Computer Question

[wbatl1]

Allright, I need all you knowledgable people's help. My computer is out of date and will not run anything anymore, so I need more RAM. My processor is 680Mhz or so, and is fine. I run XP, but only have 64 MB of RAM. I have three options.

1) Tough it out for a couple months then buy a new computer. I am at least 3 months away from this option.

2) Upgrade to 128 or maybe 256 to delay the inevitable, and wait for a newer, better, cooler computer to come out and go get it.

3) Spend the money to upgrade to 500+ and use this comp for years to come, even if it becomes out of date.

Thanks

[Coffee Warlord]

Buy components piecemeal. Pick up RAM now (256 MINIMUM), and slowly phase in new stuff as you can afford. I would imagine, with only 64 megs of ram, a new video card would be next on the list, and that 600 mhz processor is gonna need beefing up sooner rather than later.

[Philliesfan980]

Well, what do you want to do with your computer? Do you use it mainly for word processing/text games/etc... if so, you don't need the best system in the world to run that.

How much exactly do you have now to spend. Go on Ebay and see if you can get a decent box (I guess you already have an adaquate monitor).

I just looked, and closing around $300 bucks, you can get

Intel Celeron 1.1 Gig
512 Meg ram
CD-RW 52x
20 Gig 7200 WD HD (hey, its fast if nothing else).
Floppy/Eithernet/USB/Sound/ETC.

A nice computer, depending on what you want to do , for pretty cheap.

[wbatl1]

Originally posted by Philliesfan980
Well, what do you want to do with your computer? Do you use it mainly for word processing/text games/etc... if so, you don't need the best system in the world to run that.


Thats just my dilemma. I run mostly text sims and WOrd Procesing, but also want to run a few games with hgih graphics stuff needed. For example, I would like to run Railroad Tycoon 3, but have trouble on my current system.

Coffee Warlord, that is probably what I will end up doing, but who knows when they'll come out with something new that is non-compatible. Thats what scares me. I dont want to sink money into this computer if Im gonna have to buy one in the next couple years.

[Coffee Warlord]

Bah. At worst, you'll have to replace the motherboard when you upgrade your processor, which is not a big deal. Moster newer components are perfectly compatibile with older boards, aside from processors. They tend not to fuck with standard component connectivity all that much.

[Philliesfan980]

Originally posted by wbatl1
Thats just my dilemma. I run mostly text sims and WOrd Procesing, but also want to run a few games with hgih graphics stuff needed. For example, I would like to run Railroad Tycoon 3, but have trouble on my current system.

Coffee Warlord, that is probably what I will end up doing, but who knows when they'll come out with something new that is non-compatible. Thats what scares me. I dont want to sink money into this computer if Im gonna have to buy one in the next couple years.

I'd really recommend waiting a month or so and see if you can get a couple hundred bucks together and get a used system. Chances are, your current MB is so old that you'll need different formats of ram. at 600 mhz, you're not going to be able to run that many apps. I'd recommend getting a nice base system, and then work from that.

[sabotai]

You need a new processor and more RAM. Either build a new computer or buy a new one.

[Tasan]

Originally posted by Coffee Warlord
Bah. At worst, you'll have to replace the motherboard when you upgrade your processor, which is not a big deal. Moster newer components are perfectly compatibile with older boards, aside from processors. They tend not to fuck with standard component connectivity all that much.

Incorrect at a point, a critical one for him. More than likely his current system uses PC133 ram, and his next system will use a type of DDR, as you really can't put together a PC133 memory system. Whatever he spends on memory now is a waste for any future system. Another issue would be video cards. Most today are 4x/8x AGP, and at his processor level, his motherboard probably is only 2x AGP, which will not run a new video card. Drives and sound cards will work, but those two key components I've mentioned make short term upgrades RIGHT NOW a bad idea. If you don't need the screaming, top of the line system now though, you can easily put together a nice little mid range system for 300-400 tops, especially if you already have a monitor.

[Philliesfan980]

Originally posted by Tasan
Incorrect at a point, a critical one for him. More than likely his current system uses PC133 ram, and his next system will use a type of DDR, as you really can't put together a PC133 memory system. Whatever he spends on memory now is a waste for any future system. Another issue would be video cards. Most today are 4x/8x AGP, and at his processor level, his motherboard probably is only 2x AGP, which will not run a new video card. Drives and sound cards will work, but those two key components I've mentioned make short term upgrades RIGHT NOW a bad idea. If you don't need the screaming, top of the line system now though, you can easily put together a nice little mid range system for 300-400 tops, especially if you already have a monitor.

ah, People always steal my idea's :).