what should i upgrade first?


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I have $200...no job, and I'm 15 :p

My current specs:

500 mhz P3 (my mobo can goto a generic intel-like 1 ghz; or so gateways sez :p)

320 MB Ram (can goto 384)

Geforce 2 MX 32 mb ( think its 200)

now with 200$, which would make the most sense to upgrade?

I was thinking the Video Card, but i need your advice guys. Thanks....

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I would get a job and save up, a job would be good for your, give you something to do with your time. With $200 you could get a new vid card but would not help too much because of the current CPU, also, does that thing have an AGP slot? I would not upgrade the ram because you have plenty, i would not upgrade the CPU because you are limited there with the older motherboard. Save up for a new system

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well id go for the vid card but those are so damn expensive yet....the good ones at least.

id say get a amd athlon xp chip & mobo combo from www.pricewatch.com for under $200 and leave the vid card for when u get a job and save more.

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Originally posted by Anormal

well id go for the vid card but those are so damn expensive yet....the good ones at least.

id say get a amd athlon xp chip & mobo combo from www.pricewatch.com for under $200 and leave the vid card for when u get a job and save more.

Thats the man with the plan...you'll get your best performance upgrade from a new mobo and chipset. Easily done for under $200.

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Originally posted by Rudy

ur video card is fine, u should maybe get a cdrw or something like that

lol, i have one, but its ****ty :p 4x burn

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Originally posted by username

I would get a job and save up, a job would be good for your, give you something to do with your time. With $200 you could get a new vid card but would not help too much because of the current CPU, also, does that thing have an AGP slot? I would not upgrade the ram because you have plenty, i would not upgrade the CPU because you are limited there with the older motherboard. Save up for a new system

yeah im pretty sure i got a AGP slot.... its right above the PCI slots, right? :p

sry bout my hardware n00bness, but i havent made very many upgrades :)

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Originally posted by Rudy

ur video card is fine, u should maybe get a cdrw or something like that

not a bad idea at all since yours is pretty slow...

yes the AGP slot is above the PCI ones

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what is the scoop with athlon xp's and other AMD processors, i know the actual rates are lower, but do they perform like their names?

Like the Athlon XP 2000+, which is really 1.67Ghz, does it perform like a 2Ghz? :)

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Originally posted by Elektro

I have $200...no job, and I'm 15 :p

what did you do rob 711? ..

upgrade to that xp chipmobo combo. it sounds like a good deal, and you will get the best result!

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Uh...you guys are forgetting...he mentioned he's got a *gateway* system right now. Proprietary cases, typically. So if he's gonna buy a new mboard/proc combo, chances are he will need a new case too, because you can't usually just stick a new mboard into an OEM case. So he's looking at a complete system switch-out. Hopefully nothing else in there is proprietary either, otherwise this could get expensive for the guy pretty quick.

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Originally posted by Elektro

what is the scoop with athlon xp's and other AMD processors, i know the actual rates are lower, but do they perform like their names?

Like the Athlon XP 2000+, which is really 1.67Ghz, does it perform like a 2Ghz? :)

No, unless you over clock it a hole lot :)

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Originally posted by Elektro

what is the scoop with athlon xp's and other AMD processors, i know the actual rates are lower, but do they perform like their names?

Like the Athlon XP 2000+, which is really 1.67Ghz, does it perform like a 2Ghz? :)

i love the xp2000, my mates using a p4@ 2ghz (not oc'd) and as far as i can tell the xp200 is performing much better :D but that might also be cos he uses sd ram, i use ddr, hes got a geforce2mx, i use a geforce 4mx.

try looking round for reviews that compare p4's and xp's and see which suits u better. xp's tend to be cheaper tho :D

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Don't you think before you send this guy running out to buy a new processor and motherboard you should at least find out if it is compatible with what he's already got? He said he he's got limited funds, and I for one would feel like an ass for telling a kid to blow his whole stash on something he can't even use.

Elektro; can you list model numbers or any markings you have on your computer, so I can at least make an attempt to figure out what formfactor your case is?

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since you have a gateway

a motherboard/cpu combo wont be all that great considering you will have to buy a new case thus rendering your $200 short of a case to go with it.

i would suggest getting a cpu or vid card

you can get a pIII 1ghz for $112 on price watch and still have enough left over to upgrade your ram maybe...or get a semi decent video card.

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Give your parents a weekend getaway at a local hotel for their anniversary.

You can always upgrade/buy a new 'puter but a gift like that is remembered forever.

:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

anita

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Originally posted by aem4162

Give your parents a weekend getaway at a local hotel for their anniversary.

You can always upgrade/buy a new 'puter but a gift like that is remembered forever.

:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

anita

thanks for the advice! i think im gunna do that, good idea!

SYKE! :p

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Originally posted by azazel-

Don't you think before you send this guy running out to buy a new processor and motherboard you should at least find out if it is compatible with what he's already got? He said he he's got limited funds, and I for one would feel like an ass for telling a kid to blow his whole stash on something he can't even use.

Elektro; can you list model numbers or any markings you have on your computer, so I can at least make an attempt to figure out what formfactor your case is?

as for markings.... i have no idea where to look.... cant i just open up the pc and see if i can take the mobo out? How do ya take them out? :p

oh and is a 240v power supply enuf? thx.

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You can, problem is, all motherboards arent the same size, shape and dimensions, especially when it comes to large OEM dealers like Gateway or Dell. They want to sell computers, and once you have their computers, they want to make sure you *keep* their hardware. It's called proprietary, and it's just a way of them keeping you coming back to them to buy upgrades at an inflated price, once you've got the basic system from them. What I didn't want to happen to you, is that you take out your current motherboard, spend all your money on a new motherboard and processor, then get it home and find out that you can't connect the new board to the power supply, the rear panel connectors don't match up...there's a lot of factors, and I didn't want you to impulse-buy stuff you don't need and can't use. Doesn't matter how fast that new processor is, if it's sitting wrapped in an anti-static bag on the floor for 6 months, right?

Your best bet would be to try to find a *used* pIII on ebay or someplace similar, one that is the max mhz that your mboard will take. There may even be used computer hardware stores in your town that will take processor trade-in's for what you already have. Save as much cash as you can for now, then later on dump that money into a new system that you build yourself, then you'll be able to upgrade however you want. :)

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