NationStates Jolt Archive

Well... I've been looking toward upgrading my computer so it won't die when I get WoW. As it is now, it freezes with AoE III, or with ZT/ ZT2. So I really don't trust it with WoW.

Being the computer illiterate I am, I figured I'd ask people who might have a clue :p


My current stuff:
Mainboard : Dell Computer Corp. 02Y832
Chipset : Intel i865P/i848P
Processor : Intel Pentium 4 @ 2400 MHz
Physical Memory : 256 MB (2 x 128 DDR-SDRAM )
Video Card : Nvidia Corp GeForce4 MX 440 with AGP 8X [NV18.2]
Hard Disk : Maxtor (41 GB)
DVD-Rom Drive : MATSHITA UJDA770 DVD/CDRW USB Device
CD-Rom Drive : Lite-On LTN486S 48x Max
CD-Rom Drive : SAMSUNG CD-R/RW SW-248F
Monitor Type : Dell Computer DELL E773c - 16 inchs
Network Card : Intel Corporation PRO/100 VE Network Connection
Operating System : Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition 5.01.2600 Service Pack 1
DirectX : Version 9.0c

Yes, I know it's sad... I didn't buy it for gaming :(

According to the WoW requirements, I need:

1024 RAM
GeForce FX 5700 Video Card



My questions are:
Is the chipset even capable of such upgrades?
If so, is it easily replaced if not soldered?

Is it even worth it do upgrade this motherboard, or should I go with a new motherboard?


Thanks for your help, guys

Run around screaming LEEROOOOOOOOOOOOOY JENKINS!!!!!

other than that I have no clue.

well, if you plan on upgrading you might as well just get another motherboard, The one you have is fine and upgradeable to the WOW reqs, but computer makers are shifting to a new standard and you would just have to replace the motherboard the next time you want an upgrade anyway

well, if you plan on upgrading you might as well just get another motherboard, The one you have is fine and upgradeable to the WOW reqs, but computer makers are shifting to a new standard and you would just have to replace the motherboard the next time you want an upgrade anyway


Do you have any recommendations?


I know how to build the computer, but when it comes to buying the parts themselves... x_x

You could make those upgrades on your current equipment. Nothing is soldered, by the way, but if you don't know what you're doing it may be best to let someone else do it.

The CPU is not too bad for WoW, and you can still find AGP video cards, but if you want to upgrade further you'll need a motherboard and CPU replacement, which very probably will mean new memory and videocard again. Depending on your budget and how long you want to keep using this computer you may want to do this now instead of spending on components that you'll replace again in a few months.

You could make those upgrades on your current equipment. Nothing is soldered, by the way, but if you don't know what you're doing it may be best to let someone else do it.

The CPU is not too bad for WoW, and you can still find AGP video cards, but if you want to upgrade further you'll need a motherboard and CPU replacement, which very probably will mean new memory and videocard again. Depending on your budget and how long you want to keep using this computer you may want to do this now instead of spending on components that you'll replace again in a few months.

Ah, ok. I was reading a site that said some companies still did, but I'm not sure how old it was or anything.

That's what I was afraid of. Buying new stuff, then having to buy upgrades for that in a few months.

Thanks :)

There's really no need to go crazy doing upgrades. All you need to do is replace the memory with two 512mb sticks (if the motherboard will support them) and replace the video card. While you could replace the motherboard and all the rest, it's probably overkill. And, being a Dell, there's a chance the case is proprietary and won't let you put in a standard motherboard. Best bet is to either do the simple upgrade, or start over with a generic (not name brand) computer, built from scratch to your specs. The advantage of generics is that anything standard will fit. A lot of the name brand machines have been designed so only the manufacturer's parts will work. (:gundge: )

There's really no need to go crazy doing upgrades. All you need to do is replace the memory with two 512mb sticks (if the motherboard will support them) and replace the video card. While you could replace the motherboard and all the rest, it's probably overkill. And, being a Dell, there's a chance the case is proprietary and won't let you put in a standard motherboard. Best bet is to either do the simple upgrade, or start over with a generic (not name brand) computer, built from scratch to your specs. The advantage of generics is that anything standard will fit. A lot of the name brand machines have been designed so only the manufacturer's parts will work. (:gundge: )

That's one of my questions... if it would support it.

And I might do that, if I can find a generic computer somewhere. We have Dells and an HP here. yay.

And, being a Dell, there's a chance the case is proprietary and won't let you put in a standard motherboard.
Oh, yeah. I forgot this. Dell rewires the power supply so you can only use their motherboards. A bit underhanded, I think.

You should at least be able to upgrade the memory and videocards with no problems, though.

Well... I've been looking toward upgrading my computer so it won't die when I get WoW. As it is now, it freezes with AoE III, or with ZT/ ZT2. So I really don't trust it with WoW.

Being the computer illiterate I am, I figured I'd ask people who might have a clue :p


My current stuff:
Mainboard : Dell Computer Corp. 02Y832
Chipset : Intel i865P/i848P
Processor : Intel Pentium 4 @ 2400 MHz
Physical Memory : 256 MB (2 x 128 DDR-SDRAM )
Video Card : Nvidia Corp GeForce4 MX 440 with AGP 8X [NV18.2]
Hard Disk : Maxtor (41 GB)
DVD-Rom Drive : MATSHITA UJDA770 DVD/CDRW USB Device
CD-Rom Drive : Lite-On LTN486S 48x Max
CD-Rom Drive : SAMSUNG CD-R/RW SW-248F
Monitor Type : Dell Computer DELL E773c - 16 inchs
Network Card : Intel Corporation PRO/100 VE Network Connection
Operating System : Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition 5.01.2600 Service Pack 1
DirectX : Version 9.0c

Yes, I know it's sad... I didn't buy it for gaming :(

According to the WoW requirements, I need:

1024 RAM
GeForce FX 5700 Video Card



My questions are:
Is the chipset even capable of such upgrades?
If so, is it easily replaced if not soldered?

Is it even worth it do upgrade this motherboard, or should I go with a new motherboard?


Thanks for your help, guys
What is your budget?

Can you wait until June/July?

What is your budget?

Can you wait until June/July?


I really don't have one.

I've been looking for a job, but probably won't get one until I graduate. Until then, I'm doing odd jobs around the house to get money.

And yes, I could... my birthday is in May, so I'm hoping to get the game for my birthday and save myself some money ;)

I really don't have one.

I've been looking for a job, but probably won't get one until I graduate. Until then, I'm doing odd jobs around the house to get money.

And yes, I could... my birthday is in May, so I'm hoping to get the game for my birthday and save myself some money ;)
OK. I ask because that is when AMD is releasing their new technology. Intel's I believe will be sooner than AMD's. Prices for current processors will drop alot. You could alot of money off the total cost of an upgrade. You would also recieve more upgrade for your money too.

But before anything, a budget has to be ballparked.

That's one of my questions... if it would support it.

And I might do that, if I can find a generic computer somewhere. We have Dells and an HP here. yay.

Check Dell's website for your model; it should tell you. If it's more than 2-3 years old, I wouldn't count on it although it might.

You might look around at secondhand stores and see if any of them have a decent computer. I own a small secondhand/computer shop, and we'd sell one that would meet your needs for under $400. (But Michigan's probably a long way from you.) :D

well, if you plan on upgrading you might as well just get another motherboard, The one you have is fine and upgradeable to the WOW reqs, but computer makers are shifting to a new standard and you would just have to replace the motherboard the next time you want an upgrade anyway
Dell used propriatary Power (in some) and power switch (in practicaly all)

So a MOBO upgrade will also require a new Power supply and Case (unless you want to mod)

OK. I ask because that is when AMD is releasing their new technology. Intel's I believe will be sooner than AMD's. Prices for current processors will drop alot. You could alot of money off the total cost of an upgrade. You would also recieve more upgrade for your money too.

But before anything, a budget has to be ballparked.
I dont know with all the new releases I dont see the procs dropping THAT fast. They used to big time but it seems like not as fast as normal in the 64 single and dual world

Though MOBO's MIGHT take a bit of a dive

There's really no need to go crazy doing upgrades. All you need to do is replace the memory with two 512mb sticks (if the motherboard will support them) and replace the video card. While you could replace the motherboard and all the rest, it's probably overkill. And, being a Dell, there's a chance the case is proprietary and won't let you put in a standard motherboard. Best bet is to either do the simple upgrade, or start over with a generic (not name brand) computer, built from scratch to your specs. The advantage of generics is that anything standard will fit. A lot of the name brand machines have been designed so only the manufacturer's parts will work. (:gundge: )
I have never run across anything that was "brand specific" on things like RAM or Procs'

Only thing close is Power supplies and cases

Ok reading through my recomendations

Drop in 1 gig of ram (2 512's)

And go up to a high end graphics card
Something akin to the X800 pro or in your 1600 series

Both can be found for 8x agp boards

I dont know with all the new releases I dont see the procs dropping THAT fast. They used to big time but it seems like not as fast as normal in the 64 single and dual world

Though MOBO's MIGHT take a bit of a dive
Probably not the radical price plumets from back in the day, but still enough to save some change.

Ok reading through my recomendations

Drop in 1 gig of ram (2 512's)

And go up to a high end graphics card
Something akin to the X800 pro or in your 1600 series

Both can be found for 8x agp boards
I would get the X800. The X1600, I've heard, is an underperformer (although now is dirt cheap) and it's software is quite buggy(especially if you try to leave windows).

I would get the X800. The X1600, I've heard, is an underperformer (although now is dirt cheap) and it's software is quite buggy(especially if you try to leave windows).
I happen to agree which is why I am using an x800 :P but it IS an improvement on the MX card he is using and IS dirty cheep lol

I happen to agree which is why I am using an x800 :P but it IS an improvement on the MX card he is using and IS dirty cheep lol
My X1800 drivers still crash on a habitual basis. When X.org is starteded, all my mobo's startup image is displayed in all sorts of funky transformations (usually 1/10th the size and repeated along the top of the screen. Although, it doesn't happen on some distros, and get less funky as X is updated.

Probably not the radical price plumets from back in the day, but still enough to save some change.
I hope DDR RAM falls a fair bit in price :p.

I hope DDR RAM falls a fair bit in price :p.
Pfft it hasent done anything but fluctuate in a long time ... MAYBE DDR2 will push it down as it becomes more accepted

MAYBe

Check Dell's website for your model; it should tell you. If it's more than 2-3 years old, I wouldn't count on it although it might.

You might look around at secondhand stores and see if any of them have a decent computer. I own a small secondhand/computer shop, and we'd sell one that would meet your needs for under $400. (But Michigan's probably a long way from you.) :D

Yeah, it's over two years... the site gave me the model, but little more than that.

And considering I live in cali, it is ;)


Ok reading through my recomendations

Drop in 1 gig of ram (2 512's)

That's what I was planning ^^;


And go up to a high end graphics card
Something akin to the X800 pro or in your 1600 series

Both can be found for 8x agp boards

And... after reading all that, I'm officially confused.

Brand names, besides just numbers?


Oh, and I'm a she, by the way :)

Honestly, I believe it's probably a REALLY bad time to start looking into a new computer. I mean, DirectX10 is coming out soon, a long with Windows Vista.

So it may be wise to save up for a dual core dual processor computer with dual 7800s. I mean...just look at the graphix of some of the new games!!!!

Honestly, I believe it's probably a REALLY bad time to start looking into a new computer. I mean, DirectX10 is coming out soon, a long with Windows Vista.

So it may be wise to save up for a dual core dual processor computer with dual 7800s. I mean...just look at the graphix of some of the new games!!!!


The thing is... I'm not a gamer.

WoW is maybe the ONLY game I'm into that's PC-based. So I really don't want to blow a bunch of money for a bunch of extra features I probably would never use.

Honestly, I believe it's probably a REALLY bad time to start looking into a new computer. I mean, DirectX10 is coming out soon, a long with Windows Vista.

So it may be wise to save up for a dual core dual processor computer with dual 7800s. I mean...just look at the graphix of some of the new games!!!!
Bah its always a "bad time"

Sure wait 6 months till the new DirectX 10 cards come out at 900 + dollars!
it will be a year+ till they are a reasonable price


And you have not been paying attention to vista news have you? they pushed the release back to January 07

On top of that I run a dual opteron system, and that being said I would NOT recomend dual core to the average user

It is frigging pointless windows does NOT have the ability to span a process designed for 1 core acrost both

I mean it can be good when you are serving to shuffle work off to one core or another but it is pointless when PLAYING the game ... better to spend your money on a higher end single core right now untill more games come multi core complient (only game I have played is City of Villians)

Moral of the story ... there is always a "new" technology around the corner ... the trick is to pick the parts in your price range at the time and watch for up-gradability and replacement value

(Well over 200 computers under my belt)

Yeah, it's over two years... the site gave me the model, but little more than that.

And considering I live in cali, it is ;)




That's what I was planning ^^;



And... after reading all that, I'm officially confused.

Brand names, besides just numbers?


Oh, and I'm a she, by the way :)


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102609

Tis yummy ... you will love raids with this baby and some good ol ram upgrade

Untill my new dual proc I was running about 4 grades of vid card below this with a gig of ram and even full TM raids (at the time) were smooth as glass

I actualy had trouble cause I was used to compensating for the lag

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102609

Tis yummy ... you will love raids with this baby and some good ol ram upgrade

Untill my new dual proc I was running about 4 grades of vid card below this with a gig of ram and even full TM raids (at the time) were smooth as glass

I actualy had trouble cause I was used to compensating for the lag


ooooh. nice.

cool. ^^; I need something that's been proven to work... the server I'm going to be on is *way* full, and any major city/ instance/ quest area is a very scary place to be. o.o;; but, it's where my friend is.


do you recommend getting the RAM upgrade of the vid. card first?

ooooh. nice.

cool. ^^; I need something that's been proven to work... the server I'm going to be on is *way* full, and any major city/ instance/ quest area is a very scary place to be. o.o;; but, it's where my friend is.


do you recommend getting the RAM upgrade of the vid. card first?
Ram

256 is rather low to start

Both will do you a WORLD of good but at 256 ram is most important for you (specialy running xp)

If you were already at 512 I would say vid card but yeah

Step one: Take PC
Step two: Throw it in the trash
Step three: Go buy a Mac

Trust me, with a Mac you will never face another computer problem ever again.

Ram

256 is rather low to start

Both will do you a WORLD of good but at 256 ram is most important for you (specialy running xp)

If you were already at 512 I would say vid card but yeah


cool. Ram should be a bit cheaper, which means I can get is sooner, and maybe my computer won't freak about AIM today coming up >.<


Thanks for all the help :)

Step one: Take PC
Step two: Throw it in the trash
Step three: Go buy a Mac

Trust me, with a Mac you will never face another computer problem ever again.
Pfft you can tell you have never worked tech support on crappy third party applications to try and get them to have functionality in the real world

"Why wont my virtual PC work today"

cool. Ram should be a bit cheaper, which means I can get is sooner, and maybe my computer won't freak about AIM today coming up >.<


Thanks for all the help :)
My pleasure

TG me or message my aim name (slackerhobo)

Lol if you want recomendations I am the resident geek lol ... even have built from the ground up systems for a few people around here (most recent GoodThoughts)

My pleasure

TG me or message my aim name (slackerhobo)

Lol if you want recomendations I am the resident geek lol ... even have built from the ground up systems for a few people around here (most recent GoodThoughts)


One more question, honest >_>;


Do you know any sites that would sell inexpensive, but good RAM?

Right now I'm looking at Best Buy, and they tend to be a bit expensive

One more question, honest >_>;


Do you know any sites that would sell inexpensive, but good RAM?

Right now I'm looking at Best Buy, and they tend to be a bit expensive
Newegg ... I have spent over 200 thousand dollars through them over the last 4 years

AWSOME return pollicy absolutly amazing service and some of the best phone people in the world

www.newegg.com

What type of ram are you looking for? (what kind do you have now)

Newegg ... I have spent over 200 thousand dollars through them over the last 4 years

AWSOME return pollicy absolutly amazing service and some of the best phone people in the world

www.newegg.com

What type of ram are you looking for? (what kind do you have now)

I thought of that about five minutes after posting... XD


I have 2 x 128 DDR-SDRAM, and I'm looking for 2x 512 sticks.

I thought of that about five minutes after posting... XD


I have 2 x 128 DDR-SDRAM, and I'm looking for 2x 512 sticks.
What frequency

266 333 or 400 ? (2100, 2700, 3200)

And with dell I am guessing crucial ... personaly like the brand ... never had one fail one me and good price so I would shoot for more of the same

My pleasure

TG me or message my aim name (slackerhobo)

Lol if you want recomendations I am the resident geek lol ... even have built from the ground up systems for a few people around here (most recent GoodThoughts)
And I made sure to have him scan over the parts for my system. My beautiful, beautiful, dual-core opteron system.

Step one: DL Ubuntu
Step two: Burn it to a cd
Step three: Start Dual Booting
Trust me, with a Ubuntu GNU/Linux you will never face another computer problem ever again, unless you buy a Radeon r5xxseries card.
Editted for accuracy.

And I made sure to have him scan over the parts for my system. My beautiful, beautiful, dual-core opteron system.


Editted for accuracy.
hehehe I have even swapped all the g4's in our office over to 5.10 ppc version

And I made sure to have him scan over the parts for my system. My beautiful, beautiful, dual-core opteron system.


Editted for accuracy.
You are one of the few above average users that might take advantage of the dual cores

Even with my dual procs and as intenseve as I am on computers I sometimes wonder

hehehe I have even swapped all the g4's in our office over to 5.10 ppc version
Sweet. I love the way old G4's sound.

Why didn't you go with Gentoo or Yellowdog instead?

EDIT:Have you done that lan yet and tried Dapper?

Sweet. I love the way old G4's sound.

Why didn't you go with Gentoo or Yellowdog instead?

EDIT:Have you done that lan yet and tried Dapper?
Still using them for desktop solutions in the office ... was what the staff felt most comfortable with

All I needed was a few nessus scanners

Still using them for desktop solutions in the office ... was what the staff felt most comfortable with

All I needed was a few nessus scanners
Hmm. Good point. Most of the more compilcated stuff will only be used by you (hopefully). It could be quite funny to see what would happen if you chose Gentoo and they discovered your root password.....

accually it wouldn't. You would turn it on the next day and they would all crash immediatly after grub.

What frequency

266 333 or 400 ? (2100, 2700, 3200)

And with dell I am guessing crucial ... personaly like the brand ... never had one fail one me and good price so I would shoot for more of the same


That's where I don't have a clue.... heh.

I don't know what frequency these are, or even what it really does for the ram

Step one: Take PC
Step two: Throw it in the trash
Step three: Go buy a Mac

Trust me, with a Mac you will never face another computer problem ever again.
True. The inability to run anything makes it very difficult for the computer to go wrong.

1 - Ditch the Dell
2 - Forget about WoW; Guild Wars and Guild Wars: Factions are far superior
3 - Replace the whole damn computer; AGP is going to be obsolete sooner than later
4 - Get a nice Gigabyte or Asus MoBo with PCI Express
5 - Replace your RAM with two 1G sticks (I did it for about $235CDN with tax)
6 - Get an Athlon 64 939 socket CPU
7 - Now you have no limit to what video card you can get, since PCI Express is what is the popular choice

Now you have a good computer.

That's where I don't have a clue.... heh.

I don't know what frequency these are, or even what it really does for the ram
Should be printed on the ram ... What model motherboard/Computer (the whole thing) do you have?

Edit never mind

Found your MOBO

LOOKS like it will support up to pc3200

Should be printed on the ram ... What model motherboard/Computer (the whole thing) do you have?


I was afraid of that. -sigh-


I had the RAM out yesterday and was looking at it, but wasn't looking for that so I don't remember it.

um.. I have a Dimension 4600 for the system itself, if that's what you're asking

That's where I don't have a clue.... heh.

I don't know what frequency these are, or even what it really does for the ram
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820146541 That be what you are looking for

1 - Ditch the Dell
2 - Forget about WoW; Guild Wars and Guild Wars: Factions are far superior
3 - Replace the whole damn computer; AGP is going to be obsolete sooner than later
4 - Get a nice Gigabyte or Asus MoBo with PCI Express
5 - Replace your RAM with two 1G sticks (I did it for about $235CDN with tax)
6 - Get an Athlon 64 939 socket CPU
7 - Now you have no limit to what video card you can get, since PCI Express is what is the popular choice

Now you have a good computer.


:p I like WoW

And I don't have *that* much money. Probably going to have to get a card or something in the guise of a birthday present. ;)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820146541 That be what you are looking for


And I'll be buying two, or that's a pair?

Looks like just one to me, but I'd rather not figure out if that's true after it gets to me

1 - Ditch the Dell
2 - Forget about WoW; Guild Wars and Guild Wars: Factions are far superior
3 - Replace the whole damn computer; AGP is going to be obsolete sooner than later
4 - Get a nice Gigabyte or Asus MoBo with PCI Express
5 - Replace your RAM with two 1G sticks (I did it for about $235CDN with tax)
6 - Get an Athlon 64 939 socket CPU
7 - Now you have no limit to what video card you can get, since PCI Express is what is the popular choice

Now you have a good computer.
Wow your the first person to have said that :rolleyes:

Ok we understand hardware can always get better but attitudes like these are why so many geeks for hire don't get shit.

In the real world people operate on budgets (sometimes reasonable sometimes not) and if the person is going to not utilize the extra power then there IS NO FRIGGING REASON TO
SPECIALY with how cheep/easy these upgrades are.

And I'll be buying two, or that's a pair?

Looks like just one to me, but I'd rather not figure out if that's true after it gets to me
Yup thats a single ... you got to buy two

:p I like WoW

And I don't have *that* much money. Probably going to have to get a card or something in the guise of a birthday present. ;)
Right now in your situation I would not either

Not with how easy and cheap comparitivly these upgrades are

My recommendations

1. Get 1Gb of RAM - 256 is rather minimal
2. nVidia is releasing the 7800GS in AGP 8X - the 7800GS is a crippled 7800GTX
3. 41GB HDD - small. Get 120 to 200 Gb
4. 2.4Ghz P4 is dated - check what the mobo can support.

OR

Save up for the new AM2 socket PCs. :D

One more thing - get a decent power supply. No more of this 250 or 350W stuff, minimum 400W. You can get upto 1100W!

try checking out the forums at www.overclockers.com. That is where I get all my info. on how to upgrade and replace MB's CPUs, RAM, etc. There is a wealth of info. there on what is best and how to do it. Thanks to them I have a WoW configured computer that cost less than it easily could have. For example, my CPU is an AMD Athlon XP Mobile 2500 which I have overclocked from 1.8 Gigahertz to 2.5 Gigahertz among other things.

I don't know what your budget is, but probably, for a quick and the cheapest upgrades to what you have, RAM and the video card will make you WoW capable. You might want to check into a larger hard drive as well. WoW takes up a lot of space.

try checking out the forums at www.overclockers.com. That is where I get all my info. on how to upgrade and replace MB's CPUs, RAM, etc. There is a wealth of info. there on what is best and how to do it. Thanks to them I have a WoW configured computer that cost less than it easily could have. For example, my CPU is an AMD Athlon XP Mobile 2500 which I have overclocked from 1.8 Gigahertz to 2.5 Gigahertz among other things.
A 72 percent bump on a 1.8? I suppose I have seen it pushed to 2.7 on the far end

But personally with that chip anything after 2.4 is too error prone for my uses. I would rather buy the better hardware then worry about dropping my always on machine (thats assuming I am using that socket ... I am in opteron's right now)

Right now in your situation I would not either

Not with how easy and cheap comparitivly these upgrades are


yeah. right now, cheap is definately better.

and sicne WoW is probably going to be the heaviest thing I'm going to run, I don't see why I should go for something huge.


Thanks a lot for the help. :)

yeah. right now, cheap is definately better.

and sicne WoW is probably going to be the heaviest thing I'm going to run, I don't see why I should go for something huge.


Thanks a lot for the help. :)
No problem.

Like I said my IM door is always open if you have troubles

I don't know what your budget is, but probably, for a quick and the cheapest upgrades to what you have, RAM and the video card will make you WoW capable. You might want to check into a larger hard drive as well. WoW takes up a lot of space.


I have 13GB open currently, so I should have enough for WoW

I do plan to get another hard drive eventually, but these come first... my poor computer is dying with newer games.

I have 13GB open currently, so I should have enough for WoW

I do plan to get another hard drive eventually, but these come first... my poor computer is dying with newer games.
Yeah HDD would be (For me) Second after ram

But thats me

Yeah HDD would be (For me) Second after ram

But thats me


If it's a problem before I've gotten everything else, there's a lot of stuff I have on the computer that I never use that I can dete to get some space. Short attention spans are good for that.

If it's a problem before I've gotten everything else, there's a lot of stuff I have on the computer that I never use that I can dete to get some space. Short attention spans are good for that.
Lol I am a space user

Right now I have about 650 GB on that computer. And my internal file server has 1 Terabyte

Lol

I have 13GB open currently, so I should have enough for WoW

I do plan to get another hard drive eventually, but these come first... my poor computer is dying with newer games.

I assume that's a IDE or PATA drive you have, not a SATA one. Hard drives are cheap these days.

I've got 160Gb SATA Hitachi.

In the real world people operate on budgets (sometimes reasonable sometimes not) and if the person is going to not utilize the extra power then there IS NO FRIGGING REASON TO
SPECIALY with how cheep/easy these upgrades are.
Actually, I upgraded my computer on a restricted budget using *gasp* the hardware I mentioned. I upgraded the whole thing for under $1000CDN. Mind you, this includes recent replacements, the case, MoBo, RAM, video card, CPU, DVD Burner... And I didn't buy the parts from Future Shop or any of those box stores.

You can easily get nice parts for cheap at smaller shops.

I assume that's a IDE or PATA drive you have, not a SATA one. Hard drives are cheap these days.

I've got 160Gb SATA Hitachi.
I have one of the SATAII hitachi 160's

Lol I am a space user

Right now I have about 650 GB on that computer. And my internal file server has 1 Terabyte

Lol


I'm not.


I have no music, no videos, and almost no programs to run such online or off.

I'm such a bad teenager. XD

A 72 percent bump on a 1.8? I suppose I have seen it pushed to 2.7 on the far end

But personally with that chip anything after 2.4 is too error prone for my uses. I would rather buy the better hardware then worry about dropping my always on machine (thats assuming I am using that socket ... I am in opteron's right now)

I may have just gotten lucky, but it is rock steady at 2.5 gigs. going higher or pushing the FSB above 201 starts giving me issues though. I'll probably upgrade to a FX-60 chip and Mobo next year some time though. For now though, the A7N8X-E with the Athlon XP-M and 1 gig of Corsair XMS 3200 RAM is working well, especially with the Raptors in a RAID -0- configuration and the G-Force 6800 OC card

(yeah, had to brag a bit on what I built - so sue me :) )

Actually, I upgraded my computer on a restricted budget using *gasp* the hardware I mentioned. I upgraded the whole thing for under $1000CDN. Mind you, this includes recent replacements, the case, MoBo, RAM, video card, CPU, DVD Burner... And I didn't buy the parts from Future Shop or any of those box stores.

You can easily get nice parts for cheap at smaller shops.


I live 45 min. from the biggest town.

The biggest town has Best Buy and Circuit City in the way of computers.


And if I had $1000, I'd probably die of shock. I don't have a job, and rely soley on odd jobs around the house to get money. So major upgrades like that will really have to wait.

I may have just gotten lucky, but it is rock steady at 2.5 gigs. going higher or pushing the FSB above 201 starts giving me issues though. I'll probably upgrade to a FX-60 chip and Mobo next year some time though. For now though, the A7N8X-E with the Athlon XP-M and 1 gig of Corsair XMS 3200 RAM is working well, especially with the Raptors in a RAID -0- configuration and the G-Force 6800 OC card

(yeah, had to brag a bit on what I built - so sue me :) )
See I do some mission critical serving on mine
I payed for Dual opteron 246's

Data Redundancy is also an issue and with my k8n-dl I have a built on raid card that can handle raid 5 on my SATAII channels

http://geek.upwardthrust.us/pictures/picturethree.jpg (with the single hitachi drive before I got the raid and the second gig of ram)

Actually, I upgraded my computer on a restricted budget using *gasp* the hardware I mentioned. I upgraded the whole thing for under $1000CDN. Mind you, this includes recent replacements, the case, MoBo, RAM, video card, CPU, DVD Burner... And I didn't buy the parts from Future Shop or any of those box stores.

You can easily get nice parts for cheap at smaller shops.
Yeah I understand that But we are talking about 300 bucks TOTAL in upgrades here

Less then a third of what you spent

You did good I am not saying that you did bad but not everyone needs to push it this far. Knowing what the customer NEEDS rather then knowing what would be cool is key.

Actually, I upgraded my computer on a restricted budget using *gasp* the hardware I mentioned. I upgraded the whole thing for under $1000CDN. Mind you, this includes recent replacements, the case, MoBo, RAM, video card, CPU, DVD Burner... And I didn't buy the parts from Future Shop or any of those box stores.

You can easily get nice parts for cheap at smaller shops.

My last upgrade from K6 350Mhz to a Athlon64 3200+ - well more like a replacement. Nothing left of the last PC except the scanner. I even replaced the USB cable to the scanner (it's got one of those bling LEDs). Costly, but I can game now.

See I do some mission critical serving on mine
I payed for Dual opteron 246's

Data Redundancy is also an issue and with my k8n-dl I have a built on raid card that can handle raid 5 on my SATAII channels

http://geek.upwardthrust.us/pictures/picturethree.jpg (with the single hitachi drive before I got the raid and the second gig of ram)

Nice rig, is that a Lian-Li case or Thermaltake? I don't do mission critical serving on my rig, but it is backed up with Norton Ghost to an external 120 Gig HD 3 times a week just to protect Data, most of which stored on an internal 120 gig drive separate from the RAID configuration anyway. I use RAID -0- to run the OS and apps, but store data somewhere else. A crash of the RAID means re-install apps, but no loss of crucial data.

Nice rig, is that a Lian-Li case or Thermaltake? I don't do mission critical serving on my rig, but it is backed up with Norton Ghost to an external 120 Gig HD 3 times a week just to protect Data, most of which stored on an internal 120 gig drive separate from the RAID configuration anyway. I use RAID -0- to run the OS and apps, but store data somewhere else. A crash of the RAID means re-install apps, but no loss of crucial data.

Neither
Chepo xilco :) I wouldent mind either of thoes case brands though ... old school steel is heavy

My custom PC kicks alienware's ass.

My custom PC kicks alienware's ass.
Depends on the price range

Dont get me wrong they are over priced hogs but if you are willing to drop 9 grand on a machine they CAN do some crazy stuff

Depends on the price range

Dont get me wrong they are over priced hogs but if you are willing to drop 9 grand on a machine they CAN do some crazy stuff

2.5 Grand (I have friends in low places, hence why it was only 2.5)

Two ATI Radeon X1900s linked respectivly to two X850 crossfire cards
AMD Athelon FX60 Dual Core processor.
700 Watt power suply
Liquid cooling system
No idea what the frack the Motherboard is though...

Lag? What ever is that?

(Being the braggard now)

2.5 Grand (I have friends in low places, hence why it was only 2.5)

Two ATI Radeon X1900s linked respectivly to two X850 crossfire cards
AMD Athelon FX60 Dual Core processor.
700 Watt power suply
Liquid cooling system
No idea what the frack the Motherboard is though...

Lag? What ever is that?

(Being the braggard now)
Personaly I would have cut about a grand of fat off that for my usage but thats me

2.5 Grand (I have friends in low places, hence why it was only 2.5)

Two ATI Radeon X1900s linked respectivly to two X850 crossfire cards
AMD Athelon FX60 Dual Core processor.
700 Watt power suply
Liquid cooling system
No idea what the frack the Motherboard is though...

Lag? What ever is that?

(Being the braggard now)
My rig was a grand cheaper, full price, and could overclock to just under you speeds. Except graphics, butI have a CRT which my X1800 easily maxes out. Telus is sending me a free Dell LCD, and I think that might be a challenge for my card.

Do you even put graphics cards 3 and 4 to use? or do you just have them there to pull an extra 15 amps?