I want to upgrade my computer

Hi.
I have this computer: http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?lc=en&cc=us&docname=c00472088&dlc=en

It has this motherboard: http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?cc=fr&docname=c00378480&lc=fr&product=391930

I want to add these:
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/281079430661?ssPageName=STRK:MESINDXX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1436.l2649
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/350747517531?ssPageName=STRK:MESINDXX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1436.l2649

It is mainly to get some more speed and to be able to play 1080p videos. And maybe play some games at best possible resolution and speed (SH2,3,4;GTA San Andreas, RE4, Doom 3, Postal 2, Cry of Fear). Could i get better components for the same computer? Oh and don't tell me to get a new PC because i don't wanna spend more than 150-200$ on this.

Thank you.

Oh yeah what is the sticky white stuff between the CPU chip and motherboard fan? Do i need to add this when changing CPU?

 

Better and cheaper graphics card, this one will be twice as good:

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/New-GPU-GT61...751?pt=PCC_Video_TV_Cards&hash=item4851c59d9f

That looks like the best CPU, not really many for that motherboard. And yeah, you will need the white stuff, it's thermal paste which is used to make a smooth surface between the heatsink and the CPU.

Also, you need to find out if the Graphics card will support your Power Supply Unit (PSU). For example, if the graphics card is 300WATT and the PSU you have in your PC is 450WATT their would be enough power for the rest of the PC components so you will need to check that out because you didn't include your PC PSU Wattage

 

Thank you!

 

Looks like i'll have to spend some extra. On the PSU is written ''MAX OUTPUT POWER: 250W''. So i'll have to change it too i assume. Do i need to find one compatible with my motherboard or any PSU will do?

 

My computer store recomended this 2 Gig card:

http://www.geforce.com/hardware/desktop-gpus/geforce-gt-520

@Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B005C31F3G/ref=nosim/7240466-rg2304-00-20?s=merchant"]Amazon.com: XFX GF GT520 810M 2 GB DDR3 HDMI DVI VGA PCI-E Video Card (GT520MCNF2): Electronics


I have Win7 HP (now, by the way) and it also works on Vista and XP.

I bought the card from Frys electronics and tried to get it put on my old PC but it turned out I had no PCI Express, so I had to go back to Frys to buy a new PC to fit the card because I wasn't going to give up on the card.

The card has so much cool stuff I haven't even had the time to try it all out yet.

But it does play 1080p perfectly. That was the first thing I tried with it.

Funny thing though, the box my card came in says 300 Watt or greater, but the Amazon site says 400 Watt minimum.

I'm not sure how many Watts my PC has, all I know is that it has 6 Gigs.

I showed the guy at Frys the card when I bought the new PC and he said "I'm good to go now." And then my computer store said "Good purchase there." And they slapped the card in for free because they initially recomended a card that my old PC couldn't take.

Can someone please suggest a good (free) online game I can try this card out on?

I want to test this cards full capabilities. I like racing, fighting, sci fi, and horror type stuff mostly.

The card also supports 3D Blue Ray, so now I'm looking for a Blue Ray player for the PC as it only came with a DVD RW.

Money, money, money. I wish it grew on trees.

 

BTW, my specs: http://reviews.cnet.com/desktops/lenovo-h415-3099-a/4505-3118_7-35248841.html

^Got it on the last day of a big sale (whew)

 

http://www.systemrequirementslab.com/cyri

 

Put simple best idea would be to get another computer. J/K

Yes, you will need thermal paste. Its to help your processor keeps its cool so to say. How to apply clean off old and use new thermal paste place over the top as thin as you can making sure not to get it on the sides. Be sure to use gloves or wash hand before and after.

The processor you posted is Opteron. Opteron is a Server or Workstation processor and is not Windows XP compatible nor will it work for your motherboard. Sorry ebay ad needs to be worded better I wouldn't buy that one.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athlon_64_X2
This link should be your upgrade. Manchester and Toledo. Toledo would be best but should be verified by HP first.

Make sure your video card will work in Windows XP by checking the box. Almost all are HD so to speak and have been for a while now. Like 90's or so however monitors took awhile to be HD. 128MB should be enough to take the load off of the main processor. In other words any cheap Windows XP card should be fine.

I would get 400 Watt PSU in less video card wants more. Antec is a good brand. Make sure it is the same build type. Some fit differently. So be sure to take a picture to the store.

On another note other ways to speed up a computer. Clean the dust out so it can stay cool and not stall, delete temp files and defrag also a faster hard drive, but thats more cost.

Hope this helps you and others.

 

In the end, i'll be getting a new computer. I'm saving money for this one:
http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product...3601acbb2337e3a30c814d2en02&SearchPageIndex=1

It should allow me to play the games i mentioned above, at their fullest. 1080p videos, as well as awesome speed (compared to everything i experienced up to now), are a given. I might even be able to play the latest games, albeit with medium-low quality settings, but i'm fine with that. I'll just need to get a hard drive for back-up. In another thread i've been recommended ''WD Caviar Black'' hard drives. One of 2To should do the trick.

As to what made me change my mind, i thought i should start anew. I recently read that old computer components, such as CPU, RAM and cables (IDE, SATA) can get you corrupted/damaged data during transfers. I'm not sure about CPU and RAM, but i experienced some instances with IDE cables. So not thanking any chances, i'll have a fresh start. New computer, new components, safer usage. I just hope i won't get any defective parts though. But since i never had problems with my older HP computer, i think wonderfull times are to come.

 

If you were ready to tackle trying to upgrade an old system, why not just build the exact system you want and can afford from scratch, it's not that difficult.

I would strongly advise against purchasing HP computer products. They are some of the worst in the market.
If it's a laptop, personally I recommend Dell, if it's a desktop, build it yourself.

Check out newegg.com,

They have some of the best prices, all the components, how-to videos, reviews of components, etc. Basically they are the quintessential online computer supplier IMHO.

JUST DON'T BUY HEWLETT PACKARD!!!!!

unless it's a printer.



oh and yes, the WD caviar black drives are the best consumer level 7200RPM hard drive on the market. I have two of them in my system.

I would recommend getting two physical drives, one for the OS and important data, about 500-750 GIG and a much larger drive, 2-3 TB for non-essential data. I generally create a smaller partition for the OS, about 100-150 gigs.
The reason being is Have you ever tried to back-up 2-3 terabytes of data????
It's a bitch finding back-up media that can accommodate huge volumes of data, except other external hard drives. Even with Blue-ray technology with 25GIG capacity, that's still a shit load of discs. LOL
Getting a 120-200gig SSD as a boot/OS drive is another great option. They also have hybrid drives as well that combine SSD technology as a cache to the larger capacity platters, all in one drive.
Performance is pretty damn good.

So for decades I have always had multiple drives, with the larger being comprised of data that can easily be restored/reinstalled. That way I can also wipe the OS and reinstall without having to touch my data at all.

Again, my recommendation is too build it yourself.:2thumbsup:

 

Well i might consider making one myself, i'm not sure... are HP products really that bad now?
Anyway, this website seems good too: http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/
I'll try to make something there and post it here for some feedback later.

Now there's one thing i'm not sure. You see when i buy stuff online, i use Master Card Prepaid Cards, there are of 25$, 50$, 100$ and 200$ i think. But each one of them has an account to itself on the Master Card website. I use Paypal, but i don't know if Paypal can stack many of these cards (say, 5x 200$). Up to now i'd only use one card at a time for small purchases until it was empty. Thanks for the tips.