Need Help, First Comp "Upgrade"

[Tacmaster]

Hey all, i was given an old comp for free, and it is in need of upgrade. It has a P4 1.6ghz processor and 256 MBs of ram, and idk what kind of graphic card. So im planning on buying a new processor, 1g~ of RAM, and a new graphics card.

My main question is, how can i tell what is compatible with it?

Remember, im on a budget of around $300ish.

I plan on putting a faster P4, http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1232721

Can anyone recommend the best RAM available for "cheap," and also what type of graphics card can i get. I mainly plan on playing WoW and CS. Also open to suggestions on a diff processor.

Thanks in advance.

[johnny_quest]

The type of RAM and processor you can use depends on your motherboard, post the model.

[SufferWell1396]

well, with around 300$ you can skip the whole Pentium 4 thing and go stright to Celeron D, or Celeron Dual Core as its formally called.
that, paired with 1GB DDR ram will get you along just fine.

[rond36]

That Pentium 4 640 3.2Ghz processor will not fit on your motherboard.
That is a socket LGA775 800MHz FSB processor.

The processor that you have now is a socket 423 or 478 400MHz FSB
If your motherboard is a socket 423 the fastest processor that you can use is a Pentium 4 2.0GHz 400MHz FSB processor.

If your motherboard is a socket 478 and has support for 400, 533, and 800MHz FSB processors, the fastest processor that you can use is a Pentium 4 3.4HGz Extreme Edition 800MHZ FSB processor.

We need more info about your motherboard before we can know for sure what it will support.

SufferWell;
The Celeron D processors are single-core socket 478 (Prescott) or socket LGA775 (Ceder Mill) 533MHz FSB and probably will not work on his motherboard.
The Pentium D processors are duel-core and definitely will not work on his motherboard.

His motherboard may use DDR or RDRAM we don't know.

[Tacmaster]

I took a look at the motherboard, but i wasnt sure which numbers are the model.

I got CCMICRO082202.

And from the sticker with a bar code i got: CF2B23210330 AA A83975-206

[Tacmaster]

From the looks of things im going to need a new MOBO also, and a new HDD... and a new DVD Drive. Bit over my budget.

So, would it be worth it just buying 1gb of ram and a new graphics card? All im going to do actually, is play WoW...

If it is worth getting just RAM and a new graphics card, lmk what types i can get w/this mobo.

FYI the power supply said "Max Out 180w" so that prolly needs to be replaced too.

[Tacmaster]

FYI the power supply said "Max Out 180w" so that prolly needs to be replaced too.

300w peak*

[Fruss Tray Ted]

Use it as it is for purposes it is designed for.

The power supply alone points to proprietary inadequacies to any upgrade options.

If what you are traveling in is a Yugo, don't expect any modifications soon to enable you to be cruising in a Hummer. In fact, it will NEVER happen.

[Tacmaster]

Im going to drop a new power supply in.

So now - the new question - is it worth buying a new power supply, DDR ram, and an AGP graphics card for around $200~? Or should i just save my money and get a whole new mobo?

[Erik]

Im going to drop a new power supply in.

So now - the new question - is it worth buying a new power supply, DDR ram, and an AGP graphics card for around $200~? Or should i just save my money and get a whole new mobo?

I wouldn't put much into upgrading that computer. Maybe just up the RAM to 1GB if you can find it cheap. Is it RDRAM or DDR? If you buy a new motherboard you will likely need to add new RAM, new CPU, new PSU, and new graphics card as well.

Why a new HD and DVD drive? If they work and you are on a budget use them.

[Tacmaster]

I wouldn't put much into upgrading that computer. Maybe just up the RAM to 1GB if you can find it cheap. Is it RDRAM or DDR? If you buy a new motherboard you will likely need to add new RAM, new CPU, new PSU, and new graphics card as well.

Why a new HD and DVD drive? If they work and you are on a budget use them.

RAM is DDR and the reason for a new HD - the current it a 20gb.. and there isnt even a DVD drive, just a CD drive. Im sure i can get a HD and DVD drive for free, though.

After some thought, i figured if i wanted to get a good comp going, i basically have a case, since EVERYTHING needs replaced...

I was thinking about buying this: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3163512&Sku=MCM-945GCL-346A

Plus a 1GB DDR2 stick.

and a power supply http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2227022&CatId=1079
(will that work w/that mobo i linked?)

Also, if anyone can recommend a PCI express graphics card, link plz. Looking for a 256 MB card.

[Tacmaster]

RAM is DDR and the reason for a new HD - the current it a 20gb.. and there isnt even a DVD drive, just a CD drive. Im sure i can get a HD and DVD drive for free, though.

After some thought, i figured if i wanted to get a good comp going, i basically have a case, since EVERYTHING needs replaced...

I was thinking about buying this: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3163512&Sku=MCM-945GCL-346A

Plus a 1GB DDR2 stick.

and a power supply http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2227022&CatId=1079
(will that work w/that mobo i linked?)

Also, if anyone can recommend a PCI express graphics card, link plz. Looking for a 256 MB card.

So far i have gotten these thing together:

Mobo
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2823998&sku=I69-2146

1GB RAM
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1071038&sku=ULT31690

512MB RAM
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1071037&sku=ULT31688

PSU
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2227022&sku=GEN-2004

CPU
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2204069&sku=CP2-PD-805%20C

Graphics Card
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2490606&sku=E145-7906

Costing around $310.

I also need a CPU fan that works with my CPU.

[Erik]

Do yourself a favor and buy a good name brand power supply.

Also I would prefer a motherboard with four RAM slots. Just gives you more options down the road.

[Tacmaster]

Yeah, ive decided to just extend my budget. I think im going to go with a http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3079365&sku=E145-2024
i was going to stick with that P4 but it looks like that MOBO doesn't support 800 FSB.

Can anyone tell by looking at the link that it doesn't support 800 FSB for sure?