New hand-me-down PC from grandparents, need some help.

T

tbclycan

New Member
Okay, so my grandparents are moving and since they both had their own laptop and could not carry along this desktop, which when they already have two new laptops probably running Win7 why take something that is from around 2002. So I get it, now I am working on it to make it better, I am a bit of a newfag when it comes to PCs, I am very knowledgable about PCs, but this is an old motherboard and I need help figuring out what compatable chipsets I can get for this. It is an ACPI Uniprocessor PC (as stated in the device list) running XP. Now I am a big gamer and plan on upgrading it. The vcard is a nVidia RIVA TNT2 M64 (Which has about 32mb vram) and the processor reads as an Intel Pentium 4 1.80GHz. I am figuring I will have to upgrade the Vcard, Processor, and DVD drive (since it does not work, I tried rebooting, then uninstalling and reinstalling many times, and going as far back with system restore as possible) So I guess that is going to my last resort of replacing it unless someone has any suggestions. What I really need though, is to know what graphics cards are compatible, same with processors. That is where I start. I would like at least a 128mb Vram but most likely I will only find 512mb Vram cards at the local computer shops now. I am willing to order online, so if there is any that I need, most likely that is my option other then going to the small local computer shop or it's main one the town over. I would like at least 128mb Vram but if budget allows it, I will got up to a 512mb, I do not need much and I am not much of a graphics whore. I will have to upgrade the space, only began with about 60gb, and 20 seemed used. Will definately need more. So, if you know what chipsets I should use, that be great. Sites to buy would be wonderful.
So I need:
-Processor
-Video card
-More memory
-Disk drive (eventually, granted we cannot fix it here)
-ALL COMPATIBLE WITH THE MOTHERBOARD: ACPI Uniprocessor PC

Thanks for any help in advance.
 
Unfortunately, that machine is too old to upgrade and waste your money on as the performance increase would be very small. You need a new system I'm afraid.
 
johnb35 said:
Unfortunately, that machine is too old to upgrade and waste your money on as the performance increase would be very small. You need a new system I'm afraid.
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Are you sure that it is not worth it to upgrade this FREE system to a bit higher standards, so I can game with more newer F2P games?
 
tbclycan said:
So I need:
-Processor
-Video card
-More memory
-Disk drive (eventually, granted we cannot fix it here)
-ALL COMPATIBLE WITH THE MOTHERBOARD: ACPI Uniprocessor PC

Thanks for any help in advance.
Click to expand...

Like said above. Plus getting a processor/memory/harddrive and video card. You have more or less built a new computer minus the motherboard.

You would be better off getting a 1155/AM3+ socket motherboard. Then getting the above list of parts for the new board.

Plus chances are you would need a new power supply either way. What kinda of case is this in, a aftermarket or a OEM case?
 
What is the make and model of pc? Once we know that, we can check to see what the max specs are, which if it was bought back in 2002 they won't be much better as its old technology.
 
StrangleHold said:
Like said above. Plus getting a processor/memory/harddrive and video card. You have more or less built a new computer minus the motherboard.

You would be better off getting a 1155/AM3+ socket motherboard. Then getting the above list of parts for the new board.

Plus chances are you would need a new power supply either way. What kinda of case is this in, a aftermarket or a OEM case?
Click to expand...

johnb35 said:
What is the make and model of pc? Once we know that, we can check to see what the max specs are, which if it was bought back in 2002 they won't be much better as its old technology.
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The case says hp pavilion 750c
 
Honestly, if its running just use it as is. If your already willing to get a processor/memory/harddrive and video card. Save up alittle more for a power supply/case and motherboard. You will be alot happier in the long run.
 
StrangleHold said:
Honestly, if its running just use it as is. If your already willing to get a processor/memory/harddrive and video card. Save up alittle more for a power supply/case and motherboard. You will be alot happier in the long run.
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A new processor at least. This piece-o-sh!t can barely handle youtube at times, and takes things forever to load. I mean, I would still be fine with like a 64mb Vcard to. Mainly I got a free computer, it is in my room, I love PC gaming. All of it comes down to that.
 
Well, I decided that over time I will upgrade this and get a new better computer eventually. (Again, BIG PC gamer and more computers means more LAN players)
 
listen to our advice, we arent trying to steer you wrong, but any money invested into that would be wasting your time, the ram would cost too much, the cpu upgrade would be too much and you would spend far too much on a gpu that wont give you any significant improvement due to lack of cpu...starting scratch with say 300 or 400 bucks would even be a significant improvement, even if it was on say a current gen amd platform, which would play games pretty well.
 
FuryRosewood said:
listen to our advice, we arent trying to steer you wrong, but any money invested into that would be wasting your time, the ram would cost too much, the cpu upgrade would be too much and you would spend far too much on a gpu that wont give you any significant improvement due to lack of cpu...starting scratch with say 300 or 400 bucks would even be a significant improvement, even if it was on say a current gen amd platform, which would play games pretty well.
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And I am asking for a few decent parts to upgrade. I do not have much money, and this was free. The processor is all I want to upgrade right now since regardless of what I am doing, it is annoying. I may have a job soon but I already have a PS3 and games ready for it. I may be a big PC gamer, but the kind that will go to old games for cheap rather then pay more money for greater systems. New graphics are for my PS3, fun and mods and sh!t is for my PCs. Also, LAN parties, which means routers and tons of PCs, so upgrading a little backup PC to stand up to some minimal gaming for big LAN parties might not be a bad idea. Again, BACKUP and STARTER. This will also further introduce me to upgrading PCs. Mostly I just want to be able to go from my desktop to youtube in 6 seconds and have a video play decent, but the processor cannot do that too well. I am looking into decent PCs for main PCs and gaming. Just saying, having this old thing be not such a hassle while I am stuck with it and be a good backup for LAN parties and other situations while further introducing me to PC upgrading and crap would not be bad.
 
a few bucks would be better spent on something else, anything you buy like a 20 dollar processor or say a gpu that costs 40 bucks...eh i honestly would not bother, the performance increase would not help. this is what we are trying to explain but you are NOT listening. the big killer of this system is its running a processor that is in a broken architecture that simply will kill possible performance increases you try to get out of it. that is what we are getting at.

For an example, this build, with possiblity to upgrade in the near future, could probably play all your source games nicely, and if the gpu was not adequate, you could probably grab a low to mid range card for about 40 or 50 bucks

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=11606869
 
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FuryRosewood said:
a few bucks would be better spent on something else, anything you buy like a 20 dollar processor or say a gpu that costs 40 bucks...eh i honestly would not bother, the performance increase would not help. this is what we are trying to explain but you are NOT listening. the big killer of this system is its running a processor that is in a broken architecture that simply will kill possible performance increases you try to get out of it. that is what we are getting at.

For an example, this build, with possiblity to upgrade in the near future, could probably play all your source games nicely, and if the gpu was not adequate, you could probably grab a low to mid range card for about 40 or 50 bucks

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=11606869
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I am just asking for what I could use, not saying I will, but I like the knowledge of what I could do. Mostly this thing will run dedicated LAN servers during LAN parties, if not be a backup for other PCs.
 
Hello tbclycan,

Your posting caught my attention as you referenced an HP product. You have received appropriate responses from the experts on this Forum. Your product was obsoleted by HP in 2002 and reached its end of life cycle in 2005which means parts are no longer available from HP Parts and may be difficult to find from a third party. For those inquiring about the specs, they appear in the link below:

http://bizsupport1.austin.hp.com/bi...upportFAQ&prodSeriesId=71006&prodTypeId=12454

If you have questions or would like recommendations regarding a new computer or would like information about a rebate we can offer, please feel free to contact me at [email protected].

Regards,

Priscilla
HP Social Media Ambassador
 
FuryRosewood said:
...
For an example, this build, with possiblity to upgrade in the near future, could probably play all your source games nicely, and if the gpu was not adequate, you could probably grab a low to mid range card for about 40 or 50 bucks

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=11606869
Click to expand...

Or if you prefer Intel, maybe a cheap Pentium?

That box might make a decent NAS unit (I don't know about older technology, sorry!) if you put FreeNAS on it. Or a network attached printer?
 
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