HELP! Upgrading a motherboard?

Hi guys,
I am an extreme newbie who is trying to restore a computer I've had since 2006. The Basic Info is below, What I am wanting to do is use the tower and restart everything from scratch as a learning project on computers I've never built a computer from scratch so new to a lot of this. I am wondering what style of motherboard would be compatible with this, and trying to make it go faster and be able to run Windows 7 and be able to do some gaming or movie watching... anyone please help.

System Specs for Compaq Presario SR1903WM
Type of System: Desktops/Servers
Bus Architecture: USB
CPU Type: 1.8 GHz AMD Sempron
System Memory
Standard Memory: 256 Mb or 512 MB or 1 GB (Removable)
Maximum Memory: 4 GB
Memory Expansion: 4 Sockets
Comments
Modules must be installed in pairs for Dual Channel mode. Maximum addressable memory may be less than the physical memory installed.

 

Well, for starters, you haven't mentioned how much RAM you have. Secondly, your motherboard(A8N-LA) supports a dual core AMD processor which will make your machine scream compared to what you have now and will run Windows 7 very well. So, on the real cheap end is an X2 CPU and 2GB of memory. You will most likely also have to flash the BIOS for your motherboard.

As to gaming, you have a wimpy on-board video chip and a PCI-E X16 slot for a decent video card to replace it which will entail buying a new and more powerful power supply. It's at this point is that you having a mATX mobo( small form factor) may mean you have a small form factor power supply(PSU). Can you measure the height and width of your PSU please to see what you have.

As always, give us a budget so that we can tailor our choices with the money being the main factor for the video card.

 

also, having a second computer (yours or borrowed) is highly recommended so you can troubleshoot and get help during your upgrade.

 

Thanks for your help guys, Sorry getting slow at getting back just had a couple people at work quit so short staffed, means no time to play with the computer.. Ok I'll measure the PSU in the morning and reply back. As far as budget it, it's going to be a slow build, I would like to get as close to top of the line as possible, but as we all know what's hot this second will be old news in the next second, but would like to keep it total rebuild no more then 2000.00.... If still able to use tower I have that would help alot if not then guess will be starting from scratch.

 

£2000 is a lot of money for a computer. For that much we can spec you out a very nice system without using any old parts.

 

Oh ya, $2,000 will get you a screamer!! A half decent mid-tower case will be less than $100. If you wish, donate your machine where they'll refurbish it for folks that can't afford one.

 

But what if the budget is in yen? That will not get very far.