Motherboard / Cpu Upgrade?

[splat10]

Ok so i have an old ASUS A7V600 Mobo (socket A) and AMD ATHLON XP 2000 @ 1.4 ghz processor with only 768mb of ram (a 256 and 512) (PC2100).

 

I haven't kept up with computer technology the last 4-5 years so i don't know how much i can gain or if it's worth it to upgrade at this time. My computer runs pretty good and i don't play any new games.

 

Is it worth the effort and money to upgrade the RAM to the 2gb max or should i just be looking at a new budget mobo/chip package? I can get 1 gb of ram for $40 or a new mobo/AMD athlon II for around $150 plus whatever ram costs ($50-$200 depending on amount i want).

 

So the question is do i NEED the upgrade? I don't have major problems now. Run whatever i want with a stable system (running XP still). I know it's better but do i really need it?

[Zembonez]

Personally I would not upgrade the ram. A motherboard/processor upgrade is the best way to go. You probably have IDE drives, so make sure the board you choose still offers enough IDE connections. SATA connectors will be on all new boards, so you can upgrade drives later if needed.

One thing that has also changed a lot id video cards. Your old one won't be compatible with a new board, Many new boards actually come with decent onboard video now plus that have an expansion slot for a card later...

[[email protected]]

Ok so i have an old ASUS A7V600 Mobo (socket A) and AMD ATHLON 1.4ghz processor with only 760mb of ram (PC2100).

 

I haven't kept up with computer technology the last 4-5 years so i don't know how much i can gain or if it's worth it to upgrade at this time. My computer runs pretty good and i don't play any new games.

 

Is it worth the effort and money to upgrade the RAM to the 2gb max or should i just be looking at a new budget mobo/chip package? I can get 1 gb of ram for $40 or a new mobo/AMD athlon II for around $150 plus whatever ram costs ($50-$200 depending on amount i want).

 

So the question is do i NEED the upgrade? I don't have major problems now. Run whatever i want with a stable system (running XP still). I know it's better but do i really need it?

 

I'm also running XP, Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Do you need to upgrade? no. Should you upgrade? YES!! It's definitely worth it. Check out newegg.com and ebay for some good deals, though. Think about it as a blackbear tune for your computer. Just the ram alone will make for a great improvement if you're only running 256 or 512 mb. Unless you're playing games, the ram will be the best upgrade, IMO. 1.4 ghz is kinda slow, but it'll do fine with no game playing. Video card? no, unless you play games.

[splat10]

yeah i just bought a 500 gb IDE HDD and my DVD Burn is IDE too. I'm running a sapphire Radeon 9600 atlantis video AGP video card so yeah that's another thing.

 

So basically to upgrade the board chip i might as well just buy an all new box which i can't afford right now.

 

Looks like $40 in RAM is my best option right now.

 

Thanks!

[[email protected]]

yeah i just bought a 500 gb IDE HDD and my DVD Burn is IDE too. I'm running a sapphire Radeon 9600 atlantis video AGP video card so yeah that's another thing.

 

So basically to upgrade the board chip i might as well just buy an all new box which i can't afford right now.

 

Looks like $40 in RAM is my best option right now.

 

Thanks!

 

The RAM is well worth it!! 

[vettelovralexand]

I wouldn't worry about upgrading if your computer doesn't get bogged down doing what you are already doing. Nearly any PC is as good as gold for browsing the net. Modern computers are pretty sweet and all, but the biggest speed improvement I have noticed in computers recently are SSD. They are definitely not cheap but I have never noticed an improvement like I got from switching to them even from a RAID-0 of WD Raptors. Beware of computer upgrading though, just as with anything it can get expensive fast.

[[email protected]]

I wouldn't worry about upgrading if your computer doesn't get bogged down doing what you are already doing. Nearly any PC is as good as gold for browsing the net. Modern computers are pretty sweet and all, but the biggest speed improvement I have noticed in computers recently are SSD. They are definitely not cheap but I have never noticed an improvement like I got from switching to them even from a RAID-0 of WD Raptors. Beware of computer upgrading though, just as with anything it can get expensive fast.

 

Oh yeah an SSD (solid state drive). Those things are awesome, and no worries about crashing or losing data, because it lasts forever with no moving parts.

[Black02Silverado]

This isn't a bad deal from Tiger Direct.

[Zembonez]

I bought an SSD, built a AMD Phenom II box running 4 gig of ram and Win7... and it SUUUUCKED. I switched to a WD SATA 500 GB drive and the speed is twice as good. SSDs are a good idea, but I'll wait until they get them configured for better speed before I do another build with one.

[splat10]

oh yeah i'd have to buy a new keyboard/mouse combo too cause i still have ps2 from the original computer back in 1997. The case is still from then too. not much else tho

 

i still have a chipped playstation 1 hooked up to my 46" LCD too ;)

[[email protected]]

I bought an SSD, built a AMD Phenom II box running 4 gig of ram and Win7... and it SUUUUCKED. I switched to a WD SATA 500 GB drive and the speed is twice as good. SSDs are a good idea, but I'll wait until they get them configured for better speed before I do another build with one.

 

Huh, that's weird. Oh well, I guess. Western Digital is a great cheap HD, though.

[[email protected]]

oh yeah i'd have to buy a new keyboard/mouse combo too cause i still have ps2 from the original computer back in 1997. The case is still from then too. not much else tho

 

i still have a chipped playstation 1 hooked up to my 46" LCD too ;)

 

The computer I'm on right now has a ps2 mouse and keyboard. 100 gig hd and 512 ram and I play GTSA on it. Soon to upgrade ram by 1 gig of ddr2 and the video card with a pci express x16 1gig 1000mhz effective ATI video card, though. Yesterday was my birthday and I do have money, I just don't like to spend it.

[vettelovralexand]

I bought an SSD, built a AMD Phenom II box running 4 gig of ram and Win7... and it SUUUUCKED. I switched to a WD SATA 500 GB drive and the speed is twice as good. SSDs are a good idea, but I'll wait until they get them configured for better speed before I do another build with one.

 

What kind of SSD if you don't mind me asking? Some of the original controllers did have issues with slight hanging, but they seem to have worked out most of those issues with the most recent drives. My Vertex drive is doing a great job on my Win7 x64 install.

[Zembonez]

I bought an SSD, built a AMD Phenom II box running 4 gig of ram and Win7... and it SUUUUCKED. I switched to a WD SATA 500 GB drive and the speed is twice as good. SSDs are a good idea, but I'll wait until they get them configured for better speed before I do another build with one.

 

What kind of SSD if you don't mind me asking? Some of the original controllers did have issues with slight hanging, but they seem to have worked out most of those issues with the most recent drives. My Vertex drive is doing a great job on my Win7 x64 install.

 

Mine was an Intel (great ratings on the Egg) but it was noticeably slower than my other SATA drive machines. It was stupid expensive for a 160 gig drive too. We even tried loading an old WinXP Pro on it and it sucked in comparison. It worked fine. It was just slow in the access time department. Newegg got it back. I'll try later on... after the prices moderate and the product is better.

[vettelovralexand]

I bought an SSD, built a AMD Phenom II box running 4 gig of ram and Win7... and it SUUUUCKED. I switched to a WD SATA 500 GB drive and the speed is twice as good. SSDs are a good idea, but I'll wait until they get them configured for better speed before I do another build with one.

 

What kind of SSD if you don't mind me asking? Some of the original controllers did have issues with slight hanging, but they seem to have worked out most of those issues with the most recent drives. My Vertex drive is doing a great job on my Win7 x64 install.

 

Mine was an Intel (great ratings on the Egg) but it was noticeably slower than my other SATA drive machines. It was stupid expensive for a 160 gig drive too. We even tried loading an old WinXP Pro on it and it sucked in comparison. It worked fine. It was just slow in the access time department. Newegg got it back. I'll try later on... after the prices moderate and the product is better.

 

 

I am surprised based on everything I have heard and seen about the Intel drives. Either way, how do you like the Phenom II? I am still on an old Q6600. It was pretty quick for its time, but I really wish I could go to an I7.