So I'm thinking of upgrading my computer...

**Ascarona** · March 01, 2011, 08:07 AM

It's been almost 3 years since I've got it but the little guy is starting to crash on me. I had a few crashes in these past couple of weeks and when I just checked my external HD it turns out that about 70% of the stuff that was on it is now corrupted. I was wondering where Fallout:NV went

. I've gotten rid of most of the stuff that was on there but now I'm starting to think that, as it's been such a while without a good upgrade (except for the yearly OS reinstallations to keep it clean), why not tackle all the problems I've ever had with it?

I've fixed some of my first crashes when I got rid of Vista and installed windows 7 that I picked up from the local market for €50,-... which ironically has also told me that it's not a legal copy. I'm also having some internet problems with downloading and I can't even upload anything because the connection breaks up at the end. I went to a computer store in another city who told me that my motherboard isn't compatible with Win 7 and that might explain alot of my problems. And then we have the reduced performance of my computer that comes with ageing, I've had it happen before and not even OS reinstallations can fix that unfortunately...

So all the factors combined I made a short list of what I'm going to need to make new computer.

System Specs right now

And the things that I've come up with right now:

Windows 7 Home Premium
A good motherboard
Double the RAM
Maybe a better processor but I think the RAM will do enough for now
The Internal 1TB HD.

I was wondering if you guys could help me put a good list together of what I should replace, if you need more information about my computer right now I'll happily try to provide it. I think I can get €400,- or so to spend and I already have a way to get #1. The real problems are going to be the new motherboard and the RAM, as I haven't got a clue where I'm going to find them.

Note: It doesn't have to be state of the art stuff that I need to put in there, I mean I can run the Shogun 2 Demo on max with this thing and I'm quite satisfied with the graphics as it is.
Note 2: I'm definately not a techy

I think it's quite amazing that I know what some of this stuff is so please go easy on me. I know it must look like an ancient computer to you guys but it's kept me going for a long time

.

**Ishan** · March 01, 2011, 09:27 AM

CPU is fine for now just tell us the PSU wattage & native screen resolution so that we can recommend you a new graphics card.

RAM it will be DDR2 i think so you can upgrade it to DDR2 in 800Mhz, 4GB is more than enough imo also the motherboard model no. would help.
You can find out all that via CPU-Z for PSU you have to open the case and see the wattage.

**Ascarona** · March 01, 2011, 11:08 AM

Originally Posted by Ishan

CPU is fine for now just tell us the PSU wattage & native screen resolution so that we can recommend you a new graphics card.

RAM it will be DDR2 i think so you can upgrade it to DDR2 in 800Mhz, 4GB is more than enough imo also the motherboard model no. would help.
You can find out all that via CPU-Z for PSU you have to open the case and see the wattage.

My native screen resolution is 1440×900 and I have 2 DDR2 1024MB's. Where can I find the model no. in CPU-Z? It only says P5K.

**PoleCat** · March 01, 2011, 11:42 AM

Originally Posted by Ascarona

...It only says P5K.

I'm pretty sure it's this MOBO.

You say that you were told this board isn't Win7 compatible? Did they suggest downloading the drivers for your board or did they try to sell you another board?

Bottom line - that board is fine. Try updating the drivers and see if that boosts performance (and maybe it will stop the data corruption problem you're having). Good luck!

**Ishan** · March 01, 2011, 11:43 AM

What's the frequency of your RAM if it's 667Mhz than upgrade that as well to atleast 800, for greater like 1066Mhz we have to check if the motherboard supports it.

For that resolution you can go for HD5770 or a GTX460. For overkill go for GTX570 graphics card.
Hmm i thought CPU-Z was enough anyways there is PC-Wizard 2010 that like has everything so use that to know more hardware details.
And you haven't told me about your PSU wattage. We need to know that for the graphic card (consumes power).

Edit:-
PC is right check the manufacturer to confirm that's the MOBO.

It also supports the 1066Mhz RAM in DDR2 so that's a +.

**PoleCat** · March 01, 2011, 11:48 AM

Well a quick check through Asus support didn't yield any new drivers or BIOS updates related to Win7 for that board. But I find that hard to believe. Maybe you could try a more exhaustive search. Good luck!

**Ascarona** · March 01, 2011, 01:09 PM

Alright I'm posting from my IPhone atm as the case is opened right now, where can I see what the PSU wattage is?
And yes I'm sure about the motherboard, Its not Win 7 compatible. I can use Win 7 on it but the techdudes said that the random crashes/Performance drops and internet disconnections can all be explained by it.

Also, I don't really need a new graphics card, do I? The 8800 GtT has never let me down and graphics aren't important to me.

**PoleCat** · March 01, 2011, 03:47 PM

Originally Posted by Ascarona

Alright I'm posting from my IPhone atm as the case is opened right now, where can I see what the PSU wattage is? ...

In my experience PSUs don't always have the wattage on the supply itself but always have a SKU code or some such. Can you find something like that on the side or back?

**Ascarona** · March 01, 2011, 04:40 PM

No idea what that is lol

, the output has 350W with a peak of 400W. Hope thats what your looking for.

**PoleCat** · March 01, 2011, 08:54 PM

Originally Posted by Ascarona

No idea what that is lol

, the output has 350W with a peak of 400W. Hope thats what your looking for.

Close enough for government work.

So a 350W PSU. Probably could use a new one if you want to be able to use it for a few years and be able to upgrade every so often.

Well, you need to make a few decisions. The main point - that CPU is old and quickly getting older. If you want to upgrade to a new motherboard then you might as well upgrade the CPU while you're at it. That CPU can't go any further in the upgrade department. But this will cost more.

You should get a new PSU while you're at it - something mid-range will do since you don't seem like a power gamer (~500W-600W with 40amps on the main rail).

New RAM will be a must but that decision can be made after you figure out the above. Memory is dirt cheap again and it shouldn't be too difficult to find what you need once you decide on whether yes/no to a new CPU.

I'm no hardware expert (I'm seriously out of date

) but maybe:
GIGABYTE GA-P55-USB3 LGA 1156 Intel P55 USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard - $119.99 US

Intel Core i5-760 Lynnfield 2.8GHz 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core - $209.99

SeaSonic S12II 520 Bronze 520W - $70US

As you can see that eats most of your budget - not sure on conversion really but if you go this route be prepared to pay.

Option B - Just get 2 GB more of memory and nurse that system along while saving for something better at the end of the year. Honestly that may be the best bet. But if it's dying on you then not much to do....

Hopefully MrCrusty, Chaob or Freddie will make an appearance and give you better info. Good luck!

EDIT: All this assumes you stuck with the 8800 for the time being. Not great but it will do if you don't care about high quality graphics...

**Ishan** · March 01, 2011, 09:31 PM

Buying a MOBO means buying a new PC.
Just buy a new PSU like corsair 650W tx model. And a new G.Card like GTX560 and 8800GT is ancient bro you need a new one.

**Ascarona** · March 02, 2011, 03:18 AM

So I'm better off buying a whole new thing then? Damn, guess I'll have to go get a job then. There's no way my parents will chip in on this.

Are the Alienware computers any good? Not looking for a laptop tbh.

**Black Fox** · March 02, 2011, 04:09 AM

Originally Posted by Ascarona

So I'm better off buying a whole new thing then? Damn, guess I'll have to go get a job then. There's no way my parents will chip in on this.

Are the Alienware computers any good? Not looking for a laptop tbh.

what ever you do DONT go for Alienware you can get a better pc for cheaper by buying and making it yourself

**Ascarona** · March 02, 2011, 04:21 AM

Uhm ok then

, wanna tell me why you have something against those computers? They look pretty awesome spec wise.

**mrcrusty** · March 02, 2011, 05:16 AM

Originally Posted by Ascarona

Uhm ok then

, wanna tell me why you have something against those computers? They look pretty awesome spec wise.

They usually are but they are overpriced. For example say in the US, you buy a $2000 Alienware system that would cost $1200-$1300 if you built it yourself. Exactly the same, just isn't an "Alienware PC".

**Ascarona** · March 02, 2011, 09:08 AM

But the computers are good on their own though? If their parts are right then I'll just buy them individually.

**Ishan** · March 02, 2011, 05:39 PM

Yes the PC as a whole is good and reliable but they charge you ridiculously so that's a big negative.
There are lot of other sites like digital storm, ibuypower, cyberpower etc from where you can buy a prebuilt PC.
If you plan to built it yourself then buying parts individually you are better off in saving money.