What can I do to upgrade?

[mrkngpn3]

I have a Compaq Presario model SR5250NX. The specs say Genuine Intel CPU 2140 @1.60 GHz 1.60 GHz, Ram 1.00 GB, System type 32-bit operating system. I would like to play games and stuff with no sweat. What would be my options for upgrading? If you need to know more bout the puter let me know.

 

[Shaun o]

No need done it for you Mrkngpn3 !




Operating system installed
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium

Processor
Intel® Pentium® Dual Core processor E2140
• 1.60 GHz, 800MHz Front Side Bus

Chipset
Intel® 945GC express chipset

Standard memory
1.0GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM memory (2x512MB for ultimate performance) (expandable to 2GB)

Memory type
DDR2-SDRAM

Memory slots
2 DIMM (240-pin, DDR2)

Internal drives
Internal hard disk drive
320 GB

Hard disk controller
SATA 3G Hard Disk Drive

Hard disk drive speed
(7200 rpm)

Optical drive speed
16x DVD±R,8x DVD RW, 6x DVD-RW, 8x DVD R DL, 8x DVD-R DL, 12x DVD-RAM, 16x DVD-ROM, 40x CDR, 32x CDRW, 40x CD-ROM

Software
Included/Pre-installed software
Microsoft® Internet Explorer 7.0; Windows Mail; Adobe® Reader 8.0

 

[megamanx00]

Umm..... your computer sux for gaming. What's your budget?

 

[Shaun o]

Here are your upgrade options.

Motherboard supports the following processor upgrades:
Core 2 Duo E4x00 with Dual Core technology (Conroe) up to E4400
Pentium E2000 series (Conroe) up to E2160
Pentium D 9xx with Dual Core technology (Presler) up to 960
Pentium 4 6x1 series (Cedar Mill) up to 661
Celeron 4xx series up to 440
Celeron D 3xx series (Cedar Mill) up to 365
Celeron D 3xx series (Prescott) up to 355

Memory upgrade information
Dual channel memory architecture
Two 240-pin DDR2 DIMM sockets
Supported DIMM types:
PC2-3200 (400 MHz)
PC2-4200 (533 MHz)
PC2-5300 (667 MHz, runs at 533 MHz)
Non-ECC memory only, unbuffered
Supports 1 GB DDR2 DIMMs
Supports up to 2 GB

Integrated graphics using Intel GMA 950
*Integrated video is not available if a graphics card is installed.
Integrated graphics using Intel GMA 950
Up to 256MB of system memory (with 512MB or more PC memory)
Also supports PCI Express x16 graphics cards*

Good news you can go shopping for a PCI- E card !!!

 

[Shaun o]

As for the power supply, if you plan to get a Pci-e Graphics card.
The current one is only 250 Watts.

The PSU needs an upgrade to say 600 watts or more.

To be honest buying a new mainboard may be a better option.

 

[mrkngpn3]

Budget not to much of a concern. If I need to save up for whatever i will.

 

[mrkngpn3]

Thanks

 

[mrkngpn3]

How much does a good gaming tower cost?

 

[Timop]

$800 can get you a LONG way.
What is your monitor?

 

[mrkngpn3]

I think its a Dell 19 inch flat that came with the tower.

 

[enzo matrix]

Everyone here has skipped a very important question and filled in the blanks with assumptions.

What "games and stuff"?

For all we know, an upgrade to a radeon 4650 could get you to where you want with little cost. On the other hand, your requirements could be so that a $2000 brand new computer would be better for you.

So:
-List us the games you want to play
-list us the other programs you will use
-list any additional details that could be important.

 

[mrkngpn3]

Ive been toying with the idea of building my own. Any ideas on what the best parts are to get? Could you give me a good and better for parts to use.

 

[enzo matrix]

Ive been toying with the idea of building my own. Any ideas on what the best parts are to get? Could you give me a good and better for parts to use.

^ What games and stuff? We need information on your uses, dude, in order to be able to recommend components that meet your needs.

 

[mrkngpn3]

I dont plan on playin warcraft or anything. Im tryin to play command and conquer and other games like that. So i dont need the top of the line stuff. And i dont want the the stuff that will just get me by.

 

[enzo matrix]

Personally, I would go with a phenom IIx4 and a radeon 5850 for a 1080p monitor. I'd go with 6GB of memory these days (2x2GB and 2x1GB kits)

I'll let someone else with more experience with C&C make better suggestions though.

 

[yor1]

I have 4 GB of memory in this system and runs fine...