Upgrading an old computer just to make it work. Need help.

First of all, I have this old compaq computer (socket 478) and the performance is pretty sad.
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc [...] g=en&cc=ca
So I want to spend about $200 on a mobo with agp slot and a graphic card to make it better since this computer has an integrated graphic card.

But I can't take the cpu out :S Like i tried everything with hand but the cpu fan seems to be stuck.

Help please.

I'll add on my problems as i go.

Thks.

wow its gay. I guess i'll build a rig for like $250 Canadian for a new cpu,mobo and gfx card.

so far, i got amd64 3k+ 939 and a foxconn board for $150

Any recommendations for a $100 gfx card??
i'll be ONLY getting it from www.canadacomputers.com
and only play Counter Strike 1.6 and need to get 100+fps easily.
Which isn't alot.

I'm sorry, Pci-e now.

will i be able to get 100+fps in hl2 steam games?

Why do you need 100+? You won't see a difference between 60 and 100. Also, I think you could find a cheaper mobo and afford a better graphics card if you really need over 100 fps. Please, just don't buy Foxconn. I worked at HP for awhile and they outsource 80% of their work to Foxconn. Well, all I can say is that they have QUALITY ISSUES. That was with business PCs. I can only imagine what the consumer market is like. You'd be better off with a Gigabyte, Asus, or the like.

i assumed that you had the motherboard,but if you haven't bought yet i would say get a board from asus , gigabyte or msi. i have built systems with these and they are all quality boards. im not so sure about the board you are talkin about,most builders i know use the boards i mentioned and a few other well known brands

k,

I doubt the CPU is soldered onto the motherboard, that would really be a first on a socket 478.

Here is a link from HP/Compaq that gives _generic_ instructions on how to upgrade/replace the CPU.

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc [...] e=bph07139

If you have a digital camera, take a picture of the retention mechanism used to hold the heatsink to the motherboard. It has to be removable but I can't tell you how without seeing it.

HTH.

I hate to say it, but unless you really want to cut up your old compaq to make any new hardware fit (you might have to as prebuilds often have proprietary designs) you might just be better off doing a complete rebuild. You probably will be able to reuse your old hdd, cd/dvd, floppy and maybe other parts to save on costs however.

No... BAD! Stay away from $65 mobo's and Foxconn altogether.

I'm already buying this rig,

Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 $239
Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3 $180
OCZ Gold XTC PC2-6400 2GB $214
BFG 7900GT $270
OCZ ModStream 450 Watt $78
$981

and want to make my old one a lil better.
IF it is soldered in, im also just gonna rebuild a new one

ASUS mobo (if i find)
x800xl
amd 3k+

I will take a picture of it. One sec.

I meant to say cs1.6 steam games. cs is a hl engine so

i can't find a cable for the dc... so nvm about the picture..

ithink imma just rebuild

I've found this.
http://canadacomputers.com/index.p [...] cid=MB.693
this would be much better than the $65 foxconn right?

Alright, maybe you just don't have a firm understanding of Steam and Half-Life.

Steam is like a content-delivery platform from where you can download and access games such as CS 1.6 or HL2.

Counter-Strike 1.6 is run on the "original" Half-Life engine. But HL2, CS:S, DoD:S, & etc. are run on the new engine called "Source."

In terms of PC requirements, there's quite a difference between running a performance rig geared for CS 1.6 versus CS:S. I just wanted to have you clarify what sorts of games you intend to use the computer for ... as a graphics card which can pull you through CS 1.6 may not be able to pull you through CS:S (or HL2).

You would need at least a Geforce 7600GT to get 100+ FPS in source (probably more like a 7900GT) with good quality graphics options enabled. But like an earlier poster said, all you need to get is 60. There is no difference between 60fps, and 100fps when gaming.