Upgrading my system
 

In the last month I've decided to upgrade my computer, and I've asked around on other forums for help on what I could use to upgrade.

Here's my system: Compaq Presario PC s4500nx - Product Specifications

Here's what I'm upgrading:
Video Card: SAPPHIRE ATI RADEON 9800 Video Card, 256MB DDR, 128-Bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP, Model "100578L" -RETAIL Lite Box

RAM: Crucial 184 Pin 512MB DDR PC-2700 - OEM

Power Supply:
COOLMAX 400W CX-400B, BLACK, Taurus CX Series Silent Power Supply; 1 x 120mm fan, 3 Speed Fan Control Switch ( Auto, Low, Medium).

I'm making this to get a second opinion that I'm making a good choice. I just talked to a friend who upgraded his RAM a few days ago and it took him the entire day to work things out because Windows wouldn't accept the RAM on his computer that he just put in, and he had to return things several times.

I'm not sure if there's anything I could do to help ensure that this doesn't happen to me since I'm getting it off the internet and all, and I'd like a second opinion on all of this and any obvious tips or thoughts on this you could give me before I make this upgrade.

Thanks in advance.

Well, according to the product specifications for your system, you dont have any Ram DIMM's free, so that might be a problem in and of itself...

Oh wow - None of us noticed that.

:( Rats is the word I'm looking for.

Homey's right. You'll have to pull one of the 256MB DIMMs to add the 512 for 768 total. If the system interleaves access (dual channel) then it'll be slower with different DIMM sizes. Give Compaq a call. I'm sure they'll tell you if the system is dual-channel. Or you could just get two 512MB DIMMs.

That's what I'll probably end up doing. That's quite unfortunate. I suppose I can wait until I've got a little more cash in a few weeks.

Get one now. If it works, great. Worst case you trade more memory for slightly slower memory until you upgrade the other one. I'd give it a shot.

If worried you could dig through their docs for any references to interleaved or dual-channel memory access. Almost all dual-channel capable systems work fine with unequal memory installed, just slightly (very slightly) slower. The additional memory will more than make up the difference unless you run lots of memory transfer benchmarks.

Wait... Will it slow it down slower than 768 or slower then 512?

I was reading that it was going to run slower then 512 with the 512+256 both plugged in.

I know next to nothing about computers right now, but I've learned leaps and bounds more then I knew before I started my quest to learn to upgrade this comp.

i don't think you will notice too much of a difference if you're just using it for normal use. even in gaming, there won't be a hugely noticable difference.
i'll take a guess at this...i think you can sometimes tell if it's dual-channel if the ram slots are grouped (like 2 groups of 2 that are separated by a space). also, try to google, ask on other computer forums, and call Compaq (if they can help you). these are good upgrades, exactly what i would have done

Notice a difference if I upgrade to 1024 ram or 768?

the more the merrier; your system can support up to 2gb. it kinda comes down to price, because 1gb of ram is pretty expensive (to me at least)

oh, come to think of it. about your 9800 pro, i'm not sure what your budget allows for, but i would go for a 256bit version instead of the 128bit

I think that's AGP 8X and I can only use 4X, and the one I have up there is the best that I could find that was 4X and ran that well.

Get a Radeon 9800 Pro instead (the 256-bit version). Your motherboard is only 4x but you won't notice a big difference between the card on a 4x motherboard and an 8x motherboard. That regular 9800 is a POS.

Why are you upgrading? If you're not gonna play games then there's no reason to. If you are, then upgrading is worth it.

I'd buy that RAM you listed. It'll work fine unless it comes defective or something. The extra RAM will not improve your performance by much in Windows XP but it will improve game performance by a large amount. Most people underestimate the performance increase of adding an extra 256 MB to the current 512 MB of RAM.

About the PSU...it would work, but only if your case will allow it physically. If your case is shaped oddly inside or is rather small then that PSU might not fit in it. I'd be taking measurements or just scoping out the inside to see if the PSU is a regular sized one or not.

If ya have any more questions just ask!

-Lasereth

Yeah - I'm specifically upgrading for games.

Go for it then. Even the extra 256MB will help load times. The video card will make things worth playing.

256 DDR and 256 bit on the video card?

PSU = power source unit/power supply unit (depending on who you ask). The only problem, like Lasereth said, is that it might not fit. Dell, for example, a lot of times has motherboards and PSUs that won't fit in other cases, in order to make people buy THEIR stuff when they need to upgrade. Lousy bastids.

Given that it's a Compaq Presario, chances are that the memory is not dual channel. I would still check the documentation to see if you can find anything about it, but it should be pretty obvious if it is. I would get the memory and pull out one of the 256s.

If that card is out of my price range can I get any recommendations on what to buy? Just off the top of your head, I've already skimmed over the video-card thread and it helped a little, but I'm still not sure anymore what to buy.

Should I consider a PCIS card? I don't understand the PCI-Express-16 stuff. Will my computer be able to handle that or how does it work?

Same with the AGP-8X and AGP-4X. 8X is backwards compatible with the 4X so I'll be able to plug the 8X card into my 4X slot and it'll run (not quite as well) but a still better then the 4X card I had picked out?

nope, unless you get a mobo with pci-express slots, you cna't use pci-express devices. it's supposed to have better performance since it can send data both ways at the same time. As of now, however, I would stick with normal agp because you won't notice a huge performance increase for the price you pay. The difference between agp 8x and 4x is not much. I remember once reading somehting on the tomshardware guide site about it making hardly any difference.

oh, as mentioned, check if the psu will fit. if not, you could always get a new case...

Alright - AGP it is. I'll check on the PSU tomorrow. I'll probably break down and get my stuff at Fry's, especially since newegg.com does n't have the 9800Pro video card.

Don't get the 256 MB 9800 Pro. Get the 128 MB, 256-bit version. The extra 128 MB of memory is useless and just jacks up the price. NewEgg does have them in stock.

-Lasereth

What does the 256-bit mean in regards to the video card?

It greatly affects memory transfer bandwidth. 256 lanes vs 128. It won't help everything, but for games that move lots of textures or bitmaps it can make a huge difference.

Alright, here's what I'm ordering I think based on all the helpful commentary:

RAM: Crucial 184 Pin 512MB DDR PC-2700 - OEM - X2
Video Card: ROSEWILL ATI RADEON 9800 PRO Video Card, 128MB DDR, 256-Bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP, Model "RW98PR-128D" -RETAIL

I'm going to pick up a Power Supply Unit at Fry's I suspect to make sure I get something that fits and that I can easily return it if need be.

Any chance I can get one final last pieces of commentary before I made the order?