newbie to this

daxleet

n00b
Joined
Aug 19, 2006
Messages
3
I'm not very experienced in the hardware area, but I am becoming interested.

Code:
CPU:  	Intel® Celeron® D 340 Processor
(, , )
Operating System: 	Genuine Microsoft® Windows® XP Home
Chipset: 	Intel® 845GV chipset
Memory: 	512MB DDR 333
Expandable to 2GB
Hard Drive: 	80GB 7200rpm, 2MB cache
Optical Drive: 	DVD±RW, 16x Multi-Format double layer
Media Reader: 	8-in-1 digital media manager
Video: 	Intel® Extreme Graphics 3D
64MB shared video memory
Sound: 	AC '97 audio
Network: 	Intel® PRO 10/100Mbps integrated Ethernet
Modem: 	56K ITU v.92-ready Fax/Modem
Peripherals: 	Standard keyboard, 2-button wheel mouse, amplified stereo speakers
Ports/Other: 	5 USB (1 in Media Manager, 4 in back), 1 VGA external connector, 1 serial, 1 parallel, 2 PS/2, 5 audio (2 in front, 3 in back)


There is my current specs. [lol kinda lame eh?] I have 50 dollars right now and I'm wondering what would be the best upgrade to make, or optimization. I was thinking about trying to OC it, then put in a cooling system, but my friend said that wouldn't do much. Any help would be great!


edit: new idea. i'm thinkin about buying a new gfx card, and disabling the on board one. any suggestions for cheap ones that work good? i'm also lookin for one that has dual output so i can use 2 monitors...
 
Oh oops. Where should I have posted this?

edit: thanks for the move :) and sorry about that.
 
DarkStar02 said:
Save up and get a whole new system.


bingo. maybe $30 for a new Logitech 518. and the rest for some teflon tape and a half-decent mousepad.
 
What do you do with the computer? Is some aspect of it's performance troubling you?
 
You can prob get another 512 if Ram for 50 bucks. Will help make your system feel smoother.
 
ilkka said:
What do you
want to
do with the computer?

I'm gonna guess that you have a prebuilt machine. Compaq? Dell? Some of these will be very limited in space, configuration, and proprietary hardware.

For $50 you could get 512 mB of RAM to total 1 gB if you shopped around.

You should get good performance from your processor. Overclocking it will depend on your motherboard. If you have a dell or compaq, this is probably a no go. A decent motherboard will cost you more than $50 and will likely not fit in your case (again if you have a dell or compaq).

I think your best upgrade would be a videocard. You could probably find an older videocard on ebay that will blow away your onboard video. Don't be scared to buy used. But again, what motherboard you have will determine the type of videocard slot you have to use. PCI, AGP, PCI Express?

My introduction to hardware happened by me searching ebay for hours, Seing something that I thought was interesting, and then googleing the part number. Thats how I found this site. Do a little research first, then ask questions. You get better responses from people here if you at least look like you tried.

Welcome to the wonderful world of hardware. Get addicted and you'll have boxes of stuff around your house that will drive your wife crazy. Just like me.
 
Back
Top