Upgrading my PC

[gmanz73]

hey its me again i want to upgrade my pc. i have a:
win me computer,
312 MB RAM,
15 Gigs of Harddrive (already used 14.50)
Processor AMD Duron 800 MHz


this is what i found on google:


Key Features
Operating System Microsoft Windows ME
Processor AMD Duron 800 MHz
Installed Memory 64 MB (SDRAM) ......i upgraded to 312
Recommended Use Small Business, Home Use
Form Factor Mini Tower
Processor
Processor Type AMD Duron
Processor Speed 800 MHz
Processor Manufacturer AMD
Processor Upgradability Upgradable
Max Processors Qty. 1
Motherboard
Bus Speed 100 MHz
Video Output Interface AGP
Memory
RAM Technology SDRAM
Installed RAM 64 MB
Max Supported RAM 512 MB
Installed Cache Memory 64 KB
Hard Drive
Hard Drive Capacity 30 GB
Hard Drive Interface DMA/ATA-100 (Ultra)
CD / DVD
Optical Drive Type CD-RW
Optical Drive Read Speed 2x (DVD)
Optical Drive Write Speed 8x (DVD+R)
Other Drives
Floppy Drive 3.5" 1.44 MB floppy
Audio / Video
Audio Output Type Sound Card
Modem
Modem Type Fax / Modem
Networking
Networking Type Network Adapter
Data Link Protocol Ethernet • Fast Ethernet
Dimensions
Width 6.7 in.
Depth 14.42 in.
Height 11.86 in.
Weight 18.74 lb.
Warranty
1 Year
Miscellaneous
MPN PCV-J150
Product ID 20133956
Exterior Color Gray

[Panama Red]

What kind of upgrades are you looking to do? You'd be better off spending your money on a complete new build. Not much you can do with that Sony.

[EzyStvy]

Not sure I understand your post? Is the list of parts an exact match to your pc and you'd like to know if you can do a little better?

[gmanz73]

Originally Posted by EzyStvy Not sure I understand your post? Is the list of parts an exact match to your pc and you'd like to know if you can do a little better?

EzyStyvy, yea i would like to know if i can do a little better

panama red, how much would a complete new build cost me? (around how much)

[Panama Red]

Video cards and Power supplies are fast becoming the most expensive items. If your usage is primarily surfing the net, email, office documents and light gaming, and you'd be content with a plain black case, you could build one for about $450 - $500. That's assuming you have a monitor, keyboard and mouse. I have a new build in process for a customer right now with a DVD burner, Canon printer, Logitech speakers, keyboard and wireless mouse, and a 17" lcd for $870 (for just the parts)

[gmanz73]

thanks for the info panamared! i am a DJ so i would have many music files stored on my PC also i want to download things from the internet.(on a regular basis) thats basicaly it.. i would like 1gb of ram aswell.

[Panama Red]

I have one machine dedicated to music storage and playing DVD movies on my TV. Used an Asus A7V8X-MX mobo and AMD Athlon XP 2800+. Has great performance I think you could even use a Sempron or Celeron D processor without any problem.

[GaryRouth]

Hi all -

If you want to take your time researching for a new machine, or a new build - you can get some extra storage for your music by popping in a new 80gb drive into your Duron-based system (wouldn't have to be the system drive, you could use it just for storage). As an example, this 80gb Western Digital has a $60 rebate, that lowers the cost from $90 to $30. Not bad. You might find that this $30 extra storage is all your need for a while.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....7&type=product

While shopping for new systems, I like to recommend NewEgg for parts if you're building your own, and definitely check techbargains.com for both fill-in parts, and for complete systems on sale (some at major stores near you = no shipping costs).

. . . Gary

[glc]

Sony likes to partition their hard drives - a 15 gig C partition and the rest in a D partition. You may have a lot more room on your hard drive than you may think.

[gmanz73]

yea thats true GLC. Can u tell me how to unpartiton, so that i would have only a C drive?
thx

[glc]

The only way to do it without losing all your data (i.e. wiping the hard drive totally clean) is by using a 3rd party partitioning utility such as Partition Magic. It may be easier (and certainly cheaper) if you moved all your data files over to the D partition and kept only Windows and your applications installed to C.

[gmanz73]

GLC- u noe what...i think i may just keep windows in C and move all the files to D
thanks.
Also i wanted to know does every mobo fit into every case? and if i just want to buy a new mobo will the memory i have now, will it work with the new mobo? thanks

[gmanz73]

Originally Posted by gmanz73 GLC- u noe what...i think i may just keep windows in C and move all the files to D thanks. Also i wanted to know does every mobo fit into every case? and if i just want to buy a new mobo will the memory i have now, will it work with the new mobo? thanks

i cant move windows to D for some reson it says that the file is being in use.

[mystvearn]

It will not work by just moving it like that. Files are being used to run the system. Actually what you want is to backup important files, and reinstall the me onto the D:

[glc]

No, you can't move Windows to D - move your data files, like all the stuff in My Documents.

If you have a Sony, forget about a motherboard upgrade - that's a very proprietary system. Start saving for a new build, it's going to be cheaper and less hassles than attempting to upgrade a Sony. You may be able to reuse some selected components, that's about it.

[gmanz73]

how much does a new mobo cost...? i want a decent 1 about 100$

[glc]

You are going to need a heck of a lot more than just a motherboard. You are essentially going to need everything, starting with a new case and power supply. What you have is very proprietary and not upgradeable by conventional means. That is the problem with buying a name brand computer that's sold for style, not function.

New computer time, not just new motherboard time.

[gmanz73]

Originally Posted by glc You are going to need a heck of a lot more than just a motherboard. You are essentially going to need everything, starting with a new case and power supply. What you have is very proprietary and not upgradeable by conventional means. That is the problem with buying a name brand computer that's sold for style, not function. New computer time, not just new motherboard time.

y do i need a new power supply? and a new tower? wont any do? believe it or not i have 7 computers. 1 for me that i curently use, 1 for my family members, 1 labtop for work (spent $1100 from Dell), and the rest (4) are old PCs...

[GaryRouth]

The power supply in the Sony is likely a "Micro" supply, and isn't really suitable for anything much more powerful than the 800mhz Duron that's already in there. [A 800mhz Duron is nothing to sneeze at, though - it should be plenty for lots of fun with music]. Without "modding" the whole case, I don't see how you'd fit a P4 or Athlon64 ready power supply in there. And then you'd have to see if the motherboard mounts are in the standard places or not. Not worth it, when a nice Antec case with a 350wt Antec power supply goes on sale for $50 (USD) from time to time.

If you're seriously considering a new build, here a few links that will help you get started. There's a free guide right here at PC Mechanic - a step-by-step starting here --> http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=130280

There are also a few disks and ebooks that contain a bit more information, and are nicely illustrated --> http://www.pcmech.com/shop/index.htm

Take a look, too, at the Build Your Own PC forum (also here at PC Mechanic) - you can learn a lot just by reading a few of the threads.

Have fun with those computers
. . . Gary

[gmanz73]

Originally Posted by GaryRouth The power supply in the Sony is likely a "Micro" supply, and isn't really suitable for anything much more powerful than the 800mhz Duron that's already in there. [A 800mhz Duron is nothing to sneeze at, though - it should be plenty for lots of fun with music]. Without "modding" the whole case, I don't see how you'd fit a P4 or Athlon64 ready power supply in there. And then you'd have to see if the motherboard mounts are in the standard places or not. Not worth it, when a nice Antec case with a 350wt Antec power supply goes on sale for $50 (USD) from time to time. If you're seriously considering a new build, here a few links that will help you get started. There's a free guide right here at PC Mechanic - a step-by-step starting here --> http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=130280 There are also a few disks and ebooks that contain a bit more information, and are nicely illustrated --> http://www.pcmech.com/shop/index.htm Take a look, too, at the Build Your Own PC forum (also here at PC Mechanic) - you can learn a lot just by reading a few of the threads. Have fun with those computers . . . Gary

thanks gary for the post! but how do u noe how much power is needed?
350W ?----is that how much?
also i would like to put many lights in my PC and i really liked the Idea that u gave me...Antecwith power supply -50$ can i get the link?

thanks

[mystvearn]

Originally Posted by gmanz73 thanks gary for the post! but how do u noe how much power is needed? 350W ?----is that how much? also i would like to put many lights in my PC and i really liked the Idea that u gave me...Antecwith power supply -50$ can i get the link? thanks

350W is enough. Though you might want to look around at newegg finding lights that fit your case and suitable. too much lights can be irritating

[gmanz73]

any brand will do? i have seen psu's for $600

[GaryRouth]

Hi again

There's a very nice power supply "sticky" thread up a the top of the "General Hardware" forum right here at PC Mechanic. Check it out, it should help with most of your power supply questions. I believe the top three "stickies" on power supplies cover the wattage issue to some extent. Top-of-the-line video cards can cause you to need an extra bump of power. [You'll need to get one with the right connectors for your motherboard & hard drives, too].

Some brands of "value" power supplies are like playing Russian Roulette: they keep costs low by using less expensive parts, and less-thorough quality control. Should you get one that's poorly made, it can harm some of the more expensive parts in your system when it fails. It's a percentages gamble that you improve your luck on by buying from a reputable manufacturer (the list in the General Hardware forum is pretty extensive). Sites like TomsHardware.com, ExtremeTech.com, PCMagazine.com (and many, many other hardware sites) have reviews of power supplies = you can find them quickly with a Google search for any brand that you're considering.

Don't forget to check those "Build Your Own" threads & tutorials - there's a lot of good information in there. And remember = not everyone wants to build: there are good reasons for purchasing retail, too [especially for entry-level machines, where it's nearly impossible to beat Dell or Hp or eMachines on price - with a matching feature-for-feature home build]. If you wish to build a state-of-the-art computer, make sure to do as much homework first, since the price is considerably higher = you're risking more if you make a beginner's mistake.
. . . Gary

[Almost forgot - you'd asked about where to buy an Antec case w.Antec power supply. I recommend finding these locally, for you can save the shipping costs. And Antec is a well-known & popular brand, so there are sales (often via rebates) often. I mentioned the techbargains.com website - it is a good source for such offers. CompUSA, Best Buy, and Fry's Electronics, in particular, have the Antecs on sale from time-to-time. If you can't wait, NewEgg.com carries much of the Antec line.]

[gmanz73]

Originally Posted by GaryRouth Hi again There's a very nice power supply "sticky" thread up a the top of the "General Hardware" forum right here at PC Mechanic. Check it out, it should help with most of your power supply questions. I believe the top three "stickies" on power supplies cover the wattage issue to some extent. Top-of-the-line video cards can cause you to need an extra bump of power. [You'll need to get one with the right connectors for your motherboard & hard drives, too]. Some brands of "value" power supplies are like playing Russian Roulette: they keep costs low by using less expensive parts, and less-thorough quality control. Should you get one that's poorly made, it can harm some of the more expensive parts in your system when it fails. It's a percentages gamble that you improve your luck on by buying from a reputable manufacturer (the list in the General Hardware forum is pretty extensive). Sites like TomsHardware.com, ExtremeTech.com, PCMagazine.com (and many, many other hardware sites) have reviews of power supplies = you can find them quickly with a Google search for any brand that you're considering. Don't forget to check those "Build Your Own" threads & tutorials - there's a lot of good information in there. And remember = not everyone wants to build: there are good reasons for purchasing retail, too [especially for entry-level machines, where it's nearly impossible to beat Dell or Hp or eMachines on price - with a matching feature-for-feature home build]. If you wish to build a state-of-the-art computer, make sure to do as much homework first, since the price is considerably higher = you're risking more if you make a beginner's mistake. . . . Gary [Almost forgot - you'd asked about where to buy an Antec case w.Antec power supply. I recommend finding these locally, for you can save the shipping costs. And Antec is a well-known & popular brand, so there are sales (often via rebates) often. I mentioned the techbargains.com website - it is a good source for such offers. CompUSA, Best Buy, and Fry's Electronics, in particular, have the Antecs on sale from time-to-time. If you can't wait, NewEgg.com carries much of the Antec line.]

thanks for the post Gary! i have a comp USA rite across the street from me and they dont have a large variety of PC cases. Best Buy doesnt have any, and Circuit City also doesnt have any.... my best option is to buy either online, ebay is what i will probaby use or Newegg (i saw some great prices there) also there is a website thats on my favorites list its called xoxide, dont know if u heard of it but they have nice cases...i was thinking of getting the xoxide case with a light that chages color in the front of the case.