Looking to Upgrade RAM and Video Card on ~10 yr old comp

[AngelzUnit]

well, looking to buy some ram and a new video card for my old comp. wondering if there's a way to know what type of video card and ram I need to work with my motherboard. Everything on it my computer is stock from future shop, except a 128 mb ram stick I put in it ~ 2 years ago.

Don't know where to find the information, if there's a site or something that has it. All I know about my computer is its a Ccierio or something. If i get the serial number of the motherboard, can I get the info from that? I'm guessing I would find that number right on the motherboard right?

Basically what I'd like to know is what type of video cards/ram it can use and how much it can handle

[Dan]

With something like that, you would need an AGP video slot, and it would use DDR or pre DDR ram, if it uses pre DDR ram, you are better off getting a $400 emachines, plus, with a 10 year old computer, your power supply will not handle any graphic cards that would make an improvement on your game play.

With such old hardware, and limited options, your better off saving up and buying a bargain PC, which still would have more performance then your computer, even if you upgrade the Power supply, video card, and ram. It would probably cost the same as well.

[AngelzUnit]

thx for the info dan, my friend told me of a program that shows my computers specs so I ran it, but don't know what it means lol, I think the ram type is SD, dunno if that is a type of ddr or pre ddr or whatever lol, hopefully some of you guys can explain that for me, and also any other things I should know lol, like about the video card








Btw, how bad is this computer specs anyways laugh:

[Dan]

With that type of RAM, increasing it won't make that much of a difference, since the speed is so slow. Also, even if you get a new graphics card, and if you do you will need a new Power Supply, your processor would just bottleneck. As I said, get a cheapo computer, $400-$600, and you will be much, MUCH better off.

And before anyone else jumps in saying build your own computer its not that hard, or you should get one more expensive, get what you can afford, and if you know as much as I think you know, building a PC isn't right for you at this time. And I'm assuming you can't afford to spend $1,000-$2,000 on a PC. If you can, let me know and I will help you pick parts that will last, IE easily replaceable in the future to upgrade. 10 years is a bit past the limit for upgrades though.

[AngelzUnit]

Alright, guess I'll leave that as it is, probably look for a refurbished one at the local tiger direct.

Currently I am browsing their website and the refurbished pcs classified under 2 categories, AMD based and Intel based. Wondering what's the difference? I'm guessing intel is the better choice, seem to hear more about that than the AMD, never heard of that before ever

[Dan]

well, you might be dealing with older intels, AMD's older chips (AMD and Intel are processor manufacturers) are better then intels, but intels newer chips are a better buy dollar for dollar, in general. It is not a rule.

[AngelzUnit]

Well here's the one I'm looking to buy, its local pickup for me so that's real appealing to me. It looks good enough to do what I want it to do.

Just wondering on one thing, would something like this be easy to upgrade a little later on? Preferably the video card because the 2d/3d accelerator doesn't sound to great

[Dan]

Is it just me or did you not link a computer?

[BrioCloud]

A computer that old is really not worth upgrading. The difference between Intel and Amd is like two race cars. One can do the turns faster, while the other can do the straights faster. It depends on what "track" you use, to determine which one is better for you.

[AngelzUnit]

Is it just me or did you not link a computer?

oops my bad, lemme try again lol

BEST COMPLETE COMPUTER DEAL ON EBAY 3.06G +1GB+160GB HD - (eBay.ca item 260182907443 end time 25-Nov-07 10:34:50 EST)

[Dan]

Eh, it is a HUGE improvement over your computer, and it does have a PCI express x16 slot, so you will be able to upgrade the graphics in the future. if your max price range is $250 go for it, otherwise save up an extra $200 and get one with a c2d and maybe a graphics card that goes with it. But if you cant afford that, then get this, and buy yourself a graphics card down the line. Also when you get money you can replace the processor with a core 2 duo, since your mobo supports them, so this is a good budget starter pc, if you plan on adding to it slowly in the future.

[Daddy_XL]

I vote on you getting a new pc or building one. thats the cheapest route actually

[SpoonMan999]

well, you might be dealing with older intels, AMD's older chips (AMD and Intel are processor manufacturers) are better then intels, but intels newer chips are a better buy dollar for dollar, in general. It is not a rule.

This is a common misconception, Intels sport higher frequencies (often confused with speed) true, but AMD processors typically run cooler and can perform 60% smoother than the Intel equivalent on media processes. Currently, a Core2 Duo vs. an Athlon X2 both at say $200 (That's $200 for the processor not the system) you generally get more bang for your buck from the Athlon. That, and if you're building a system with just basic parts the AMD heat sink fan is a million times better than the Intel.

Obviously for Angelz what he has access to it wont make a big deal but I felt I needed to throw in my two cents on that comment.

[AngelzUnit]

Well I bought it. Picking it up either tonight or tomorrow. Will buy a monitor for it when I go there, probably like a 19" LCD or something lol, don't really care.

I'm just hoping I won't have to go buy a copy of windows xp. I have one from a friend that got it from some torrent site and it's still going great for me. Thing is he moved, so don't have him to install it for me again lol. Hope it isn't to complicated. If I just install windows, do I still got to do all this partitions stuff? I remember having to choose things like which file system and all this confusing garbage, think it was called like fat32 or something. Hope I don't have to go through all that, but I think I reformatted my computer before, and that's why I had to do all that, not sure

[Dan]

This is a common misconception, Intels sport higher frequencies (often confused with speed) true, but AMD processors typically run cooler and can perform 60% smoother than the Intel equivalent on media processes. Currently, a Core2 Duo vs. an Athlon X2 both at say $200 (That's $200 for the processor not the system) you generally get more bang for your buck from the Athlon. That, and if you're building a system with just basic parts the AMD heat sink fan is a million times better than the Intel.

Obviously for Angelz what he has access to it wont make a big deal but I felt I needed to throw in my two cents on that comment.

Hmm, thank you. Coming from anyone else I might have disregarded this, but from you, I will look more closely at it so I don't give the wrong advice again.

[Daddy_XL]

unfortunatly all i read is how the core2 duo for OC systems do far more better in results. i used to be a huge amd fan now im older and I only care about what i can get for the money, more so on the "savings" end

[AngelzUnit]

I've just realized that I'm going tp have to hook up my internet to my new computer and my old onerolleyes:, wondering on how I'm going to do that...

Right now, my internet is from cable. The cable wire goes into this modem thing which hooks up to my computer. How will I be able to hook up two computers with only having one cable wire and one modem? I'd need to buy a router for it to work correct?confused:

[Daddy_XL]

thats one option ( the easiest) or you can make one the master and one the slave to run them both together and network them. ( lil harder )

[AngelzUnit]

thats one option ( the easiest) or you can make one the master and one the slave to run them both together and network them. ( lil harder )

Alright, so something like these would work fine?

Lu Computers - Wireless Routers

Lu Computers - Wired Router

I'm guessing I should get a wireless one right? Are they any less reliable or are they pretty much the same thing without all the wires?

[Daddy_XL]

I prefer wired but i have everything all together in one place. the brand i currently use is netgear due to the fact my wife has a laptop with a card for it ( older model). For you and saving money n all I would pick this one Lu Computers - D-Link DI-604 Express EtherNetwork 4-Port Etherne

that should suit you fine imo