In order of expense, what can I do to upgrade a PC that is about 6-7 years old?  In other words, what does a motherboard typically cost, a processor, etc. And what is the most important thing to know?  I am looking for (wanting to increase) speed, and storage - in that order.\n\nThx in advance - g.
138779
If your pc is that old, nothing but perhaps the floppy drive and CD player is salvagable. A new computer will cost anywhere from $350 on up. A motherboard "typically" cost around $75 and a processor can be as little as $70 for say an AMD sempron. A 250GB hard drive is under $100. RAM Is cheap, about $35 for 512MB.\nHere is an example of an inexpensive build that I did for someone..good little setup from Newegg:\n \nUpdate  Foxconn TLM624 Black/Silver Steel MicroATX Mini Tower Computer Case Peak Power: 350W, Max Power: 250W Power Supply - Retail \nModel #: TLM624\nItem #: N82E16811153034\n  $32.50     \n   \nUpdate  BIOSTAR TForce6100 Socket 754 NVIDIA GeForce 6100 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail \nModel #: TForce6100\nItem #: N82E16813138268\n   $69.25  \n   \nUpdate  AMD Sempron 64 2800+ Palermo 800MHz HT Socket 754 Processor Model SDA2800BXBOX - Retail \nModel #: SDA2800BXBOX\nItem #: N82E16819104245\n  $73.00  \n   \nUpdate  CORSAIR ValueSelect 512MB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Unbuffered System Memory Model VS512MB400 - Retail \nModel #: VS512MB400\n   $37.00  \n   \nUpdate  NEC 16X DVD±R DVD Burner Black IDE/ATAPI Model ND-3550A - OEM \nModel #: ND-3550A BK OEM\nItem #: N82E16827152058\n $37.99\n\nWestern Digital Caviar SE WD800JB 80GB 7200 RPM IDE Ultra ATA100 Hard Drive - OEM \nModel #: WD800JB\nItem #: N82E16822144122\n $50.00\nTotal about $300
651512
for what you are spending on upgrades you are more than half way to a brand new computer. really what you are doing is spending a couple of hundred dollars on a 5+ year old computer that will only be a 5 year old computer with some new parts. bite the bullet and get a new one. you won't be sorry
474999
I did not see the motherboard, but of those two cpu's go with amd for sure, it has more cache making it faster. I saw another thing that could be better, the hard drive is ata100 and that is somewhat slow, for about the same price you could get a sata2 3.0gb/s. (your motherboard has to support it) What is this computer going to be used for? It would help to know.
3780
Anything AMD go with an NForce4 based board.  As far as best?  There is no real answer.  But, I can give this advise.  Go cheap.  ECS and others make really good motherboards and lower prices.  Read the ECS reviews on Newegg to see.  Check out my link below.  Extra money doesn't mean extra speed.  It seems a $60 board performs equal to a $250 board.  So why spend the extra?
497195
You would need a new system. Your motherboard most probably does not use SATA.  By a new system I mean new motherboard, hard drive, memory, and of course CPU. All the other stuff you can simply transfer over, like cd or dvd drives, video & sound cards. Most of the new comps can handle up to 2gigs of DDR Ram. It might be a good idea to invest in a new system that is Microsoft Vista ready.
70609
I will not suggest to buy a new processor or mother board. You can buy a graphics acceleration card. like G-Force (256 MB or 512 MB). I hope you will enjoy playing Call of Duty2.
224262
I think you should really upgrade your computer. Also, if you use the spell checker, you may get more answers.\n\nHope this Helps!
630269
did you use crucials scan of pc or the drop downs to choose the pc it is for ? they usually are very good about only telling you what will fit. try going to newegg.com they have large stock and great pricing, i use crucial to confirm what i need then i buy with newegg you may want to just uppgrade the motherboard too or get a refurb pc.
475623
First determine how much you need.  If all you use the computer for is Word Processing and printing than you probably don't even need to add memory.  But if you're convinced you need 512mb or 1gb (video editing, game playing, etc) read on.\n\nAt any electronics store, you can purchase "RAM".  "RAM" is computer lingo for memory.  If you're confused and you need help in the store, ask where they keep the ram sticks (they come in stick format).\n\nAfter you've made your purchase, usually the store will install it for a small fee.  The actual process is they open up the side of the computer, take out your old ram stick, put in the new one, and give you the old one back in the new box.  You should be good to go afterwards!\n\nAs for pricing, it can go anywhere from 50 dollars to 150 dollars depending on where you shop and how much ram you want.  The most ram I've ever seen in a computer that's readily available is 2gb, which is really overkill unless you're super multi tasking (video editing and processing along with playing a graphics intense game).
411283
need to know more like intel or amd and what type of ram and hd do you already have and want to still use\nfor amd you can never go wrong with a nice asus\nthe more expensive the better\n\noh. well what is the model of your cpu and what connectors do your hard drives have.  most cases are atx unless you have a really small case like a micro atx.\n\nif you keep that processor then you are very limited on what mobo to get\n\nthat asus board had several different pci-x slots
191810
you should upgrade from AMD 62 to AMD 64 - fun aside, the only good upgrade i see, upgrade from 512MB to 1GB Ram. The rest is ok. don't spend to much money for upgrades, better save up for a new comp.
262097
Your choice of PC is directly dependant on the projected use and if you desire to upgrade/expand the unit later.\n\nWhen selecting a PC ask yourself: 1) What am i going to use it for, 2) do i have space constraints, 3) do i need to add other cards and like to the system,  4) and the least, but often considered the most important do i like the 'look' or 'cool' factor of it( of course this in only important in the eye of the beholder )\n\nNow the Shuttle XPC is a sharp small stylish unit.  It's prospects are limited by shear size.  Although it does have LAN/Video/Audio on board and there is no need for cards / upgrades in this area.  Those items maybe a desired upgrade in the future.\n\nAnother thing to consider is the cost of the cute little cube.  In the electronics world the smaller usally mean more $$$$$.\n\nI guess that it is a personal factor choice.  I have several computers, ranging from the sexy Ultra Slim  EVO desktop, to a Monster Home Build Full Tower (not pretty but very useful and powerful) p.s. i use the monster the most.\n\nCompare and shop is my best answer. But know what features you desire, and know what it should cost before you go to the store.  Salesmen can be a drag. Don't settle for anything other than what you want, after all you have to pay for it.
432126
Step.1 Throw out old PC.\nStep.2 Buy new PC\nStep.3 Welcome to 2006.\n\nThere is no amount of memory that you can add to an old system with only 12Mb of mem that will make it perform any better. Your PC is a tortouse and needs to be severely replaced; unless of course, you just use it as a space heater, then 12Mb should be fine....
554700
If you have room, get a desktop. You'll have more power and more memory in general, plus it won't fry if you drop some crumbs on it.
537896
If it only has 64 mb of ram, then it is pretty old.  I am not sure how much more use you will get out of it.  If you can upgrade the ram, it may be semi expensive.  Since it is older and harder to find.  I could be wrong though.  Notebooks are usually not great upgraders.
362149
Hey LoLo,,\nMan,,,Nothing else will replace RDRAM.\n\nThat stuff Technically,,by the numbers,,is great.\nBut in real-world Desktop Computers for Most people,,it never did live up to it's expectations.\nEspecially for the extra expense of it.\n\nIt's always been Very expensive,\nand often  finicky to "match" when adding more.\n\nMy suggestion is to get rid of the computer.\nFor $200~250 you can get a Motherboard/Cpu/And  maybe 1gb  of DDR Ram that will outperform your current set-up.\n\nOr,,for 400~500,,a entire new computer.\nEven a "entry level" box like Dell's Cheapies will perform at least as good as your old Gateway.\n\nNothing in the world bad about Gateway,,they're excellent machines--a bit expensive compared to other stuff.\n\nBut that RDRAM stuff,,,,it's tuff to live with when you wanna upgrade.\nIt also hurts resale price of used PC's because most people know that.\nAs if "resale price on used PC's" aint bad enough anyway.\n\nI hope I'm not coming across negative towards your PC.\nYou know the deal as well as I do,,thats the point of your question.\n\nBad news is,,,nothing will replace RDRAM except RDRAM.\n\nGood News is,,You can do a major upgrade for about the same price or a little more,,\nOR you can get a whole new computer for a couple $100 more than just the RDRAM alone.\n\nAnd,,a gateway is a good enough PC that you probably can get a a few $$ for it.\nPeople are also looking for "good deals" on RDRAM,,,your RAM may be worth as much/more as your entire PC.\n\n"Cheapest Thing",,,run it into the ground,,:)\nUse it as-is for as long as You can without putting anymore $$$ into it.\n\nThey're GOOD,Solid computers,,,and the RDRAM works well.\nBut so far,there's No Way around that EXPENSE issue.\n\n'Bout the best You can do is Stalk Ebay,,,keep a close watch and see if you can scalp a cheap deal on some used RDRAM.\nMemory doesnt "wear out" ,,if it works,it works.\nSo if You can find a deal on some,and seller assures that it Functions properly---you can be pretty sure that You'll get full useful life from "used" memory.\n\nHardDrives,for example,,DO wear out.\nBuying any used hard drive you're only getting a PIECE of it's useful life..\n\nBut Not Ram,,,it should last any user's lifetime under normal conditions.\nUsed RAM is always worth considering when trying to save a few $$\n\nAll just my opinion,,and some stuff to consider.\n\nI sure wish I had  a better answer for You.\n\nGood Luck!
596
I helped a longtime occasional client with the setup of an XPS 600 within the last month - she'd been on Windows 98 about 2 years longer than she should have been, so it was ripe for her to upgrade.  \n\nPhysically, the machine is pretty imposing - it's slightly taller than the standard Optiplex or Dimension tower, and taller than the minitowers you find in most stores (CompUSA, Best Buy, Circuit City, etc.) but the extra size does provide a lot of space for internal devices, many of which you can have preinstalled and configured by Dell.  It's also pretty wide - wider than her old tower by 2-3 inches.  \n\nBecause my client wanted several measures of reliability and backup, we had the system preconfigured with a mirrored RAID array (2x250GB HDs), a DVD+/-RW drive for ad hoc backups, and an external harddrive for scheduled backups that can backup the entire drive.  Since she also wanted to be able to do graphics editing in the future, we got the machine with a GeForce 6800 graphics card (leaving open the option to add a second card in SLI configuration at a later date, if needed, though if they'd offered the option earlier, I would have recommended the 7800 GTX) and got a good 5.1 sound card installed as well (hooked up to old speakers, but WTF - it's her money) and 2GB RAM, with room to go up to 4GB if needed.\n\nFor external expansion, it comes with 8 USB 2.0 ports, and 3(?) firewire ports.  6 of the USB ports are in the back, with 2 firewire, while 3 are in front, behind a small panel.  We actually used most of the USB ports while setting up most of her peripherals, but you can always add a USB 2.0 high speed hub if you have that many additional devices.    If you have older keyboards and/or mice you're fond of that are PS/2, the machine does have ports for those as well.   (My client is still using a 10-year old keyboard from her old 486 PC that ran Windows 95.  I think it's Dorian Grey's keyboard, and has a printout of itself aging in a closet somewhere.)  If you have an old parallel printer though, it does NOT have a parallel port, so you'll need a parallel to USB cable or you'll need to order a parallel port card.\n\nFrom a software standpoint, the machine is very nice to use - everything runs very smoothly (in part thanks to the dual core CPU) with the only hiccup being AOL, which was preinstalled, but still has problems even in version 9.0 with playing well with Internet Explorer, since AOL uses the IE kernel for its own browsing component - running the two at the same time caused problems.\n\nAll in old, I'd say this is an excellent PC, competitive with other high end PCs from boutique manufacturers.  Where it falls short is the ability to get Dell on the phone - even with "a separate queue just for XPS users", we were on hold for close to an hour without ever speaking with a representative when trying to find out whether the shipped PC actually matched the original specs fro when the PC was ordered through the website.  Smaller PC vendors, such as Falcon-Northwest, VoodooPC, Monarch, and ABS are much better about being responsive to customers after the sale than Dell was here.  Aside from that, it's an excellent PC.