[Xiuhcoati]

Hello techy people,

My husband has been complaining that he needs more "ram" for his computer. I thought as a valentine's day present, I'd get him some. When I went to best buy, I was helped by a wonderful guy who recommended this forum to help me find out if the ram I got was the right kind or not.

I already figured out for myself that it is not. The motherboard supports "DDR2" and the ram is "DDR3". When I looked up what these things mean, I found out that DDR2 is really old, and I'd rather get him a new motherboard too rather than dig up some more extra old ram for him.

That being said, what all else am I going to have to buy him? If the ram won't work without the motherboard, what else isn't going to work?

The thread that said read first asked me to answer these questions to help you:

1. Budget: A few hundred dollars.
2. Brands: I don't know enough about the internal workings of a computer to know.
3. Multitasking: My husband likes to watch anime. That's all the computer is used for.
4. Gaming: Uh...no, no games.
5. Calculations: what for?
6. Overclocking: Heh? What's that?
7. Storage: It's just for watching anime. His computer is in the living room and doubles as a TV.
8. Operating System: He has windows 10
9. Accessories: Do I need to replace these things if I get a new motherboard?
10. Recycled Components: God I hope so.
11. Monitor: Already have a huge 42" monitor. He's not getting another one. Forget it.
12. Stores: Best buy. I can sneak there without him knowing it. He's so hard to surprise.
13. Location: USA

Edited to add: Before you panic and picture me attempting to add these components myself, my husband built his last computer, and my current computer also. He knows how to add the parts in. He just hasn't gotten himself a new rig in a long time, and he really deserves some new stuff.

 

[bassfisher6522]

I admire your ambition to update your husbands computer, I wish more wife's were like this (lol). Before we go any further...we need to know a few things. First off the complete specs of your husband PC...make/model of all parts. See my system specs under my avatar member area. Then, if your going to keep this newly purchased RAM, we need the brand make/model of it.

 

[Masterchiefxx17]

A great place to start finding parts is here:

http://www.techsupportforum.com/forums/f255/tsf-hardware-teams-recommended-builds-2016-a-668661.html

If all he does is watch online video, the $500 build will do just fine.

 

[Xiuhcoati]

Thank you Bassfisher and Masterchief for such a quick reply. I can always return this and get something else. The ram says PNY on the package, DDR3, PC3-12800. I'm fine with getting a new one. I just need to know what to get.

The more I look at his computer, the more I think he needs everything replaced. Either that or he has never dusted the inside of it. Ever. Ew!

Anyway, with much sneaking and trying to sneak looks inside when he wasn't in the room, I got this. I'm not sure if these are even the correct names, it is just what I could find on the labels.

CPU: AMD phenom II
Mainboard (Is that the mother board? The big green thing that everything else is stuck to?): It says biostar on it.
Memory: (Ram?)
Hard drive: 1.0 TB Western Digital
Video: saphire ati radeon
Sound: sound is video
CD ROM: HP DVD 740
Powersupply: ATX ***-00W

I don't know where to look for more information. This is from the stickers on the front and what I could see of the labels. Please let me know if there is a simpler way to look, or if I'm missing some critical information.

 

[Xiuhcoati]

A great place to start finding parts is here:

http://www.techsupportforum.com/forums/f255/tsf-hardware-teams-recommended-builds-2016-a-668661.html

If all he does is watch online video, the $500 build will do just fine.

I'll take this list in when I go back to best buy and see how much of it I can get there. I'd rather not ship anything as husband is VERY curious about all packages, and I can't guarantee I'll be home in time to pick them up and hide them. Thank you!

 

[fiberstorejames]

you are a good wife. Whatever you buy, your husband will love it. It must be the best valentine's day present for him.

 

[Masterchiefxx17]

I'll take this list in when I go back to best buy and see how much of it I can get there. I'd rather not ship anything as husband is VERY curious about all packages, and I can't guarantee I'll be home in time to pick them up and hide them. Thank you!

Mostly everything will need to be replaced, with the exception of perhaps the case and HDD. May be not that PSU if we new the make and model.

You could think about buying it online at a cheaper price and having it shipped to a parent's or friend's house.