Computer question?

[Setz]

I'm a terrible computer person. I don't know what a lot of stuff mean.

I'm trying to upgrade my PC and I don't know what limitations upgrades have. I know there's different RAM types like SD and DDR, and differences between PCI-E slots and AGP slots and a little bit of other stuff.

I'm trying to upgrade my videocard and RAM, and according to CPU-Z I have "DDR" ram, but when I check the BST for DDR ram, all I can find is SD DDR and DDR2 ram. Perhaps DDR is synonymous with DDR2? I don't know. My PC is old, below are the specs:

2.08ghz processor, AMD Athlon XP 2600+, 512MB DDR RAM, integrated nVidia GeForce 4 MX GPU, ASUSTeK A7N8X-LA Rev 1.xx mobo with nVidia chipset nForce2 IGP Rev A2, 180gb HDD internal. I don't know what most of this means though. It's made by Dell and has Compaq embroidered all over the box.

How can I tell what my PC uses exactly? This is difficult to explain, but I want to know if I do have an AGP slot available for graphics card, and if there's a way to extend 4 pin power connectors. My HDD has 1 4 pin molex power connector attached to it, and I don't know if this is the power cable I need to hook up to a videocard to make it run with the fan.

tl;dr, i'm a confused little man.

[Kasakato]

Really, your best off upgrading to a cheaper Core Duo or P4 Dell. The price for DDR-333 RAM (what your pc uses) is high compared to DDR2.

[162]

I agree - your pc should be upgraded instead with a lot of the features you're looking for already installed.

[jamewoong]

How can I tell what my PC uses exactly? This is difficult to explain, but I want to know if I do have an AGP slot available for graphics card, and if there's a way to extend 4 pin power connectors. My HDD has 1 4 pin molex power connector attached to it, and I don't know if this is the power cable I need to hook up to a videocard to make it run with the fan.

tl;dr, i'm a confused little man.
Edit:

Use EVEREST.

[Setz]

I wish I could buy a new PC, but I currently only have 200$ or so to spend casually for the next couple of months. I was planning on 100$~ on upgrades.

I have CPU-Z installed, but it doesn't tell me if I have AGP slots or PCI slots, etc.

[willy]

Don't be confused ... Actually you did a pretty good job to identify the components inside your system.

How long are you gonna to keep your system ? What are you planning to use your upgraded system ? Gaming ? Web surfing ?

What OS are you running right now ?

XP2600+ with a 180GB HD is still a pretty decent system for day-to-day web surfing and general purpose tasks. 512MB is a little too little as the onboard video also takes away some.

[Setz]

Don't be confused ... Actually you did a pretty good job to identify the components inside your system.

How long are you gonna to keep your system ? What are you planning to use your upgraded system ? Gaming ? Web surfing ?

What OS are you running right now ?

I'm planning to use the upgraded PC for gaming mostly. Nothing too advance, just with my current components I can't run even Doom3 or Farcry or Guildwars, etc. These are all games I am missing out on.

This PC I've had since 2004 I believe, and I don't plan to keep it any longer than another year. Perhaps you'll see a thread within the next 6 months asking what good PC choices are available. :)

I am running Windows XP Service Pack 2.

[willy]

For C$100 budget, you can :

- Spend C$30 on a 512MB PC2700/3200.

- Spend the rest on a Radeon 9800 or maybe even 6600GT.

[Setz]

For C$100 budget, you can :

- Spend C$30 on a 512MB PC2700/3200.

- Spend the rest on a Radeon 9800 or maybe even 6600GT.

I was contemplating a 6600GT but it requires external power. I have no idea how this works, and even then, the power connector is too short to reach to an empty AGP slot.

[willy]

This thing should help ...

http://www.canadacomputers.com/ProductImages/005549/209.jpg

[Setz]

Oh yes, I have the cords and all that, but the cord isn't long enough. The cord is also hooked into my HDD, which I am kind of confused about. Isn't it supposed to be plugged into some kind of power source?

I apologize if my questions are mind numbingly oblivious.

edit; oic, it's an extension. Where can I buy these?

[willy]

edit; oic, it's an extension. Where can I buy these?
http://www.canadacomputers.com/index.php?do=ShowProduct&cmd=pd&pid=005549&cid=CA.247

Or depending on the video card, you may need this ...

http://www.mcminone.com/content/productimages/s4/83-1350.jpg

[Setz]

How is the ATI Radeon 9800 Pro? It has the stuff required to run Guild Wars pretty fine. The RFDer's price is 50$, and it was modded to 9800XT with some form of silencer fan business.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/Nick1e/IMG_9135Small.jpg

[willy]

6600GT should be a bit more powerful and with SM 3.0.

[Setz]

I'm going to buy the 9800XT from this RFD user tomorrow. I hope I enjoy it. It can run Oblivion on recommended settings, and can run FEAR as well. These are past my expectations. It can also run Guildwars flawlessly on perfect settings. 50$ is a good price too.

Does 1gb DDR-333 RAM exist?

[Bell Rep]

I'm going to buy the 9800XT from this RFD user tomorrow. I hope I enjoy it. It can run Oblivion on recommended settings, and can run FEAR as well. These are past my expectations. It can also run Guildwars flawlessly on perfect settings. 50$ is a good price too.

Does 1gb DDR-333 RAM exist?

If you mean 333Mhz (PC2700) DDR ram then yes

[chateaublanc]

Download the program: Everlast Free Edition at www.geekstogo.com in the software section.


That will help solve all your issues and identify every single piece of hardware and availabilty in your pc including model numbers specs, upgrade urls, etc.

[ali123]

I'm going to buy the 9800XT from this RFD user tomorrow. I hope I enjoy it. It can run Oblivion on recommended settings, and can run FEAR as well. These are past my expectations. It can also run Guildwars flawlessly on perfect settings. 50$ is a good price too.

Does 1gb DDR-333 RAM exist?

yes it does but it'll proably cost more than ddr-2 ram

[willy]

Not exactly ... Hurry, get the 1GB DDR-400 from CTY ... Today is the last day ... http://www.cty.ca/details.asp?pid=756