i have some change to spend on upgrades...

[thiscat2000]

i have a compaq desktop and i want to upgrade it

Specs:

1.3 Ghz p4
384 MB RD RIMM
M-audio delta 44 sound card
128 Mb ati 9200 video card
80 gig hard drive
8 gig extra storage drive
dvd rom
cdrw rom

i would like to get a new processor but i am not sure if i should change motherboards because of the costliness of RD ram. i really want to build this computer to fly i want a nice new video card i really want the ati 256 mb card but i would also like to get to a gig or more of ram. i don't need a new sound card i am happy with that. so basically a processor and a video card can you guys give me some suggestions? if i need a new motherboard that is fine could you guys give me some suggestions on what board/processor combos to buy. thanks for the help

i have about $1000 bucks to spend and i would like to know if it is worth upgrading this machine or buying another one.

thanks,

kyle

[Stang2be]

I vote to build a new box. for 1k you should be able to build a nice system.

To upgrade you are already looking at a new CPU, motherboard, ram and video. Might as well buy a whole new system if you want all of that upgraded. You might be able to get a little for your old box or use it as a spare or play with other operating systems like linux

[DarkWolf]

If you have $1000 and want to spend it all, I say build a new one. The system I have listed in the "What's your setup?? (http://www.dfwstangs.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=168329) " thread is @ about $900.

However, if you want to save some money by doing just an upgrade, I'd first look to see what your motherboard can handle. What kind of socket it is. Get the highest processor it can handle, so you don't have to buy a board and memory too. Then you can bump up the RDram if you want.... though that's still damn expensive.

Video card upgrade is the easy part. Just buy what you want, uninstall the old, plug in the new and install drivers.