dx2200

I found a computer laying around my moms house that she used for work. She gave it to me and when i got it up and running i realized it wasnt that bad. All i know is that its an hp dx2200 mt and the specs i know are intel pentium 4 2.93 ghz, 512 mb ram, ati radeon xpress 200, 80gig hd and windows xp. I dont know alot about computers but im trying to learn. Id like to upgrade this computer for gaming. Dont want anything crazy but id like to be able to run games like crysis on decent settings without problems but i dont wanna spend thousands. Id also like to be able to run video editing programs like sony vegas without lag. Does this computer have any potential? If so what upgrades should i do. Ill still keep it if not cause its a free computer. Thanks alot.
 
I am very knowledgeable with computers, but as far as gaming, I'm dumb. I do know that you can take that 512MB of RAM and get at least 1 gigabyte.
Hard drives are getting inexpensive per megabyte: Ive seen 250gigabyte drives for around $100-150. The 2.39GHz should be okay. You already have Windows XP, but I would go ahead and buy a clean copy since you'll be replacing your hard drive. (I don't believe that hard disk imaging is the best idea and it might be against MS's EULA) so Win Xp is only about $80 at some computer superstores. Linux is the better way to go, in my opinion.

Video card???


These programs/games you are running I have never heard of, since I am a pure computerist, no games. I hope the above suggestions will enable you to run these apps.
 
how much do u want to spend on this?
i think u should just buy a new computer $400+ will get u a deasent computer.
even if u upgraded i doubt u will be able to play crysis your CPU will hold u back!
 
i dont want to spend much more than 600 or 700 buxs in upgrades. I really dont care if i cant play crysis i just want to be able to have a decent computer that i can do video editing on. I play games on my xbox and make montages on the computer. I wanna be able to run adobe after effects, sony vegas, and be able to play some games on the side. I also want to be able to run multiple programs at once without it acting up too much. I cant afford to buy a whole new comp but i can afford to buy parts here and there. The only games i really play on the computer are command and conquer, black hawk down, and far cry every once in awhile. This comp can already run black hawk down at the highest settings fine it just the loading times are alittle long.
 
http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/us/en/sm/WF06a/12454-12454-64287-321860-3328893-1844701.html

Taking specs from there...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145034
DDR2-800 XMS2 CL4 Dual Channel Kit $29 after rebates (best deal ever!)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127325
MSI 8800GTS G92 512MB PCI-E 2.0

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341002&Tpk=OCZ+700W
OCZ GameXStream 700W

... I'd get a second opinion on these, as with the PSU. I'm wondering if it would fit...
 
with what u said u want to do you will not do it that easyily with that P4 CPU i would build somthing like this.
CPU $95.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103194
CPU cooler $45.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118223
MOBO $64.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128043
Ram $42.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134117
Case $59.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811144106
PSU $79.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171014
Video card $179.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814103050
HDD $94.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136073
this is $663.93
this is much better than upgrading will last u for quite a few years befor u need to upgrade again, u might just need to get more ram in a couple of years.
the CPU will OC to about 3.2GHz or more, probely more.
overall this computer is much much better than spending $700 upgrading your current computer.
i would go for this build.
 
What's the CPU socket? If it's 775 (I really doubt it) you may want to consider upgrading your CPU to a c2d. Even with their high clocks NetBursts don't perform too good, and you definitely want a dual-core for crysis. Even if your comp's got an older socket, you might find a suitable Pentium D from eBay or somewhere.

for what I know, radeon xpress 200s are old cheap onboards, and will be unacceptable for any half-or-more-decent game. See if your comp's got a PCI-E or an AGP slot, so we (=not me) can suggest a GFX card for you.

And you'll need way more ram. 1 gig *might* do, but I'd go with at least 2 gb.
 
Here are the parts that I recommend

CPU $94.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116070&Tpk=E2220
CPU cooler $45.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118223
MOBO $64.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128077
Ram $42.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134117
Case $59.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811144106
PSU $79.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171014
Video card $144.99 after MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127333
HDD $94.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136073


E2220 cost the same as 5000+, but it performs better at stock speed and overclocks better

Check this review
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu/display/dualcore-shootout_3.html#sect1

E2200 performs as good as 5000+ on average, if E2200 is as good as 5000+ then this means E2220 is better

9600GT performs as good as HD3870 but it is cheaper
 
looks like i may be buyin parts to build a new computer lol. How difficult is this? Im really good with my hands and im careful so if i read tutorials would i be able to do this myself? Also does it matter what case i go with? i dont really like the case reddevil showed me. i like somethin black or white or clear lol
 
Is putting this computer together something i can do? I think id rather build a new computer cause i just started having problems with the one i was given. The hard drive is goin bad. I have looked at all the parts everyone has suggested and the only think i dont like is that red case lol. Does it matter what case i go with?
 
Is putting this computer together something i can do? I think id rather build a new computer cause i just started having problems with the one i was given. The hard drive is goin bad. I have looked at all the parts everyone has suggested and the only think i dont like is that red case lol. Does it matter what case i go with?

If you just want your computer to work and be a little bit loud then no it doesn't.

If you want your computer to run coldddddddd then i would suggest the antec 900 and everyone else would probably agree.

Otherwise it only depends if you want to hold a lot of hard drives/drive bays in the case and want to be able to use it in the future.

Hope this helps. :)
 
how much do u want to spend on this?
i think u should just buy a new computer $400+ will get u a deasent computer.
even if u upgraded i doubt u will be able to play crysis your CPU will hold u back!

What he said! You will end up spending too much on the pc in order for it to just make it run okay! Instead just buy a new pc or for the learning experience buy a barebones kit from tigerdirect and build from there and use some stuff from that pc. You could get a decent barebones kit for $200-250 and then buy a graphics card.
 
I actually really like what that antec 900 looks like. Just to be sure is this it?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021

Also does it matter if these cases come with a power supply? From the lists of parts everyone suggested it looks like i would buy a another power supply anyways.

I jus went to tigerdirect to look at barebones kits like someone suggested. I found this and i def like the price. Is it any good?
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3757033&Sku=P450-9102 W
 
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I actually really like what that antec 900 looks like. Just to be sure is this it?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021

Also does it matter if these cases come with a power supply? From the lists of parts everyone suggested it looks like i would buy a another power supply anyways.

I jus went to tigerdirect to look at barebones kits like someone suggested. I found this and i def like the price. Is it any good?
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3757033&Sku=P450-9102 W
that barebone is not to bad for that price.
about the PSUs the PSUs that come with a case are crap most of the time.

an yes that is the antec 900.
 
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