Is this possible? :) New project.

[Syribo]

Now that I have my new computer working, I would like to work on getting my old Dell Dimension 4550 to be able to just play WoW (Low settings don't matter) and torrent a lot.

My question is.. what can I upgrade from the Dell? I want to spend as little as possibly, as long as it is an upgrade. A case too needs to be bought, because the one it's in is horrible and there is no ventilation. What can I upgrade the GPU to? I'm confused if I HAVE to use AGP.. or if I can use PCI? So confused. What else do you see there that I could replace for a semi-cheap price?

I also want at least 500GB of HDD space or more. But I don't know if this system is IDE or SATA ( haven't opened it up in a long time.. it's in an awkward position for me to try and open right now) ). This is what I copied from Dell's website when I put in my product number. It's a Pentium 4 2.53GHz processor:

Hardware Type Description
DVD/CD-ROM Drives
LITEON DVD-ROM LTD163
_NEC CD-RW NR-9300A

Disk Drives
Maxtor 6Y120L0 114.4Gb
ST3120023A 111.7Gb

Display Adapters
RADEON 9700 PRO 128Mb RADEON 9700 PRO - Secondary 128Mb
Floppy Disk Drives (Standard floppy disk drives)
Floppy disk drive IDE ATA/ATAPI Controllers

Intel(R) 82801DB Ultra ATA Storage Controller - 24CB
Primary IDE Channel
Secondary IDE Channel
Keyboards PS/2 Keyboard Mice and Other Pointing Devices
PS/2 Compatible Mouse Monitors Default Monitor
Sound Devices Unimodem Half-Duplex Audio Device
Creative Audigy Audio Processor (WDM)

USB Controllers Intel(R) 82801DB/DBM USB Universal Host Controller - 24C2
Intel(R) 82801DB/DBM USB Universal Host Controller - 24C4
Intel(R) 82801DB/DBM USB Universal Host Controller - 24C7
Intel(R) 82801DB/DBM USB 2.0 Enhanced Host Controller - 24CD


Thanks for looking and helping Want to get this project started pretty soon. There is no 'budget' exactly.. I want to spend as LITTLE as possible just so it can do those two things. It is too slow for WoW right now. I get 5FPS maybe 20FPS on a good day. Torrents go fast, I just need more space.

 

[Tamakyo]

The two hard drives in your system are IDE and your video card is AGP; you can can upgrade to an IDE or SATA hard drive, but you need to use an adapter on your hard drive and power connector if you upgrade to a SATA hard drive. Your current video card is AGP, so you can upgrade to a faster AGP video card unless your motherboard supports PCI Express.

 

[Syribo]

Still going to be working on this system upgrade I'm thinking that my Dell has a 1GB max for DDR RAM So I guess I can't upgrade that. Would it be cheaper to just buy a new cheap system that is just capable of playing WoW and torrenting?? Like, could I build a system for just ~$400-500 maybe? Or should I reuse some parts like the P4 processor (2.53Ghz) or the mobo? Definitely will reuse the sound card, and put the two 125MB HDDs in an array together, along with maybe a 750GB drive.

What do you think the best path would be? Recommend me parts too, if you would like Since I'm extremely 120% pleased with the new system you all helped pick out!

 

[cooter]

Can you provide a budget and the model of the computer?

For the basics I would recommend:

Graphics: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814241072
Hard Drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148133
Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811164040
RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231039

That will get you a pretty good system. Cost may be a bit high but without a number to shoot for that is where I would start.

 

[Dangman]

Would it be cheaper to just buy a new cheap system that is just capable of playing WoW and torrenting?? Like, could I build a system for just ~$400-500 maybe? Or should I reuse some parts like the P4 processor (2.53Ghz) or the mobo? Definitely will reuse the sound card, and put the two 125MB HDDs in an array together, along with maybe a 750GB drive.

If WoW on low settings is your main goal, then browse around the For Sale and For Trade forum for a used AGP video card. Main cards to watch out for is hte 6600GT, 6800GT, and x850/X800 line of cards for around $45 to $55. That should be more than enough for WoW on low settings. Though make sure that your power supply can handle the new card.

Just a FYI though, you can build a very good PC for WoW for under $500:
Intel Pentium Dual Core E2160 CPU - $70
Gigabyte GA-P35-S3G Intel P35 Motherboard - $71
G.SKILL F2-6400CL5D-2GBNQ 2 x 1GB DDR2 800 RAM - $45
Gigabyte GV-NX86T256H GeForce 8600GT 256MB PCI-E HDCP Ready Video Card - $93
Western Digital WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - $95
Samsung SH-203B 20X DVD±R SATA DVD Burner - $30
Antec NSK4480 ATX Case With Antec Earthwatts 380W PSU - $70
-----
Total: $474 plus tax and shipping.

You can still reuse the IDE hard drives in your dell in the new system above.

We can help you better if you told use what model Dell you have.

 

[odin]

anything is possible