Curse

JoeKnowMo · Aug 08, 2007, 07:42 PM // 19:42

My current setup is good enough for GW on max settings. However, I don't think it's sufficient for other games I want to play such as Oblivion, Company of Heroes, Jade Empire, HL 2, NWN 2, etc. I don't plan on playing the latest releases (e.g., Bioshock) as that would require a complete overhaul or a new computer. I'd like to upgrade my RAM and my CPU but I'm not sure what to get.

I've got an IBM Netvista 6792 (2HU) with the following specs:
Motherboard - Intel 845
CPU - Pentium 4 2.0 GHz
RAM - 768 MB (512 + 128 + 128) [PC133 CL3 SDRAM]
Graphics Card - Radeon 9700 Pro
Sound Card - SB Live! 24-bit
80 GB HD

Q. 1) I'd like to upgrade the RAM but I can't decide between 1.1 GB (512 + 512 + 128) and 1.5 GB (512 x 3 - the max ram the motherboard can take). Will I notice a difference between the two?

Q. 2) I tried looking around to figure out the maximum CPU that the Intel 845 can handle and couldn't find a satisfactory answer. Some say the max is a P4 2.4 GHz, while others say 2.66 GHz, and still others say 3.2 GHz. What's the maximum I can upgrade to and will it make a significant difference?

Q. 3) Will any of these changes make a difference for GWEN?

akatookey · Aug 08, 2007, 07:59 PM // 19:59

Q. 1) whats your budget?

Q. 2) whats stopping you from also upgrading your motherboard? Is it lack of know-how, funds, or just plain dont feel the need?

I say this because any ram you can get will be slow (slow clock speeds), and youre very limited processor wise because your mobo is so old. For maximum CPU, even if you overclocked, you'd be overclocking a not so good p4 (amd's were far superior before core2duo's came out)

JoeKnowMo · Aug 08, 2007, 08:25 PM // 20:25

My budget is about $100 (which gets me 1 GB ram and a 2.4 GHz P4 on ebay). My feeling is that for anything over that I may as well do an overhaul.

What's stopping me from upgrading my motherboard is a combination of all 3, but mostly the last one (just don't feel the need). It would be the biggest hardware change I've attempted (although I do have a long-distance tech buddy who can probably talk me through it). I'm not sure what it would cost to upgrade to a better motherboard but I get the feeling that a new motherboard, cpu, and new RAM would cost a few hundred dollars. And I feel that since the current setup runs Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Opera, and GW (my most used programs) just fine, there's really no need to make a major change now.

Here's my thinking: If I can milk another year or two out of this PC for a mere $50 to $100 while playing GW and the games I listed earlier, that will keep me entertained for that duration, I can then shell out the big bucks for either a new PC or a complete overhaul. I'm really behind on the gaming scene so I don't feel the need to play games as they come out. In short, why upgrade now when I can buy the same upgrade in 12 to 18 months for far less. [I'm assuming that the system I would upgrade to would depreciate by more than $100.]

Ideally, I would like to get the most I can out of my current system while spending very little for the next year or so.

Since you mentioned AMDs... what's the most powerful AMD processor for my motherboard? And is it faster than the most powerful P4 that I can install?

akatookey · Aug 08, 2007, 08:39 PM // 20:39

well that mobo only supports p4, even if amd would be faster ;P

newegg has 3 processors that would work, but this is the best http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116027 for 80 dollars...the cheapest is 62 and the next step is 74...so that'd be my recommendation for cpu...as for ram get http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820141218 and http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820141173

those are the top upgrades your computer can handle right now.

Make sure when youre buying a processor it says "Socket 478" somewhere, thats how you know your processor is compatible. For your ram look for "DDR266 184 pin". I highly recommend the ones I picked, and not buying them on ebay, but thats your choice.

EDIT: As for your first questions:

A1) You won't notice a huge performance difference, but your computer will be a lot more stable with matching sticks of ram.
A2) The 3.0 ghz northwood I linked you to.
A3) The same amount of differences it would make for GW now.

JoeKnowMo · Aug 08, 2007, 10:59 PM // 22:59

Thanks much Akatookey. That cleared up a lot of stuff for me. Thanks for the links too.

Loviatar · Aug 08, 2007, 11:43 PM // 23:43

[QUOTE]

Quote:

Originally Posted by akatookey

For your ram look for "DDR266 184 pin". I highly recommend the ones I picked, and not buying them on ebay, but thats your choice.

he stated he had this not what you posted

RAM - 768 MB (512 + 128 + 128) [PC133 CL3 SDRAM]

these ram slots are not compatable.

try again???

eggrolls · Aug 08, 2007, 11:50 PM // 23:50

You should be a bit careful...

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/si...-39548.html#us

1. Your machine doesn't use 184-pin DDR RAM, so the above mentioned RAM will not work.

2. The chipset doesn't support 800MHz FSB processors, so the P4 3.0 probably won't work. It does, however, support 533 FSB, but that doesn't mean your motherboard will. The page linked above indicates 400 FSB. The page here lists all the replacement processors you can get from IBM: http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/si...cid=MIGR-39142

There are no 533 or 800 FSB parts on there.

akatookey · Aug 09, 2007, 01:46 AM // 01:46

My bad on that, I just looked up what the chipset supported and assumed it was standard throughout the mobo line. Was just trying to be helpful but oldies aren't in my line of expertise xD. Both of the previous posters are right, and I was wrong... for a ram upgrade I would recommend
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820146005
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820153101

those are the cheapest known brands, however you can save 10 bucks a stick and go with http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820161630

As far as processor upgrades go looking at the FSB speed your mobo does actually support youll have a bit of trouble finding a retailer carrying them, and the most you can get is a .2ghz upgrade...

Seeing as how intel and nvidia both have been dropping prices recently, I would at least consider a full overhaul...all you can really do is change ram and that wont make a huge difference