Advice on upgrading PC please

Legacy_user

Since '01, I've been using windows '98 and feel it's about time I upgraded. My usage dictates the machine should have the following minimum requirements:-

Speed CPU 2.6ghz
RAM 512mb
disc 80gb
DVD re-writer
Windows XP

My keyboard/mouse/flatscreen are all OK, so there isn't a need to replace those. If anyone has any info that might help, I'd be grateful.islandman

GoofyGAT

More info would be welcome (if you need help with answering some Qs please ask):

1. What's your main intended use(s) for the upgraded PC?
2. What's your budget? [You may have to factor in the cost of a new motherboard & power supply (PSU) too - see 3. & 5. below]
3. You're aware that upgrading the CPU may need a motherboard (mobo) upgrade too? What's your present mobo make & model? If it's a Socket A or 478, then a CPU upgrade may suffice.
4. What Ram (PC133/PC2700/etc) do you have in your present system, & how much?
5. The upgrades may also require a more powerful PSU. What's your present PSU make+model or power rating in Watts?
6. Are you going to be playing the latest games (or you're not a gamer at all)?
7. What's your present graphics card model & interface (AGP/PCI).

One relatively easy option is to get a readymade CPU/Mobo/Ram bundle from Novatech & add the other components. For example:
- AMD 64 3000+/512Mb Ram PC3200/Foxconn NF3250K8AA-ERS bundle (with AGP for your present graphics card - is this OK?) - click here = £171.35
- 80Gb SATA HDD - click here = £38.92
- LG DVD-rw drive - click here = £28.91
- WinXP Home OEM - click here = £65.38
Total = £304.56 (incl VAT, excl P+P)

A little more, & you could get a new & complete base unit - configure this system click here to include the DVD-rw drive - Total = £328.38 (incl VAT, excl P+P)

If you don't mind Ebay, you could pick up a similar brand new base system - click here & use the fields on the left to narrow down your search. Most will not have XP but you could always get this separately. A 'suitable' buy-it-now (BIN) specimen with XP - £270 click here. The 'better' BIN ones begin at click here.

You won't be disappointed with XP. I'd been on Win98se for a number of years & reluctantly upgraded to XP (Pro) a few months ago - I love it & it's very stable : ) G

GoofyGAT

Did any of my info help islandman? G

Bob_the_Builder_5

Yes, you could buy all the bits separately and if you’re lucky they’ll fit, but why bother?

Just buy an entire PC from somewhere like http://www.evesham.com . Then, if anything does go wrong, you ring them and a man in a van comes round and fixes it.
Places like that obviously get a quantity discount for the parts they buy – if you buy one of each component you won’t get them as cheaply.

You can use the XP File and Settings Transfer Wizard to drag your stuff across.

otv

Bob_the_Builder wrote:

Yes, you could buy all the bits separately and if you’re lucky they’ll fit, but why bother?

Just buy an entire PC from somewhere like http://www.evesham.com . Then, if anything does go wrong, you ring them and a man in a van comes round and fixes it.
Places like that obviously get a quantity discount for the parts they buy – if you buy one of each component you won’t get them as cheaply.

You can use the XP File and Settings Transfer Wizard to drag your stuff across.

why bother!! - because they (pre build companies) use cheap crap components in their builds - its far better to buy the components you want - for future upgradeability its futureproofing yourself.

GoofyGAT

Just discovered that islandman has another 'similar' post entitled New system required - click here, so unsure whether he wants to upgrade or purchase new .

So until he replies to this post, we will not know. G

mike_paterson

I had a chat with him and he was thinking of buying new (probably the best way anyway!)
Cheers
Mike

GoofyGAT

Thanks for that Mike. Buying new is probably the best option.

Good luck islandman - hope you get a really good 'un. If you require more suggestions, please feel free to ask. If you tell us your budget, we could suggest the best PC(s) for the money. G

mike_paterson

I think he was quoted £350 by a local firm for a basic spec, but there are much better value deals around at the moment.

Shawz

If you did want to consider refurbished pc's it may be worth looking here:

http://www.mcscom.co.uk/section.php?xSec=28

Bob_the_Builder_5

otv wrote:

why bother!! - because they (pre build companies) use cheap crap components in their builds - its far better to buy the components you want - for future upgradeability its futureproofing yourself.

With respect, that's nonsense - my Evesham box has an Asus motherboard, Fortron Sparkle PSU (they are very solid, Evesham have fitted them for over six years), Sony CD and DVD drive, I forget what flavour the RAM is but it certainly isn't Happy Shopper...

The case is decent, the fans are quiet...