to find out the socket type, download cpu-z. for the psu, open your sidepanel of your computer tower, and locate the psu; usually in the upper area of the case. there should be a info sticker on the side of the psu, along with the brand name.
Finding the motherboard version can be done through CPU-Z (it'll probably tell you the model number, not the socket, so you may have to google that). As for the PSU, you can only find out by looking at it yourself.
cpu-z 1.41 tells the socket type, not sure if the older version do. it's the third one on the cpu tab, under package. off topic. sam, would doom3 be considered as a benchmark game for testing out the gfx card? i remember i installed it to play the classic doom 3 mod.
Ok, so I have: Socket AM2 (940) as my package. So what kind of RAM can you reccomend (specific deal would be nice, 2 gigs) And also, this is what I have for my PSU: Dell N305N-03----it says 305w MAX
Hehe, the Classic doom 3 mod rocked! Unfortunately Doom 3 isn't that demanding as modern games go. As for the PSU, that's absurdly weak, but if you haven't modified the PC it should still just about suffice.
Well, since it's weak, what would kind of problems could occur with adding 2 more gigs of RAM and that X1950? Noise? or what?
adding components the psu can't handle can result in damages to the system. the components would be underpowered and not work. the psu would have to work hard to support everything, overloading the psu. adding a high quality and higher watt psu is the first thing to be taken into consideration before adding new components.
Suffice to say, if you put a high end graphics card in that system, the PSU would probably burst into flames. I mean that literally, too.
But updating RAM wouldn't have anything to do with the PSU, correct? What kind of RAM should I get with my socket.
switching the ram will have no effect on the psu, unless you overclock them by adding more voltage. socket am2 can usually take pc2-6400; mine does. but to be sure, use the system scanner from crucial.com to find out the maximum ammount and type of ram you can use.
actually, form what i have herd, dell PSUs are meant t o be very good and stable. i think they are made by PC power and cooling which are made by seasonic?
That's true of some, I don't know about at all. Nonetheless that unit is so underpowered it will still fail with a high end graphics card, even if it just shuts down.
From my experience, dell PSUs are very stable and I have never seen one burnt out. But, they only usually have enough power for the system they are built with. So, before anything else, get a new PSU. You can find a nice one for maybe $80+.
On to memory: I ran through the Crucial.com tests and they recommended this for my system: 2GB kit (1GBx2), 240-pin DIMM, DDR2 PC2-5300 memory module. Package: 240-pin DIMM Feature: DDR2 PC2-5300 Specs: DDR2 PC2-5300 • CL=5 • Unbuffered • NON-ECC • DDR2-667 • 1.8V • 128Meg x 64, this all costs 50 dollars. They also recommended this: 2GB kit (1GBx2), Ballistix 240-pin DIMM, DDR2 PC2-5300 Package: Ballistix 240-pin DIMM Feature: DDR2 PC2-5300 Specs: DDR2 PC2-5300 • 3-3-3-12 • Unbuffered • NON-ECC • DDR2-667 • 2.2V • 128Meg x 64, this all costs 120 dollars. - I was just wondering, why is the 119 dollar one so much more expensive, how does it affect your computer that much more efficiently? Why would someone go for that one instead of the inexpensive one? Also, is it worth the extra 70 bucks or not?
It's CAS3, so low latency high performance stuff, but since its PC5300, it's never going to be top notch performance. CAS5 at PC5300 is absolutely terrible though, avoid that. Personally I wouldn't use either. Can you find some CAS4 stuff?
CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 Capacity 2GB (2 x 1GB) Speed DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Cas Latency 4 Timing 4-4-4-12 Voltage 2.1V Heat Spreader Yes Features EPP (Enhanced Performance Profiles) and also SLI certified $46.00