Upgrade recommendations

[ARDelta]

I'm looking to upgrade my PC for gaming. I'm not much up on hardware these days, so I'm looking for suggestions. What should I upgrade first, and what do you recommend I upgrade to? Here's what I got.

Pentium 4 1.8GHz

512MB RAM

Nvidia GeForce2 MX100/200

Western Digital 70 GB

SoundMax Intergrated Digital Audio (Analog Devices, Inc.)

Thanks for any suggestions.

[firefly2442]

I would think the video card but I'm not much of an upgrade person.

[Crimson]

For starters, the video card. After that I'd have to say your CPU, which depends on what your mobo can support. After those two (or three) I would look at a nice Audigy 2 ZS then a decent set of speakers.

[Dannik]

Video card, definately.

Next, get off the onboard sound. A Phillips Acoustic Edge sound card (if you can find `em) or an Audigy/Audigy 2 as a cheap upgrade.

Processor is tied with RAM for #3, but frankly, they are low on the list from the rest of your specs.

One thing you didn't mention is what motherboard you have? Sometimes you can get a heck of a lot more performance by an MB upgrade.

[firefly2442]

I would look at a nice Audigy 2 ZS

That got an excellent review.

[CR6]

The other major question is what is your budget for your upgrade?

I agree with the guys that no matter what the budget, the video card needs upgrading first.

I used to have a similar system (P4 1.7 which my bro now has) with a GeForce 3 that ran pretty well.

Note: If you find out that your motherboard only supports 133MHz front-side bus, then I think there is no point upgrading your CPU. You would be better off upgrading your mobo/CPU together sometime in the future.

I'd only get a better sound card if you are willing to buy some good speakers

[McNamee]

How do you find out what mobo you have? I looked everywhere in device manager...

[BlueRose_76]

How do you find out what mobo you have?  I looked everywhere in device manager...

I always check the box that came along with it

Edited April 9, 2004 by BlueRose_76

[McNamee]

Yea, i got that somewhere, soomeewheeree.....

[ARDelta]

This is probably opening a can of worms, but what are recommended vid cards for <=$200. (Preferably <=$150).

As far as the mobo goes, it came in a big metal box that says Compaq on the outside.

[Crimson]

For under $200, the nVidia FX 5900XT. For under $150, I'd have to guess the Radeon 9800SE. The PowerColor version of the 9800SE, from what I've read, is easy to softmod... meaning you open up an additional 4 pipelines, creating a 9800 Pro for $80 less.

[CR6]

How do you find out what mobo you have? I looked everywhere in device manager...

If you don't have your mobo box/manual, download the SiSoft Sandra utility. It's one of the best things you can use to find out what's on your computer and benchmark it

http://www.sisoftware.net/

Here's a good download site:

http://download.guru3d.com/sandra/

Once you install it, click "Mainboard Information" and post your results here.

[ARDelta]

If you don't have your mobo box/manual, download the SiSoft Sandra utility. It's one of the best things you can use to find out what's on your computer and benchmark it.

Cool, thanks CR6. I'll check that out when I get home.

[ARDelta]

SiSoftware Sandra

System

Manufacturer : Compaq

Model : 5430US

Version : C01BDABB

System Chassis

Manufacturer : Compaq

Type : Desktop

Can be locked : No

Serial Number : 3D1CKKLNT0J5

Asset Tag : 3D1CKKLNT0J5

Boot-up State : Safe

Power State : Safe

Thermal State : Safe

Mainboard

Manufacturer : Compaq

MP Support : 1 CPU(s)

MPS Version : 1.40

Model : 0784h

Serial Number : 3D1CKKLNT0J5

System Memory Controller

Location : Mainboard

Error Correction Capability : None

Number of Memory Slots : 2

Maximum Installable Memory : 2GB

Bank 1 - XMM1 : JEDEC ID:2C 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 16VDDT3264AG-265A1 EEE21A5B DIMM Synchronous SDRAM 256MB/64 @ 266Mt/s

Bank 2 - XMM2 : JEDEC ID:2C 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 16VDDT3264AG-265A1 05E41A5B DIMM Synchronous SDRAM 256MB/64 @ 266Mt/s

FLASH Memory Controller

Location : Mainboard

Error Correction Capability : None

Number of Memory Slots : 1

Bank 3 - XU15 : Chip Non-Volatile FLASH 512kB/4

Chipset 1

Model : Intel Corporation 82845MP Brookdale Host-Hub Interface Bridge (B0-step)

Bus(es) : X-Bus AGP PCI IMB USB FireWire/1394 i2c/SMBus

Front Side Bus Speed : 4x 100MHz (400MHz data rate)

Maximum FSB Speed / Max Memory Speed : 4x 100MHz / 2x 133MHz

Width : 64-bit

IO Queue Depth : 12 request(s)

Chipset 1 Hub Interface

Type : Hub-Interface

Version : 1.00

Number of Ports : 1

Width : 8-bit

Full Duplex : Yes

Multiplier : 1/1x

Speed : 4x 66MHz (264MHz data rate)

Logical/Chipset 1 Memory Banks

Bank 0 : 128MB DDR-SDRAM 2.5-3-3-6CL 1CMD

Bank 1 : 128MB DDR-SDRAM 2.5-3-3-6CL 1CMD

Bank 2 : 128MB DDR-SDRAM 2.5-3-3-6CL 1CMD

Bank 3 : 128MB DDR-SDRAM 2.5-3-3-6CL 1CMD

Speed : 2x 133MHz (266MHz data rate)

Multiplier : 4/3x

Width : 64-bit

Refresh Rate : 15.60µs

Power Save Mode : No

Fixed Hole Present : No

APIC 1

Version : 2.00

Speed : 16MHz

Multiplier : 1/2x

Maximum Interrupts : 24

IRQ Handler Engaged : Yes

Enhanced Support : No

Memory Module(s)

Memory Module 1 : Micron 16VDDT3264AG-265A1 5B1AE2EE 256MB 16x(16Mx8) DDR-SDRAM PC2100U-2533-750 (CL2.5 up to 133MHz) (CL2 up to 100MHz)

Memory Module 2 : Micron 16VDDT3264AG-265A1 5B1AE405 256MB 16x(16Mx8) DDR-SDRAM PC2100U-2533-750 (CL2.5 up to 133MHz) (CL2 up to 100MHz)

Environment Monitor 1

Model : AD ADM1028 SMB

Version : 0.02

Mainboard Specific Support : No

Temperature Sensor(s)

Board Temperature : 45.0°C / 113.0°F td

CPU Temperature : 64.0°C / 147.2°F td

AGP Bus(es) on Hub 1

Version : 2.00

Speed : 4x 66MHz (264MHz data rate)

Multiplier : 1/2x

Fast-Writes Enabled : No

Fast-Writes Support : Yes

Side Band Enabled : No

Side Band Support : Yes

Aperture Size : 64MB

PCI Bus(es) on Hub 1

Version : 2.20

Number of Bridges : 2

PCI Bus 0 : PCI (33MHz)

PCI Bus 2 : PCI (33MHz)

Multiplier : 1/3x

LPC Hub Controller 1

Model : Intel Corporation 82801BA LPC Interface (ICH2 B5 step)

ACPI Power Management Enabled : Yes

Delayed Transaction Enabled : Yes

LPC Legacy Controller 1

Type : SMSC LPC v1

Version : 6D.00

Number of Enabled Devices : 5

USB Controller 1

Model : Compaq Computer Corp (Now owned by Hewlett-Packard) 82801BA/BAM USB Controller #1 (ICH2/ICH2-M B5 step)

Version : 1.10

Interface : UHCI

Channels : 2

Speed : 48MHz

Supported Speed(s) : Low (1.5Mbps) Full (12Mbps)

Legacy Emulation Enabled : No

USB Controller 2

Model : Compaq Computer Corp (Now owned by Hewlett-Packard) 82801BA/BAM USB Controller #2 (ICH2/ICH2-M B5 step)

Version : 1.10

Interface : UHCI

Channels : 2

Speed : 48MHz

Supported Speed(s) : Low (1.5Mbps) Full (12Mbps)

Legacy Emulation Enabled : No

FireWire/1394 Controller 1

Model : Accton Technology Corp TSB12LV26 OHCI Compliant FireWire Controller

Version : 1.00

Interface : OHCI

Enhanced Support : Yes

Channels : 64

Speed : 400MHz

System SMBus Controller 1

Model : Intel 801xx SMBus

Version : 0.05

Slave Device Enabled : Yes

Speed : 16kHz

Expansion Slot(s)

AGP Slot J40 : AGP-4x 32-bit +3.3V Half-Length Used

PCI Slot 1: J20 (1h) : PCI 32-bit +5V PME i2c/SMBus Half-Length Used (Intel Corporation 82845 Brookdale Host-AGP Bridge (B0-step))

PCI Slot 2: J21 (2h) : PCI 32-bit +5V PME i2c/SMBus Half-Length Used

PCI Slot 3: J22 (3h) : PCI 32-bit +5V PME i2c/SMBus Half-Length Available

Port Connector

COM A - COM A : Serial Port 16550A - 9 Pin Dual Inline / DB-9 pin male

COM B - COM B : Serial Port 16550A - 9 Pin Dual Inline / DB-9 pin male

PAR - PAR : Parallel Port ECP/EPP - 25 Pin Dual Inline / DB-25 pin female

USB 1 - USB 1 : USB - USB / USB

USB 2 - USB 2 : USB - USB / USB

KBD - KBD : Keyboard - PS/2 / PS/2

MOUSE - MOUSE : Mouse - PS/2 / PS/2

CD-AUDIO IN 1 : Audio - CD-ROM Sound Input / None

TV & DVD Audio In : Audio - CD-ROM Sound Input / None

P20:Primary IDE : None - ATA / None

P21:Secondary IDE : None - ATA / None

P10:Floppy : None - Floppy Disk / None

J13 - Line I/O: MIC : MIDI - None / Mini-DIN

J15 - Line I/O: Line In : MIDI - None / Mini-DIN

J13 - HeadPhone & Line Out : MIDI - None / Mini-DIN

P9: NIC : None - None / None

Chassis Fan : None - None / None

P6: Speaker : None - None / None

Performance Tips

Notice 224 : SMBIOS/DMI information may be inaccurate.

Warning 2507 : Mainboard has too few memory slots. Upgrading the memory may be difficult or expensive.

Warning 2508 : All memory slots are full. Upgrading the memory may be difficult or expensive.

Tip 2 : Double-click tip or press Enter while a tip is selected for more information about the tip.

[KRP 56]

I would look at a nice Audigy 2 ZS

That got an excellent review.

I've seen the Audigy 2 on sale much cheaper than the 2 ZS and unless your going to buy a set of 7.1 speakers you really don't need the 2 ZS sound card for gaming.

[Crimson]

Ah, didn't know you had a prebuilt system.

I would suggest starting with a new mobo/CPU combo. You'd probably need a new case, because companies like COMPAQ/HP don't make standard ATX cases.

Edit - Actually, I ment to say get a new video card first, then move onto the mobo/CPU.

Edited April 9, 2004 by Crimson

[ghostie]

Ah, didn't know you had a prebuilt system.

I would suggest starting with a new mobo/CPU combo. You'd probably need a new case, because companies like COMPAQ/HP don't make standard ATX cases.

Edit - Actually, I ment to say get a new video card first, then move onto the mobo/CPU.

In fact unplug your old system and take it to the gun range and use it for target practice. Just start from scratch and build a good one. will be cheaper than what you paid for the compaq

[Crimson]

In fact unplug your old system and take it to the gun range and use it for target practice.

Normally I'd agree, especially regarding COMPAQ's... as they were my first experiance with computers. *shudder*

But I'd advise you to keep it. You never know when you'll need it.

[McNamee]

How do you find out what mobo you have?  I looked everywhere in device manager...

If you don't have your mobo box/manual, download the SiSoft Sandra utility. It's one of the best things you can use to find out what's on your computer and benchmark it

http://www.sisoftware.net/

Here's a good download site:

http://download.guru3d.com/sandra/

Once you install it, click "Mainboard Information" and post your results here.

Cheers, will let you know, then you can help me with my AGP problem

[CR6]

Here's one of the many Nvidia vs ATI shootouts for budget cards:

http://www.legionhardware.com/html/doc.php?id=295

GeForceFX 5700 Ultra vs. Radeon 9600XT ... interesting what they have to say about R9600's better visual quality.

[Crimson]

You mean 9600XT vs 5900XT.

Out of all the reviews out there, I still refer to, and regard this one as the best.

[CR6]

You mean 9600XT vs 5900XT.

Doh!

Thanks for catching that ;-) Time to go to bed ...

[ARDelta]

Does anyone have any idea if a new (non-Compaq) power supply would fit in my Compaq case? Thanks!

[WhiteKnight77]

Most likely not and the plugs wiring may not be exactly like the Compaqs. Plugging in a regular ATX plug into the motherboard, even though it fits properly, could quite possibly fry everything the second you try to power up.

If you are needing a new PSU, it is time to consider upgrading to a custom built ATX style PC that you can upgrade when needed.

[WickedWeasel]

I debated building a new pc for months. I did all the question asking, pricing parts on the web, and at local shops around town. I ended up buying a built to my specs XPS gaming system through dell. No hassel...and a really kick ass gaming rig.