Upgrade Advice

[Hmann]

I am looking to upgrade my computer. I don't know that much about computer hardware and would like some advice.

Here are the current speifications for my computer:

Processor
2.60 gigahertz AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core
128 kilobyte primary memory cache
512 kilobyte secondary memory cache

Main Circuit Board
Board: ASUSTeK Computer INC. M2A-VM HDMI 1.XX
Bus Clock: 200 megahertz
BIOS: Phoenix Technologies, LTD ASUS M2A-VM HDMI ACPI BIOS Revision 2001 08/05/2008

2048 Megabytes Installed Memory
This is all I could find written on the memory boards:
HYNIX 2Rx8 PC2-6400U-555-12

NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GT

I use my computer to play games and to start I would like to know what the smallest upgrade is that would be worthwhile.

 

[cannodal19]

First you need to do more research. You need to know whether you have DDR2-or DDR3 type ram and what you motherboard will except. After you know what your board will except, Upgrade that to at least 4gb.

Next your Video card "and probley power supply since its a emachine"

This is a good 2-300 dollor bill but well worth it.

 

[Hmann]

UPDATE
I have taken a look and my power supply is an iSonic Megapower 500watt.
My memory is DDR2 SDRAM.

 

[Hmann]

I am looking to upgrade my current computer, not buy a new one.

 

[sadams04]

The only CPU you will be able to fit in that MB are Athlon 64 X2 / Athlon 64 FX / Athlon 64. Not much of an upgrade path... At the most you can upgrade the DDR2 memory from 2GB to 4GB, but you will NOT be able to use that memory in a "modern" future build (DDR3). IMHO... Keep what you have and build / buy at a later date. A video card upgrade can pay off both now and with a future build if you are so inclined...

 

[Hmann]

I would like to know what a decent/reasonably priced general upgrade would be, CPU, motherboard, graphics card, everything. What would you suggest in the line of graphics cards, etc?

 

[sadams04]

If you have a MicroCenter near you, check out their CPU+MB combos. Otherwise shoot for an AM3 platform build (allows for a CPU upgrade down the road).

MSI 785GM-P45 & Phenom II X2 560 ($120 with $20 rebate = $100)
http://www.microcenter.com/specials/promotions/AMDbundlePROMO.html

4GB DDR3 ($34 after rebate)
http://www.dealcatcher.com/redir/996432144

2TB HD ($80)
http://www.dealcatcher.com/redir/996434275

Radeon 5770 Video Card ($100)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161338&nm_mc=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r&cm_mmc=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r-_-Video+Cards-_-Hightech+Information+System+Ltd.-_-14161338

Blu-ray Burner ($80)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136181&cm_re=blu_ray_burner-_-27-136-181-_-Product

700w Power Supply ($40 after rebate)
http://www.dealcatcher.com/redir/996363532

Case - you choose...

 

[Hmann]

Thanks for the information, however, I live in South Africa and so I'll have to find out what that is going to cost me here.
What you suggested is an entirely new machine, but what would you suggest as a minimum upgrade with my current hardware?

 

[Griffolion]

Thanks for the information, however, I live in South Africa and so I'll have to find out what that is going to cost me here.
What you suggested is an entirely new machine, but what would you suggest as a minimum upgrade with my current hardware?

It's a tricky one. You game mainly, so the best single upgrade would be the graphics card. However that then calls into question the ability of your PSU considering it's a rather unknown brand and has been used for 2-3 years. Therefore i would start recommending a new PSU. At this point you'll be spending so much you may as well get a new system altogether.

 

[Hmann]

If you have a MicroCenter near you, check out their CPU+MB combos. Otherwise shoot for an AM3 platform build (allows for a CPU upgrade down the road).

MSI 785GM-P45 & Phenom II X2 560 ($120 with $20 rebate = $100)
http://www.microcenter.com/specials/promotions/AMDbundlePROMO.html

4GB DDR3 ($34 after rebate)
http://www.dealcatcher.com/redir/996432144

2TB HD ($80)
http://www.dealcatcher.com/redir/996434275

Radeon 5770 Video Card ($100)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161338&nm_mc=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r&cm_mmc=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r-_-Video+Cards-_-Hightech+Information+System+Ltd.-_-14161338

Blu-ray Burner ($80)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136181&cm_re=blu_ray_burner-_-27-136-181-_-Product

700w Power Supply ($40 after rebate)
http://www.dealcatcher.com/redir/996363532

Case - you choose...

I've looked through what you have suggested and tried to put together something similar at the site that I am going to buy it from. I'm not looking for a new hard drive, case or CD drive. This is as close as I could get:

AMD Phenom II X4 925 Processor
http://www.sybaritic.co.za/store/product_info.php?products_id=40019

Asus M4A785-M AMD 785G
http://www.sybaritic.co.za/store/product_info.php?products_id=27491

Club 3D CGAX-57724I Radeon HD5770
http://www.sybaritic.co.za/store/product_info.php?products_id=40910

Gigabyte Odin 720 GE-P720A-C2 Power Supply - 720W
http://www.sybaritic.co.za/store/product_info.php?products_id=19262

However, this is a bit expensive. What do you think of it?

If you don't mind, could you have a look on http://www.sybaritic.co.za/store/ and see what you can put together for under R3000 that would be reasonably better than my current machine. Again, I am not looking to buy a new case, hard drive or CD drive. Thanks, much appreciated.