Upgrading Issue

[MachitoMan]

Ok I got a problem and dont know what to do.
I want to upgrade my CPU. I have either a 500 or 600 mhz
(can't remember) and my processor is a Intel Pentium III

• I want to add 256MB RAM (have 64MB installed)
• Upgrade my 6GB hard disk to a 40GB
• And get a Geforce 4 Ti 4x000 (x could stand for 2, 4, or 6. Example, 4200, 4400, or 4600)

Now I was told that my processor was slow and could hold my
video card back. Thus, reducing the FPS in games. I was also told
a new motherboard would help and a new case. Will it? I am not
exactly sure what to upgrade on my CPU. I want to know what
you would recommend me to upgrade so my video card can
perform at its best!

Please tell me anything you know. I need alot of info by Saturday
becuase i will be upgrading. Please post things I REALLY need to
upgrade.

I appreciate any help!
Thanks!

 

[Wargasm]

with a new mobo u can install a new cpu
like amd xp 1800 alll cheap stuff
the 4400 is a good vidcard
adding ram is not an issue .

personally i would add 256 mb and a 4400 gf card and run it for a while
soon u hit a game that runs choppy u get a new mobo and cpu

 

[MachitoMan]

I plan on buying WarCraft 3 soon first... so it should be able to
run on my comp.

 

[Swilo]

Click start, then run. Type in dxdiag and press enter. It will tell you your CPU speed.
To tell you how to upgrade properly we'd need to know your motherboard's chipset.
A motherboard that runs a 500MHz P3 probably only has an AGP 2x slot, if any. That right there will stop the video card from performing best.
The motherboard should be able to take a P3 up to ~800MHz, but you'd have to check. If it does it would probably require a BIOS update. Not to mention finding P3s of that speed isn't the easiest thing, and theyre just as expensive (sometimes more) than a newer CPU thanks to Intel phasing them out.
What type of case do you have now? As long as there's good air circulation and a decent power supply (that new video card is probably gonna want a few watts) you shouldn't need to get a new one.

Some price quotes from www.pricewatch.com :

AMD XP 1600+ = $60
Gigabyte KT266A motherboard = $60
256MB PC2100 DDR RAM = $60
Antec SX1040 WITH powersupply = $100
that's ~$280

New P3@800 = $100 (assuming yours is a socket and not a slot)
256MB PC133 RAM = $40
Antec SX1040 WITH powersupply = $100
That's ~$240

I'm gonna have to go with wargy on this. Spend the extra $ and try getting a new machine. It would be more cost efficient for the performance, and you'll end up with a computer that will last you another 2-3 years instead of another year.

 

[Darthtoast]

You should be able to find the PC2100 ram for cheaper than that, I saw BestBuy selling 256mb for 29.99 after a few rebates. I would think your case could still fit a new ATX mobo? that would save you some money there. It's probably best to just get a cheap amd compatible mobo like an ECS or an MSI (MSI is good), get a 1700+ or an 1800+ amd proc and 256mb ram, just depends on what you're going for and how much you can spend. No real need to go crazy though.

 

[Bobaroo330]

You can get some nice cheap motherboard combos off of Pricewatch.


Athlon XP 1800 with cpu, fan/Biostar Mobo - $137
PC2100 DDR 256MB - $56
Western Digital 40gb 7200rpm HD - $65
GeForce4 TI 4200 - $136
Total - $394

That would give you a pretty good Machine. You would probably play all your games at the highest settings.

 

[Rapmaster]

a lot of places aren't even selling PC2100 RAM anymore because the price difference is negligible compared to the newer PC2700


DDR prices are currently on the rise.....