Rebuild old computer, is it worth it?

[Katreat]

This is my old computer that I recently replaced. Son wants to take it to collage to game on because his laptop is just a classroom machine. I would like some recommendations on performance upgrades.

PSU: Antec Smart Power 400w SL-400
MB: Abit IT7-MAX V 2.0
CPU: Pentium 4 2.66
RAM: Corsair PC –2100 DDR 266 2 x 512 mb (1g)
VID: ATI X800 AGP
Burner: IDE Plextor X?
OS: XP home
Dont need monitor, speakers, keyboard, or mouse.

No real budget at this time, although I don’t want to go too wild, but if couple of hundred $ would really improve performance it might be worth it. If a $400 dell would out perform it then I don’t want to go that high. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks

Kat

[Alaron]

Unfortunately, that system is rather limited for upgrades. Being a socket 478 board, you really can't upgrade the CPU to anything that would make a noticeable difference. And because AGP is no longer developed, the video card upgrades would also be unhelpful.

The best way to make a gaming machine would be an overhaul. You'd need a new motherboard/cpu/ram (DDR2)/video card (PCI-Express) and PSU to go with the video card. And that would certainly kill your budget.

I'd say to keep it as is for now and work on saving up a few hundred more. Then you could create a decent gamer.

[Krazeee]

Edit* Alaron got his post in while I was still poking around...I'd have to agree with him for the most part. It really depends on what your budget is, and what kind of gaming he wants to do. If he wants to play Oregon Trail, you're good to go, but if he wants to play F.E.A.R. or better at even low display levels, you're going to need some upgrades...anyways, here's my post.

Based on your current hardware, I'd suggest a faster cpu and vid card if he wants to do some moderate gaming. Both of which could be had for a grand total of about $260 or less with rebates. You might have to get a new PSU, but I'd imagine your antec puts out decent amps at 400w.

I'd pick up this CPU

P4 3.0E, 3ghz Prescott - $80
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116027

And here are a few Video Card options

Saphire Radeon X1950GT 256mb - $140
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102093

HIS Radeon X1950Pro 512mb - $180
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161071

GeCube Radeon X1950Pro 256mb - $165
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814241041

I went to CyberPowerPC.com just for kicks, but Dell can offer a similar system for less. Here's what I put together as a Budget Gamers rig, $669 (or as low as $21/mo!...hehe). This would have better over all performance but would also cost another $400. I copied this from the side window when compiling components. Now this comes with a Monitor, so you could just order w/o to save even more cash.

My Components
AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 Dual-Core 3800+
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Basic
19 inch SE198WFP Widescreen Flat Panel Monitor
1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz- 2DIMMs
160GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache™
48X CD-RW/ DVD Combo Drive
256MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600GT-DDR3
Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio
Dell USB Keyboard and Dell Optical USB Mouse
No Floppy Drive Included
56K PCI Data Fax Modem
My Software & Accessories
No speakers (Speakers are required to hear audio from your system)
No Security Subscription (30-day trial)
Microsoft Works 8. DOES NOT INCLUDE MS WORD
My Service
1Yr In-Home Service, Parts + Labor, 24x7 Phone Support
Free 3GB DataSafe Online Backup for 1 Year
6 Months of America Online Membership Included
Also Includes
Mouse included in Dell Wireless Package
Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 7.0
Integrated 10/100 Ethernet
Windows Vista™ Basic
Award Winning Service and Support
No Entertainment software pre-installed

[Katreat]

Thx aldaron, I kind of figured that, but thought I would ask the experts.

[Katreat]

Thx Kraz for the ideas. I think the processor upgrade is the most obvious but not sure how much performance bang that will give. The X800 currently in the system, I think its an XL, still seems to do a great job with most games and moderate and sometimes high settings. The computer just seems to slow down with newer games and I was looking for some cheep upgrades. I will check out upgrading the processor. Would 2 g of ram help?

[Krazeee]

Ram would definately be a good way to go...seeing as how you'd only be gaining .34ghz and maybe a few newer technologies with a CPU upgrade, ram might be a better bang for you buck choice...

I'd still look into the 1950 series boards, for the money, they're the best performing Vid Cards out there. Again, this depends on the budget.

I found a spec list on your Mobo and I think it can take DDR 400 ram, but I notice you've got DDR 266. Is that the standard for that Mobo and I'm mistaken? Or is that the Ram you "just happened to get"?

Either way, here is an option given that you have 1 of your 3 slots open still.

PQI 1gb stick PC-2100 - $44
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820141172

If your board does in fact support PC3200 ram (which I believe it does), I'd get these

OCZ Platinum 2gb (2 x 1gb) 184-pin DDR 400 - $140
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820227210

[Katreat]

The mobo only supports PC 2700/PC 2100/PC 1600

Why I used PC 2100 I cant remember, PC 2700 might have just been new and expensive.

Kat

[Krazeee]

K, then I'd just spend the $44 and bump it up to 2g ram...but if you're like me and want two matching sticks, you can get these:

pqi 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 266 (PC 2100) - $89
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820141217

-OR-

Kingston 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 333 (PC 2700) - $118
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820134177

[The Village Idiot]

I believe they do make a Dual Core (Pentium D) for socket 478, just not very powerfull.

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by The Village Idiot I believe they do make a Dual Core (Pentium D) for socket 478, just not very powerfull.

You might be thinking of the Celeron D...there is no Socket 478 Pentium D, they're all LGA775 processors. But the Celeron Ds are not dual core processors.

Cricket