Which upgrades for my PC?

mhollins83

Hi,

I really need some help here please?
I can't afford to buy a new PC, so have decided to make some upgrades on my current system.
I currently have:
AMD Athlon XP 2200+ 1.79 GHz processor
512MB DDR RAM
Radeon 9600 graphics card
Gigabyte GA-7N400 motherboard

I have just installed the Sims 2 successfully but it won't get past the loading screen, it just freezes up and I have to restart the computer. I've tried all the solutions that the booklet says to try but nothing helps, so I thought a few upgrades might do the trick.
I had a look on ebay at memory and motherboards but I haven't got a clue what I'm looking for - there's so many!
Any help on this would be much appreciated

fwor

Much depends on what motherboard you have already and what it's capable of, and - for memory - also what OS you have.

If the motherboard can take a significantly faster CPU or a dual-core AMD then a secondhand CPU off Ebay can make a big difference.

Memory - if you're still running XP you'll probably see a significant difference by going up to 1GB, but should not need more. For Vista or Win7 you may well see gains by getting 2GB.

So... find out what make/model of motherboard you have and research what it is capable of/ If you find it can't do much more than it is already doing, then is the time to look into replacing it.

benrashton

RAM RAM RAM. see how much you can put in your computer and max it out. Thats the only cost effective way of speeding it up on the cheap. Upgrading the processor isn't cost effective for the speed gains (that you'll notice) unless you get a whole new mother board and latest processors which you may as well by a whole new system then.

Richie-from-the-Boro

"" I have the Sims 2 but ""

- do you mean it was working with Sims2 previously, but does not work now?
- or ;
- do you mean your machine is working fine otherwise, but won't run Sims2?

Do what ' fwor ' suggests and tell us what your Motherboard / Memory / Video card are !

To do so [ I assume 32bit ] you will need this

mhollins83

Ok, I just opened up my PC to find out what motherboard I have as I couldn't find the info ANYWHERE onscreen.

I have a GIGABYTE GA-7N400 motherboard.

I've just read a bit about it, but I'm still none the wiser
As you can probably gather, I'm not very technically-minded, although I am confident that I'll be able to change a few bits around inside the computer without destroying the whole system!
If someone could please advise which parts could increase gaming speed/performance with the motherboard I have, that would be great!

Thankyou!

Edit: My PC is working ok (as it always has) it just won't run The Sims or more or less any other game released since that lol. I've had the game since it was released but not installed it on my current system.

Richie-from-the-Boro

Here is your NF2 MOBO info if anyone asks

weegie.geek

Socket A doesn't really have an upgrade path. The fastest chips like the 3200 are still dog slow in comparison with low-end chips these days.

You're thinking about upgrading, so what kinda money were you considering spending?

turbobob

fwor wrote: »

If the motherboard can take a significantly faster CPU or a dual-core AMD then a secondhand CPU off Ebay can make a big difference.

Unfortunately it wouldn't take a dual core processor. Athlon XP's use Socket A (aka Socket 462), and the fastest processor available for this socket was an XP 3200+ (just a 2.2Ghz version of the processor that's in there already). They sell at quite a premium as well, as not that many were around. IMO probably not worth the expense.

Once you get into replacing the motherboard and CPU to something more modern, you are probably going to have to buy different memory and a new graphics card as well, so pretty much a new PC.

A memory upgrade to 1Gb would be worthwhile. Also make sure the operating system and drivers are up to date, and no unnecessary programs loading at startup..

mhollins83

weegie.geek wrote: »

Socket A doesn't really have an upgrade path. The fastest chips like the 3200 are still dog slow in comparison with low-end chips these days.

You're thinking about upgrading, so what kinda money were you considering spending?

:eek: I didn't realise my system was so OLD! I didn't really think about how much I was going to spend, I just figured it would be cheaper than buying a whole new PC. I guess it would work out cheaper in the long run to just save for a new computer rather than getting a couple of bits?

Donnie

Just get some RAM for now. If you have 1 x 512MB in now, get another [URL="Just get some RAM for now. If you have 1 x 512MB in now, get another http://www.amazon.co.uk/ByteStor-512MB-PC3200-400MHz-Desktops/dp/B00025E0JU"]512MB RAM[/URL] module.

You don't always have to open the box to see what is inside. Use CPU-Z.

JasX

Recalling other threads on here people have had good success with 'bare bones' bundles. Basically buying the core of a new machine -CPU, motherboard & memory. but re-using the rest of the components -hard drive, graphics card, CD drive, case, PSU.

Here is one place to look
http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/bundles.html
http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/barebones.html

Two ways you could go
-New Mobo, CPU and RAM, would need to check your PSU is powerful enough (should be) AND has all the connectors needed to connect to the new board (more likely a problem if your PC is very old) -will require a moderate amount of self assembly with a small screwdriver

-Alternatively you could get a bundle that has a new case, PSU, Mobo, CPU and RAM then you just need to slot your hard drives, graphics card and CD drive in.

Caveats:
-backup everything from the old PC before hand and expect to reinstall/reformat everything (or buy a new hard drive at the same time but still backup)
-you will very likely run into problems with windows licensing/activation due to the scale of hardware changes, technically violating the terms of an OEM license as it'll essentially be a new machine, you might 'get away with it' phoning microsoft** but you should budget for buying another copy of windows if that proves necessary

Upgrade cost:
From £120 for a dual core AMD system that was 'pretty good' around 4 years ago up to £280 for a modern i3 based system that'll last you for years (going the CPU/motherboard/RAM only route)

Going the preassembeled in a new case with PSU route adds about £40 to the above prices



**good excuses for needing a reactivation are along the lines of "I took it to my local repair man who said he fixed the hard drive but now its come back with this message and I don't know what to do" and playing dumb ;p