Building a new comp/fixing an old one up

[moviemaggot]

Alright

So I have a Compaq SR1050NX
Specs:
ASUS A7N8X-LA motherboard
512mb Ram
200gig hard drive
AMD Athlon XP 2.2GHz

I want to upgrade it to almost a new computer.
Ive been putting new parts in it. I put in a new video card. new network card.
I want to get a new motherboard, ram, processor, heatsink/fan.

What would be best for me?
I would keep all the same cd drives and etc.

[EzyStvy]

Food for thought: sell what you have to help pay for new system.

Finding a mobo to fit the Compaq case will be Hard to do. Same thing for new power supply.

Putting the older working mobo and cpu in a storegae box to collect dust is also tough.

[blue60007]

Upgrading a pre-built won't be easy. I think you'll find it easier to plan to start with a new computer from the beginning. I think if you do try to upgrade you'll find yourself with a new computer in the end anyways. You could probably re-use the drives, but if it was me I'd just keep the computer together as a back-up or spare.

[moviemaggot]

Ok, understandable, but I dont have that kind of money, I just wanted a couple upgrades, Dont have lots of money.

How much would a really good cheaper video card cost?
Id add a gig more of ram.
what else could I do?

[EzyStvy]

Didn't you just put in a new video card? Which one do you currently own?

Is there some application that your current pc won't run?

[Katreat]

The three standard upgrades to make an old computer faster are ram/video/processor. I usually go in that order.

Ram is cheep right now so that is where you should start. Get your ram up to at least 1g. If your MB will support faster ram that will also give you a performance boost but you will not be able to re-use what you already have.

What video card are you using and is it agp or pci? You can probably get a performance boost by upgrading the card but keep in mind if you go too high it will likely require a bigger PSU also. Video card like power and most store bought systems do not have a lot of extra head room. What size/brand PSU are you using.

Upgrading the processor will also help if your MB can support something faster. It is a bit more of a job, and can have side effects such as increasing heat in your case but should definately be considered because there are some very cheep older processors out there now. What processors does your MB support?

Beyond those upgrades you will be money ahead building a new system, even if you can re-use a few items the computer is basically new once you start changing out the MB.

Kat