ddr thing, and 2x512 is a little bit overkill IMO. I don't think I want the RAM to be over $100.
Click to expand...

Don't worry bout the Dual DDR memory thingie...not that big of a boost. Get one 512 MB stick, then upgrade with another when you feel it's necessary. Also, I'd advise getting an AGP video card, you can get a GF4 4200 for around $100 sometimes.

If you got the 512 pc2700 mem from Crucial ($70), the 8RDA+ ($85), the case/PSU ($50), and the CPU ($101 retail) you will have about $100 left for a good GF4 4200.
 
I'd downgrade the processor to a 1700+.. from what you said, I doubt he'll use a 2800+ or something.

I'd grab him a 1700+ with a relatively quiet fan, 512mb of PC2100, and an Antec case. Much more would seriously be overkill. With the cash saved from getting PC2100 as opposed to PC2700 and a slightly slower processor, perhaps you could toss in an extra hard drive or a dvd player or something nice.
 
The 2500 "Barton" has a larger cache, 512k I believe. The XP2600 is a Tbred, it was a 266mhz fsb cpu to start with, but I don't think you can get a 266mhz fsb XP2600 anymore, only 333mhz fsb (like the XP2500) today.




Actually, there are a few 2600/266 processors out there. I just bought one as an upgrade for an Epox 8KHA+ I have running distributed computing. You can find it here:

http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=M&Product_Code=120724
Click to expand...
 
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