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Need help upgrading computer

Discussion in 'PC hardware help' started by dshah101, Jul 30, 2007.

  1. dshah101

    dshah101 Member

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    Hi you all.

    I need help upgrading my computer so that it becomes faster and a better gaming system. My system is a sony vaio VGC-RB40.

    Here are the specs:
    Intel pentium 4 HT ~ 3.0 Ghz
    512 mb of ram
    Intel graphics card but recently installed Nvidia geforce 7300GS OC graphics card
    200 GB hard drive satta 7200 rpm
    2 dvd drives ~ one only reads and one writes
    Motherboard Chipset ~ Intel 915G Express
    1mb level 2 cache

    Please help. I really need my computer to go faster and work better in terms of gaming.
     
  2. onya

    onya Guest

    Up gradinf the RAm is the best and cheapest option. Go for 2 GIG if funds allow. Google the mobo to find out what it can handle and what type it can take. My advise would be to get two matched "sticks" of 1 GIG each. The improvements in gaming and general usage will be dramatic I assure you.

    EDIT: Typo's AND what Waymon3X6 said...
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 2, 2007
  3. ddp

    ddp Moderator Staff Member

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    moved to correct forum
     
  4. Waymon3X6

    Waymon3X6 Regular member

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    Like onya, said, the ram first... 512mb just doesnt cut it anymore. You need at least a gig to play the recent games at medium speed. Oh yea, if you get 2 gigs like onya said, set them up in duel channel mode (read the mobo's manuel, as the placement of the sticks varys from mobo to mobo.)

    Get a new graphics card, 7300 is a mainstream/low performing card (you get what you pay for), I would've gone with something above 7600 from nvidia and x1650 for ati. (depending on weather your system is agp or pci-e)

    Then the processor, I have a P4 at 3.2ghz, but it will soon lag like crazy when the newer games come out (crysis etc)

     
  5. dshah101

    dshah101 Member

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    How much does the Nvidia Geforce 7600 cost and how much will the ram cost? How much will the toal upgrade cost? Also, will this improve the speed of my computer and make its start up faster? I have deleted most of the applications for the start up and it still takes about a 1 to 2 min to start up and get fired up. All I run is the kaspersky internet security and the essentials (internet, etc.)
     
  6. ddp

    ddp Moderator Staff Member

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    what windows are you running?
     
  7. sammorris

    sammorris Senior member

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    Starting up faster: Perhaps a little, but probably not.
    Games lag: Significantly improved
    Games frame rate: Significantly improved

     
  8. dshah101

    dshah101 Member

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    Im running windows xp sp2 professional
     
  9. dshah101

    dshah101 Member

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    Also , im planning on buying a new computer since my old vaio has become old and out of date. Im going to buy it from futureshop. My budget is around a 1000 dollars. Which computer should I buy?
     
  10. sammorris

    sammorris Senior member

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    Well, look for:

    Core 2 Duo
    At least 1GB of RAM, preferably 2GB
    A decent graphics card - At least an nVidia 7600GT. Avoid the 8500GT and 8600GT, they're slow. In the 7000 series range go with a minimum of 7600GT, in the 8000 series range, the minimum's an 8600GTS.
    For ATi, the minimum is an X1600XT or HD2600XT.

    As for the other features, pick them to suit.
     
  11. ddp

    ddp Moderator Staff Member

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    dshah, why futureshop & where are you located in canada?
     
  12. sammorris

    sammorris Senior member

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    I'd like to offer better places to shop, but I don't know what Futureshop are like.
     
  13. ddp

    ddp Moderator Staff Member

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    sam, have you heard of best buy or circuit city?
     
  14. sammorris

    sammorris Senior member

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    Yeah both, but I don't know if any are better than each other. As far as I'm aware, none of them exist in the UK.
     
  15. ddp

    ddp Moderator Staff Member

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    futureshop was canadian til bought by best buy & sold the same stuff as best buy.
     
  16. dshah101

    dshah101 Member

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    ddp its because i have a gift card for future shop given to me by my friend
     
  17. dshah101

    dshah101 Member

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    what kind of computer do i need if i do alot of creative things like home dvds on the camcorder, pictures, etc. and also a basicgaming computer since i already have a graphics card which is fine for right now. Also, would it be better to buy an intel or amd since future shop signed a deal with amd and now most computers are replaced with amd
     
  18. ddp

    ddp Moderator Staff Member

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    go with what sam posted earlier but make certain new pc can take your videocard. you'll probably will end up with windows vista too.
     
  19. dshah101

    dshah101 Member

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    Thanks ddp. But what is the difference between amd and intel? I want to get an intel but m not sure if amd is better. Also, if i am not doing as muchheavy duty stuff - only playign game while burning - would it be better to buy quad core or stick with core 2 duo since i could save some money
     
  20. sammorris

    sammorris Senior member

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    You will rarely need the power of a quad, go with a Core 2 Duo,it's better than any current AMD dual core. Oh, and if you can, try and stick with XP.
     

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