Upgrade

[witness]

I need an upgrade in a bad way, but I can’t afford to buy a new computer, so I want to upgrade my present box. What I have is an Asus P4G800-V board currently running a 1.8 cpu, 512 mb ram & 40 gig hd. I would like to keep the cost to around $200. This is just used for internet, music, some video watching & running some light business apps. So what I’m thinking is: A 3.4 cpu something like this…
https://www.starmicroinc.net/cgi/com...ion&key=IP34C8

2 gigs ram:
PCPROGRESS.com

I can’t decide on a hd I want something in the 500 gb range plus I will need a good heat sink/ fan for the cpu. Any ideas, suggestions or criticism are welcome.

Thanks!!
DD

[rwest]

Using the site you linked, I like these processors better:
StarMicro Inc. - Intel Pentium 4 3.40GHz 800MHz 1M 478 pin CPU OEM in Pentium 4 478-Pin
or
StarMicro Inc. - Intel Pentium 4 3.2GHz 800MHz 1M Socket 478 Pin Prescott CPU OEM in Pentium 4 478-Pin

Note the 1meg cache.


I'd be wary of the memory you linked. Generic memory on an Asus board. You should be ashamed.

It's a quite bit more than what you posted, but good quality ram:
Newegg.com - A-DATA 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model AD1U400A1G3-DRH
or
Newegg.com - CORSAIR 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model VS2GBKIT400C3

Here's a solid performer in a hdd:
Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

Sorry I don't have a suggestion for a cooler.

[glc]

I prefer the 512k cache 3.4 because the 1 meg cache is the hot-running Prescott. The 512 is Northwood and actually the cache is more efficient. Go for it, the 28 bucks is a steal. The $10 heatsink that Starmicro has is good enough.

You can't use that PC Progress ram, it's ECC registered and not compatible. I'm afraid you are going to have to bite the bullet and spend some bucks, DDR400 ain't cheap any more. I would trust this stuff:

Newegg.com - PNY OPTIMA 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model MD2048KD1-400

The Black hard drive is a bit of a waste, the controller is only a SATA 1.5.

Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

[witness]

Thanks!!! That's just around 150 plus shipping...I can handle that!!
Thanks Again!!
DD

[witness]

Would this video card help this system?
Newegg.com - EVGA 512-A8-N403-LR GeForce 6200 512MB 64-bit GDDR2 AGP 8X Video Card

[glc]

What do you have for a power supply - brand and model?

[witness]

Allied Model:AL-A300ATX REV:B Max300watts
If this is not up to snuff please recommend one?
Thanks!!
DD

[glc]

You need to replace that before you think about a video card. It's a poorly made brand.

I know we have been trying to stay away from this one, but for your use it looks to be okay - it tested out well by jonnyguru:

Newegg.com - CORSAIR Builder Series CX430 CMPSU-430CX 430W ATX12V Active PFC Power Supply

Video card:

Newegg.com - SAPPHIRE 100288L Radeon HD 4650 1GB 128-bit DDR2 AGP 8X HDCP Ready Video Card

[witness]

Ok Thanks!! I may hold off on the whole video card idea for now & just go with the other stuff. Or I may get the ps now & card later...or may get 4 gb ram instead of 2. Question: that ps has the fan on top instead of in the back. My tower case has a solid top, do you mount it with the fan facing down or do I need a case with top vent holes? Should I just hold off & get a new tower with a good ps? Tower suggestions?
Thanks Again, you have been a tremendous help in the past & I trust your judgment.

[glc]

The fan faces down. They show it upside down so you can see the fan. I wouldn't bother replacing the PSU until you want to get a video card.

If you want to max out the ram, get 2 of those PNY kits.

If you just want a cheap video card, there's this:

Newegg.com - HIS H925H128E1TOAN Radeon 9250 128MB 64-bit DDR AGP 4X/8X Video Card

[witness]

I got everything including psu & video card. I installed new drive using red SATA cable & changed the jumper on my old ide drive to slave (it uses the old gray flat ribbon cables)...when I installed xp it has the new drive as f drive and shows it to be 127gb instead of 500. BIOS shows it as 500. How can I change the new drive to c & get it to recognize all 500gb? What I would really like to do is keep both of my old hard drives as back up/storage (for 3 total) + I have a dvd & cd & they all use the old flat ribbons. But, i am going to have to get some power cable extension chords or adaptors to get power to everything.

Thanks!!

[glc]

You do not have to rejumper the IDE drive - it doesn't matter whether it's master or slave.

To install XP on the new drive you have to DISCONNECT the old drive. To get it to see more than 127gb you have to use a XP CD that has SP1 or newer already on it. When XP is installed, then you can reconnect the old drive - and make sure the new drive is first in the boot order in the bios.

[witness]

Thanks, I remembered about unhooking the old drive right after I made that post. I found out how to make a new cd here Slipstreaming Windows XP Service Pack 2 and Create Bootable CD - HelpWithWindows.com & it worked fine & is reformatting now.

Thanks Again!!