Is upgrade worthwhile?

[inkblot]

Here is the system that I have:

Motherboard: PcPartner, MB520N
Chipset: 430VX
Platform: Baby AT
BIOS: AMI
CPU: P-150 MHz
External cache: 256Kb
RAM: 64Mb (4x16 EDO SIMMS)
Hard Drive: Western Digital 1.6 Gb
Video: 1 Mb PCI card
Monitor: 14" Data Train

Should I upgrade the following:

1) CPU: As far as I can tell, this board will support 233 MMX but I will have to flash the BIOS. I managed to find the BIOS upgrade, the manual, and the jumper settings for the 233 MMX.

2) RAM: I have read that there is no point going beyond 64Mb of RAM because of the L2 cache. Is that true?

3) Hard Drive: I am definitely running out of space but I have read about the various limitations. Could I go to a 20 Gb drive?

4) Video display: I have managed to find a place that has 16Mb PCI video cards. Is this worthwhile?

5) Monitor: Should I just go with a 15" or is it really worthwhile to pay the extra for the 17" ?

Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

[andyswork@beci.net]

It depends on what you want your computer to do.
If I was you I would start all over. New system.
I like my 17 inch monitor, but again I am an old man blind in one eye and can not see out of the other.
I would keep the old system for backups and learning.
I am not a gamer so vidio is not that important to me. I use Xp and upgraded my vidio to 64mbs, because of how good xp is with graphics and color.
The price differance from a 20 gig to a 60 gig is fairly cheap.
Decide what you want your computer to do and post back.
Welcome to the PC Guide.
Your upgrade ideas are great if you are just using e mail and surfing the net.

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One day I will be a pro, Thanks Andy

[This message has been edited by andyswork@beci.net (edited 03-29-2002).]

[leichaolan]

Welcome to the forums inkblot.
That's a classic system you got there. Too bad pc's don't get more valuable with age....

1) Flashing the bios is kind of dangerous. If you go to company's websites that provide instructions for bios flashing, they even tell you that if you mess up your pc, they're not responsible. It may be better to spend a little extra cash for a more recent mobo. Keep in mind that if you stray from your current baby at form factor, you'll need to buy a new case also.

2) I'm not sure about that L2 cache thingy, but I'm sure someone here does. In my experience though, RAM makes a pretty big difference. Especially if you go from 64 to 128 or 256. But anymore than 256, and you may not see that much of a change. You are using EDO though, and I'm not sure how that works either.

3) As long as you are using Windows and it can recognize the big HD, I think you should be ok.

4) Not sure about how pci cards work...
5 Monitors are ok, but it wouldn't be that great to have a monitor that could pump out more resolution, but a pc that can't.

Conclusion: I think you should upgrade your mobo and case. This will give you more options for the future. You'll need to upgrade your cpu too, but you'll have more options for the future. You will be able to run SDRAM (or DDR/RAMBUS if you so choose), and you will definitely be able to handle a 20 gig HD as long as you've got an O/S that can see it. Your old vid card should still work ok, but with a new mobo, you'll have the option of upgrading to an AGP slot if you so wish. You will also need new RAM for your mobo, BUT ram prices are kind of high right now. This is all kind of expensive, but as long as you don't go top of the line and you do some shopping, you should be fine. Andy is right about knowing what you want your pc to do though. Good luck!


[This message has been edited by leichaolan (edited 03-29-2002).]

[This message has been edited by leichaolan (edited 03-29-2002).]

[inkblot]

Thanks for the quick replies.

The system is mainly used for word processing, spreadsheet applications, e-mail, low level gaming, and surfing the net.


leichaolan,

Let's say I go with replacing the motherboard and case and I don't want to spend a fortune. What would be the minimum in terms of chipset and FSB?


All comments greatly appreciated.

[mjc]

You might as well go the whole way and do it all, till you get done with a new case, motherboard, CPU, RAM, hard drive etc you wil have a new system...

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mjc
Links list:Computer Links (http://www.dreamwater.org/tech/mjc/index.htm)

Celts are the men that heaven made mad, For all their battles are merry and their songs are all sad.

[inkblot]

mjc,

I see what you mean... Keeping in mind what the system will be used for and the fact that I really don't have the cash for a new system, what would you suggest as the bare minimum in a used system?

[leichaolan]

Well, word processing and stuff isn't a problem. Gaming is where you'll end up spending big bucks on. I've got a mid range system right now that can play all the latest games and I spent about 500$ Cdn on it. This is not including monitor, keyboard, etc. Just the case, and whatever is in it. It would probably be best that you post your budget so we can see what we can do. If you choose to get a really cheap system, you need to be aware that it may be a bit difficult to find older parts in computer stores. At least it is where I'm from. However, you can always go to ebay. I've never bought anything there, but I've heard they carry the wackiest of things.

[Vic 970]

e bay & dabs exchange have some incredibly cheap systems, in various flavours & degrees of hardware, you can get a relatively 'bare bones' machine then shop around for h/w etc. on same sites. its worth having a look see what they're going for. maybe do it for a whole lot less than an upgrade & still keep the old system.! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

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for every question there's an answer. Then a load more questions.
Definition of Upgrade "A means of introducing new bugs to a program to replace the ones that you have eventually found fixes for"

Regards..,
Vic.

[bassman]

Hello Inkblot,
Check out this Link (http://www.compgeeks.com/products.asp?cat=SYS) . I think you will be pleasantly suprised http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

A lot of the stuff at this site is refurbished, but if you are considering going "used", you should at leased get something with a warranty. They have some fabulous prices on stuff in the 400 to 600Mgz range, and if they have monitors in, some great prices there too.
Definitly go to a 17". All of the things you said this machine is used for would look and feel SO MUCH nicer on a new setup.

Good luck and let us know how you get on http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/cool.gif

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A real Christian is one who can give his pet parrot to the town gossip.
Frank's Place (http://dreamwater.net/tech/frankscomp/)

[This message has been edited by bassman (edited 03-30-2002).]

[kayofcircles]

My 2 cents..probably only worth half that. I wouldn't "touch" your current system except to blow out the dust bunnies from time to time. My husband said that I didn't share this puter well, so he bought parts and built one for himself. In the same two year period that I had no problems whatsoever (except for the new CD writer problem that got me here to PC in the first place), my husband probably wiped his hard drive and reinstalled everything at least 6 times. A couple of times it wasn't his fault..hard drive failed after only 3 months of operation, and his power supply blew up at one point..but the rest was because of "upgrading" or tweaking or installing new games. We've just now (after about a year of purchasing parts whenever other expenses not more urgent) got all the parts together for my newer system. But, although I plan to use the newer one, I am keeping this one for backup...it's been reliable and good to me for over two years.
bassman: WHOA! Looked at your link..and afraid to show it to husband. We'll be up to our ears in "parts" and eating beans and cornbread for another couple of months! But, hey, whenever I get tired of the beans..can go and look at my new monitor..so cool. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

[This message has been edited by kayofcircles (edited 03-30-2002).]

[iisbob]

Believe it or not, this is one of the most consistent, and difficult question's i get asked everday.

Should i upgrade or buy new?

Used to be cheaper to build, now that's no longer true-for just the basic requirement's you have stated i really suggest you check out your local Wal-mart, or ( can't believe i'm recommending this http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif ) Best-buy/Circut city.

However, with these recommendations in mind, there is still no warrenty as good as your own on a self built system. Of course i realize that's not feasible for the common user.

The restriction's on memory you asked about are strictly limited to your motherboard chipset-430 series intel chipset's couldn't use the L2 cache to hold more of your system ram, limiting you to the 64MB"s of window's inherent heap. Modern boards no longer have that restriction; most boards support up to 1 GB or more.


Honestly, for the value of your hard earned cash, buying a newer system will be less expensive than attempting to upgrade such a legacy system you currently own; but i would keep it around as suggested since it can be useful as a backup.




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iisbob

The man who sets out to carry a cat by its tail learns something that will always be useful and which never will grow dim or doubtful. -- Mark Twain.

[bassman]

AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!! NOT Bestbuy.
Shoot yourself in the foot for thinking Bestbuy http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/eek.gif http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

Other then that I agree completely with what Iisbob said http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/cool.gif
(I know, you hesitated http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif )

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A real Christian is one who can give his pet parrot to the town gossip.
Frank's Place (http://dreamwater.net/tech/frankscomp/)

[This message has been edited by bassman (edited 03-30-2002).]

[Ghost_Hacker]

What's wrong with Bestbuy?...I like 'em http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif


Their better than Fry's where you spend more time in the return line than the checkout line.

Their better than Compusa where customer service reps/clerks don't seem to exist.

Their better than "crap"city where the sales reps are only interested in their sales commissions. They'll tell you any lie to get your money. (bring your fighting gloves if you want to return something and get your money back)


At Bestbuy I get what I want, go to the checkout line and that's it. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

[iisbob]

I agree with the shopping part GH, it's just their so called technical experts i have probelm's with!

For instance, our local BB's networking expert is a young man who successfully used ICS in 98 to create a small home network. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif

When i questioned him on a basic premise like the OSI model { which is provides the most basic underpinnings of networking theory } he looked at me with that " deer in the headlight's " look. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

My favorite " expert " advice i've overheard from them to date is when i overheard one of their salesman telling a couple that USB stood for Universal System's Bus, and would be the " wireless " networking of the future where you would not have to put any more hardware inside your PC!

Whew! talk about your cutting edge technology! ( and conceptual lack of knowledge on current technology! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/tongue.gif )



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iisbob

The man who sets out to carry a cat by its tail learns something that will always be useful and which never will grow dim or doubtful. -- Mark Twain.