Upgrade help

Ok right,when it comes to upgrading computers i don't really understand at all,i'm only any good when it comes to actually using them.But anyway i want to perform some upgrades such as graphics card and processor,but my motherboard isn't to good really well it only supports processors up to the speed of 2.4 ghz and well my computer is a couple of years old and well technology moves fast-Well what i really need to know is-will upgrading my motherboard mean i need to completely change everything else or is there a decent enough motherboard that will work with whats in my computer at the moment?bacically i'm very confused If a full summary of my computers specs is needed just say.Thanks.

yes i will need the specs

When changing the mobo, depending on how old the system is, you may need to get new RAM and while you're at it you might be interested in getting a new processor although this is not always required.

you should be ok with everything, assuming that your upgrading the CPU also, but I would check to make sure the RAM will work with the new mobo, also before you start changing things out remember ESD (electrostatic discharge) its not just an urban legend, I've seen it kill computers before.

yikes esd was my last pcs fate

Alin.s said:

yes i will need the specs

Click to expand...

Ok,
P4 processor 1.8 ghz >want to upgrade to around 2.6ghz-2.8ghz
RAM (SDRAM i think)-384 MB > i want 512MB
Graphics-64MB Geforce 2 >would like a card with 128 to improve my games
The motherboard is based on the Intel i845 chipset (according to the manuel )
Those are the sort of main things, i think-hope it helps.

Well I'm not entirely sure but I think that mobo is for NorthwoodA systems and they stop at P4A-2.4 so thats the last of the upgrade stop unless you want to get a new mobo too.

If i get a new motherboard which i think i will for definate now,does it affect things such as my dvd drive? Oh and any reccomendations of good motherboards?

i like that computer very good as a beginning.
are you willing to get a new motherboard if yes then AMD Opterion is the way to go.
get a load of these nvidia 128 Mbs
GeForce4 Ti 4800 Vertices per Second:
Fill Rate:
Operations per Second:
Memory Bandwidth:
Maximum Memory:

GeForce4 Ti 4800 SE Vertices per Second:
Fill Rate:
Operations per Second:
Memory Bandwidth:
Maximum Memory:

GeForce4 Ti 4200 Vertices per Second:
w/ AGP 8X Fill Rate:
Operations per Second:
Memory Bandwidth:
Maximum Memory:

GeForce4 Ti 4600 Vertices per Second:
Fill Rate:
Operations per Second:
Memory Bandwidth:
Maximum Memory:

GeForce4 Ti 4400 Vertices per Second:
Fill Rate:
Operations per Second:
Memory Bandwidth:
Maximum Memory:

GeForce4 Ti 4200 Vertices per Second:
Fill Rate:
Operations per Second:
Memory Bandwidth:
Maximum Memory:

136 Million
4.8 Billion AA Samples/Sec.
1.23 Trillion
10.4GB/Sec.
128MB

125 Million
4.4 Billion AA Samples/Sec.
1.12 Trillion
8.8GB/Sec.
128MB

113 Million
4 Billion AA Samples/Sec.
1.03 Trillion
8GB/Sec.
128MB

136 Million
4.8 Billion AA Samples/Sec.
1.23 Trillion
10.4GB/Sec.
128MB

125 Million
4.4 Billion AA Samples/Sec.
1.12 Trillion
8.8GB/Sec.
128MB

113 Million
4 Billion AA Samples/Sec.
1.03 Trillion
up to 8GB/Sec.
128MB

are you willing to get a new motherboard if yes then AMD Opterion is the way to go.

Click to expand...

Well (1) Opteron setups are expensive because of their professional/server intent and (2) avg Joe performance wont be "that great" because of the requirement for registered memory -- the server chips were designed for stability ratherr than performance. If you want avg user performance on a 64bit platform, the A64/FX53 is the way to go.

get a load of these nvidia 128 Mbs

Click to expand...

While the GF4Ti series was good, they are quite obsolete by now.