Upgrading....Need Help and feedback. Please.

Jumpingyoshi · 07-14-2008, 12:31 AM

Hi, I have a Dell XPS Gen5 computer that was top of the line back in 2005. I am wondering if I should upgrade or simply start from scratch.
MY CURRENT SPECS
Intel Pentium D 3.0 GHZ,
My motherboard stats can be found here
I have an ATI radeon X850 XT 256MB...
and 2GB of ram.
and a 460 power supply.
I am currently on windows xp...but want to switch to vista with upgrade. (I already own vista)

OK...I want to upgrade to a Intel core 2 duo...problem is my motherboard only supports 800MHZ front side bus. I found the best card I could... Here so I am wondering how much of an upgrade is this from my current card and is it worth the money. Should I just get a new motherboard that supports 1333MHZ FBS?

and the videocard I want is here

and the ram I want is here (Is there a reason it is so cheap?) I want to put 4GB of ram in my upgraded computer. I also already own windows vista 64bit.

Ok....So is all this stuff compatible with my current computer?
I could order all this stuff for less than $800 which is significantly cheaper than building a whole new computer with those parts.

Feedback please...I am a struggling student so I am on a budget. Any help would be great...thanks. I will be using this computer for gaming as well as 3d modeling and rendering.

Nitrus · 07-14-2008, 03:30 AM

Vista, you can run on MINIMUM of 2gb RAM, i dont care what the box says, you need at least 2gb if you want it to run properly. If you can afford it, put some more in there, no more than 4gb.

Your power supply should be ok for upgrades.

If you game, or use graphic intensive programs, you might want to get a graphics card with 512mb, you can pick up good ones for around $200.

The processor you found, would certainly boost performance, and it should run vista just fine, good processor for a small budget, then you dont have to upgrade your mobo.

**linderman** · 07-15-2008, 05:43 PM

first off there is no way in hades an 8800 ultra will run on a 460 watt DELL power supply

2nd >>>>> get a motherboard that is 1333mhz bus

look for the Gigabyte GA-EP35-DS4 or Asus P5K-E

then get Intel E8400

forget spending $500.00 on a video card .......... better off with the faster AT 4870 for $300.00

if you want to shave some money of the motherboard ...... and maybe even video card too ....... look on mwave.com / click refurbished / then click on the part group (motherboard , VGA , power supplies etc)

I would in your shoes look for a better power supply and you will need a case ............

summary

Intel E8400 CPU.... $189.00

P35 chipset motherboard ....... under $100.oo at the wave

Power supply = $100.00 for Corsair TX-750 watt at provantage.com (hurry thats a steal on a super star power supply)

Coolermaster centurion case at newegg.com for $50.00

video card at mwave = not more than $200.00 will do it !

**linderman** · 07-15-2008, 05:44 PM

memory if needed ??????? Corsair Dominator PC8500 ???????

07-14-2008, 12:31 AM	#1 (permalink)
Jumpingyoshi Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 3 OS: xp	Upgrading....Need Help and feedback. Please. Hi, I have a Dell XPS Gen5 computer that was top of the line back in 2005. I am wondering if I should upgrade or simply start from scratch. MY CURRENT SPECS Intel Pentium D 3.0 GHZ, My motherboard stats can be found here I have an ATI radeon X850 XT 256MB... and 2GB of ram. and a 460 power supply. I am currently on windows xp...but want to switch to vista with upgrade. (I already own vista) OK...I want to upgrade to a Intel core 2 duo...problem is my motherboard only supports 800MHZ front side bus. I found the best card I could... Here so I am wondering how much of an upgrade is this from my current card and is it worth the money. Should I just get a new motherboard that supports 1333MHZ FBS? and the videocard I want is here and the ram I want is here (Is there a reason it is so cheap?) I want to put 4GB of ram in my upgraded computer. I also already own windows vista 64bit. Ok....So is all this stuff compatible with my current computer? I could order all this stuff for less than $800 which is significantly cheaper than building a whole new computer with those parts. Feedback please...I am a struggling student so I am on a budget. Any help would be great...thanks. I will be using this computer for gaming as well as 3d modeling and rendering. Last edited by Jumpingyoshi : 07-14-2008 at 12:40 AM.

07-14-2008, 03:30 AM	#2 (permalink)
Nitrus Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Leicester (UK) Posts: 273 OS: Windows Vista My System	Re: Upgrading....Need Help and feedback. Please. Vista, you can run on MINIMUM of 2gb RAM, i dont care what the box says, you need at least 2gb if you want it to run properly. If you can afford it, put some more in there, no more than 4gb. Your power supply should be ok for upgrades. If you game, or use graphic intensive programs, you might want to get a graphics card with 512mb, you can pick up good ones for around $200. The processor you found, would certainly boost performance, and it should run vista just fine, good processor for a small budget, then you dont have to upgrade your mobo. __________________ On holiday for two weeks, so can't reply to threads right now, sorry.

07-15-2008, 05:43 PM	#3 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 14,030 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Re: Upgrading....Need Help and feedback. Please. first off there is no way in hades an 8800 ultra will run on a 460 watt DELL power supply 2nd >>>>> get a motherboard that is 1333mhz bus look for the Gigabyte GA-EP35-DS4 or Asus P5K-E then get Intel E8400 forget spending $500.00 on a video card .......... better off with the faster AT 4870 for $300.00 if you want to shave some money of the motherboard ...... and maybe even video card too ....... look on mwave.com / click refurbished / then click on the part group (motherboard , VGA , power supplies etc) I would in your shoes look for a better power supply and you will need a case ............ summary Intel E8400 CPU.... $189.00 P35 chipset motherboard ....... under $100.oo at the wave Power supply = $100.00 for Corsair TX-750 watt at provantage.com (hurry thats a steal on a super star power supply) Coolermaster centurion case at newegg.com for $50.00 video card at mwave = not more than $200.00 will do it ! __________________ If you cant be polite and friendly; then please be silent.

07-15-2008, 05:44 PM	#4 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 14,030 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Re: Upgrading....Need Help and feedback. Please. memory if needed ??????? Corsair Dominator PC8500 ??????? __________________ If you cant be polite and friendly; then please be silent.