Upgrading computer ... (1 Viewer)

[Lord Ac]

My brother wants to upgrade his computer to play the upcoming Heroes of Might and Magic V game coming out next year. My mum said she will pay up to $300 ...

This is his current system:

Operating System Windows 2000 v5.1.2600 (XP Home)
DirectX Version DirectX
CPU Model/Name AMD Athlon(tm) X 2100+
CPU Speed 1742MHz
# of Processors 1
Total Physical Memory 256MB (DDR)
% Memory Used 71%
Resolution 1024 x 768
Color Depth 32-Bit
Free Disk Space C:\ 42.23GB
Max Swap File Size 618.13MB
Available Swap File 469.05MB
TCP/IP Protocol Installed
Graphics Card 64Mb (Radeon Pro 9000 i think)


So basically, what should be upgraded? graphics card? motherboard? ram (How do I find out my max amount of upgradable ram and how many slots I have?)?

I will most likely be using ebay ... so I might be able to find some deals there ...

Cheers,
Ac

 

[Templar]

CPU isn't in the best shape for games, but that would be something drastic.

 

[sunny]

How do I find out my max amount of upgradable ram and how many slots I have?

Check the motherboard manual.

 

[Lord Ac]

Concerning DDR RAM, what is the difference between high and low density?

What is the best graphics card for ~$200? I seem to trust ATI's ... is the x-series suprerior to the readon 9000's? Is it hard to put in a new graphics card?

Thanks,
Ac

 

[anti]

hard - no, i can do it

 

[Templar]

Of course X series is far superior to the 9000. Too bad X series doesn't come in AGP anymore.

 

[Kabeio]

definitely a video card upgrade, and possibly a CPU if you have the money

 

[Lord Ac]

which is the best of these (and how do you know?):

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/1-GECUBE-ATI...731161379QQcategoryZ70875QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Radeon-ATi-9...734186347QQcategoryZ70875QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ATI-RADEON-9...33013597QQcategoryZ111510QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/256mb-Radeon...31538871QQcategoryZ111510QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ABIT-RADEON-...yZ111510QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/NEW-512MB-AT...oryZ3762QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
(this says "512MB GDDR2 Memory: 128 bit memory" ... does that mean I cant use it?)


Basically I can spend up to $200 on any one of these grpahics cards ...

Thanks,
Ac

 

[Templar]

The first one is the best for your upgrade. It's a 9800XT, the best of its generation.

You can't get the last three since they require PCIe and your motherboard will only have AGP.

 

[bscienceboi]

I'm selling my Ati 128mb/256bit 9800Pro for say...$130?

Only 4 months old (maybe less).

6600gt's go for about $190.

 

[darksbane]

Man for $130 I'm interested

As for those video cards, as to whether the first or second one is better you would have to decide on how much you want to pay. the second one is a better card, but the first one, the 9800 Pro is still a a nice card if the 9800XT ends up being too expensive.

 

[bscienceboi]

Man for $130 I'm interested

Too late.