System Upgrade

Hello,

I have a very old...

1Ghz Athlon
384MB RAM
20GB HD
32MB GeForce 2 MX
Win XP

...and before I get a new computer sometime this summer, I'm looking to put in a couple of new pieces of hardware (new HD is a given) that'll make the machine run slightly faster, play games slightly nicer, and not crash the whole time. I play older games (can you guess why?) like Day of Defeat and Operation Flashpoint - so not too demanding. I also don't want to spend much due to the money in my computer fund is going towards a new computer, not little upgrades.

I was thinking about an 80GB HD from Maxtor? The HD I have at the moment is Maxtor and the reviews seem to be good. Aside from getting my whole iPod on here now, it should provide plently (for me) of breathing space.

My main quiery however was about Processor upgrades. Do you think it's worth it - maybe a £50 Sempron 2600? Also will I actually be able to put a new processor on there? I suppose this has a lot to do with the MB, but since I'm at work and I can't remember what it is, you're just gonna have to hold out until I get back and can reply - but since the processor already on there is an AMD, surely the signs are good? Maybe a graphics card upgrade to a crappy 64Mb one?

Hope you can help, and many thanks

bennett.

 

I dont know about the cpu upgrade but i would definetly get a new graphics card and maby some more ram, this can significantly boost ur gaming experience

 

I agree that the RAM and graphics card upgrades will significantly boost your experience however I would recomend this:

Don't cheap out and just buy a 64mb graphics card... get a really good graphics card (I prefer ATI cards but GeForce are very good as well) I say this because it sounds like within the next 7 or 8 months your gonna be ready to build a new computer or go about getting a new one... so when I was in your exact position I made improvements to my sounds card and video card and HDD space ahead of time and then just transfered them over to the new computer.. I hung onto the old components so they went back into the old computer and now I have my two computers.

As for the Maxtor hard drive.. I have an 80 gig maxtor and I love it. I am a huge maxtor fan and always will be they make very good drives and 80 is a very good size. Might I recomend the website www.newegg.com for your drive that website has awesome deals all the time so wait till the price of an 80 gig drive is no more than 60-70 bucks you should NEVER have to pay more than a dollar/gigabyte

As for the video card like I said above ATI's are great you can get a 128mb ATI All In Wonder Radeon 9600 for around 120 from newegg... VERY sweet card it's what I am currently running as well

However your CPU question. If a new computer is within a year for you and you currently have a 1 ghz processor I would just hang onto that CPU until your new computer. Reason being that processors advance and prices change DAILY on processors so to ensure that your new computer has the latest and greatest I'd just wait it out till your ordering up your new computer so you don't waste money on a CPU now only to get another in X ammount of months. However should you really want to upgrade you SHOULD be able to with your MB but you need to make sure that you look up your motherboard on-line and find out what she can handle because a motherboard can only handle so much processor. If you have an AMD Athlon now on the MB then IF you decide to get a new processor MAKE SURE YOU BUY ANOTHER AMD, sounds obvious but it's gotta be said lol.

RAM- you could definatly upgrade but again check your motherboard specs and find out how much she can ultimately handle.

Hope this helps you out a little let me know if you need any more advice

 

I wouldn't bother upgrading it at all,double your money to around £100 sell that one for say £50 and buy a second hand one.In my local LOOT or check the website you could get a computer three times as good as yours for £100-£150 then when you come to upgrade to your new computer sell that one as well and put the money towards it.

 

Thanks a lot guys for the advice!

Today I bought a 40GB Maxtor HD and an Radeon 9200 128mb Graphics card from dabs.com £60 for all inc P&P. Looking forward to putting those in.

As I say, I don't really need big power - and with the graphics card esp I was frightened of bottlenecking. I'm also pretty sure I'm gonna get a laptop - maybe even a mac - for my next computer as I'm off to Uni is October and I just think it will be a lot more practical. I still might get a £300 tower for games at home, nothing special - but we'll cross that bridge when I can afford it!!

I'm thinking of getting more RAM still.. but I'll wait till I get home and have a look at my MB before I do that. I've given up on a new CPU.

Once again, thanks for the help!

*edit* Rikky - that's a really good idea... I don't think I can be arsed to sell my computer though, I don't think anyone with sense would buy it!

 

One mans junk is another mans treasure you would be suprised what people will buy,check out loot.com I just checked it for you and some guys are selling your pc for £150 check it out believe me theres money to be saved/gained for me its just too much too ignore,but anyway have fun with your upgrades!!