Hey guys, I was just wondering how i would go about speeding up my computer. hardware wise. My computer is pretty out of date with i think only 512 of ram, 40gd HD. so YA! lol. Just a list of things i would look out for to buy would be helpful.

thanks:)

how much out of date? It might be worth purchasing a new one because even a budget one will outperform

Cudni

5 years? maybe 6

consider purchasing a new comp, as a treat

Cudni

might as well eh. Cant just keep the box (its a custom computer anyway) and add the newer hardare? or just cheaper to buy a whole new computer?

i think it is cheaper to buy new + you get the benefit up updated hardware to run things on

Cudni

if its cheaper to buy new thats alright ill buy new. but i dont want a super good computer. i barely use this thing. i game on my 360 so i was just looking to speed this up. trust me. if i had the cash id get a set up that would run crysis lol. but i dont so im just looking for something small. ill buy a new comp if its best. could really use one probably just making sure i dont waste money on a whole new computer when i only needed a few new parts to make this one just as good

Actually, you *can* buy newer hardware and stick it in there - but you might run into problems, as you'll be restricted to certain size motherboards, or certain sized power supplies, etc.

If you are not going to do much at all, I'd recommend you invest in a pre-built one from a manufacturer - or else scour the local shops for prices on building you a *budget* PC - make sure you use that word, else they *will* be building you a unit for Crysis.

Also, if you do not mind buying your own Operating system, you might look at retailers like Newegg.com and TigerDirect.com - they have some really good deals on bare bones machines. machines that basically come with the case, PSU, CPU and motherboard (and sometimes RAM ) and you add every thing else.

Just to give you an idea, though, with a 40 GB drive and 256 MB RAM, you're probably running an Intel Pentium 4 or AMD equivalent - and with the Intels, that is a minimum of 3 generations old in terms of processors. To refurbish your current computer would basically require you to replace all the components in there, with *perhaps* the exception of the DVD burner (if it has one).

thank u very much for the info. if anyone has anything else feel free to add it.

any suggestions on weather it be an intel or w.e? i dont know much about the difference

It's personal preference - Tom's Hardware Guide and AnandTech are a coupe of good resources.

When I built my new machine a month ago, (actually purchased parts on the 26th of April) I decided to go for Intel - partially because I have always used Intel in the past, partially because every hardware manufacturer was writing articles with titles like "AMD Phenom - can AMD get back in the lead?" and partially because I ave stock in Intel (OK, the last was a joke).

Here is my setup:

CPU: Core 2 Quad 6600 G0 CPU @3.375 GHz
Heatsink: Tuniq Tower 120 LFB Cooler
Motherboard: eVGA 780i Motherboard
PSU: OCZ ModXStream 780W SLI Ready PSU
Graphics Card: eVGA 8800 GTS 512 KO edition GA
RAM: 2 X 2GB OCZ PC2-8000 ReaperX HPC RAM @ 500 MHz (1000 MHz Dual)
HDs: 2 X Seagate 500 GB 7200.10 RPM 32MB Cache HDs
WD 250 GB 7200 RPM 8 MB Cache HD
Optical: SONY DRU-830A Dual Layer IDE DVD burner
Extra: Hauppage WinTV 1800 HVR TV Tuner card with Remote
Case: ThermalTake Armour case

I already had the Tuniq Tower from my blazingly hot P4 3.2 GHz CPU, so I made use of it as it is rated as one of the best air coolers around. I decided to build with an Intel Core2Quad 9450, but by the time I made up my mind to actually buy the items (IOW - when the money was in the bank) no one had any around - so I decide to downgrade to the Q6600 and overclock.

I currently have the machine overclocked by around 41% on the CPU, and the RAM is running at specification speeds and timings, and all four cores of my CPU are still less hot than the P4 was

But, I also did a *lot* of reading and asking around for advice - some people think of me as crazy for buying the motherboard I did with only a single video card - but I can always make it SLI later, and the new 9800 lines are coming soon, as long with the GeForce 200 series (those 280 cards look awesome so far) so I have basically built myself a system that is easily upgradable, and will not be obsolete in a couple of years - not with upgrades, anyway.

Ya i found a nice barebone kit on tiger direct to buy. thanks a ton. u helped out a bunch. this is what i wanted. something i could just add my own stuff too.

There ya go - I get their announcements via email and always look at them before I move on....so I know they are always offering deals on bare bones kits.

Now, ***before you go any further***

Shop around - TD is not always the best deal around.

I bought two-thirds of my hardware from NewEgg and 1/3 from TD because of the price differentials....

Thank. i know. right now im just making a list of some of the basic things im looking to buy. cooling/ ram/ hd and all that. after i get it worked out what i want im gona go around the net and try to come up with the same thing (or close enough to it) for the best price like you said. i just have a basic list so far but here it is: (tell me if im f**king up at all lol) (o and this isnt the final stuff like i said. just looking at the things id need and going from there)

CybertronPC - AMD Athlon 64 3000+ / Foxconn 6100K8MA-RS /
512MB PC3200 DDR400 / nVidia GeForce 6100 Graphics On-Board / 10/100 LAN/
Silver X-Plorer Barebone Gamer - $329.99


Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 250GB Hard Drive - 7200, 16MB, Serial ATA-300, OEM
$59.99

Vantec 3.5" Aluminum Hard Drive Cooler
$9.99

Thermaltake / Silent 775D / Socket 775 / Copper Core / Copper Heatpipes / CPU Fan
$29.99

Crucial Ballistix Dual Channel 2048MB PC6400 DDR2 800MHz EPP Memory (2x 1024MB)
$44.99