[Jazziy.AshW-]

Hello, I was wondering if people could help me with some questions about upgrading my computer. I'll give you my current system's speccs first:

Windows XP SP2 Home - 32Bit I think
AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Processor (Socket 939)
nVidia GeForce6100 - nForce410/430 MCP Motherboard
2x PC3200 DDR 512MB RAM sticks (1024MB Total)
nVidia GeForce 7300LE GPU (PCI-E) - 256MB DDR2 (512MB effective with 1GB RAM+)

Okay, so, I got some cash the other day and have been looking for upgrades. The first thing I've done is ordered myself 2x 1GB TRANSCEND PC3200 DDR RAM sticks, so I'll have 2GB RAM. Then, I'm wondering what else to upgrade (money is a bit tight so can't upgrade everything - Only a few things).

So, I've been looking around but now I'm stuck, hence I've come posting here :)

Can anyone help me choose the next thing to upgrade? I was pondering the possibility of upgrading my processor for an AMD Athlon 64 DualCore 3800+ Processor, as I read somewhere that this is one of the fastest processors available for a Socket 939 system.

Or, I could upgrade the Graphics Card. I should mention I mostly play games on my computer, such as WAR, LotRO, etc, which are both pretty intensive on the higher settings, if that affects the choices.

Thankyou in advance :),
Ash.

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How much is your budget?
What do you mainly use this computer for (is gaming a large part of it)?

[edge2022]

How much is your budget?
What do you mainly use this computer for (is gaming a large part of it)?

[Jazziy.AshW-]

Heya thankyou for the reply. I will have around £150 to toy with, although the less of that I can spend as possible, the better.

And yeah, I practically only ever use the computer for gaming, mainly MMOs.

Regards,
Ash.

[edge2022]

You mention 150 pounds...
Do you know of any online computer stores that ship to where you live?

Download CPU-Z: http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php
Launch the program and go to the Mainboard tab... post the entries in Manufacturer, Model, and Chipset.

[Jazziy.AshW-]

Erm, Scan is the only UK-Based one I really know of.

Mainboard

Manufacturer: http://www.abit.com.tw/
Model: NF-95 (NVIDIA GeForce6100-nForce410)
Chipset Northbridge: NVIDIA GeForce 6100 rev. A2
Chipset Southbridge: NVIDIA nForce 410/430 MCP rev. A2

[edge2022]

Is this your motherboard: http://www.abit.com....TYPE=Socket 939 ?

Do you have your PCI-E 16x slot open?

Go back into CPU-Z and go to the CPU tab. Tell me all the info in the Clocks box, and in the Processor box tell me the name, package, voltage, and specification.

[Jazziy.AshW-]

That sure looks like the motherboard I've got, yeah :)

From CPU-Z:

Core Speed: 2008.9 MHz
Multiplier: 10.0x
Bus Speed: 200.9 MHz
HT Link: 1004.5 MHz

Name: AMD Athlon 64 3200+
Package: Socket 939
Voltage: 1.440V

Specification: AMD Athlon™ 64 Processor 3200+
Family: F
Ext. Family: F
Model: F
Ext. Model: 2F
Stepping: 2
Revision: DH-E6
Instructions: MMX (+), 3DNow! (+), SSE, SSE2, SSE3, x86-64

Sorry if that's more than you needed - Thought I'd give you the whole lot in case you needed it hehe.

Thankyou for taking your time to help me by the way :)

Regards,
Ash.

Edit: Erm, how do I check if that PCI-E 16x is open? Do I look inside the machine? Thanks!

Edited by Jazziy.AshW-, 18 July 2009 - 03:09 PM.

[edge2022]

how do I check if that PCI-E 16x is open? Do I look inside the machine? Thanks!

Look inside your case at your motherboard. It is the black slot next to the 3 white (PCI) slots.

I just wanted the info from CPU-Z to check if any CPUs are faster than the one you have. It already looks like you have a good CPU (can't find those old socket 939 ones). You can probably overclock your CPU to a good speed.

Here are some top-notch cards for you:
http://www.scan.co.u...x-DL-DVI-I-HDTV
http://www.scan.co.u...x-DL-DVI-I-HDTV
Both cards are very good for gaming, just make sure you have adequate space for them.

[Jazziy.AshW-]

Okidoke. I think I'll go with the 9800GT you linked me :)

Thankyou so much for your help Edge, I really appreciate it!

Best Regards,
Ash.

[edge2022]

Good choice!
Post back here and tell me how it works after you install it.

Did you try overclocking your CPU?
Look here if interested: http://www.hardwares...m/article/102/1
You can also find some other good tutorials online. Read through a lot of them to grasp the idea, and if needed, pick up a CPU cooler.