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Upgrading a desktop

I got a desktop computer for xmas, and want to upgrade a few things on it to make it faster and better for me.

It's an emachine E4264, running Vista 32 bit, with:
Intel core 2 duo E4500 Dual core processor
Nvidia GeForce 8300GS (128mb graphics)
1 GB DDR2 Dual Channel Memory (RAM)
250 GB hard drive

Basically I want to upgrade the graphics and RAM as the computer will be used for gaming and most of the modern games need higher spec than I have on my machine, especially as some games ask for more when run on Vista!
I do not really know much about upgrading desktop computers, hence why am asking on here. I found a lot of RAM for sale on the emachine website, but how do I know which 'make' of RAM I should buy for my machine? And I don't have a clue about graphics.

Could somebody please help me find cheap graphics and cheap RAM?


thank you
Never knock on death's door, ring the doorbell and run away ..... he hates that :mad:

Comments

  • Try this link for Memory.

    http://www.crucial.com/uk/?gclid=CPqpg6Sf9JACFQNIMAod4Ekpvw

    Select the scan button. This will tell you your memory type and use this as the starting point for Googling the results to find the best price.

    I have used both Crucial and Ebuyer in the past. Others may recommend different sites to purchase the memory.
  • sahun
    sahun Posts: 303 Forumite
    Ok this may be a stupid question, but how do I know which RAM will fit in my machine?

    I currently have 512mb DDR PC2-5300 x2
    So would the memory I buy also have to be PC2-5300?
    Never knock on death's door, ring the doorbell and run away ..... he hates that :mad:
  • ormus
    ormus Posts: 42,714 Forumite
    basically yes.
    as for the graphics card, look at the 8600gt or gs range.
    or the 8800 range which aint cheap.
    Get some gorm.
  • BillScarab
    BillScarab Posts: 6,027 Forumite
    Well 2Gb of PC5300 RAM is £28 at ebuyer so that should be a cheap nad easy upgrade. However I would recommend using the system scanner at the crucial website mentioned above to see if your motherboard will accept faster RAM.

    Whats your budget for a gamign graphics card? If you can go up to £100 then I would recommend athe ATI Radeon3750 256Mb. It gets very good reviews and for the price is an excellent card. The cheapest I have seen it htough was £90.
    It's my problem, it's my problem
    If I feel the need to hide
    And it's my problem if I have no friends
    And feel I want to die


  • Omertron
    Omertron Posts: 574 Forumite
    I'd second the RAM option, although I'd get the full 4Gb if you can afford it, and you intend to keep the PC for a few years.

    I have the ATI Radeon 3750 and it is a great graphics card, perfect for most games that you will want to play and is one of the first card to be DirectX 10.1 compliant. It comes in at about £150 if you search around for it.
    - = I also recognise the Robins and beep for them = -
  • sahun
    sahun Posts: 303 Forumite
    Sadly I have a low budget, being a student and all. I was intending to spend £100 in total on the computer, but that includes new speakers, RAM and graphics.
    So obviously i need to extend my budget or minimise what I'm looking for. The speakers I have seen are £25 (from amazon or ebuyer), which are posted on the 'grabbit now' page, then RAM looks like will cost me at least £28, thus leaving little money for graphics!
    Never knock on death's door, ring the doorbell and run away ..... he hates that :mad:
  • BillScarab
    BillScarab Posts: 6,027 Forumite
    If I was you I'd upgrade the RAM first. 2gb should be plenty. Then save up for a graphics card. It's pointless buying one for £30-40 as you'll soon become frustrated with it. BTW the card I mentioned is actually the 3850 not 3750. I saw on ebuyer last week for £90, the cheapest I can see at the moment is overclockers who have one for £94.

    Give it a month or two and theyll be cheaper and hopefully you'll have saved a few quid by then.
    It's my problem, it's my problem
    If I feel the need to hide
    And it's my problem if I have no friends
    And feel I want to die


  • sahun
    sahun Posts: 303 Forumite
    Well buying 2gb will take me up to 3gb, as I have 4 slots for putting RAM in.

    Thank you for the help, and will be saving up for graphics..
    Never knock on death's door, ring the doorbell and run away ..... he hates that :mad:
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