What suggestions do you have to get my computer upgraded and up to date?

Question

I have a Sony Vaio running Windows XP version 2002, Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.40GHz 2.39 GHz, 480 MB of RAM also have about 80gb of storage with about 50gb left. I'm a drafter and run AutoCad and also would like to get into Movie editing....any suggestions in upgrading the PC I have now would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

Movie Editing really requires more ram. You should upgrade to 1gb RAM, because 480mb will get you nowhere. You should also get a good graphics card if you don't already have one (you didn't specify what kind of card you have). If 80gb is enough space for you, good, but if you need more I would consider getting an external harddrive. Also, you want a crisp monitor if you're going to be doing a lot of movie editing and watching.

Answer 2

Benjo, how you upgrade your computer highly depends upon what kind of CAD work you do and what kind of video editing you want to do. RAM is the first solution, so go get 2 gigs worth. The second option will be your video card. If your doing CAD work using AutoCAD make sure you buy a card that supports AutoCAD hardware acceleration. You can find this list at the AutoDesk website. However, you only really need this if your doing 3D work in CAD. If your doing mostly 2D work, I would focus on getting a faster processor, since the processor does most of the calculations. And yes, you will need a larger hard drive after you have a few movies on your drive.

Eh, just go out and buy a new system....lol. Because after you buy all that you might need a bigger power supply or motherboard and then your just stuck.

Answer 3

With the cost of today's computers, it rarely worth the time, money, and frustration associated with upgrading. Most times it's a whole lot CHEAPER to buy a new system than it would be to upgrade, unless you are talking about just bumping up your RAM and maybe throwing in another HD.

When you are ready to buy a new system, go to www.stupidcheapcomputers.net. I buy all of my stuff from them, and everything is Vista ready.

Microsoft is about to release its latest operating system, Vista, in January. It’s going to make all of these “bargain” computers nothing but JUNK as soon as it’s released. The reason that you are seeing so many cheap systems on the market right now is because a lot of them CAN’T RUN Vista and the merchants are trying to dump them as hard and fast as they can before Vista shows up and everyone learns what a piece of crap they were sold for $500 (or whatever).

Anyway, I bought a complete, new system from stupidcheapcomputers.net with a warranty for LESS than it would cost me to build it myself or order a custom one from the manufacturer. You can use my frequent buyer code: ATX926. That will get an additional 10% discount at checkout.

I have NEVER had any problems with anything that they have sold me and their customer service is outstanding. Those guys blow my mind.

Good luck!

Answer 4

Your CPU is an particularly intense end processor, so this is going to likely be sturdy for a at the same time as. Your video card is numerous generations previous and is the bottleneck of your gadget. RAM is sturdy, 4GB is adequate for something for something presently (apart from some heavy video rendering) in case you desire a sturdy video card, evaluate a AMD Radeon 6850/70 or a nVidia GTX 560 (Ti) ascertain you've a minimum of a 500W skill provide in case you want to apply those video playing cards. those are the proper cost playing cards, in case you seem at it in a cost to performance ratio. EDIT : Jim, 1156 makes use of H55, P55, Q57 chipsets. The memory configuration is twin channel,not triple channel. Socket 1366 makes use of triple channel and makes use of X58. The i3 500 sequence, i5 600/seven-hundred sequence and i7 800 sequence use socket 1156 and the H55/P55/Q57 chipsets. The 900 sequence i7's use 1366 and X58. Triple channel memory will paintings completely tremendous in a gadget with a twin channel memory configuration. The slots will be used up inconsistently, in spite of the indisputable fact that this is going to easily run at unmarried channel mode in case you do not positioned the RAM contained in the most perfect slots.

Answer 5

Max out you ram,upgrade your video card if possible to what you can afford and opt for a Western Digital serial ata hard drive with as much space as you can afford.Your processor speed is adequate.If you want a new computer stick with a Pentium chip,use Corsair ram with a speed to match your motherboard and the best video card you can afford.Get the WD Raptor hard drive and your off!

Answer 6

Well more RAM for one CAD takes up alot.get to at least a gigabyte.Im not sure about your proceesor as you list two speeds. is it a duo? or just one. either way its probably enough. how about your video card?most computers come with a 128 MB card. you'll need either a 256 or a 512. but a 512 isnt cheap.

Answer 7

Get 512 more RAM, and a faster video card, check out Auto Cads website for a recommendation on the card.

Answer 8

Buy more ram-- it is the cheapest upgrade you can buy and it will immensely speed up your computer. Buy the largest amount of ram you can afford and your computer will hold-- but remember that your computer usually has 2 slots, so you have to split the maximum amount of ram your computer can hold into 2 parts and that will give the max each slot can hold.