[ChaosCross]

Ok i love computers but i only got one about a year ago.
So i almost knew nothing about them.
Apparently i screwed up and got an emachines which im told are the worst builds so....
I want some advice so i can upgrade my computer and ensure that it wont crash on me in another year because of faulty parts here are my system specs:
PS. ive had to format my hard drive 4 times and my computer goes slow when i try to play games, multitask or something complicated
im looking for advice, parts to use, and what i can do to upgrade my computer so that its good for gaming, video game designing, programming, i hope your starting to see the picture

I hope thats in the right order i cant tell (using belarc)
Operating System System Model
Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 2 (build 2600) No details available
Processor a Main Circuit Board b
2.67 gigahertz Intel Pentium 4
16 kilobyte primary memory cache
256 kilobyte secondary memory cache Board: Intel Corporation
Serial Number: TGSR44006508
Bus Clock: 133 megahertz
BIOS: Intel Corp. SR84510A.46T.0012.P05.0408182053 08/18/2004
Drives Memory Modules c,d
80.02 Gigabytes Usable Hard Drive Capacity
60.81 Gigabytes Hard Drive Free Space

HL-DT-ST RW/DVD GCC-4481B [CD-ROM drive]
SCSIVAX DVD/CD-ROM SCSI CdRom Device

Generic USB CF Reader USB Device [Hard drive] -- drive 2
Generic USB MS Reader USB Device [Hard drive] -- drive 4
Generic USB SD Reader USB Device [Hard drive] -- drive 1
Generic USB SM Reader USB Device [Hard drive] -- drive 3
WDC WD800BB-22JHA0 [Hard drive] (80.03 GB) -- drive 0, s/n WD-WCAM91930015, rev 05.01C05, SMART Status: Healthy 248 Megabytes Installed Memory

Slot 'J6G1' has 256 MB (serial number F203626D)
Slot 'J6G2' is Empty
Local Drive Volumes

c: (NTFS on drive 0) 80.02 GB 60.81 GB free

Network Drives
None detected
Users (mouse over user name for details) Printers
local user accounts last logon
Owner 7/29/2006 12:01:04 PM (admin)
local system accounts
Administrator never (admin)
ASPNET never
Guest never
HelpAssistant never
SUPPORT_388945a0 never


Marks a disabled account; Marks a locked account None detected
Controllers Display
Standard floppy disk controller
Intel® 82801DB Ultra ATA Storage Controller - 24CB
Primary IDE Channel [Controller]
Secondary IDE Channel [Controller] Intel® 82845G/GL/GE/PE/GV Graphics Controller [Display adapter]
PTW 15.7 [Monitor] (15.7"vis, September 2004)
Bus Adapters Multimedia
VAX347S SCSI Controller
Intel® 82801DB/DBM USB 2.0 Enhanced Host Controller - 24CD
Intel® 82801DB/DBM USB Universal Host Controller - 24C2
Intel® 82801DB/DBM USB Universal Host Controller - 24C4
Intel® 82801DB/DBM USB Universal Host Controller - 24C7 SoundMAX Integrated Digital Audio
Communications Other Devices
SoftV92 Data Fax Modem with SmartCP


Intel® PRO/100 VE Network Connection
primary Auto IP Address: 192.168.15.2 / 24
Gateway: 192.168.15.1
Dhcp Server: 192.168.15.1
Physical Address: 00:11:11:55:AC:9C

Networking Dns Server: 192.168.15.1
Intel® Graphics Chipset (KCH) Driver
Intel® Graphics Platform (SoftBIOS) Driver
Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural PS/2 Keyboard
Microsoft PS/2 Mouse
USB Mass Storage Device
USB Root Hub (4x)
Virus Protection [Back to Top]
Norton AntiVirus Version 10.00
Virus Definitions Version 7/12/2006 Rev 21
Last Disk Scan on Saturday, July 29, 2006 10:34:11 AM
Realtime File Scanning On

Missing Microsoft Security Hotfixes [Back to Top]

All required security hotfixes (using the 07/11/2006 Microsoft Security Bulletin Summary) have been installed.


Installed Microsoft Hotfixes [Back to Top]
Internet Explorer
SP2 (SP2)
Windows Media Player 10
KB917734_WMP10 (details...)
SP0
KB917734_WMP10 on 7/27/2006 (details...)
Windows Media Player 9
KB917734_WMP9 (details...)
SP0
KB917734_WMP9 on 7/19/2006 (details...)
Windows Media Player
SP0
KB911564 on 7/19/2006 (details...)
Windows XP
SP3
KB873339 on 7/19/2006 (details...)
KB885835 on 7/19/2006 (details...)
KB885836 on 7/19/2006 (details...)
KB886185 on 7/19/2006 (details...)
KB887472 on 7/19/2006 (details...)
KB888113 on 7/19/2006 (details...)
KB888302 on 7/19/2006 (details...)
KB890046 on 7/19/2006 (details...)
KB890859 on 7/19/2006 (details...)
KB891781 on 7/19/2006 (details...)
KB893756 on 7/19/2006 (details...)
KB893803V2 on 7/19/2006 (details...)
KB894391 on 7/19/2006 (details...)
KB896358 on 7/19/2006 (details...)
KB896423 on 7/19/2006 (details...)
KB896424 on 7/19/2006 (details...)
KB896428 on 7/19/2006 (details...)
Windows XP
SP3 (continued)
KB898461 on 7/19/2006 (details...)
KB899587 on 7/19/2006 (details...)
KB899591 on 7/19/2006 (details...)
KB900485 on 7/19/2006 (details...)
KB900725 on 7/19/2006 (details...)
KB901017 on 7/19/2006 (details...)
KB901214 on 7/19/2006 (details...)
KB902400 on 7/19/2006 (details...)
KB904706 on 7/19/2006 (details...)
KB905414 on 7/19/2006 (details...)
KB905749 on 7/19/2006 (details...)
KB908519 on 7/19/2006 (details...)
KB908531 on 7/19/2006 (details...)
KB910437 on 7/19/2006 (details...)
KB911280 on 7/19/2006 (details...)
KB911562 on 7/19/2006 (details...)
KB911567 on 7/19/2006 (details...)
KB911927 on 7/19/2006 (details...)
KB912919 on 7/19/2006 (details...)
KB913580 on 7/19/2006 (details...)
KB914388 on 7/19/2006 (details...)
KB914389 on 7/19/2006 (details...)
KB916281 on 7/19/2006 (details...)
KB916595 on 7/19/2006 (details...)
KB917159 on 7/19/2006 (details...)
KB917344 on 7/19/2006 (details...)
KB917953 on 7/19/2006 (details...)
KB918439 on 7/19/2006 (details...)





.

Software Licenses
Belarc - Advisor 37e7f44f
Microsoft - Internet Explorer 76477-OEM-0011903-00103 (Key: MYFFD-PJP7T-J8BM6-MXPH6-3R2BW)e
Microsoft - Money 2004 72702-OEM-0400003-00000 (Key: TM66R-2Q86K-HXPBD-CQ9TR-9WTQY)e
Microsoft - WebFldrs XP 12345-111-1111111-35687
Microsoft - Windows XP Home Edition 76477-OEM-0011903-00103 (Key: MYFFD-PJP7T-J8BM6-MXPH6-3R2BW)e
Microsoft - Works 76032-OEM-0400003-00000
Microsoft - Works 8.0 76032-OEM-0400003-00000 (Key: TM66R-2Q86K-HXPBD-CQ9TR-9WTQY)e
Symantec - MSRedist 1
Symantec - Norton AntiVirus 2004 1
Symantec - Norton WMI Update 1
Symantec - SymNet 1

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America Online Version 10.0.20.1.US.1 *
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America Online, Inc. - AOL Connectivity Service Version 2.0.20.1.US.1 *
AOL Companion Version 1, 6, 2, 0 *
AOLSP Scheduler Version 1, 0, 0, 66 *
Apple Computer, Inc. - iTunes Version 6.0.5.20 *
Apple Computer, Inc. - QuickTime QuickTime 7.1 *
Belarc, Inc. - Advisor Version 7.1h *
Bethesda Softworks Morrowind Launcher Version 1, 0, 0, 1 *
Bethesda Softworks TES Construction Set Version 1.6.1820 *
BigFix Inc. - BFast Version 1, 7, 6, 0 *
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BitComet Codec Check Version 1.0.0.2 *
Cinematronics - 3D Pinball Version 5.1.2600.2180 *
Combined Community Codec Pack Version 1.0.1.0 *
CyberLink Corp. - CLDMA Version 1, 0, 0, 2502 *
CyberLink Corp. - PowerDVD Version 5.00.1107 *
GTek Technologies Ltd. - GTCoach Version 3, 0, 0, 1 *
Intel® Common User Interface Version 7.0.0.2331 *
Intel® Network Configuration Services Version 1.1.13.0 *
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there is wayyyy too much uneeded info in your post... lets start off with this, what is your budget on this upgrade?

From what I can see you are running p4 2.67ghz with a 150 gig hd an LG GCC-4481B CD Burner, somekinda scsi dvd rom, 256mb of some unknown ram, 15" monitor, a fax-modem -- is this thing onboard or are you on 56k or something? , dont see any vid card either so must be an onboard and cant really tell what motherboard either.

I would say your overdue for a big upgrade, knowing your budget would help determine exactly what you can get.

[jigga211]

there is wayyyy too much uneeded info in your post... lets start off with this, what is your budget on this upgrade?

From what I can see you are running p4 2.67ghz with a 150 gig hd an LG GCC-4481B CD Burner, somekinda scsi dvd rom, 256mb of some unknown ram, 15" monitor, a fax-modem -- is this thing onboard or are you on 56k or something? , dont see any vid card either so must be an onboard and cant really tell what motherboard either.

I would say your overdue for a big upgrade, knowing your budget would help determine exactly what you can get.

[ChaosCross]

about 800 bucks is what i can scrap together within the next month and i have ddr sdram sorry about the extra info im really trying to learn

Edited by ChaosCross, 29 July 2006 - 07:46 PM.

[jigga211]

Ok, after looking it over a bit more to give you good advice few more things we need to know, like does your motherboard take a 478 pin or 775 pin CPU, the most cheapest emachine now comes with 775 but you said it's a year old so they coulda easily stuck you with 478. No matter which one you got you can get a 3.3ghz cpu for any of those sockets for $50 bucks.

Also if your on a 478 then most likely you got an AGP slot for the video card (you need to check this as well), the emchines come with crap onboard graphic cards so for any decent gaming you would need another video card.

They still ship em with 256mb of RAM (wow these guys rip you off nicely) some unknown ram too. YOur motherboard takes ddr 400 for sure, I suggest getting a gig of new ram in other words 2x512 sticks and ditching what you have in there now, you can get some good ddr 400 for cheap.

Your harddrive seems fine as you still have space in it so if ur on a tight budget your ok there.

Edited by jigga211, 29 July 2006 - 07:48 PM.

[ChaosCross]

alright thanx but how do i find out if i have an agp or pci oh yea and what about power ,cooling, and video cards?

Edited by ChaosCross, 29 July 2006 - 08:06 PM.

[jigga211]

Well [bleep] SDram huh, thats pretty bad too lol. To tell you the honest truth I would take the $800 and just build you a brand new PC, and you could easily do it too.

Edited by jigga211, 29 July 2006 - 08:22 PM.

[ChaosCross]

wow thnx but remember im looking for something that pretty much owns my current one also im keeping this old one intact for my little bros so they can learn also i hope this isnt asking much but do you know any resources for learning about your computer, i cant exactly enter the computer career scene and not know what ghz are lol

[jigga211]

Ok heres one:

Case - Thermaltake Black Mambo - $50

Motherboard - MSI K9N Platinum NVIDIA Socket AM2 - $130

CPU - AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ 2.20GHz (Dual Core) - $200

Powersupply - Enermax / 535-Wat - $90

Vid Card - EVGA GeForce 7600 GT KO - $140

Memory - 1gig Corsair ddr2-667 - $112

Cd/dvd Burner - LG SuperMulti GSA4167B - $45

HD - Keep your own harddrive

Windows XP - XP Home - $90

Total - $857 before tax.

And this would be HUGE improvment over your PC now, since its dual core you wouldnt have problems multitasking like you do now.

Not sure about computer info sites but you can just google everything you need to know.

Edited by jigga211, 29 July 2006 - 10:58 PM.

[ChaosCross]

ok but what about the sound driver or card, and does dual core really work well because i was told in cases like mine a regular processor with power like 3.0 or something

[jigga211]

All motherboards have onboard sound thats good enough unless your hardcore and want to buy an additional soundcard but there is really no point in it as the sound off the motherboard is great! Only time you need an additional sound card is if you got some hardcore PC speaker set that you REALLY wanna take the advantage of their sound then you should consider buying one but for otherwise not needed.

Whats in regular cases with power like 3.0? Not sure what you mean by that, but the processor yes that is true dual core, you will be able to do multiple things at the same time no problem. Prices are low because Intel released a new processor on Thursday and all the AMD prices were cut in half to compete, so last week you would have paid 2x times more for it.

[ChaosCross]

well i was talking to some dude from dell and he gave me this analogy because i had gottten 2gb of ram a turbo video card a intel dual core and aegia physics accelerator chip .
he said:
"youve got alot of power there so a dual core wouldnt be as effective as a intel d 'something' 3.'something' processor. your trying to use a sports car when really you need a drag racer"
thats what the guy said i wonder if he was just trying to play me oh well

[jigga211]

I cant comment on dell I never tried their services and never will as I can build my own pc and save money as dell is known to overcharge, but some people like it and if your cant put your own PC together then you could go that route.

I guess when you told him what dual core you wanted he prolly meant that you should get a higher dual core or something and said you shuld go with the 3ghz Intel Pentium D (d stands for dual core) . Which dual core did u mention to him? the amd one from my post? If that's what you mentioned then yea i dont doubt he said that cuz that intel d is better. If you are thinking about it I suggest the Intel Pentium D 940 3.20GHz it should be just a few bucks more then the 3.0

[kidnova]

well i was talking to some dude from dell and he gave me this analogy because i had gottten 2gb of ram a turbo video card a intel dual core and aegia physics accelerator chip .
he said:
"youve got alot of power there so a dual core wouldnt be as effective as a intel d 'something' 3.'something' processor. your trying to use a sports car when really you need a drag racer"
thats what the guy said i wonder if he was just trying to play me oh well

I'm guessing that he was assuming that you would be using this comp for gaming primarily given the other hardware you have. Currently, a fast single-core processor will outperform a dual-core processor rated at the same speed because, TO-DATE, games have not been optimized to take advantage of dual-core processors. For example, an Athlon 3800+ single core versus an Athlon 3800+ X2 dual core. This is true for now, but going foward, games will be designed specifically to take full advantage of dual-core processing so you are better off in the long run going with a dual core system.

[ChaosCross]

okay i have another question
now i was told that building a system is often more troublesome and expensive than just buying a factory made computer
1. is that true
2. if it isnt are there good sites to go to to buy parts
3. is it better to buy parts from computer specialty stores
4. is it possible to buy high performance gaming computer for 750-900 dollars.
thats it for now
5. is it possible to make a gaming system out of a notebook

Edited by ChaosCross, 31 July 2006 - 12:27 AM.