What should I do?

MBGraphics

MBGraphics

VIP Member
Ok, I have a couple choices... I kinda need to get some upgrades for my computer so I can keep up with the advancing world of gaming:rolleyes:

Should I get a new case and switch all my components over to that, THEN start getting other upgrades?
OR
Should I start getting new upgrades NOW, and get the bigger case later?

Right now I have the Dell Dimmention 8400 Series case with a Pentium 4 630 (3GHz) w/HT tech and 2MB canche
3GB of memory (i know i have 2 512's =1GB of 400MHz, then I upgraded to 2 MORE GB, and im pretty sure it's either 600 or 800MHz all are DDR2)
250GB HD (standard 7200RPM)
128MB PCI Express X16 (DVI/VGA/TV-out) ATI Radeon X300 SE
16X DVD-ROM and 16X DVD +/- RW
Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS, PCI w/Dolby Digital EX, IEEE1394, 7.1 channel THX cert
Windows XP Media Center 2005


Thats the important stuff that I know of, I have a sheet that tells me everything this comp came with, if requested, I will get a pic of it and post it for you :)


Thanks in advance,
Mike
 
The case is fine.

Looks like you need a new video card. What is your budget for upgrades? What is your motherboard? Thanks
 
I was in that same situation some time ago! ;)

What I did is first get some more RAM I had 1GB and I bought another gig to total 2GB. Then I upgraded from a sempron to an athlon64 X2 (I had a fairly good video card for gaming, the 7600GT) then I bought the new case (as you can see on my signature pics! :d) and last, I upgrade my video card.
 
I too had 1GB, then just about 5-6 months ago, threw in 2 more gigs. I'm not sure what MOBO I have, I cant seem to find it on the sheet, my only guess is it's the 128MB PCI Express X16 (DVI/VGA/TV-out)

I'll get pics up tonight of that info sheet.
Wich graphic card do you suggest? stick with ATI and get the 3870? or switch to Nvidia an get the 8800GT?

Also, WHEN I do get a case, wich should I get? Full tower? or will a mid-tower be fine?
For mid tower, I have looked at the Antec 900 and the NZXT Appalo the most (yours is very nice ramodkk :D)
 
Ok, I found the list online


1 221-8110 Dimension 8400 Series, Intel Pentium 4 Processor 630 (3GHz)w/HT Technology and 2MB cache
1 311-3818 1GB DDR2 SDRAM at 400MHz
1 310-5870 Dell Enhanced Multimedia USB Keyboard
1 463-4353 19 in (19 in viewable) E193FP Flat Panel Display
1 320-3934 128MB PCI Express x16 (DVI/VGA/TV-out) ATI Radeon X300 SE
1 341-1058 250GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM)
1 340-8442 No Floppy Drive Requested
1 412-0721 Dimension Dell Support
1 412-0688 Image Restore
1 420-4927 Windows Media Player 10
1 420-4920 Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005, English
1 463-2282 Dell Owners Manual installed on your system,click on icon after system set-up to access
1 310-4037 Dell USB Optical Mouse
1 430-0742 Intel Pro 1000 Integrated PCI NIC Card
1 313-2279 56K PCI Data Fax Modem
1 412-0705 Adobe Acrobat Reader 6.0
1 313-3008 16X DVD-ROM and 16X DVD+/-RW
1 420-5079 PowerDVD Software Decoding forDVD Drives
1 313-3039 Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS, PCIw/Dolby Digital EX, IEEE1394, 7.1 channel, THX cert
1 313-2720 Factory Installed Audio
1 313-2198 No Speaker Requested
1 412-0759 Norton Internet Security 2005 15 Month
1 412-0741 Music Match 9.0 Basic 7 day OnDemand
1 412-0745 Paint Shop Photo Album 5.1 Premium
1 412-0625 Dell/My Way Home Page
1 412-0687 NETZERO ISP
1 412-0787 AOL for Broadband
1 420-3224 Broadband Icon for Inspiron
1 412-0701 Word Perfect Productivity Pack
1 950-3339 3 Year Limited Warranty
1 412-0359 Soft Contracts - Qualxserve
1 902-4502 Type 15- Third Party At Home Service with Nights and Week ends, 24x7 Technical Support, 2 Year Extended
1 950-5462 Warranty Support,2 Year Extended
1 960-6380 Warranty Support,Initial Year
1 960-6160 Type 15- Third Party At Home Service with Nights and Wee kends, 24x7 Technical Support,Initial Year
1 463-5444 Thank you for choosing Dell
1 420-5139 Quickbooks 2006 Special SimpleStart Edition
1 600-0002 State Environmental Fee for display 15 inches, less than 35 inches
 
another question, Can mid-sized towers run SLI and fit everything I can put in it ok?

I think what i'll do is get a EVGA 8800GT first, then the new case, then new mobo and processor, then monitor, then drives.

I'm open to any ideas/advice.
And thanks to you that have given me your imput, it's greatly appriciated :D
 
i would keep the drives\monitor\sound card\memory and just start from scratch, unless your REALLY need an LCD screen than upgrading isnt going to do you to much good in terms of visual improvement. also the drives are fine, doesnt really matter if the HDD is still ATA, it just means slightly longer load\install times, not too big of a deal.

CPU\GPU wise you have to upgrade in order to keep gaming, get at least a dual core CPU, and dont get a Pentium D (they suck compared to X2's at the same price) and your graphics card could use a little extra horsepower. dont think the GPU is more important than the CPU though, because i think a P4 would create a huge bottleneck for a 8800GT, and having a good cpu cant make up for a bad GPU. i would upgrade this two parts at the same time.
 
Thanks rudster, I will get the motherboard and CPU and GPU replaced at the same time.

LukeAge: huh? (Semi-noob here haha)
 
LukeAge said:
how do you appeal an infraction?
Click to expand...

Very random......anyways read this:

What should I do if I want to appeal an infraction?
If your infraction was given my a moderator then contact a Supermod. if your infraction was given by a Supermod then contact an administrator. You will be contacted shortly afterwards with the result of your appeal, Supermods/Admin will often downgrade and infraction to a warning, or may reverse it all together.

Source: Forum Rules

And please don't post like that again.
 
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