DamienVryce
New Member
Hello all,
This post ended up being longer than I initially expected, the short version is my current specs are listed below, should I upgrade now or wait a while and build a new comp.
I am in a bit of a dilemma at this point and this looks like a good forum so I am hoping to get some advice I have not been successful getting on my own so far.
I have a computer that I had a friend help build about four years ago. I have always had various issues with this computer, but it has generally been pretty good to me. I am getting to the point where it doesn't quite perform up to the standards I would like, so I am now trying to decide what to do.
The primary issues I have been having with this computer are as follows. It just doesn't perform up to par (bad fps in games, programs running slower than i would like, etc). I have been having periodic blue screens for what appear to be unrelated and random issues and time, ranging from opening Itunes to just sitting in a game doing nothing whatsoever that stresses my computer. I have had days where I get 3+ bsod's and then I can go for weeks without getting a single one. I have also had significant crashing issues with various programs, most notably games such as world of warcraft. I have spent a ton of time trying to figure out what could be causing my issues. I have updated all drivers, replaced ram, fully redone the cooling in my case, along with malware and such scans followed by defragging.
I live in the US and am pretty open on what I do. My preference would be to spend the least amount of money for a decent upgrade, and I would prefer to do the upgrade sooner rather than later. If I end up choosing to just get a whole new system, I may have to wait a while. I would be ok waiting to upgrade if that will definitely be the best choice because I would hate to waste money and time on this already outdated system if it won't last me a fairly decent while longer.
The most stressful thing i use this computer for is gaming, mostly World of Warcraft at this point. Ideally I would like to just upgrade my existing system for $200 or less, but if I build a new computer I won't want to spend much more than $1000.
I am at work so my specs are being listed from memory, will update when I get home if I can't remember everything.
Mobo- Msi K7n2 delta-ilsr
processor- Athlon Xp 3200+
ram- 2x 1gig sticks pc3200 (I think kingston valueram but may have changed when i upgraded)
HDD- seagate 160gig 7200rpm SATA
Case- Antec sonata 1. http://www.antec.com/us/productDetails.php?ProdID=15138
Psu- built in True Power 380watt
Soundcard- Soundblaster Audigy Value (I think this is the correct model)
Video- ATI Radeon 9800pro 128mb
OS- Windows Xp sp2
Everything is running at installed settings- I have not overclocked or done any such modifications due to lack of knowledge and interest in doing so.
From the research I have done, I feel my best upgrade for this existing computer would be the video card. I think my processor will be limiting me, but I can not replace that without basically building a new computer. This mobo only has an AGP slot, so I am also fairly limited on my options on my upgrades for vid cards. If I do choose to upgrade my video card, I believe I will also have to upgrade my psu. This 380w just doesn't seem like enough from what I have read.
It appears that some of the newer Radeon agp cards would be my best bet- ranging from the hd2600xt and possibly up to the x1950pro (if I want to spend a little bit more). In either case it looks like I would be well off to upgrade to the 550-650w range on the psu. There are quite a few reasonably priced choices from good brand names in this category.
If upgrading my system looks like a reasonably good idea, I can order the parts tomorrow and be up and running better than ever likely by the mid-end of next week (which holds its own appeal to me).
Alternatively, if it looks like upgrading will just be a waste of my time, I will be running into some other decisions. I have not had good luck with this computer having had my friend do most of the building for me (I don't think he tried very hard to do a good job). I do not have any important software such as windows xp to my name to install. I do have all the other parts such as monitor (hp 22" wide screen lcd, beautiful), keyboard, mouse, speakers, etc. All I would need would be from the case in.
If I wait and just start from scratch, Just buying a premade computer holds the appeal to me of having a pro build a computer that definitely (hopefully) will work without issues. I feel confident that I am capable and intelligent enough to do my research and build a computer from the ground up myself, but I just don't know that I will have sufficient time to do the initial research, as well as figuring out what I did wrong (if anything) after getting it done.
So, I guess my question boils down to should I upgrade my existing comp or just wait and upgrade to a new system as I can afford it? If I go with waiting, any suggestions on websites I should work with for getting a prebuilt comp for a reasonable price? If suggesting building my own system, I am very open to suggestions for what to look at, again I am looking at preferably staying around $1000 but could probably make do going up as high as $1500 if it would definitely be a worthwhile expenditure.
Thank you to any who choose to read through this book I have written and take the time to reply, any advice is appreciated.
This post ended up being longer than I initially expected, the short version is my current specs are listed below, should I upgrade now or wait a while and build a new comp.
I am in a bit of a dilemma at this point and this looks like a good forum so I am hoping to get some advice I have not been successful getting on my own so far.
I have a computer that I had a friend help build about four years ago. I have always had various issues with this computer, but it has generally been pretty good to me. I am getting to the point where it doesn't quite perform up to the standards I would like, so I am now trying to decide what to do.
The primary issues I have been having with this computer are as follows. It just doesn't perform up to par (bad fps in games, programs running slower than i would like, etc). I have been having periodic blue screens for what appear to be unrelated and random issues and time, ranging from opening Itunes to just sitting in a game doing nothing whatsoever that stresses my computer. I have had days where I get 3+ bsod's and then I can go for weeks without getting a single one. I have also had significant crashing issues with various programs, most notably games such as world of warcraft. I have spent a ton of time trying to figure out what could be causing my issues. I have updated all drivers, replaced ram, fully redone the cooling in my case, along with malware and such scans followed by defragging.
I live in the US and am pretty open on what I do. My preference would be to spend the least amount of money for a decent upgrade, and I would prefer to do the upgrade sooner rather than later. If I end up choosing to just get a whole new system, I may have to wait a while. I would be ok waiting to upgrade if that will definitely be the best choice because I would hate to waste money and time on this already outdated system if it won't last me a fairly decent while longer.
The most stressful thing i use this computer for is gaming, mostly World of Warcraft at this point. Ideally I would like to just upgrade my existing system for $200 or less, but if I build a new computer I won't want to spend much more than $1000.
I am at work so my specs are being listed from memory, will update when I get home if I can't remember everything.
Mobo- Msi K7n2 delta-ilsr
processor- Athlon Xp 3200+
ram- 2x 1gig sticks pc3200 (I think kingston valueram but may have changed when i upgraded)
HDD- seagate 160gig 7200rpm SATA
Case- Antec sonata 1. http://www.antec.com/us/productDetails.php?ProdID=15138
Psu- built in True Power 380watt
Soundcard- Soundblaster Audigy Value (I think this is the correct model)
Video- ATI Radeon 9800pro 128mb
OS- Windows Xp sp2
Everything is running at installed settings- I have not overclocked or done any such modifications due to lack of knowledge and interest in doing so.
From the research I have done, I feel my best upgrade for this existing computer would be the video card. I think my processor will be limiting me, but I can not replace that without basically building a new computer. This mobo only has an AGP slot, so I am also fairly limited on my options on my upgrades for vid cards. If I do choose to upgrade my video card, I believe I will also have to upgrade my psu. This 380w just doesn't seem like enough from what I have read.
It appears that some of the newer Radeon agp cards would be my best bet- ranging from the hd2600xt and possibly up to the x1950pro (if I want to spend a little bit more). In either case it looks like I would be well off to upgrade to the 550-650w range on the psu. There are quite a few reasonably priced choices from good brand names in this category.
If upgrading my system looks like a reasonably good idea, I can order the parts tomorrow and be up and running better than ever likely by the mid-end of next week (which holds its own appeal to me).
Alternatively, if it looks like upgrading will just be a waste of my time, I will be running into some other decisions. I have not had good luck with this computer having had my friend do most of the building for me (I don't think he tried very hard to do a good job). I do not have any important software such as windows xp to my name to install. I do have all the other parts such as monitor (hp 22" wide screen lcd, beautiful), keyboard, mouse, speakers, etc. All I would need would be from the case in.
If I wait and just start from scratch, Just buying a premade computer holds the appeal to me of having a pro build a computer that definitely (hopefully) will work without issues. I feel confident that I am capable and intelligent enough to do my research and build a computer from the ground up myself, but I just don't know that I will have sufficient time to do the initial research, as well as figuring out what I did wrong (if anything) after getting it done.
So, I guess my question boils down to should I upgrade my existing comp or just wait and upgrade to a new system as I can afford it? If I go with waiting, any suggestions on websites I should work with for getting a prebuilt comp for a reasonable price? If suggesting building my own system, I am very open to suggestions for what to look at, again I am looking at preferably staying around $1000 but could probably make do going up as high as $1500 if it would definitely be a worthwhile expenditure.
Thank you to any who choose to read through this book I have written and take the time to reply, any advice is appreciated.
Last edited:
