Want to upgrade video card...

[ikeray]

as well as some other things, but need some help

the specs on the computer are:

Compaq D510 e-pc (<<this makes a difference). its completely factory, but here is what i know about factory specs:
128 MB RAM (PC2700)
40 GB HardDrive
32x CD-ROM
intel P4 processor

now i am completely need to hardware. software i feel i have a pretty firm grasp, but i dont know too much about hardware. ive done some research on RAM and discovered i can upgrade to two 1 gig RAM (PC2700 or PC3200). first question, what is the difference between 2700 and 3200 or is there one?
also, i want to have a HD that i use for solely pictures and backup, but the computer only supports 1 HD and only has USB slots (no firewire). what is the easiest way to have a backup HD or will i have to settle for a USB external?
next, i want to upgrade the cd drive to a super drive (aka dvd-r), but the cd tray is very slim (i dont know laptop size or not, just very slim). what are the different sizes of drives, or do they come in all sorts of sizes?
finally, and most importantly to me, i cant find any information on the internet or whatnot about the video card installed in this computer. i have decided i want to play some games on here, but i am afraid my video card might be too lacking to run any real games (ie WoW). i was able to run the halo demo off of the windows website, but because of my lack of RAM is lagged alot, also the graphics lacked a little, but i couldnt tell if that was because of lack of RAM or lack of a quality video card.

i know there is a lot of information there, so for summary:

1) What is the difference between PC2700 and PC3200?
2) Want a secondary HD, but computer only has support for a single.
3) How many sizes do drives come in? also, what is the best drive upgrade?
4)*I need information on video card upgrades, and is it even possible for my computer?

*my most important question.

picture of the computer below:
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid224/p265416e82f9d4492aef46f8960b3dcd8/ea8aeb66.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid224/pfe460def0b4eb8d2ab3840d890195720/ea8aea3f.jpg

[david eaton]

From the manual for that computer, I think that you have no way of upgrading the video. Here is the relevant section:_
System Board:
Chipset
I/O capability
Graphics
Audio
LAN
Intel 845G with integrated video
2 memory slots, 1 IDE connector for hard drive, 1 IDE connector for
CD-ROM (specific connector format)
Intel 845G integrated graphics with 8MB graphics memory
Integrated ADI audio CODEC, AC97 compliant
Integrated Intel Pro/100 VE Network Adapter (10 Base-T/100 Base-TX
LAN Interface)
Mass storage Slim CD-ROM drive: 24X IDE
Slim CD-RW drive: 8X, 8X, 24X IDE
Slim DVD-ROM drive: 8X, 24X IDE
Choice of hard drives:
Ultra ATA/100: 20 GB (5400 rpm), 20 GB (7200 rpm), 40 GB
(5400 rpm), 40 GB (7200 rpm), 80 GB (7200 rpm)
Theoretical maximum hard drive capacity of 144 PB (1015) using
48 bit BA addressing mode
Main memory Two DIMM sockets using: 128 MB, 256 MB, 512 MB and 1 GB
266 MHz DDR-SDRAM (non-ECC). Maximum of 2 GB.

No expansion slots on the motherboard, and the CD connection means that the drive cannot be upgraded. Sorry, but it looks as if you are SOL.

[ikeray]

i need 32 mb graphics card to play WoW (or i think thats the requirements). do you know what my video card runs? that is something i couldnt find anywhere.

[jlreich]

According to the website your onboard video is only 8MB. WOW requires 32MB and at least 512MB ram.

You upgrade options are limited to the ram.

What is the difference between PC2700 and PC3200?
This is a reference to the speed of the ram. Higher is better.

I wouldn't recommend putting any cash into this machine. Save whatever cash were going to use for upgrades and put it towards a new system.

[ikeray]

how much would it be to upgrade a computer to the minimum WoW requirements? i have another computer that has a p4 processor but it is a having a windows related problem in which it likes to crash. i might put my hd in there if i can upgrade that computer to WoW requirements.

[ikeray]

also, to the HDD, what are my options there?

[jlreich]

If there is only room for one hard drive in the case you can replace the drive with a larger one, or use an external USB drive as you mentioned before.

What is the make and model of the other system?

Also keep in mind 32MB video card and 512MB ram are the minimum requirements just to be able to install the game. I think the recommended is at least a 64MB or higher v-card and 1GB ram. I am not certain what the requirements are for the new expansion pack of WOW. I would imagine at least a little higher.

[ikeray]

Compaq Presario 5000 (5310 US)

Intel Celeron 1.2 Ghz processor
256 megs RAM
40 gig HDD
12x DVD ROM
32x CD-RW

the computer is also factory and currently has a problem (virus or other) that reads as: i8042prt.
but that is an issue for a different section.

[HomeSA]

I wouldn't recommend putting any cash into this machine. Save whatever cash were going to use for upgrades and put it towards a new system.

This is the best advice for you. The other machine won't cut it either. Sell one or both, add to your money for upgrade, save just a little more and get yourself a "current" spec computer. The money would be best spent via this route. You can get good recommendations for what to get for your needs, if you decide to go that way.

[ikeray]

i think that is the route im going to take, save up enough for a new computer altogether. i got some recommendations from a friend, i will post the computer he wants me to build:

Processor-
Go with an AMD Athlon 64 processor, probably a 3500+ or 4000+ model (will run you about 80 without the heatsink, 100 with the stock heatsink), designed for Socket 939. I chose this (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16819103037) one, personally. It's definately a good processor, but you'd have to buy a seperate heatsink for it (suggested below), since this is just the processor alone. Expect to spend no more than $150 for your processor.

Heatsink unit-
If the stock HSU on your processor bugs the hell out of you (which mine did), I'd suggest getting something from Zalman. I personally bought this (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835118003) a few months ago for $50 (with rebate), and its REALLY quiet, and has a speed controlling knob so you can adjust the air flow. It was a bitch to actually get attached to the motherboard, but once it was done, its great! This part not necessary if you get the heatsink unit bundled with your processor.

Motherboard-
Stick with brands such like ASUS, Abit, BFG Tech, Gigabyte, and MSI. Make sure it's a Socket 939 motherboard to match with your processor. My personal recommendation is for this ASUS mobo here (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813131569). I don't have this specific model, but my previous motherboard was an ASUS model, and it's still chugging along nicely. They make good stuff. Expect to spend no more than $160 or so for your motherboard.

Memory-
Try to stick with brands like Corsair, PQI turbo, Kingston, or Geil. There are some other good brands that I'm just not aware of, but check out ratings for these parts before you buy em. Prices for quanities mentioned above.

Video Card-
Go with an nVidia 7xxx series card, definately, and I'd personally suggest the 7600GT (because I use one now). It's not top of the line, but it's far from being a crappy card, and it's good enough to run a few of the current games at maximum graphical settings. The 7600GT will run about $110, and newegg.com has a $20 mail-in-rebate for it here (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16814130062). Expect to spend no more than $160 on a video card for your needs.

Hard Drive-
These are just getting cheaper and cheaper every month. Stick with either Seagate or Western Digital as those are the 2 best brands. Make sure the drive you get is a SATA 3.0gb/s drive, and not an IDE, since SATA is faster than IDE and doesn't cost anymore than the IDE ones do. A 250gb will run you about $70, and a 320gb will be about $90. I'd suggest this (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822148140) one.

If you go for all of my exact suggestions with 2gb of memory, itll run you $568.94 ($533.94 with rebates) not including sales tax (if TX has it) for all 5 of those parts from newegg.com. If you cut back to 1gb of ram, it'll save about $70, and if you buy a processor that comes with the heatsink bundled, it'll save you another $30 or so. I just chose some stuff and threw it into a shopping cart to give you a rough guesstimate of a price, but you could spend more, you could spend less. Depends on what you get and where you get it from.

[saphalline]

What about a case and PSU? Optical drive? OS? And what's your budget?

Also, Socket 939 is old news now. AMD's new Socket AM2 came out late last summer and is now the main socket for them. Lots of cool new things on the latest chipsets, as well.

[ikeray]

well, i was going for price. im trying to spend the least while getting the most. i was told that although 939 is the older one, it can still perform with the lower end am2's. he also gave me some PSU's and im just taking an optical drive out of the old tower (have 2 one cd-r, one dvd-rom). i was looking for under $500. he was suggesting "older" equipment that still performed well, that way i could stay in the $500 budget and yet achieve performance.

also, interesting enough, i bought a stick of 512 for the d510. although it isnt going to be my gaming computer, it still sits as my internet/word processor computer/photoshop. i installed the chip (and had to reset the cmos) and was actually able to get WoW to run. it may lag a bit, but it will let me get a feel for the game before i really divulge myself in it. apparently it doesnt have a 8x graphics card, but i couldnt tell you why not, it is the factory unit...