Going To Upgrade Part Of My Computer

2_of_Eight2_of_Eight Join Date: 2003-08-20 Member: 20016Members
edited December 2003 in Off-Topic
<div class="IPBDescription">What would be the best?</div> Hello <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->
I plan on buying an upgrade for my computer sometime soon. I want to spend no more than $200 (yes... I'm cheap). What should I upgrade? Here are my system specs.
Pentium 3, 533 mhz
128 MB RAM
16 MB 3dFX Banshee (video card)
20 GB Hard Drive
48x CD-ROM
Umm... anything else I missed? <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->
Thank you, and happy holidays <img src='http://community.the-underdogs.org/smiley/celeb/santasmiley.gif' border='0' alt='user posted image'>
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Comments

  • esunaesuna Rock Bottom Join Date: 2003-04-03 Member: 15175Members, Constellation
    Everything. <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->

    Seriously, if you upgrade one thing, you need to upgrade something else.

    If you upgrade your cpu, you'll have to get a new motherboard. If you upgrade your gfx card, you'll have to upgrade everything else to keep up with it.

    You could get away with more RAM really, but that's not terribly exciting. And whenever you do decide to upgrade your motherboard, you'll want to, or need to, buy more RAM.
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  • 2_of_Eight2_of_Eight Join Date: 2003-08-20 Member: 20016Members
    Yarg. Why do computers have to be so... inter-connected. <!--emo&:(--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/sad.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad.gif'><!--endemo-->
    Well. Thank you <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->
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  • MrMojoMrMojo Join Date: 2002-11-25 Member: 9882Members, Constellation
    I'd go for more ram. Check if it's supported by your mobo, though. If the latest types aren't, I suggest saving up a bit and getting a new mobo + ram. Then you could easily upgrade the cpu and the video card later.
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  • SillyGooseSillyGoose Join Date: 2003-03-16 Member: 14572Members, Constellation
    nforce2 with built in GF4MX, A low end Athlon XP, and 256mb of DDR ram. You should be able to do all that at www.newegg.com and maybe have a little left over and plenty of room for future expansion. Also what kind of computer is it, as if its a a pre-built gateway or Dell you might need a new case and PSU, which I think is also feasable.
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  • RobRob Unknown Enemy Join Date: 2002-01-24 Member: 25Members, NS1 Playtester
    Buying a new motherboard and re-inserting your exisiting ram/CPU is NOT an easy task. More ram or a better video card are both viable options for a "quick fix," but keep in mind, the best you'll be doing is running your current games a little better and lengthening this computers life by at most a few months, if you're like me.

    If you have working knowledge of A+ or IT Essentials, as Cisco calls it, you can build your own machine for WAY less than you'd buy at some place; course then you wouldn't have techies tying your wires back for you or running speed tests or installing demos or giving it a good-bye kiss, but I guess that's not necessary (/me hugs alienware).
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  • SillyGooseSillyGoose Join Date: 2003-03-16 Member: 14572Members, Constellation
    edited December 2003
    I even went on Newegg and picked out the parts, how lucky for you <!--emo&::nerdy::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/nerd.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='nerd.gif'><!--endemo--> :

    <a href='http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?DEPA=&sumit=Go&description=13%2D138%2D234&searchdepa=0' target='_blank'>Biostar Nforce2 IGP mobo</a>

    <a href='http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?DEPA=&sumit=Go&description=11%2D138%2D001&searchdepa=0' target='_blank'>Dynapower Metis Series ATX Case with 300W Power supply</a>

    <a href='http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?DEPA=&sumit=Go&description=19%2D103%2D334&searchdepa=0' target='_blank'>AMD Athlon XP 2200+</a>

    <a href='http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?DEPA=&sumit=Go&description=20%2D144%2D306&searchdepa=0' target='_blank'>Geil Value Series 184 Pin 256MB DDR PC-3200</a>

    With a grand total of $201 <!--emo&::marine::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/marine.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='marine.gif'><!--endemo-->
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  • esunaesuna Rock Bottom Join Date: 2003-04-03 Member: 15175Members, Constellation
    <!--QuoteBegin--SillyGoose+Dec 24 2003, 04:55 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (SillyGoose @ Dec 24 2003, 04:55 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> I even went on Newegg and picked out the parts, how lucky for you <!--emo&::nerdy::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/nerd.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='nerd.gif'><!--endemo--> :

    <a href='http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?DEPA=&sumit=Go&description=13%2D138%2D234&searchdepa=0' target='_blank'>Biostar Nforce2 IGP mobo</a>

    <a href='http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?DEPA=&sumit=Go&description=11%2D138%2D001&searchdepa=0' target='_blank'>Dynapower Metis Series ATX Case with 300W Power supply</a>

    <a href='http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?DEPA=1&sumit=Go&description=20%2D144%2D305&searchdepa=1' target='_blank'>GEil PC-3200 DDR400 512mb</a>

    <a href='http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?DEPA=&sumit=Go&description=19%2D103%2D335&searchdepa=0' target='_blank'>AMD Athlon XP 2400+</a>

    $200=Owned <!--emo&::marine::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/marine.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='marine.gif'><!--endemo--> <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    But the RAM is on sale, ends today, and the chip is out of stock. <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->
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  • SillyGooseSillyGoose Join Date: 2003-03-16 Member: 14572Members, Constellation
    Im editing...gimme some time
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  • Cereal_KillRCereal_KillR Join Date: 2002-10-31 Member: 1837Members
    seriously, change everything. Even if it's to get a really low-end computer, but change everything


    You can get a Duron 1.2 Ghz for about 30 bucks
    motherboards can be for as cheap as 30 bucks as well (Im thinking about the Asrock brand) though you can get a "safer" one for around 60-70, you'd want 256 of Ram at least. Don't forget to check what your motherboard can get (ie, DDR, what speed, etc) One stick of 256 of regular PC2700 would be around 30 as well in noname, but you might want to turn to a branded one instead of playing lottery with nonames.

    For the graphics, you'd either want to turn to a nForce2-based motherboard (integrated chip with GeForce4 MX level capabilities) or get a seperate card.

    Note that this gets you a really low-end computer with prices found in normal commerce (ie not cheap) in French (ie highly taxed), but it would be quite cheap. Go for it if you're desperate, but if I were you I'd save a bit to get a more performing computer.
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  • WindelkronWindelkron Join Date: 2002-04-11 Member: 419Members
    the PC speaker
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  • BaconTheoryBaconTheory Join Date: 2003-09-06 Member: 20615Members
    edited December 2003
    Upgrade your video card. You can get a ATI Radeon 9600 Pro Video card with 128MB AGP for $199. There are also some cheaper options, which are still good.

    You can see more video cards <a href='http://buy.ati.com/shopati/find.asp?find%5Fcategory=AP&find%5Fdescription=Products&find%5Fpart%5Fdesc=&country=USA' target='_blank'>here</a>
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  • Cereal_KillRCereal_KillR Join Date: 2002-10-31 Member: 1837Members
    your processor won't be able to follow up with such a powerful card.
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  • WarriorWarrior Join Date: 2003-02-16 Member: 13624Members
    <!--QuoteBegin--Skidzor+Dec 24 2003, 12:39 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Skidzor @ Dec 24 2003, 12:39 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Upgrade your video card. You can get a ATI Radeon 9600 Pro Video card with 128MB AGP for $199. There are also some cheaper options, which are still good.

    You can see more video cards <a href='http://buy.ati.com/shopati/find.asp?find%5Fcategory=AP&find%5Fdescription=Products&find%5Fpart%5Fdesc=&country=USA' target='_blank'>here</a> <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    That video card runs faster then his CPU. He wont get very much improvement with a 533 mhz processor. You need to update your cpu, motherboard, more ram,which might fit ur 200 dollar budget. Then a video card like that would be a nice choice. How do you use such a out of date PC.
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  • BaconTheoryBaconTheory Join Date: 2003-09-06 Member: 20615Members
    edited December 2003
    <!--QuoteBegin--Cereal_KillR+Dec 24 2003, 12:43 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Cereal_KillR @ Dec 24 2003, 12:43 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> your processor won't be able to follow up with such a powerful card. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Bah. Well hes only asking to spend $200. Its kinda hard to do anything worthwile to your computer (besides upgrading RAM) when only spending 200 dollars. In that case, I say he should upgrade his ram; games would run a little bit faster. <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink.gif'><!--endemo-->
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  • taboofirestaboofires Join Date: 2002-11-24 Member: 9853Members
    Buy a $80-$100 vid card and spend the rest on ram.
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