Upgrading my computer

Hey guys i have some problems running newer games it lag alot and it gets annyoing i want to make the upgrades to run the games better. Such as star wars galaxies.

I have some computer stats i can list. YES I KNOW i should get a new comp but little at a time i want to upgrade it but i just need to know what to do first to get the most improvements.

Here is a computer spec list from the Star wars galaxies client gave me ( some usless star wars settings mixed in here )

Hardware Info Version: 5
Number of Processors: 1 physical, 1 logical
Cpu Vendor: GenuineIntel
Cpu Identifier: x86 Family 15 Model 0 Stepping 10
Cpu Speed: 1693 Mhz
Physical Memory Size: 511 MB
CD: 1
DVD: 1
Joysticks: 0
Joysticks: 0
FlightSticks: 0
GamePads: 0
Video Description: RADEON 9250
Video Identifier: 0x1002[v], 0x5960[d]
Video Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6517
Video Memory Size: 250 MB
Vertex Shader Version: 1.1
Pixel Shader Version: 1.4
DirectX Version: 9.0c
Operating System: Windows XP
BITS: enabled
trackIR Version: Not supported
User Info Version: 1
Audio: enabled
DOT3: enabled
HW mouse cursor: enabled
HIQL: enabled
Safe renderer: no
Screen width: 1024
Screen height: 768
Windowed: no
Borderless windowed: no
Texture baking: enabled
UseJoysticks: enabled


THANKs !

 

You really should list some kind of budget, i.e., I can't spend more than $400 or something.

Beyond that, do you currently have a self built computer? If not, that can throw a serious kink in the works.

Assuming you're building yourself, and can spend $400 - $500, I'd get an AMD board (Nforce4) and cpu (Athlon 64 3000-3500) to start. If you have less than that to spend, go with an older chip/chipset. For example, a 2500 Barton paired with a Asus A7N8X, is a very nice performer for around $150 - $175 (depending on which A7N8X you get, several versions).

 

ouch i was hoping for like get some more ram or something :-/ 150 $ heh

 

150 big ones you could get a new video card for that and you will see a massive improvement1

 

Check this out you could get one cheaper if you shop around
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-121-196&depa=1

 

a new video card will help, but not massively. Your CPU is going to be very limiting as it is 4 generations old now.

the video card that Rikky linked above is a good one, but if you can spare the extra $25 to get a 6600GT AGP, its well worth it, and will be easily transfered to a newer AGP system in the future.

 

I think 6600GT and Sempron 2500+ would make a good price/performance combo. (Those Semprons are practically free...)

Edit: Yes... I can read...
Cpu Vendor: GenuineIntel

So it's not going to be Sempron.

 

Bah, I'd get a new motherboard. As the others say, your components are going to be restricting you not the graphics card. That graphics card is OK (I have one on one of my other machines) but with the CPU you're going to get a bottleneck, if the bottleneck isn't on the motherboard chipset itself.

nForce2 motherboards are good and cheap too. Heres mine: Abit AN7
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-127-167&depa=0
You could try getting a Semperon 3000+
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-104-222&depa=0
But thats not as good as an old XP 3000+ (which I have).
Brings your total to about $200.

Depending on what kind of ram you have (is it DDR?) you can just lump the old ram into the new motherboard. If it goes at at least DDR333, then you should be ok. If its PC133, then you're probably OOL and you'll need to get some new ram.

If after that you're still having problems, then you need to upgrade the graphics card.

 

Just found out starwars galaxies is an online multiplayer so the stuttering could be due to a slow connection,slow server or alot of people online,if its none of these it could be your cpu/mobo is too slow to handle all the action.But in single player games a faster cpu/mobo wont make that card go any faster and a new gfx card will show the most fps increase and take advantage of the latest graphical features,its also the most easy upgrade to perform and can be taken over to your next computer and if in the unlikely event you dont see any performance increase just take it back for a refund and save up for new computer.

 

i just bought a brand new stick of 512 ram and next a new mobo gonna work with the comp i have now since i can edit it for cheaper then tobuy a new one

 

I completely disagree. it will save you money to wait until you can afford a motherboard/CPU/ Case (if you need one) all at once, and then try the game with your current video card. if the improvement still isnt enough, then a new video card will undoubtedly fix the problem at that point.

you've very limited upgradeing piece by piece, as you have an outdated Intel processor. Your new motherboard shouldnt support your current processor.

buying a video card nw is wasting money since your system will be bottlenecked, and by the time you have a system capable of using the new video card, it will have dropped in price.

motherboard/cpu should be your first step.

 

I agree you should wait until you can afford everything at once before building a new system you should pair your mobo/cpu and buy them together memory/psu aswell to some extent,but a new gfx card will give an instant boost in performance for $150 you wont get the most from it with that system but the extra performance can be enjoyed untill the new system can be afforded,so the value it loses meanwhile is gained back by being able to play the games in the short term and it will still be a good card in 2-3 months,the other option is to wait untill you have the money to get a new system,thats time not being able to enjoy your games,its the most sensible option if you can wait.

But even then when you can afford new mobo,cpu and memory you might find you need a new psu and gfx card so thats even more time saving up not enjoying your games.

As I said the card can be returned if it doesnt live up to expectations,but if your cpu/mobo doesnt fix it your stuck with them untill you can afford a new gfx card.Your current radeon 9250 cant be that good from the pics I'v seen its half height and doesn't have a fan.