What should be the next upgrade?

[Requiel]

Hi, I'm sorry if I'm misposting, but I was reading lots of your articles, and being somewhat of a PC idiot, I was wondering if some of you wouldn't mind recommending what should be upgraded next on my system. I don't know a whole lot about computers. My basic question is:

"Which aspect of my current system should I upgrade, and with what?"

Here are my specs (tell me if I'm missing something important)

Processor: Intel Pentium D CPU 3.00 GHz (2 CPUs)
Memory: 1022MB RAMM (1 DIMM I think)
Graphic Card: NVIDIA GeForce 6800 (256 MB)
Sound Card: SB Audigy 2 ZS Audio [D8C0]
Total Hard Drive Size: 232GB
Operating System: Windows XP: Media Center Edition

I don't even know how to tell what my motherboard is *hangs head in shame* but my Tech RA says that isn't important. He said it was a high end machine (should be: my parents said it was super expensive), but if I were to upgrade it, which component is weakest?

[vekna]

Im sure Foz will give you more advice than me, but the only thing I see you might want to do it go to 2 Gigs on your ram.
Other than that, you have a good system, if you have money burning holes in your pockets, you could also go with a new GF7800 GTX, or wait a few weeks and get the newer 7800 512MB GTX.

You seriously have a nice system already.

Here is the 7800 GTX (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814150105)

Foz's post about the 512MB version: 7800 512MB (http://www.silkyvenom.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1854)

[Fozzik]

Vekna took the words right out of my mouth.

Hopefully your RAM right now is not a single DIMM. If it is a single stick... you need to get another one badly. That processor and motherboard are designed with what is called a "dual-channel" memory controller. What that means is you effectively have two memory controllers side-by-side ready to handle RAM, which gives you twice the bandwidth. If you only have one stick... you are only using half of the bandwidth and your processor is starving, especially in games.

The video card would indeed be my second recommendation. On the "links" page for fozzik's hardware, I have listed a couple different utility programs that might be helpful to you if you are wondering about the specifics of your machine. Check out the one called "Everest". It will tell you every possible thing about what motherboard you have, as well as all your other hardware...and it's as simple as installing it and opening it up.

If you have a PCI-Express motherboard (I'm guessing you do if the processor you quoted is correct), there are lots of choices for upgrades. A 7800GT or GTX, or an X1800XL or XT would all be nice upgrades and give you a good boost in upcoming games. Before deciding on a video card however...what kind of monitor are you playing games on? The resolution you play at should be one of your first considerations when picking out a new video card.

Another thing that would be important to check before doing upgrades is your power supply. You should be able to open the side of the case and get a look at the sticker on the side of the power supply to find out what wattage and amperage it is rated for. This is very important before sticking brand new power-hungry devices into the system.

[Lochaber]

Overall the system you have now is respectable, even if it isn't near what a high end system is considered nowadays.

I'd agree with the RAM being your first item to upgrade. One gig is enough to get you by on most things, but upgrading to 2 gigs is recommended. More and more games are wanting more RAM lately, And it'll only get worse. Battlefield 2, for example, works best with 1.2gigs of ram, otherwise you'll get slowdowns from the HD swapping VM.

Next to upgrade, like stated above, would be your video card. For this one you may want to wait for the game to be released and see how it'll appear. I'd assume you'd have to use a mix of mid-range settings with that card. If that isn't good enough you can upgrade to a 7800 GTX. It's what I use myself and it's a whole lot faster, and doesn't really need more power so your current supply should suffice. (It does need one external power source though, but the packaging should come with a Y adapter with most manufacturers).

Other than that you can most likely wait. Your soundcard really won't need to be upgraded for awhile. Sound technology isn't as fast paced as video, so any Audigy 2+ should suffice.

[Requiel]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone!!! I'm sorry it took me so long to respond Fozzik.

I actually do have 2 DIMMS for my 1 GB of RAMM.
My monitor is a 17" flat panel, and my res. is 1280x1024.

However, I can't find my power supply. Its a DELL XPS, and being mechanically AND electrically illiterate, I couldn't find a way to get at it (The area where the power cord plugs into seemed unaccessable). However, I found a sticker that didn't mean anything to me, but maybe it'll mean something to you:

V: 115/230
A: 6.0/3.0A
Hz: 50/60

I assume "V" is voltage, "A" is ampage and "Hz" is hertz, but again, I'm not very good with hardware. That help? Thanks for the help, I'm going to run "Everest" today.

[Lochaber]

It'll be easier if you can tell us the model number of that Dell XPS. That way we can get the specs on it.

[Requiel]

It'll be easier if you can tell us the model number of that Dell XPS. That way we can get the specs on it.


Under Model # it said: WHL

Hope that helps!

[Lochaber]

That's not helpful. ;)

There should be a service tag on the side or back panel. If you give that it can help.

(5-7 digit (letter and number) on a white bar-code))

[Orlun]

If your Dell XPS with a pentium D3.0 was a "Media System" I'm pretty sure it has a power supply with 375 watts.

[Fozzik]

In other words, it may be a good idea to look at a more powerful name brand power supply if you are going to upgrade to a higher-end video card. Dell generally is going to put in the lowest rated power supply they can, and they really would like it if you just bought another computer from them rather than upgrading the existing one. I'm not even sure if a regular ATX power supply would fit in the case, or wether it's possible to take the old one out.

[Merkeon]

If im not mistaken, you cant change the Power Supply in a DELL machine, but they might have changed that. I know for a fact you cannot change the case because DELL's motherboards are custom size and wotn fit on anything else. Before you go and buy a PSU check if the case is ATX, or AT, and also see if its even possible for the components to work on a different brand PSU.

[Breogan]

I don't think he needs to upgrade anything besides the amount of RAM. With a 17" LCD he will be able to play at 1280x1024 at best, and for the time being, I think the 6800 is good enough for that :)

[nubbins]

prolly ur ram ;)