What would you upgrade?

Question

Hi,

I have the following spec pc that i would like to upgrade (if its worthwhile) to a decent spec for gaming - i am not expecting cutting edge, just good enough to play games.

Windows XP
30GB Harddisc 5800rpm
256MB 133 Memory
1.2Ghz AMD Processor
On Board graphics and sound
CD Rom
CDRW

I was going to start with a new motherboard and go from there but what one do u start with? There are so many. I don't know a good one from a bad one.

I have up to £300 to spend.

Answer 1

well, i would upgrade everything. lol
but knowing ur budget of 300 euros, um
i would go with a cheap pair of 512mb sticks to make 1gb
trash or sell ur old ones.
then i would buy a new AMD Athlon processor
they are cheap, cheap, cheap!
go with either the
AMD Athlon X2 3800+ Manchester
AMD Athlon X2 4200+ Manchester
or the AMD Athlon 3800+

the XT 4200+ is a dual core 2.2ghz for 187 US dollars
on www.newegg.com
if u can buy from newegg, u will save a couple of bucks


oh, and usually i would start from the motherboard but that is only if i am buildling a whole new computer using either Intel or AMD
but i would usually upgrade the Video card and RAM
that's my top priorities
CPU is 3rd
sound card is last

Answer 2

Really depends what you want to do on a pc, play top spec games? music? spreadsheets?
I wouldnt bother upgrade your pc, your board most probably wont take that much more processor speed.
300 quid id just get a new tower keep your monitor keyboard mouse. and when you oget soem more money you can get new as in a years time you will be wanting to upgrade again and you wont have the space with your tower, with a new tower you will :)
id say
amd 3200 athlon i think is 2.8ghz compared to you 1ghz,
asus/nvidia motherboard,
2x 512mg (1gb ram)
keep the hard drive you got as a spare
install windows onto new hard drive 200gb (7200 spin speed not 5600).
half decent graphics card.
onboard sound nowdays is sufficient, my mobo has 7.1 karajan sound and is better than a soundblaster audigy.
then overclock it all up :) should get that for £300

Answer 3

The main thing to upgrade here is the amount of RAM on your PC. You may also like a larger Hard Disc drive and a DVD-ROM or DVD writer.

I don't think that you will infact need a new motherboard however without knowing more about the on board graphics I can't really say.

Answer 4

You need to check the maximum speed CPU your motherboard will accept, then buy one. Also max out the memory and get yourself a decent video card with whatever you have left.

Alternatively, buy a new PC! £300 should get you a decent box. You can keep your existing monitor, keyboard and mouse. Use your 30GB hard drive as a second drive in your new PC.

Answer 5

You can get a decent new computer for 300 pounds!

If you buy a new motherboard, you'll need to buy a new everything (except the harddisc, and CD drives)

Answer 6

Take your £300 to a local independent PC shop & you'll be suprised how good a PC you'll get for your money with out the hassle of rebuilding & you'll proberbly be able to part ex your old PC into the bargin

Answer 7

probably better to sell your base unit and buy a new base unit. You can pick up an amd 2.6gig+ based system for around £200 when they have a deal on, and i would then consider an extra 256mb ram and a seperate graphics card when you can afford it.

Answer 8

Try this link, at £115 you will be able to get a decent graphics card and still have morney for some games.
http://www.komplett.co.uk/k/ki.asp?sku=112614

Answer 9

try the cheap ones as in tesco £300 asda £287 ok specks

Answer 10

awww, Well, that should be good enough to play any ismple game but, if I were to change anything it would be the processor... 1.2 Ghz isn't enough clock speed, something with 1.8 Ghz at least