What to upgrade

T

thecomputeraddict

Limp Gawd
Joined
Apr 27, 2008
Messages
300
So I'm looking at some upgrades this summer. Mainly ram and hard drive space. And a better cpu cooler and case fans.

Current system:
AMD athlon64 3500+@2.20GHZ
1024mb ram
160gb hdd
Gigabyte GA-MA69GM-S2H
nvidia geforce 8500gt
(powersupply unknown)

The 8500gt is a new addition to my system thanks to my mom.

I live in canada and theres this place on the southside that I can get parts cheap at.

Recommend me someparts
 
More RAM, maybe a new hard drive if you really need it, but I wouldn't upgrade anything else. You're going to be held back by the CPU and GPU in that system. You're better off saving up for a new machine in a year or so.

Upgrading the stock heatsink on the CPU would be a waste IMHO, you'd have to do some pretty extreme overclocking to need something better.
 
What do you need the upgrade for, what do you need to accomplish? If you need more storage space, go with the WD640AAKS. It'll speed up your system and should suit your storage needs for a long while in future builds. RAM I wouldn't bother with unless you're switching to Vista, but it's clearly up to you. I would save some more and wait until you can afford to replace the CPU and GPU at the same time; that will be your next major upgrade after storage space.
 
While we could recommend several parts for you, to make things easier on everyone involved, I have a few questions that I'd like some answers to:

- What is your overall budget? Do shipping/taxes have to be included within that budget amount?
- Which monitor(s)/resolution(s) are you using?
- What are you primarily using this computer for? What other tasks?
- Which brand/speed of RAM/HDD are you using?
- Can you find out (for us) which specific case and/or power supply you're using?

The quickest/easiest upgrades to recommend are a new dual-core CPU (like the X2 4800+ or the 5000+ BE), 2GB of RAM, and a sub $100 hard drive ranging from 320GB to 500GB. (Granted, all of my links were from one place, but you get the idea....)

The Arctic Cooling Freezer 64 Pro is a good HSF for AMD builds, but unless you plan on overclocking (or you purchase one of the Black Edition AMD processors), it's not really needed.

The fans we could recommend depend on which size fans you need for your case. In terms of general "good" fans, we often recommend Rexus NMB-MAT/Panaflo, Yate Loon, Scythe, and Noctua. Ideally, you want a fan that pushes a lot of air while producing as little noise as you could tolerate.

If you can't tell use what your PSU is, or if you've had it for a while (like, over a year or two), then someone here may recommend a better PSU (if it's within your budget limits).
 
I've only had this system since december. I was cheap anyways. $500-$600. Its used for word processing, music, movies once in a while and web surfring. More so word processing because all my school work is done in word(online homeschooling FTW).
I'm running dual monitors with the 8500gt that run at 1280x1204. They get the job done. So I'm not too worried about monitors right now. My budget, well the budget is unknown at the moment. Shipping isn't really needed because I was going to buy my arts here in the city, but if I have to order online I will or I'll ask memory express to order them for me.
Ram is Crucial 1gb 667mhz
Hard drive is WD I think:7200rpm
Case:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119148(current one that I got with the system.
And I found out which powersupply, its a coolmaster 390watt.

Hopefully this helps.

Oh, one more thing, So dual core would be compatible with my sytem?
 
Yes, dual core CPUs would be compatible with the Gigabyte GA-MA69GM-S2H.

Tiraides recommendations are good. You'll probably want a better PSU. If you upgrade to a dual core CPU (non black edition), it should come with a nice stock HSF (4-heatpipe version), so you won't need to upgrade the cooler.
 
The case/power supply combination makes sense now. I'd normally say replace the PSU, but it will work for your needs. You may want to purchase a modular PSU, whenever you get the chance, as it allows you to use only the cables you need.

My recommendations to you are to get at least 2GB of RAM (as either a single module or a dual-channel kit) and a 320GB-500GB hard drive. I also recommend getting a dual-core processor; it will be more powerful and more efficient than the 3500+ you have now.

As for case fans, Memory Express have Panaflo and Scythe fans for less than $10 per fan. Get those, as it doesn't really make much sense to be spending a lot of money on case fans. (Based on the design of your case, I'd have the 120mm fan serve as the intake and the two rear 80mm fans serve as the exhaust.)
 
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