upgrading computer, need feedback.

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  • sgt.collins

    #1

    upgrading computer, need feedback.

    Hello everyone, I decided I am going to upgrade my computer. Here is my specs:
    Compaq Presario sr1950nx

    Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.070227-2254)
    Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
    System Manufacturer: Compaq Presario 061
    System Model: EX325AA-ABA SR1950NX NA670
    BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
    Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 Processor 3800+, MMX, 3DNow, ~2.4GHz
    Memory: 1470MB RAM(upgrading to 2 gb on monday.
    Page File: 571MB used, 2795MB available
    Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
    DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)

    Card name: NVIDIA GeForce 6150 LE
    Manufacturer: NVIDIA
    Audio: Description: Realtek HD Audio rear output

    I have no clue what motherboard it is, and don't know how to find out, looked on google and found nothing......

    Anyways, Im going o upgrade my computer soon. I want for sure a new graphics card... I was looking at the nvidia 8600 on newegg and it looked good.... suggestions are welcome

    The processor, I don't know how much it will affect my speed if i get a new one, BUt im running a 3800 single core... 2.4 ghz. If you would reccomend me some cpus, it would help a lot.

    If i upgrade my cpu, do I have to upgrade the mobo too? If I do, Please give me the link for a good one, too.

    Next, the power supply. Right now i have the stock 300w one. If i upgrade all of the other parts, Will that be too little of power to run it?
















    Thank you so much, in advance, for helping me...


    see you on the battlefield!
  • sava700

    #2
    Re: upgrading computer, need feedback.

    you should be able to get by with a 8600GTS and a bump to a dual core 939 CPU along with a good powersupply.

    I recommend pc power and cooling for power supply, BFG for video card... and just the highest dual core 939 you can get.

    but make sure you look at what your upgrading close cause you might end up spending more than what you would if you dumped it or sold the computer and built a Intel system.

    Comment

    • Munk_Madness

      #3
      Re: upgrading computer, need feedback.

      it all depends on what you want to run, some people will tell you to go for the best and biggest thing you can get at the moment spending alot of money, where i have an old 478 processor and AGP card n yet can run alot of games at full specs, at a quick look your graphics is PCI-E wich is good and you can pretty much get any card for it, ram is DDR wich is a bit of a downside but still works great altho cant find what processor you have but will still be fine for gaming ... so after that spend some money on an graphics card for now and you will be running alot better

      Comment

      • abes16

        #4
        Re: upgrading computer, need feedback.

        dont get amd get dual core

        Comment

        • System
          Member
          • Jun 2006
          • 1091

          #5
          Re: upgrading computer, need feedback.

          Why would you buy an 8600?

          Waste of money.

          Let's look at the facts here.

          a) your current OS is XP, thus meaning DX9 limited. 8600 opens the door to DX10 which means you need vista.

          b) 8600 is weak. A 7600 > 8600. Yeah its weird, the only difference is one is DX10 capable.

          Even if you choose to upgrade to vista, an 8600 is a shlty dx10 card to use. I highly recomment you look around in the 7xxx series of cards or consider a 1950 pro by ati.

          Comment

          • sava700

            #6
            Re: upgrading computer, need feedback.

            Originally posted by abes16
            dont get amd get dual core
            ????

            you do know AMD has "dual cores" too right?

            Comment

            • =98=
              Member
              • Oct 2006
              • 10299

              #7
              Re: upgrading computer, need feedback.

              Originally posted by sava700
              ????

              you do know AMD has "dual cores" too right?
              Yes, but they are awful...

              Comment

              • Verzili
                Member
                • Apr 2006
                • 969

                #8
                Re: upgrading computer, need feedback.

                Originally posted by alex98uk
                Yes, but they are awful...
                there not that bad,imo

                ok cd2 are faster but when you put a nice gfx card in a amd set up and up the res to say 1600x1200

                then the cpu doesn't really come in to play that much.

                im building a budget system for a friend

                amd2 6000(2x3ghz) 2gb of ddr2 ram and currently waiting for the 8800gt to go with it,

                should be good for most games i would imagine.

                oh and the 8800gt is faster than a 8800gts,witch i find odd cus a 8600gt is slower than a 8600gts.

                looks like all those on 8800gts may want to get a extra card for sli before there obsolete :)

                Comment

                • Corkum
                  Member
                  • Oct 2006
                  • 639

                  #9
                  Re: upgrading computer, need feedback.

                  Originally posted by alex98uk
                  Yes, but they are awful...
                  Actually, seeing as he already has a 939 mobo, i fail to see how or why he would want anything but an AMD dual core. I would also suggest the x1950pro by ati as it is a pretty decent dx9 card on the cheap.

                  Comment

                  • =98=
                    Member
                    • Oct 2006
                    • 10299

                    #10
                    Re: upgrading computer, need feedback.

                    I didn't say he shouldn't get one, i just said they were awful (in comparison to other similarly priced products).

                    And, for gaming, a AMD will suffice, but i do a bit of video encoding and stuff, so i like the speed

                    Comment

                    • sgt.collins

                      #11
                      Re: upgrading computer, need feedback.

                      ok thanks everyone... a few minutes after i made this thread, i went on newegg and priced out an ideal system for me. it came out to 600 dollars:
                      psu: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817182022
                      ram:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820148144
                      cpu: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115029
                      mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813188015
                      gfx card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130294



                      since you said not to go with the 8600, i looked a the 7xxx series, and they are more expensive than the 8600. i want to play battlefield 2, will look into cod4, and i do an infintesimally small amount of video editing.

                      Comment

                      • Corkum
                        Member
                        • Oct 2006
                        • 639

                        #12
                        Re: upgrading computer, need feedback.

                        Don't forget to budget for an operating system.

                        Comment

                        • sgt.collins

                          #13
                          Re: upgrading computer, need feedback.

                          oh i need to get a whole new one? i already have mine on my comp right now... won't it work?


                          is an os saved on the hard drive or on the motherboard fw, because im not getting a new hard drive.... and yes my hard drive will fit because it IS a sata

                          Comment

                          • {RR}SinisterCaesarSalad
                            Member
                            • Apr 2007
                            • 292

                            #14
                            Re: upgrading computer, need feedback.

                            You're also going to need to do a little more research to be sure your MB supports dual core. There are some that need a bios update before they will, and others that will just not support it. If you can't find it on the internet, see if anything's printed on the board itself, otherwise there are programs that will tell you, such as Belarc Advisor.

                            Belarc's products automatically create an accurate and up-to-date central repository (CMDB), consisting of detailed software, hardware, network and security configurations. Customers use our products for software license management, IT asset management, cybersecurity audits, information assurance, and more.


                            Hope this helps.

                            Comment

                            • Corkum
                              Member
                              • Oct 2006
                              • 639

                              #15
                              Re: upgrading computer, need feedback.

                              When you switch motherboards it requires that you reactivate your windows copy. If your current comp was made by a company like dell or HP it will most likely not be able to run your current windows version at all.

                              Comment

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