Need to tap the Hive mind:

[NoobMan]

Hello all who take the time to read and thank you to all that reply. I think a year ago I purchased a HP MEDIA CENTER PC ED895AA-ABA a1210n from teh Best Buy. it uses the ASUS A8AE-LE HP/Compaq name: AmberineM-GL6E MOBO. here's a link to the picture of what the motherboard can hold:

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf-JAVA.../c00610154.gif

here's what i need to know because I am really not all that bright when it comes to PCs. I know enough to take it apart and put it back together. What can I put into this to make it run vista?? If it isnt vista compatable should I shoot myself?

Can you please link me the things i need like PSU and video cards and more Ram (system currently has onboard graphics and 512mg ddr pc-3200 RAM) . My price range sucks because I'm always broke due to gambling and girlfriend so if you could give high end option (300-500) and lowend option (100-300) I'd appreciate your time so much.

If I left anything out please let me know.

~in-line image converted to link for dial-up users - FK~

[blue60007]

The biggest thing will be RAM. At least 2 gigs, especially with onboard graphics, which will steal a bit of the RAM.Do you know what kind of CPU is in it? Regardless, I'm willing to wager a socket 939 CPU will have enough juice...

[Katreat]

If you go to Microsoft.com they have a little download which will let you know if your system can run vista and if not, what you need to change.

The only thing I have heard for sure is not to try it on a system with less than 1g of ram. It might run at 512 but not well.

Finally, why do you want vista? XP will be around for quite a few more years and pretty much does everything you need right now. I dont think you are going to be playing many 10x games with your current system so I would stick with XP until it is time to get a new computer.

Kat

[NoobMan]

Thank you all for your replies. The reason I want to upgrade to Vista is to run a certain game at 10x so I can see it's beauty. If thats possible with my current system, I'd like to know what my options are. As for the 2gig of ram, that I can definately do, but what about an onboard video card besides the integrated graphics?

[maxnik]

Originally Posted by NoobMan Thank you all for your replies. The reason I want to upgrade to Vista is to run a certain game at 10x so I can see it's beauty. If thats possible with my current system, I'd like to know what my options are. As for the 2gig of ram, that I can definately do, but what about an onboard video card besides the integrated graphics?

than it might be a problem. Onboard video is the integrated graphics. To be able to see all the bells and whistles of games meant to run with DX10 you will need a good video card, probably at least 8800 series with 320MB of memory(approx $300 right now). Which will also require you to upgrade your PSU to run that video card(at the very least $50). And 2GB of PC3200 memory will cost you another $80-100.

[NoobMan]

OK can u check the MOBO to be sure it can handle a PCI EXPRESS card. it has the pcie slot listed but is that pciex16 or x1??? thank you so much for answering my questions.

[maxnik]

Originally Posted by NoobMan OK can u check the MOBO to be sure it can handle a PCI EXPRESS card. it has the pcie slot listed but is that pciex16 or x1??? thank you so much for answering my questions.

Looks like this board has PCI-E x16 slot. PCI-E x1 slots are much shorter.

[Katreat]

If you are mainly getting vista to do 10X then you might be able to get by with the 8600 series which are going for around $100. They wont let you play at supper high resolutions but your processor will probably bottle neck an 8800 series card. You still might have to upgrade your PSU to run that card but could probably get away with 400 watts.

So, if vista and 10x is your goal you might be able to get by with another gig of ram and a new 8600 vid card which would run you only $200 or so. Another $100 for vista and you are sitting around $300 min. If you need a larger PSU then the price will go up at least $50 more.

Kat