Upgrading My Computer

My birthday is coming up, so I decided to make a couple upgrades on my computer in anticipation of 06 games

The problem is, I don't know an enourmous amount about computers, so I wanted to run my upgrade ideas by people to make sure I will actually harness the full potential of the hardware that I might get, so, if you would be so kind as to comment on my ideas, here they are:

Okay, so here's my current set up via Everest (it is from the eMachines T6212):
OS: Windows XP SP2
Processor: AMD Athlon 64, 2000 MHz (10 x 200) 3200+
Motherboard: FieldMSI RS480M2 (MS-7093) (3 PCI, 1 PCI-E x16, 4 DDR DIMM, Audio, Video, LAN, IEEE-1394)
Chip set/Video Adapter: ATI RADEON Xpress 200 Series (128 MB)
RAM: 640 MB (DDR SDRAM) (The integrated card...)


Okay, here's what I am looking at purchasing:
Video Card: ATI Radeon x800 XL 256 mb (Or the x800 XT)
RAM: http://www.crucial.com/store/MPartspecs.Asp?mtbpoid=743958B1A5CA7304&WSMD=T6212&WSPN=CT444802 (two of those, for a total in my computer of 2 gigs)


I know it's not as much as I might have made it out so be at first heh, but I guess what I'm really wondering is is it worth it to get 2 Gigs? Also, will the graphics card be fully utilized? Overall is it a good descision? Any help would be greatly apreciated!

 

One more concern: I only have a 300 watt power supply, and I am worried that it might be a problem, any thoughts?

Thanks again

 

It depends on the money you have available to you. If you have a bit then I would wait untill the new ATI R520 (its called something else now, but ATI's new card), although that will be incredibly expensive!

Has your mobo got cross-fire? Just thinking about future proofing the system, because you will want one of the two card technologies before long! With the RAM, what speed is your old RAM? You have 640 MB there so adding a Gig will do no harm, as long as the speed your getting is the same as your old stuff.

The power supply is a little weak even for the current set up, and adding a 400 or higher wattage PSU will mean further updates can happen without something going pop!

Just my two pennies.

Kiwi

 

I added Crucial RAM to my daughters eMachine without problems. I don't think you need to go over a Gig. I like Nvidia but thats pretty much users choice. Besure of your bus (AGP/PCI or PCI-E). And I just swapped out her PSU too before adding another HDD. She only had a 250 watt. This is the PSU I got from newegg http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817153006 Its a buck more this week with cheap shipping (was free two weeks ago). It has plenty of connectors (and long cables).

Good Luck.

 

These are going to be gifts I hope, but I still can't pocket a brand new graphics card heh. Anyways, my ram is all pc3200, and the new is too, but is 2 gigs over kill?

A new psu si a must then? I'll definatly look into it.

Finally, I don't know about cross-fire, infact I'm not even positive what it is, does it have to do with two video cards together? For some reason thats what comes to mind.

Thanks for the advice guys!

 

yes, 2 gigs is overkill(unless you're running a server in which case that may not be enough), 1 gig is plenty for surfing the net, word processing, gaming and whatever else. I would save some money and buy a 512mb stick and put the money you saved into a better graphics card. And the sticks you put a link for is dual channel, in other words, just buy that and ditch your current RAM. Those are 2x512, they will take up two slots, and if you stick your current RAM in they may not run in dual channel. Consult you manual on how where to put the sticks.

yes, crossfire is when you put two ati cards on one motherboard. but your motherboard doesn't support that.

 

Thank you very much, I was pretty sure I didn't have crossfire, but I wasnt positive, and your right, I guess I will just replace my current RAM with both of those sticks. I've done some basic things inside my computer, so I know there's room for two more sticks.

Could it hurt to leave the old RAM in anyways? If I put the new dual channel RAM in the first two slots and the older RAM in the last two? Even if the old isn't dual channel?

Also, can anyone suggest a brand and or wattage for a new psu? I've enevr had to deal with them to be honest.

Thank again, I really apreciate the feedback.

 

Sorry, it wouldn't let me edit my post...

I have another question, but I don't want to clog the forums just to get it answered, so if anyone can help in here, that would be great.

I don't think best buy carries the AGP version of the graphics card that I want, but www.newegg.com does. I see lots of people on here buying from new egg, but I wasn't sure which of those "brands" to buy from.

What I mean is, when I search the card, four brands come up, and I think I've only heard of gigabyte, but saphire? There's another one too.

I'm just curious which is the better brand, more reliable/better preformance etc, or does it not make a difrence? Any help would be apreciated, I'm in the dark.

Thanks again!

 

"Could it hurt to leave the old RAM in anyways? If I put the new dual channel RAM in the first two slots and the older RAM in the last two? Even if the old isn't dual channel?"

afaik, it won't work that way. Unless you have two dual channel kits.

"I'm just curious which is the better brand"

I've never really heard anything bad about the "alternative" brands. I got an ati card by ati, just because I figured ati would make their own card best, since they design them.

 

The power supply is important. You dont want to come up short on it because it can cause big problems. Depending on what you use the computer for or in your case I am guessing what kind of games you play, the amount of RAM you already have is plenty for most games but 1gig is good for upcoming games. you wont need 2gigs any time soon.

 

That's what I would do, but the only options from ATi on this card are both OEM and one is refurbished, I wold prefer retail.

Here are some items I was looking at, what do you all think? I am PRETTY sure that the psu will fit in my computer, is there anyway to be positive?

Card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102521

Fan: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835186129

PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103937

Thanks again guys!

 

Alright, so I've done some more research and I realized that Saphire actually mfgs most ATI cards, but there is an ATI retail version of the x800 XL on sale, so I think I'm going to get that and the fan I posted earlier.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102542

I'd like to order this soon, so if anyone could help me wiht my final qualm, I would be incredibly greatful.

I don't knwo for sure if the PSU I selected will fit in my computer, or if it is even any good!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103937

That's what I am looking at buying. I can't, for the life of me, find the model of my current psu, but I manuallu measured it, and it's the same size as the enw one, I'm just curious if there is any way to be POSITIVE.

That gives me an idea, I'll check the manual

 

Okay, this is just for closure, my last two posts were in vain heh. I have ordered these three parts:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16814102542

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103937

http://www.case-mod.com/store/arctic-cooling-ati-silencer-rev-revision-p-1638.html?src=fr

Incase anyone cares

Anyways, thanks for the help guys!