Upgrade recommendations? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Irishsean · 10-07-2004, 01:10 PM

I have a moderately ok computer that I want to slowly upgrade as I can afford it. I want to do about 1 piece at a time and am not sure in what order to upgrade components so I can see the most change. I use this right now as a mostly word-processor/internet browser, but would like to see it become a moderate gaming rig.

System Specs:

Computer:
Operating System Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
OS Service Pack Service Pack 2

Motherboard:
CPU Type AMD Athlon XP, 1154 MHz (11.5 x 100)
Motherboard Name Abit KD7(-RAID) (6 PCI, 1 AGP, 4 DIMM, Audio, LAN)
Motherboard Chipset VIA VT8377 Apollo KT400
System Memory 256 MB (PC3200 Virtual Channel DDR SDRAM)

Display:
Video Adapter NVIDIA GeForce4 MX 440 (64 MB)

Multimedia:
Audio Adapter VIA AC'97 Enhanced Audio Controller

Storage:
Floppy Drive Floppy disk drive
Disk Drive WDC WD800BB-00FJA0 (74 GB, IDE)

Yes, I know I have no CD Drive, but its not really a high priority for me right now...

Paradise Lost · 10-07-2004, 01:23 PM

If you have brand loyalty, upgrade to, in order:

Nvidia 6800GT video card or higher (top of the line)
Athlon64 3400 --> You'll need a 64-bit MoBo if you go this route, which you should.
Corsair RAM, 1 Gig, whatever the highest speed out is now...

If you go in this order, don't wait too long to buy the RAM, you'll need it, only because
256 just ain't cutting it anymore, which is sad.

The rest of your needs just add to the experience, like Speakers, Sound Card, Monitor, HD, etc...

Although, if you do get two SATA drives w/ a RAID mobo, you'll get noticeably faster load times
on things off of the hard drives, since they work together.

Lasereth · 10-07-2004, 02:55 PM

What's your budget? That's the number one question. Advice is useless unless we know you can afford it!

-Lasereth

Irishsean · 10-07-2004, 03:35 PM

I'm looking to drop in at most maybe 200-300 at a time, and I don't mind upgrading it over the next couple months if I have to...

Lasereth · 10-07-2004, 04:13 PM

If you wanted to spend $200-$300 at a time, I'd go for a decent processor, great motherboard, decent RAM, and a top-of-the-line videocard. An Athlon XP 2500+ is about $80. The Abit NF7-S motherboard is around $80 as well. Buy at least 512 MB of PC3200 RAM for $70 (1 GB if you can afford it). That's under $250 right there! Spend $200-$400 on a videocard and you'll have an extremely powerful system. For $200, I recommend a Radeon 9800 Pro or GeForce 6600 GT (if ya wanna wait for the AGP version due out soon). For $300, ya can't go wrong with a GeForce 6800. For $400, I supremely recommend the GeForce 6800 GT. I almost feel like I ripped off eVGA and NVIDIA by only paying $400 for this card. It's that powerful.

-Lasereth

10-07-2004, 01:10 PM	#1 (permalink)
Irishsean edited for content Location: Austin, TX	Upgrade recommendations? I have a moderately ok computer that I want to slowly upgrade as I can afford it. I want to do about 1 piece at a time and am not sure in what order to upgrade components so I can see the most change. I use this right now as a mostly word-processor/internet browser, but would like to see it become a moderate gaming rig. System Specs: Computer: Operating System Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition OS Service Pack Service Pack 2 Motherboard: CPU Type AMD Athlon XP, 1154 MHz (11.5 x 100) Motherboard Name Abit KD7(-RAID) (6 PCI, 1 AGP, 4 DIMM, Audio, LAN) Motherboard Chipset VIA VT8377 Apollo KT400 System Memory 256 MB (PC3200 Virtual Channel DDR SDRAM) Display: Video Adapter NVIDIA GeForce4 MX 440 (64 MB) Multimedia: Audio Adapter VIA AC'97 Enhanced Audio Controller Storage: Floppy Drive Floppy disk drive Disk Drive WDC WD800BB-00FJA0 (74 GB, IDE) Yes, I know I have no CD Drive, but its not really a high priority for me right now...

10-07-2004, 01:23 PM	#2 (permalink)
Paradise Lost "Afternoon everybody." "NORM!" Location: Poland, Ohio // Clarion University of PA.	If you have brand loyalty, upgrade to, in order: Nvidia 6800GT video card or higher (top of the line) Athlon64 3400 --> You'll need a 64-bit MoBo if you go this route, which you should. Corsair RAM, 1 Gig, whatever the highest speed out is now... If you go in this order, don't wait too long to buy the RAM, you'll need it, only because 256 just ain't cutting it anymore, which is sad. The rest of your needs just add to the experience, like Speakers, Sound Card, Monitor, HD, etc... Although, if you do get two SATA drives w/ a RAID mobo, you'll get noticeably faster load times on things off of the hard drives, since they work together. __________________ "Marino could do it."

10-07-2004, 02:55 PM	#3 (permalink)
Lasereth Knight of the Old Republic Location: Winston-Salem, NC	What's your budget? That's the number one question. Advice is useless unless we know you can afford it! -Lasereth __________________ "A Darwinian attacks his theory, seeking to find flaws. An ID believer defends his theory, seeking to conceal flaws." -Roger Ebert

10-07-2004, 04:13 PM	#5 (permalink)
Lasereth Knight of the Old Republic Location: Winston-Salem, NC	If you wanted to spend $200-$300 at a time, I'd go for a decent processor, great motherboard, decent RAM, and a top-of-the-line videocard. An Athlon XP 2500+ is about $80. The Abit NF7-S motherboard is around $80 as well. Buy at least 512 MB of PC3200 RAM for $70 (1 GB if you can afford it). That's under $250 right there! Spend $200-$400 on a videocard and you'll have an extremely powerful system. For $200, I recommend a Radeon 9800 Pro or GeForce 6600 GT (if ya wanna wait for the AGP version due out soon). For $300, ya can't go wrong with a GeForce 6800. For $400, I supremely recommend the GeForce 6800 GT. I almost feel like I ripped off eVGA and NVIDIA by only paying $400 for this card. It's that powerful. -Lasereth __________________ "A Darwinian attacks his theory, seeking to find flaws. An ID believer defends his theory, seeking to conceal flaws." -Roger Ebert

10-07-2004, 03:35 PM	#4 (permalink)
Irishsean edited for content Location: Austin, TX	I'm looking to drop in at most maybe 200-300 at a time, and I don't mind upgrading it over the next couple months if I have to...