Need help upgrading 6 yr comp...

[moomoopro]

not sure what parts to buy...if i need to buy another mobo etc etc. i have monitor keyboard mouse tower etc already so im good there. i just want to make it faster. figure id upgrade to at least 2 gigs or maybe 4 gigs of RAM. i could def use a better proc though. the videocard is good enough i think?

prob $200-300 is the budget. maybe go higher up to 400 idk. below are my comp specs....its a prebuilt dell

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Operating System System Model
Windows XP Professional Service Pack 3 (build 2600)
Install Language: English (United States)
System Locale: English (United States) Dell Computer Corporation Dimension XPS Gen 2
Enclosure Type: Mini-Tower
Processor a Main Circuit Board b
3.20 gigahertz Intel Pentium 4
8 kilobyte primary memory cache
512 kilobyte secondary memory cache
Not hyper-threaded Board: Dell Computer Corp. 0GH001
Serial Number: ..CN481113A301K8.
Bus Clock: 800 megahertz
BIOS: Dell Computer Corporation A06 09/27/2004
Drives Memory Modules c,d
249.56 Gigabytes Usable Hard Drive Capacity
28.42 Gigabytes Hard Drive Free Space

_NEC DVD+RW ND-2100AD [CD-ROM drive]
JLMS DVD-ROM XJ-HD166 [CD-ROM drive]
TQ7623L XMO058N SCSI CdRom Device [CD-ROM drive]
3.5" format removeable media [Floppy drive]

HP Photosmart 3210x USB Device [Hard drive] -- drive 1
WDC WD2500JS-75NCB3 [Hard drive] (250.00 GB) -- drive 0, SMART Status: Healthy 1024 Megabytes Usable Installed Memory

Slot 'CHANNEL A DIMM 0' has 512 MB
Slot 'CHANNEL B DIMM 0' has 512 MB
Slot 'CHANNEL A DIMM 1' is Empty
Slot 'CHANNEL B DIMM 1' is Empty
Local Drive Volumes

c: (NTFS on drive 0) 249.56 GB 28.42 GB free
Network Drives
None detected
Users (mouse over user name for details) Printers
local user accounts last logon
Admin 7/25/2009 9:02:48 PM (admin)
local system accounts
Administrator never (admin)
ASPNET never
Guest 12/28/2008 10:54:38 PM
HelpAssistant never
SUPPORT_388945a0 never

Marks a disabled account; Marks a locked account

Foxit PDF Printer Driver on FOXIT_PDF:
HP Photosmart 3200 series on USB001
HP remote printers on ISHARE
Microsoft XPS Document Writer on XPSPort:
Send To Microsoft OneNote Driver on \\MICHAEL-0B1CCDA\Printer
Send To Microsoft OneNote Driver on \\DOMINIC\Printer
Send To Microsoft OneNote Driver on Send To Microsoft OneNote Port:
Controllers Display
Standard floppy disk controller
Intel(R) 82801EB Ultra ATA Storage Controllers (2x)
Primary IDE Channel [Controller] (2x) RADEON 9800 XT [Display adapter]
RADEON 9800 XT - Secondary [Display adapter]
DELL M993s [Monitor] (17.2"vis, s/n G983963UB2UM, March 2006)
Bus Adapters Multimedia
SCSI/RAID Host Controller
Intel(R) 82801EB USB Universal Host Controller - 24D2
Intel(R) 82801EB USB Universal Host Controller - 24D4
Intel(R) 82801EB USB Universal Host Controller - 24D7
Intel(R) 82801EB USB Universal Host Controller - 24DE
Intel(R) 82801EB USB2 Enhanced Host Controller - 24DD Creative Audigy Audio Processor (WDM)
Virus Protection [Back to Top] new Group Policies
AntiVir Desktop Version 9.0.1.30
Virus Definitions Version Up To Date
Realtime File Scanning On
Kaspersky Internet Security Version 7.0.0.125
Realtime File Scanning Off
None discovered
Communications Other Devices
1394 Net Adapter
1394 Net Adapter #2
Intel(R) PRO/1000 MT Network Connection
primary Auto IP Address: 192.168.0.198 / 24
Gateway: 192.168.0.1
Dhcp Server: 192.168.0.1
Physical Address: 00:0C:F1:82:CE:71

Networking Dns Server: 192.168.0.1
OHCI Compliant IEEE 1394 Host Controller
VIA OHCI Compliant IEEE 1394 Host Controller
USB Human Interface Device
HP Photosmart 3200
Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural PS/2 Keyboard
HID-compliant mouse
Photosmart 3200 Series (DOT4USB)
USB Composite Device
USB Mass Storage Device
USB Printing Support
USB Root Hub (5x)

 

[jitpublisher]

You don't upgrade a 6 year old Dell, you start all over from scratch I am afraid.
You could add some memory, but past that any money you spend is going to net you very little return.

 

[moomoopro]

true but i mean i have most of the parts

i just need a new mobo, proc and ram. videocard is still pretty good(it was a powerhouse back in the day lol). i got tower, hd, keyboard mouse and monitor.

so what do you recommend?

 

[delluser1]

i got tower, hd, keyboard mouse and monitor.

You won't be reusing the tower, the motherboard is non standard and mounted on a tray that is then mounted to the case.

 

[moomoopro]

oh ok, do you know if i can resuse the psu?

well someone rec me a mobo, proc, and ram

i got a spare case

ty

 

[shortstuff_mt]

I also don't believe they ever made a PCI-E version of the 9800XT. You really just need to start completely over. Like was mentioned above, computer technology has GREATLY improved in the last 6 years. There aren't really any components that can be re-used in your new build.

I know that's not the answer you're looking for, but it's the truth.

 

[delluser1]

oh ok, do you know if i can resuse the psu?

Can't use that either, sorry.