Upgrading PC =[

[Diamons]

I tried looking, and there's no section for upgrading, so I figured this was the second closest. Here's the deal. I'm looking to upgrade a Dell 4700. There, I said it. >.>; I know upgrading Dells aren't the easiest things in the whole world, so that's why I came here to the experts.

Basically, my PC specs go something like this.

2x256 of these:
http://www.ascendtech.us/itemdesc.asp?ic=MB4DELDIM4700

Motherboard:
http://www.ascendtech.us/itemdesc.asp?ic=MB4DELDIM4700

Graphics Card:
Intel 82915G Integrated

Audio:
SoundMAX Integrated

Processor:
2.8 GHZ Intel Pentium 4 Dual Core w/ Hyperthreading Technology

Power Supply:
250W

What I really want is to be able to play PC games and work on my website without massive FPS and computer lag. I believe my processor is pretty good. I hope it is =o

My graphics card is an integrated card, which is a death message right there. Furthermore, I only have 512 MB of RAM. My power supply is 250W, so that doesn't help much. My motherboard has a PCI-E x16 slot. Just one. ^^; I have it covered by a fan, but I'll get rid of it.

Without the covered fan, I have 2 fans. One blows air directly to the processor? It's got this grill thing with lots of dust on it, and this green thing covers the way from the fan to it so all the air is at that grill thing. I believe it's the processor. The other fan sits in front of my hard drive, blowing air in to the PC. Air leaves through the front, the back part of the side, and the back.

Now, here's what I believe I have to upgrade.

-RAM
-Video Card
-Power Supply

Here's how I plan to do it ^^;

(RAM, IDK what kind it is besides DDR2. It's SDRAM right?)


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130317
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231098

Now as for the power supply, IDK what to buy. =/ I'm trying to save as much money as possible x.x Basically, I don't want a computer that can run Crysis on ULTRA HIGH WITH ANTI ALIASING or whatever. I just want a decent computer for the least amount of money. Plus, I don't want to have to replace something a couple months later.

This computer has been with me for 3 years =[

Please help ^^; Thank you so much for all your time.

If you know of any deals/offers that can save me money, please do spill ^_^;

 

[einstein4pres]

For RAM, you'll want 2GB of DDR2-667 or DDR2-800. If you look around, this should cost no more than $30 shipped.

For a video card, I'd look for an 8800gs or HD3850. You should be able to find one for less than $100, maybe more like $80. Too much more and you'll be limited by your processor. The 8800GTS-640 is a big no-no. It's of an older generation, and is very poorly priced. If you want to spend more, consider a 9600gt or HD3870 or a 8800gt or 8800gts-512 or a HD4850, in terms of increasing price. You can get a HD4850 for $150 (after rebate) if you look around, don't spend more.

In terms of power supply, you'll want something in the 400-500W range from a respected manufacturer. This isn't something to skimp on. Corsair, Antec, Thermaltake, PC Power and Cooling, Enermax are all good brands. Aspire and Ultra not so good (to name a few).

These are at reasonable (not amazing) price points (after rebate):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371006
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139003

I read the hotdeals forum at anandtech and slickdeals. If you need to save a buck, try reading such sites.

 

[Diamons]

Thank you so much. I'm going with the second power supply link you gave me ^^;

As for the video card, I don't have a PCI Express 2.0. Or at least, I don't think so. I have the PCI-Express x16. I'd also prefer something with a bit more video memory =/ I'd like to be able to play some games on max ^^;

I went to my friend's house who had a 8500 GT which I now realize is a horrible graphics card.

As for the RAM, can I get some links? I've never bought any computer parts before ^^;

Sorry to be such a nuisance.

 

[einstein4pres]

PCI Express 1.0 and 2.0 are both forward and backward compatible. The 8500GT is indeed a horrible [gaming] graphics card.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=Property&Subcategory=147&Description=&Type=&N=2010170147&srchInDesc=&MinPrice=&MaxPrice=&PropertyCodeValue=523%3A8477&PropertyCodeValue=524%3A8745&PropertyCodeValue=524%3A8437&PropertyCodeValue=524%3A10501&PropertyCodeValue=524%3A16064&PropertyCodeValue=2599%3A16288

Newegg has a pretty good "advanced" search option. Here's a search for all DDR2 667 to 800 for 2x1GB modules that run at 1.8V (standard, which is also plausibly important for OEM motherboards.

 

[einstein4pres]

(note, RAM compatibility can be finicky. It'd be great if you could verify functionality before purchasing). You may be able to get this info from Dell.

 

[rolli59]

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-cards,1965-6.html
You can use the Chart in the link above to select a GPU the higher up they are the better they are. I would recommend 8800gs/9600gso/HD3850 512MB as min card for gaming at 1280 x 1024 or less resolution any higher than that start climbing up the chart.

 

[Diamons]

8800 GT 512MB

That's the one I have opted for. Will that run with the Power Supply and the RAM? D:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130318
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227060
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139003


$263.97 w/o Rebate
$203.97 w/ Rebate.

Hmmm ^^; Looks like a nice deal. Wow =]

 

[einstein4pres]

Yes, I run a 8800GT-512 on EA380 (Antec Earthwatts 380, aka 380 Watts). The RAM's compatibility is with the motherboard, not the graphics card.

The only thing I'd say is to consider the HD4850 (since you're considering a 8800gt). If you have the $20-30 to spare, it has the best price to performing ratio out there right now. Then again, my 8800gt is doing just fine for me; either one will do you fine.

 

[Diamons]

^Could you recommend me a certain brand?

 

[ahslan]

any 4850 out right now is great...lol...I personally got the Gigabyte one, but in the past I have owned Sapphire and Asus cards and they both have performed exceptionally well...

 

[Diamons]

How about the ATI one? xD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102747

Sorry, I just want everything to be perfect to the dot. I'm 14, first job, so I don't want to waste a penny. =S

EDIT:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102747

VS

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130318

 

[graffspree]

Are you using a Dell case? They have funky power supplies. You can't fit a regular PSU in a Dell case.

 

[Diamons]

^Yes it's a Dell case. Hmm, I'm sure it could fit =S

I just opened my PC, disconnected the PSU, and put it back together. I realized I have a problem. My Hard Drive does not use the standard white thingies labeled P4 or w.e Mine has a black one that's like a very small chip which slides onto the hard drive.

Also, my case looks like this.

http://img.dell.com/images/global/products/dimen/4700_chassis_open_314.jpg

My floppy drive, which I really don't need, has a smaller connector as well. Here are the pictures.


http://www.gunzrevolution.com/CIMG1703.JPG
http://www.gunzrevolution.com/CIMG1707.JPG

Now, will those cables be in this?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139003

 

[graffspree]

The description on your Mobo says it will fit in a standard ATX case. You could pull the guts from that dell case and install in a standard case and eliminate your PSU fit issue. This will also make things easier when you want to upgrade again.

I did this with an old Compaq. It was not hard and it's how I learned to build my own PC. Just pull as much info on your components as you can ahead of time. I was also lucky enough to have a laptop to use for questions on here as I built.

 

[rolli59]

PC Power and Cooling makes power supply's compatible with Dell.
http://www.pcpower.com/products/description/Silencer_500_Dell/index.html

 

[Diamons]

The description on your Mobo says it will fit in a standard ATX case. You could pull the guts from that dell case and install in a standard case and eliminate your PSU fit issue. This will also make things easier when you want to upgrade again.

I did this with an old Compaq. It was not hard and it's how I learned to build my own PC. Just pull as much info on your components as you can ahead of time. I was also lucky enough to have a laptop to use for questions on here as I built.

I have 2 other PCs and a Laptop I can use to check. However, I'm worried about buying a new case and the motherboard. I've never actually touched the motherboard. Honestly, I have no idea how to even unscrew the damn thing ^^;

Right now, I'd prefer to stay in my own boundaries. I will definitely try building a new PC when upgrading season comes yet again. I've been afraid of touching the PSU because it looks so damn complicated, now that's another roadblock out of the way ^^;

A case would just be too expensive =S Unless you can get me something not too ugly but cheap.

 

[rolli59]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119115
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811124114
Two good quality cheap cases one with free shipping which is savings of approximately 20 bucks.

 

[Diamons]

I rally hate to be this annoying but I find this fascinating ^^; There's so much to learn and it's cool =D

Alright. I understand you just put your stuff inside and do it however you want in the case.

I'm going for this one.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811124114

How would I do the input? like on the front, there's these speaker inputs and stuff. How would I connect them? o_o;

 

[rolli59]

There are guides on the web how to do it. And for the sound outputs the case comes with a wire with a plug on it, it is a matter of connecting it to the correct pins on your motherboard. Pin layout is in the manuals for the case and motherboard respectively.

 

[graffspree]

There are guides on the web how to do it. And for the sound outputs the case comes with a wire with a plug on it, it is a matter of connecting it to the correct pins on your motherboard. Pin layout is in the manuals for the case and motherboard respectively.

You can usually find that info on the MoBo makers website. Usually a diagram.

 

[Diamons]

This is getting complex. I think I'm just going to ditch the case. Without the case, it totals to $293.97 with the following.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102747
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139003
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227060

If anybody can save me a few dollars here, it'd be helpful =\ Any deals, bargains, etc.

This is I think my final checkout? ^^;

 

[Diamons]

Bump.

 

[Diamons]

One final bump =\ I need to verify those parts will be good ^^;

 

[mersonix]

Can you do a build?

some of your system can be salvaged or sold.

The community can walk you through a build (believe me, i did a build in february and i didn't know much about computers). If you can install a new GPU and power supply a build is not much more difficult.

My rig is really a great cheaper computer so i'll post that, and take what you can from that

Intel C2D e8400 3.0ghz (yours is probably alright but this one is a great overclocker)

Gigabyte P35 DS3l (a big mistake, if your a gamer and thinking smart buy a mobo that does crossfire or sli)

Zotac 8800gt AMP! edition (best 8800gt out there) Zotac is the sapphire of Nvidia. They have the same address

4gb PC 6400 RAM by OCZ (works fine about $80)

You'll probably want a heatsink for your cpu.

as for your parts-

you would need a better cpu if you bought a 4850 cause it would bottleneck. Your power supply should be 500w for a 4850 so ftry again

Tagan makes a good SLI/Crossfire certified 700w powersupply.

always leave room to grow man.

Any questions PM me