Pimp my 'Puter

[deanj20]

What's up CompForum?

Well, I see people do this all the time, so I thought I might give it a go.

I bought a Compaq Presario S4020WM off of a kid for $200 like three years ago. It's not a bad computer, and I had a lot of $$$ at the time.

Anyway, it's pretty much sat in storage the whole time, but I dug it out last month and slapped Slackware 13.0 on it and it's now hosting my website (see signature). I was wondering what you all thought I might do to upgrade it for less than $300.

I'd like a higher video resolution (so video card), a 13"-15" LCD, 1GB RAM and whatever else you all think I should do with it (besides use it for a paper weight). I don't care about the case, etc. I'm not a big gamer, but I would like to be able to play 2029 (if it will even run under Wine) and watch videos/DVDs smoothly in fullscreen mode. Other than that, it will be used for hosting my site, listening to music and web surfing.

So what do you all think? Am I dreaming? If it can't be done for less than $300, I wouldn't mind spending a little more, but I wouldn't be able to buy it all at once. Also, for more than $400, I may as well just buy a new computer.

Anyway, just give me some feedback if you can. Here's a screnshot featuring my proc/mem info:

Thanks guys!

 

[daisymtc]

Don't waste money on your existing, not worth.

May be getting cheap laptop/ PC??
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Compaq+...?id=pcmprd128800050005&skuId=9999128800050005

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Compaq+...?id=pcmprd128800050003&skuId=9999128800050003

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Asus+-+...onze/9754878.p?id=1218167395545&skuId=9754878

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Compaq+...lack/9755437.p?id=1218167800811&skuId=9755437

 

[zombine210]

hey! thanks for the new commands!
<-- still trying to learn Linux.

does it already have a vdo card, or is it integrated?
i found this 4670 at the egg for $123. it looks like that mobo only has agp, is this correct? this could work:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161284

what memory configuration do have? 512 + 256, looks like it?
you could get one of these 512mb sticks for $20+shipping to max it out:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134173

and you could spend the rest on a quality psu, something like this, maybe:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817194059; $120

also, order the free shipping parts separately, because if you add a +shipping item, the egg will calculate it for all items in your cart. i've also used directron.com, it's based in houston, tx. and eventhough you pay shipping, i sometimes get stuff quicker than the egg.

i'm surprised that mobo can only go up to 1gb, though. my pIII can go up to 2gb
* another reason not to buy branded machines. not much room for upgrades.

 

[deanj20]

Don't waste money on your existing, not worth.

Well, I could always buy the parts, and if the computer "dies" then I'll still have a good graphics card, RAM and whatever else I buy - I look at it as an investment in parts, not a machine.

does it already have a vdo card, or is it integrated?
i found this 4670 at the egg for $123. it looks like that mobo only has agp, is this correct? this could work:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161284

what memory configuration do have? 512 + 256, looks like it?
you could get one of these 512mb sticks for $20+shipping to max it out:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820134173

and you could spend the rest on a quality psu, something like this, maybe:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817194059; $120

Awesome - thanks zombine210!

Just on-board graphics here.

I was thinking that I'd max out the RAM first, and then buy a graphics card. But what about the PSU? The one I have wouldn't support a graphics card or what? I see people talking a lot about PSUs on this forum, but it's never been something I really focused on. As long as it puts out enough power to run the board and peripherals, then that's all you need right? What's the advantage of having a "quality" PSU over having one that is sufficient to run the hardware?

Also, I've got to get myself a LCD monitor, but I think I'll hold out for a good deal on craigslist - last week I missed a helluva deal by a few hours - a 15" eMachine LCD for $15! I know eMachines make crap, but a 15" LCD for $15 simply cannot be beat.

hey! thanks for the new commands!
<-- still trying to learn Linux.

I had to Google "check memory stats linux" - I've used Linux for around seven or eight years, but I still only have the most basic commands memorized - there are more commands in Linux than any human being could possibly memorize. But that's why I love it.