»What should I buy..a new computer or upgrade the one I have?«
|
|||
 Ok I'm still a novice at this whole computer thing so I know some of you can help. My computer is getting older by the minute. I can't play games that i want to so i need something better. I don't know whether to just buy new or put in some better stuff in this one. My processor is pentium 3 400mhz so I need something faster than that. Now here come the questions. Is it cheaper to buy a processor and motherboard(i don't even know if i need both or one or the other) or to buy a new pc? If I do buy individual pieces how hard are they to install? I've installed my dvd burner, new hard drive, ram but that's about it, is the processor a bit harder? That's another thing, I've already got some good parts in this one, my hard drive is massive just probably need like I said, faster processor and a new graphics card, and more ram... are those going to cost more than just buying something new? posted by The ONEder Man |
|||
|
|||
| in-my-opinion.orgTechnology, Computers, Science, InternetComputers and InternetWhat should I buy..a new computer or upgrade the one I have? |
|
|||
|
also where do you guys recomend I get a new comp or these parts from? posted by The ONEder Man |
|||
|
|||
|
|||
 The ONEder Man: Is it cheaper to buy a processor and motherboard(i don't even know if i need both or one or the other) or to buy a new pc? It all depends! Do you have a good motherboard? And if you did get a new processor, it might not be 100 percent compatible with your current motherboard! I'm gonna be speaking in Australian dollars through this post, so just half them to get American and I don't know how you'd get pounds! Together you can get a motherboard and processor for about 3 hundred, depending on what you get! Compared to what you've got now, you could get something alot better comparitively and be able to play halflife 2 and all that, cheaply! So getting a new computer that's better than yours, say a 1.8ghz with a GeForce 2 or Radeon 9600 could cost you about 800 (with all the rest of the crap included!) Here's my recommendation because this is how I found my beast of a computer (P4 3Ghz, Radeon 9600 Pro with dual monitor capability, 1gb ddr ram, dvd burn-r, 17inch flat screen monitor, SBLive! soundcard, 80 gigabyte seagate harddrive, and I think its a NForce 2 motherboard.) That was a package, and it cost me 1000 dollars Australian! If I would've bought all the parts seperately and put it together it would've cost me around 2400 dollars! So find out all the computer stores in your area or city or whatever, then goto their websites and look at all their packages! posted by hungarian kid |
|||
|
|||
|
|||
 Here's the bottom line, how much could you spend if needed? Give a budget and it's easy to work within that and spec the parts posted by Crossfade |
|||
|
|||
|
|||
 The ONEder Man: My processor is pentium 3 400mhz so I need something faster than that. Now here come the questions. Hmm It's a tricky question, there are plenty of bare bone systems for less than the price of the components included but it's often a case of whether you get stuff you don't need. Whatever you decide, you're looking at a new series of CPU, which means new Motherboard, CPU and probably new RAM (Definately new RAM if you go for a P4). If you decide to switch to AMD, you'll probably be looking at a new PSU and it's often cheaper to get a new case with PSU, than getting the PSU alone. On the plus side, a new motherboard brings new opportunities, for example when I last upgraded, as well as getting a home for my new CPU, i also got; Integraded - Dual Network, Sound and Firewire which saved four expansion slots. I also got SATA Raid and more USB-2 ports than I know what to do with. Quote: If I do buy individual pieces how hard are they to install? PC's are one of the easiest thing to upgrade, it's just most people think they'll be complicated and so shy away. On the whole, there's not much to get wrong, and if you do, it'll probably tell you somehow - usually a series of beeps when you switch on. But if you're unsure, it's not hard to find a friend who can help - hell enough people manage to find me where I live  Quote: I've installed my dvd burner, new hard drive, ram but that's about it, is the processor a bit harder? A little bit, but not that much. Athlon heat syncs are pigs, but nothing brute force can't fix.  Quote: I've already got some good parts in this one, my hard drive is massive just probably need like I said, faster processor and a new graphics card, and more ram... are those going to cost more than just buying something new? Your hard drive will work in the new system whichever option you go for. If you do go for a new system, you can always use your current HDD in addition to the one that comes with it. Two drives are always better than one. I can't say which is cheaper 'cos it varies with location. Around here you can get a basic system for about the price of a CPU/MB/RAM, but it will probably have lower spec components than if you mix and match. posted by Marl64 |
|||
|
|||
|
|||
|
When you find what you want, check that the motherboard has a website where you can get updates. There is little point saving a few notes when you buy it only to find you can't upgrade the bios to work with any new (and sometimes current) hardware. posted by Marl64 |
|||
|
|||
|
|||
|
Crossfade: Here's the bottom line, how much could you spend if needed? Give a budget and it's easy to work within that and spec the parts well see this all depends, if i can get the components cheap and now then I will just spend ~500 if I can't get them that cheap I will save some more and a new kick ass comp, but I'd rather spend as little as possible ya know? Marl64: Whatever you decide, you're looking at a new series of CPU, which means new Motherboard, CPU and probably new RAM (Definately new RAM if you go for a P4). so are these individual pieces i can buy or can i buy the motherboard and get the p4 with it? And with the RAM are you talking I'll have to buy more to even run the p4? Marl64: If you decide to switch to AMD, you'll probably be looking at a new PSU and it's often cheaper to get a new case with PSU, than getting the PSU alone. Like I said, I'm a newbie so I don't recognize all the terms you used but most. Can you unabriviate for the unedjumacated? AMD is a brand like pentium? Not sure what PSU is...sorry posted by The ONEder Man |
|||
|
|||
|
|||
 From my point of view: Buy a new one. When the time is ripe to upgrade (after 2-3 years of having your old PC)... don't. Keep the old one functioning and buy a brand new one. Upgrading is sometimes more expensive than buying new stuff. Besides: It's always good when you have 2 PCs. Oh, and if you buy a PC then buy it with RAID (= even if a harddisk crashes you won't lose your data). Harddisks have crashed and will crash. posted by knn |
|||
|
|||
|
|||
 i would say buy a new one also. that is unless, you can do all the modifications yourself and know exactly what you are doing and it will not take you any time at all. you have to factor in your own personal time that it would take to do all the work too. i see it like a car...there comes a point when even if you add a new engine or anything for that matter, its just not worth it anymore and its cheaper and easier and less of a headache to just suck it up and buy a new one that will last longer than a modified old one in the long run...you know? -just my thoughts posted by allone |
|||
|
|||
|
|||
|
allone: that is unless, you can do all the modifications yourself and know exactly what you are doing Moreover I doubt it that you can upgrade a Pentium 3 400 Mhz to something useful. It's not worth the money. posted by knn |
|||
|
|||
|
|||
|
...for 500bucks you are most likely looking at a new cpu, mobo, ram and a new gfx card. Here's the most important question though, do you want to play kick ass games on it or is it just going to be a surf box with ocassional games playing? posted by Crossfade |
|||
|
|||
 Register Log in |
The time now is 3 December 2008, 21:39 php B.B. |