Upgrading an older computer

RTB

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Upgrading an older computer

« on: September 17, 2004, 04:58:29 AM »

I'm tired of slow performance on the old comp.

This is what's currently in/on/around it:
P3 1 GHz *
TNT2 videocard *
384 (128+256) MB RAM
Unknown motherboard (will look up which one, it was expensive back then) *
SB live!
DVD player
CD/RW (re)writer
17' Monitor

My sis wants to spend about 50 euro on improving one of the star signed things. On the other 2 I'll spend about 100 euros for upgrading those.
As this is an old comp, I can't go and see what's the best out there, since that's pointless. Instead, I get to ask it here

(note: I'm not sure if spending money online is possible. I need to get PayPal for that I suppose, which might be deemed a bad idea by my dad, and he'd ban me from the new comp again)


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Quote from: Scud

The other day, in the park, I was wondering why frisbees look bigger and bigger as they get closer to you

And then it hit me

Click me. Or be diminished; one by one.

luwigie

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Upgrading an older computer

« Reply #1 on: September 17, 2004, 06:13:10 AM »

Yeah, I rembember the days when I didn't have a charge card, and I had to use paypal.

Do you game? If not, then there really is no reason to upgrade your video card.

Can you please post what your mobo is, so I can recommend a CPU upgrade? I'm sure that it's a socket 370 mother board, and it can probably hande a 1.2 GHz Tualatin. I can't be sure though until you post your mobo type.

Also, do you multi-task much? 384 megs of RAM really isn't too bad. Your mother board probably supports PC133 DIMMS, so another 128 megs (most mother boards have three slots for RAM these days) should be relatively easy/cheap to obtain.

Please post your mother board model, so we all can help you more.


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RTB

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Upgrading an older computer

« Reply #2 on: September 17, 2004, 07:15:55 AM »

I game alot.

This is the motherboard, thank god for AIDA

Gigabyte GA-6OXM7

Front Side Bus Eigenschappen
Bus Type   Intel GTL+
Bus Breedte   64 bit
Werkelijke kloksnelheid   133 MHz
Effectieve kloksnelheid   133 MHz
Bandbreedte   1067 MB/s

Geheugenbus-Eigenschappen
Bus Type   SDR SDRAM
Bus Breedte   64 bit
Werkelijke kloksnelheid   133 MHz
Effectieve kloksnelheid   133 MHz
Bandbreedte   1067 MB/s

Chipsetbus-Eigenschappen
Bus Type   Intel Hub Interface
Bus Breedte   8 bit
Werkelijke kloksnelheid   67 MHz (QDR)
Effectieve kloksnelheid   267 MHz
Bandbreedte   267 MB/s

Moederbord Technische Informatie
CPU Sockets/Slots   1
Expansie Slots   6 PCI, 1 AGP, 1 AMR
RAM Slots   3 DIMM
Geïntegreerde apparaten   Audio, Video
Groottefactor(Form Factor)   ATX
Moederbord Chipset   i815

Edit: First problem found: AGP is disabled Shocked


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Quote from: Scud

The other day, in the park, I was wondering why frisbees look bigger and bigger as they get closer to you

And then it hit me

Click me. Or be diminished; one by one.

luwigie

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Upgrading an older computer

« Reply #3 on: September 17, 2004, 08:26:10 AM »

*goes to look up the english specifications for this mo-bo*
http://tw.giga-byte.com/MotherBoard/Products/Products_GA-6OXM7.htm

This board will support up to a 1.266 GHz P3 tualatin. I don't think that it is worth the cost (http://www.pricewatch.com/h/prc.aspx?i=3&a=4377&f=1) to upgrade just 266 MHz. You should look into getting another mother board if you really want to upgrade the Processor. Possibly you could upgrade to a very inxpensive Athlon XP 2800 or 3000 as both are a little less expensive than the 1.266GHz P3 tualatin. (which means that you will have a couple extra dollars left to help buy a new motherboard) (http://www.pricewatch.com/m/mn.aspx?i=3&f=1)

As for the video card: I think it is relatively pointless to upgrade the video card if you don't upgrade the processor as it won't be able to pump enough data to keep the video card happy.

My advice to you, is to either upgrade the processor and wait a while for the video card (if you don't have enough money for both right now) or do both. Whatever you do, upgrade your processor first as that will show the most improvement.

You should look into an NForce 3 based mother board if you are going to be using Athlon XPs. I like Asus and MSI.


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Swimmer

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Upgrading an older computer

« Reply #4 on: September 17, 2004, 09:08:25 AM »

Here is what I think that you should do...

Intel Option:
Celeron "320" @2.4 GHz 533 fsb $77.00

Shuttle "AV49VN" P4X400 Chipset Motherboard for Intel Socket 478 CPU
Specifications:
Supported CPU: Socket 478 Intel Pentium 4/Celeron Processors
Chipset: VIA P4X400 + VIA VT8235
FSB: 400/533MHz
RAM: 3x DIMM for DDR400/333/266/200 Max 3GB(1 DIMM to support DDR400)
IDE: 2x ATA 133 up to 4 Devices
Slots: 1x AGP 8X, 5x PCI
Ports: 2xPS2,1xCOM,1xLPT,6xUSB2.0(Rear 2),1xLAN,1xGAME,Audio Ports
Onboard Audio: 2-Channel AC97 Audio
Onboard LAN: VIA VT6103 10/100Mbps Fast Ethernet
Form Factor: ATX
$50.00

Rosewill ATI Radeon 9600 128mb 8x $67.00

All you have to add is memory.. DIMM.. not SDRAM!!

AMD option:
Sempron 2400+ 1.667 GHz $66.00

Shuttle "AN35N-Ultra" nForce2 Ultra 400 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket A
Specifications:
Supported CPU: Socket A AMD Athlon XP/Athlon/Duron Processors
Chipset: nVIDIA nForce2 Ultra 400 + MCP
FSB: 200/266/333/400MHz
RAM: 3x DIMM for DDR400/333/266/200 Max 3GB
IDE: 2x UltraDMA 133 up to 4 Devices
Slots: 1x AGP 8X, 5x PCI
Ports: 2xPS2,1xLPT,2xCOM,1xLAN,6xUSB2.0(Rear 2),1xGAME,Audio Ports
Onboard Audio: Realtek ALC650 5.1 Channel Codec
Onboard LAN: Realtek 8201BL 10/100M
$55.00

Same Graphics and Ram..

These prices are in US dollars.. so it would be a little cheaper in euros..
Form Factor: ATX


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luwigie

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Upgrading an older computer

« Reply #5 on: September 17, 2004, 09:20:35 AM »

That is a pretty good graphics card for the money...

I think of those two options, you would be more happy with the AMD system. Celeron's are relatively wimpy in my opinion.

The only problem with doing any upgrade for you, is that you would have to buy all new RAM. You would have to upgrade to DDR 333 or 400...

If you have the cash to spend now, which it doesn't seem as though you do, is 64bit computing something that you want to get into? It can be had for a little bit more...


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RTB

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Upgrading an older computer

« Reply #6 on: September 17, 2004, 09:42:12 AM »

Remember, I want to spend about 150 euros (perhaps 200, if the memory has to go as well) to get this one more speedy. So getting the newest stuff is pointless, plus there's already one new (and much faster) computer here. I only use it if I must tho, bloody thing loves to restart.

I could buy a whole new comp if I had too, but since I'm dutch and need to save as much as possible for something really expensive, I just want to get as much as possible out this oldie for just 150 euros.

Turning AGP on ASAP btw... which is after the weekend. I'll be gone during the weekend Shocked


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Quote from: Scud

The other day, in the park, I was wondering why frisbees look bigger and bigger as they get closer to you

And then it hit me

Click me. Or be diminished; one by one.

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Upgrading an older computer

« Reply #7 on: September 17, 2004, 11:55:14 AM »

I would spend 150 Euro on a secondhand videocard here

http://www.tweakers.net/aanbod/cat/49/a

and buy more RAM for 50 Euro

VanBuren


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RTB

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Upgrading an older computer

« Reply #8 on: September 22, 2004, 09:23:24 AM »

Right... Well, she's not gonna spend cash on that sorta stuff, knowing her.

How about a router? The current one is as dumb as the rear-end of a donkey, dumber even. It gives all bandwidth to the computer plugged in first (not mine) whenever it accesses the internet. This means I have no internet as soon as someone is on that comp, since my sis is always browsing, and has MSN always on. My dad downloads, and downloads, and downloads.
If I were to switch them around, they wouldn't notice it at all, except that I would get banned from internet forever.
Any tips on what brand I need to get?

And how to turn on that damn AGP, couldn't find any setting at all.


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Quote from: Scud

The other day, in the park, I was wondering why frisbees look bigger and bigger as they get closer to you

And then it hit me

Click me. Or be diminished; one by one.

luwigie

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Upgrading an older computer

« Reply #9 on: September 22, 2004, 09:26:58 AM »

It's in the BIOS, if you indeed do have an agp slot. If your are currently using AGP, then it is obviously enabled.


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Swimmer

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« Reply #10 on: September 22, 2004, 07:27:51 PM »

for the router get a dlink or linksys.. stay away from microsoft at all cost.. No matter how get the deal may seem!! Netgear is also a good choice.. just look around..


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RTB

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« Reply #11 on: September 22, 2004, 10:06:28 PM »

Quote from: luwigie

It's in the BIOS, if you indeed do have an agp slot. If your are currently using AGP, then it is obviously enabled.

Either the videocard is plugged in a pci slot, or the BIOS is too outdated for AGP. AIDA claims it's off, and I didn't find the setting for AGP. It could also be that I just missed it. Confused


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Quote from: Scud

The other day, in the park, I was wondering why frisbees look bigger and bigger as they get closer to you

And then it hit me

Click me. Or be diminished; one by one.

luwigie

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Upgrading an older computer

« Reply #12 on: September 23, 2004, 05:31:35 AM »

Quote from: RTB

Quote from: luwigie

It's in the BIOS, if you indeed do have an agp slot. If your are currently using AGP, then it is obviously enabled.

Either the videocard is plugged in a pci slot, or the BIOS is too outdated for AGP. AIDA claims it's off, and I didn't find the setting for AGP. It could also be that I just missed it. Confused

Are you sure that your motherboard even has an AGP slot? It's usually the closest slot to the processor, above all of the others, and is a bit longer.

Also, video cards are either designed for PCI, or AGP. You can't take a video card that is set up for PCI and plug it into an AGP slot.


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RTB

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« Reply #13 on: September 23, 2004, 07:34:44 AM »

Quote from: luwigie

Are you sure that your motherboard even has an AGP slot? It's usually the closest slot to the processor, above all of the others, and is a bit longer.

It has one AGP slot, and the card is AGP. It just isn't enabled for some strange reason.

The memory is SDRAM, which is bad. Two sticks, one 256, one 128, both different brands.


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Quote from: Scud

The other day, in the park, I was wondering why frisbees look bigger and bigger as they get closer to you

And then it hit me

Click me. Or be diminished; one by one.

luwigie

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Posts: 216

Upgrading an older computer

« Reply #14 on: September 23, 2004, 08:02:58 AM »

I am pretty sure that your mother board only supports standard PC 133 SDRAM, and not DDR.

Apparently some form of AGP is enabled if you are seeing this post right now... When you system first starts up press del, f1, or f2 to get into the bios. It's probably in Integrated Pheripherals if you have the most popular bios company on your board...

Download Belarc system advisor and see what it says about AGP.


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