Best way to upgrade my computer?

[Adrian Laguna]

I hava a Dell Computer Corporation Dimension 2400 Desktop. Its specifications are as follows:

 

Processor:

Intel Pentium 4 CPU 2.20GHz

 

Operating System:

Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition Version - 5.1.2600

 

Local Disk:

Total Capacity - 74.47 GB

Used - 20.52 GB

Free - 53.94 GB

 

Memory:

256 MB

Maximum Memory - 1 GB

Architecture - DDR SDRAM

Connectors - 2 (both in use)

 

Video Card:

Intel 82845G/GL/GE/PE/GV Graphics Controller

 

Expansion Bus:

Bus Type - PCI

Bus Speed - 33 MHz

Connectors - 3

Connector Size - 120 pins

Connector Maximum Data Width - 32 bits

 

I think that is all you need to know.

 

I suspect this is a very stupid question, but I am very ignorant in this matter:

Should I upgrade RAM to 512 (or higher), or get a new video card?

 

There are budget limitations regarding the upgrades, I am not paying more than $120 US, enough to afford an ATI RADEON 9200 128MB DDR AGP Graphics Card (which I think is not compatible with my computer). This is coming out of my own pocket and is going to leave me broke for a while, so it better be worth my money, or there will be bloodshed. A less arrogant way to put it: My birthday is not until next December, so please recommend something worthwhile.

[ohGr]

avoid the radeon 9200 cards, either get a radeon 9000, which is cheaper (i got one for $145 australian dollars, 128mb ddr, pixel shaders, vertex shaders, the lot)

 

or, if you can, shell out for a 9600, just a normall generic 9600, but avoid nVidia, they've been quite dissapointing recently, stick with Radeon, they have the best cards, and you can get a good one for a good price

 

EDIT

 

dont worry about the Ram, their cheap, and you can get another stick later on, your main priority is a video card right now, your processor is more than capable to run anything,

[Stormscape]

Is there an AGP slot on the motherboard? it would be thetop slot, and would be above the PCI slots, usually a different colour from them.

[ohGr]

yeah, its like the lowerest slot in the motherboard, youll recignoise the motherboard...its a big mother....board.

 

but yeah, check the manual for the motherboard to see if it has a AGP slot...if your unsure and willing to blow more money, check with a specialist. (dont)

[Baphomet]

A video card is definitely in order. More memory wouldn't hurt either if you've got the cash for it. I'm assuming your FSB speed (33) is a typo that should have read "333"?

 

As for video card suggestions, IMO, one of the best deals out there would be a Radeon/ATI 9600 Pro. For about $150 you're getting a LOT of card. If that's more than your budget allows drop down to a plain vanilla 9600. The rest of your set up (processor and such) seems pretty solid.

 

A decent video card should be priorty one, and another memory stick, priority two.

[Adrian Laguna]

I listed all the expansion bus specifications from the Specifications section of the owner's manual. There was no mention of an AGP slot, and the bus speed is not a typo, at least not on my part.

I suppose an AGP slot is needed in order to get a decent graphics card, right?

*Adrian is suddenly filled with an overwhelming sense of dread*

Are those expensive? As in "$200, a quarter liter of blood, and my left nut" expensive.

[Baphomet]

My mistake... I thought you were referring to your Front Side Bus as being 33Mhz; and that's just unpossible.

 

You COULD get a PCI video card, but if your motherboard supports AGP, then there's no point in going the PCI route. AGP = Advanced Graphics Port, and they don't call it that for nuthin' honey. If you want to play 3D games you're going to have an AGP card. End of story.

 

As for cost, well you can get dirt cheap AGP cards, since the term "AGP" really only refers to the interface type. I was running along nicely on an nVida MX440 for a long time (that I paid about $80 for three years ago), but then along came Morrowind, and I knew it was time for something better.

 

Depending on your budget, I might suggest either a GeForce FX5200 (nVidia card) or a Radeon 9200 (ATI card). Both can be had for less than $100 on "NewEgg.com". Either one of those would play MW nicely. These are NOT absolute, cutting-edge-tech cards mind you - they're good, solid cards that offer pretty darn good performance for your what you're dishing out.

 

EDIT: Found a heck of deal on good ol' New Egg:

 

GAINWARD GeForce4 TI4200 Video Card, 64MB DDR, 128-bit, DVI/TV-Out, 4X AGP, Model "GeForce4 PowerPack! Ultra/650 TV/DVI GS" - $89.00 RETAIL

 

- Specifications -

Chipset/Core Speed: GeForce4 TI4200/270MHz ...... :!: Nice!

Memory/Effective Speed: 64MB DDR/570MHz ...... :!: Holy cow!!

BUS: AGP 1X/2X/4X

Ports: VGA Out(15 Pin D-Sub)+TV-Out(S-Video)+DVI connector

Support 3D API: DirectX®8.1, OpenGL®1.3

Cable/Accessories: 1 Cable, 2 CD, Manual

Max Resolution@32bit Color: 2048X1536@60Hz

Retail Box (See pics for details)

 

Model#: GF4PP Ultra/650TV GS

Item#: N82E16814128133

 

Only problem is that only carries 64Mb of memory... Still, it's fast!

[Adrian Laguna]

I was refering to the AGP connection itself being expensive, my motherboard has none, or at least the owner manual does not mention any. I don't think it is possible to get and install one into my computer's motherboard. That card you mentioned looks good, but OhGr insists nVidia cards are not as good as ATI cards, and I can afford a Radeon 9600 (but it will require waiting longer to buy Deus Ex 2).

[ohGr]

oh shlizen, deus ex 2, this game can make a computer get down on its knees and beg for mercy, my friends p4 1.6, 1gig DDR ram, 80gig 10,000rpm kingston HD, radeon 9700 256mb ddr, he throws everything on, shadows, high everything, 1600x1200 with 2x anti aliasing and 16x anistropic filtering, and it begins to drop under 30fps in areas with many people, my strong suggestion, considering your CPU and all, save up for a radeon 9600 or even a 9700, both will do you justice, and as i said, avoid nVidia right now, if your willing to wait, then wait till their next line of cards, because the fx series just brought them a little closer to radeons card range, still beaten as well, although, if you wish to play doom 3 then go with nVidia, just avoid the fx series or mx series, if you with to play half-life 2 (cough, crap, cough) then go for an ATI radeon 9600...you know why, because they come with a free copy of them, well, not right now, they come with a peice of paper saying you can get that game for free for buying the video card, but id wait personally.

[Zmid]

I was refering to the AGP connection itself being expensive, my motherboard has none, or at least the owner manual does not mention any. I don't think it is possible to get and install one into my computer's motherboard. That card you mentioned looks good, but OhGr insists nVidia cards are not as good as ATI cards, and I can afford a Radeon 9600 (but it will require waiting longer to buy Deus Ex 2).

One way to find out - look on your motherboard. A typical motherboard looks something like below (here it is orientated so the back of the board is at the top of the picture)

 

http://www.chaintech.com.tw/tw/images/Products/Motherboard/7NJS_L.jpg

 

The yellow slots on the top left are the PCI slots (they may be white on your board) and the offset brown slot to the right of these is the AGP slot. If you have a similar slot in the same position on your board, you have an AGP slot of some kind. If you have any more problems, see if you can find the make and model (normally printed on the front of the motherboard manual if nowhere else) and post it and I'm sure either me or someone else can find out for you.

 

EDIT: Thought I'd better add that sometimes shop bought systems warranties are invalidated if you open the case, so I'd check if that's true with your PC, and, if so, if it's still within its warranty before you open it up.