upgrading laptop

N

Nikita

New Member
hello,

I'd be grateful for some advice. I'm quite untechy so please can you spell any answers out for me- please assume zero intelligence, I won't feel patronised I promise :)

Currently I have a dell laptop (apologies, dell-haters)

Dell Latitude CPX P-III 650MHz

Intel Pentium III 650MHz w/ Speedstep Technology
14.1" XGA TFT (1024x768)
ATI Mach64 Integrated AGP Video w/8MB VRAM
128MB PC100 SDRAM (512MB max)
6 gig Hard Drive
DVDROM Drive
1.44 Floppy Drive
TouchPad Mouse
On-Board Sound and Built-In Speakers
Two Type I/II 32-bit PCMCIA slots (can be used as one Type III)
PS/2, USB, SVGA, 9-pin Serial, 25-pin Parallel, Docking, TV-Out, Line In, Mic In, Line Out Jacks

basically I want to upgrade it to something powerful enough to handle big games, e.g. the Sims 2 requirements are:

"If you have a non-T&L capable video card (such as Intel Extreme Graphics or Radeon 7xxx Series) then you need at least:

2.0 GHz processor or better
256 MB RAM if Windows XP, Windows ME, Windows 98, or Windows 2000
At least 3.5 GB of hard drive space
Supported video cards"
Click to expand...
(for video cards click the link here but I'll need a new one I know that much!)

sooo what exactly do I need-
-I reckon a new CPU. what kind, where's my best bet to get it
-a new operating system? (got win 98 at mo but I noticed many newer CPUs want win xp)
-a new video card. Which, where, etc

Cost right now not a problem, my main priority is figuring out exactly what I need to fully upgrade my 'puter.

thanks for any suggestions!
 
Uh, a Pentium 3 machine that is that old cannot run a Pentium 4.....a motherboard compatibility reason. Also, even if you were to somehow upgrade it to a Pentium 3 1Ghz (with a BIOS update too), you still wouldn't be able to play Sims 2. Since your graphics are integreted (built-in), you cannot upgrade to anything. I hope this helps.
http://thesims2.filefront.com/info/sims2requirements_expand

However, you CAN upgrade your RAM either through PCMCIA cards or through installing real RAM. But, no Sims for you.
 
Hmmm,..I hate to say it, but you may be out of luck.

Most laptops have the CPU soldered in, and can not be changed.

The RAM and hard drives can be changed though.

You would be looking at spending around $400 for a new hard drive, RAM, and OS upgrade.

The video card is most likely onboard on that laptop and not able to be upgraded.

I would check into buying a new inexpensive laptop from DELL if you are going to go through all that trouble, and you can get the CPU and graphics that can handle games like SIMS.
 
Nikita, since you have a Dell laptop, can't you just trade in your old laptop so you can get a big discount on a possible new one to buy? (Example: Gateway does trade-in program with its Gateway customers)....standard for all customers, if your records still exist with them.

Call Dell up and ask them if they have a trade-in program for their customers, you may be suprised that you can trade in your old laptop to get a discount on a new one!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top