help i am a novice lol

[G~MAN]

When it comes to computer parts and what to do with my computer i get completely confused about every thing!

At the moment i have a pretty old computer(4 or so years now!) and i want to eiver get a new one (more money) or just update the current one i've got....

i found a 'deal' with everything i need (more RAM, faste proccesor and new MOBO) as shown below

Upgrade Kit AMD 64 3500+ (S939), Motherboard, 1024MB DUAL RAM, CPU Fan


AMD Athlon 64 3500+ 2.2 GHz Socket 939, 512KB cache, BOXED

Corsair TWINX1024-3200C2 DDR-DIMM 1024MB Kit w/two matched CMX512-3200C2 DIMMs

Abit AV8 Mainboard for S939 KT800PRO,SATA,GbLAN,ATX,Dual-CH DDR


basically i want it to play games to a good and not embarrassing standard lol

I will obviously have to buy a new GFX card and do away with my old 64 one LOL!

and i take it i can hook up my MOBO with all the usb/ethernet/fireports, disk drives ect allready installed.

also if i get new RAM will i have to install XP again and little things like that ??

I will quite like a new case aswell... nothing fancy just for a change as it sits on my desk!

THANKS G~MAN

 

[Quadophile]

Don't upgrade, get a new one

 

[G~MAN]

at the moment it is cheaper for me to upgrade so i would rather do that....

is the motherboard AGP or PCI slot??

and what GFX card could you suggest for around £200? (which is useable with the MOBO) state the obvious

lol

 

[Me__2001]

the abit AV8 is AGP and good graphics cards would be a plain old 6800 or a 6600 GT/ultra i'd stick with the 6600 GT or ultra i cant remember which is best but someone will say

 

[Cache-man]

You will not have to re-install XP if you install new RAM, or even add more RAM to your System.

 

[G~MAN]

i THINK i'm taking out the old RAM in and completely replacing it with new sticks....

is xp installed to the RAM then? :S

 

[floppybootstomp]

RAM = Random Access Memory. It stores data only on a temporary basis. When you power your machine down, it loses all stored information.

Basically - install new RAM, no need to re-install OS; replace motherboard, re-install XP.

 

[Cache-man]

XP, along with all of your other programs is stored on your Hard drive (secondary memory), and is simply run on your RAM (primary memory) when your system is powered on.

 

[CSUnited14]

You wouldnt half to reinstall os if you get new mobo do you??? if my memory serves me correct you dont half to since i changed hard drives in my old computer and no problems at all

 

[CSUnited14]

oh and by the way i would recommend the msi nx6600gt comes with games that are decent bundle package is awesome check it out.

 

[floppybootstomp]

You wouldnt half to reinstall os if you get new mobo do you??? if my memory serves me correct you dont half to since i changed hard drives in my old computer and no problems at all

99% of the time, yes, you do have to do a fresh install.

Motherboard drivers will form part of your Operating System.

I have heard of people being lucky when changing out motherboards, not having to do a fresh install, but it's rare.

I was looking at the MSI 6600GT, comes with a free Riddick Game for around £118.00. 800Mhz & 400Mhz speeds. Seems good to me and it looks pretty too.

Do you have one of those then, CSUnited14?

 

[Cache-man]

I have performed a few mobo swap-outs where my OS didn't have to be re-installed, but would get the odd error.
It is always adviseable to perform a fresh install when changing a mobo though, as the mobo drivers are often unique for different mobo's.

 

[G~MAN]

cheers..

what case would you reccomend? i liked the one cache man reviewed a while back ( the EZ COOL )

is that good for my needs?

is this GFX card any good ? it seems good

Gainward Ultra 1960 Goes Like Hell (6626) GeForce 6600 GT 128MB DDR3 TV-Out/Dual DVI (AGP) - Retail (GX-022-GW)

THNX

 

[ChristopherP]

If your upgrading a 4 year old machine with high end parts, get a new PSU or you'll blow the thing up. Sorry if thats been mentioned already...

 

[G~MAN]

most cases come with a PSU i think....i think the EZ cool does... is that a good PSU for my needs?

and i want to spend £200 on a GFX card is the gainward ( above ) the one to get?

 

[ChristopherP]

Aim for at least 400w PSU - that should power everything.

Just a question - what are you NOT upgrading?!

 

[G~MAN]

:S I HAVE NO IDEA!! lol

works out £100 cheaper and i egt exactly what i want and i can use some old parts llike firewire ect and my discdrives.

spose i could sell my old parts lol for a LITTLE profit

 

[ChristopherP]

duuude.... get a TOTALLY new machine and flog your one at the moment WHOLE as a fully complete system and try and get a hundred quid for it...

 

[G~MAN]

we shall see...

any recomendations for a AGP GFX card for £200 or under, and a decent 'cheap' case like the EZ cool..(seeing as i dont buy a new one chris )

always ebay for cases at CHEAP prices so whatever case you recomend could be a maybe

 

[Belloni]

Chris that's what i have said to him to just get a new system ... stubburn is G-MAN lol hehe