[msujedi]

I built my desktop 4yrs ago (my 1st & only build). It runs fine, but running a bit slower this past year & has always had trouble with rendering video during editing.

Current set-up:
OS Windows XP Home
CPU AMD Athlon 64 3500 (2.2 Ghz) socket 939
RAM 2 x 1Gb 184pin

I think I need to upgrade both my CPU & RAM for less lag time & for successful rendering while attempting to burn a DVD with menus, etc.

But, as I'm looking around, it looks like my 939 socket is obsolete.

Can I get by just adding another 2 x 1Gb 184pin memory set?
(MB still has 4 slots, 2 are still open)

Or do I really need to upgrade my CPU too? If I need to upgrade my CPU, then that means a new MB too.

Is replacing a MB, CPU, and RAM as simple as...
1. turn power off & discharge bodily electricity
2. open case, remove stuff I'm keeping from old MB (vid card, HDD, etc)& remove old MB
3. mount new CPU & RAM onto new MB & mount new MB onto case
4. reattach stuff I'm keeping to new MB
5. turn power on & watch the magic happen? (or do I need to do anything in DOS?)

Thanks for helping!

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Replacing your motherboard is just that simple! Especially considering most motherboard's come with CMOS!

Just ensure that all the components you need to keep are compatible with that motherboard.

Weather of not to upgrade is a different question. It depends on what you do. One of my favorite machines is actually a P4 (2.4GHz) with only 768MB of RAM. It's my 'ol faithful and it gets me through regular computer habits. Browsing the web, email, word processing, it can even support Photoshop CS4. But the truth is, that's the machine in my shed that I use to listen to music while I'm doing yardwork.

So, what do you actually use your PC for?

[ItsJJStyles]

Replacing your motherboard is just that simple! Especially considering most motherboard's come with CMOS!

Just ensure that all the components you need to keep are compatible with that motherboard.

Weather of not to upgrade is a different question. It depends on what you do. One of my favorite machines is actually a P4 (2.4GHz) with only 768MB of RAM. It's my 'ol faithful and it gets me through regular computer habits. Browsing the web, email, word processing, it can even support Photoshop CS4. But the truth is, that's the machine in my shed that I use to listen to music while I'm doing yardwork.

So, what do you actually use your PC for?

[Bonzai82]

Hi!

Well if you do video encoding and things like that more RAM won't help much you'll need faster cpu.And if you want to replace CPU, MB and RAM be sure to check your graphic card if it's AGP or PCI-E!

[msujedi]

Thanks...you've both been very helpful.

I share the computer with my wife & kids...each have different uses. I could probably get by for a year with additional memory for netflix streaming from computer to our tv, email, online banking/shopping, excel, word, etc.

But, we're accumulating a lot of family video that I need to edit (trim the fat) and create DVDs that we'll actually throw in on a family night. So, I kinda figured I could use a CPU upgrade to successfully render the video. Thanks for confirming.

And, argghhh! Now I'll need a new graphics card too! Mine has AGP graphics socket. The MB I was thinking of getting has a PCI socket for graphics.

Here's what I'm considering: (from newegg)

MB GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-UD4P AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 790X ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813128387

CPU AMD Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition Callisto 3.1GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 80W Dual-Core Processor
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819103680

RAM A-DATA G series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model ADQVE1B16KG
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820211281

Any graphics card recommendations?
(primary uses: video editing, tv viewing/recording, ...no gaming needs...ps2)

[Bonzai82]

Motherboard and memory are good but I would go for this cpu http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819103704 it's quad core it will do better than dual core in video editing.How much would you spend on graphic card? Since is not for gaming I think some low-end graphic would be fine.

[msujedi]

I think I have vid card figured out, so I just need to make a final cpu decision.
I checked out the cpu above. Will quad-core 2.8mhz out-perform dual-core 3.1mhz when rendering video? I suppose you looked at the mhz before making your recommendation, so you can ignore this question. Thanks for all you help!

Vid card thoughts/decision below.
I don't want to say that $ is no object, but my main priority is getting a card that will do what I want it to do...
-a dvi or at least s-video input (sending my vid-cam video to pc)
-a coax input to watch/record TV (intend to use pc as dvr)
-an s-video output to stream netflix to TV in other room (already wired & works well with current card)

I think I found a reasonably inexpensive solution:
S-video out, DVI
XFX PVT94GZAFG GeForce 9400 GT 1GB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814150353

Coax in with multiple format support
AVerMedia AVerTV Hybrid Volar Max MTVHBVMXR USB 2.0 Interface
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16815100035

Edited by msujedi, 02 December 2009 - 09:44 PM.

[Bonzai82]

In video encoding/creating X4 630 is faster for around 20% compare to X2 550.My reommendation is X4 630.Graphic card it's okay for what you'll need.