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Thread ID: 67566 2006-03-31 07:47:00 Building/Upgrading a Computer matty3 (5363) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
442428 2006-04-02 10:55:00 I would STRONGLY say NO to upgrading the Win 95, not only are the parts not made any more ie you will need second hand and it will not make a large increase, you are best with a new machine.

As I said before, 3200+, 512MB RAM (maybe more) and a 6600GT?

I'm not going to upgrade it (well I can't really), I'm just meaning that it was an option in the beginning.

~Matt :-)
matty3 (5363)
442429 2006-04-02 11:21:00 I would STRONGLY say NO to upgrading the Win 95, not only are the parts not made any more ie you will need second hand and it will not make a large increase, you are best with a new machine.

As I said before, 3200+, 512MB RAM (maybe more) and a 6600GT?Realistically specs this high wouldn't be needed for a reasonable budget machine.

Personally, if I had $800 to spend, I would be looking at something like a 128MB AGP graphics card, 2+Ghz Intel or 2600+ AMD, motherboard to fit, and 512MB RAM. Include a case (make sure its ATX and not AT as your current machine is likely to be). Look at getting a CD writer (bare minimum) as well.

These specs should suit you for the time being .. though I would seriously consider holding off for a bit longer, save a bit more, and get better specs.
Myth (110)
442430 2006-04-02 11:25:00 I don't really need a way out there graphics card, as i'm not really going to do that much gaming on it just an average one would work for me.

~Matt :-)
matty3 (5363)
442431 2006-04-02 12:34:00 Ok, in that case might I suggest an Geforce4 MX 440 (64MB, or slightly better, the geforce Ti series of cards from nvidia), cheap as anything (second hand of course) and go well.

I bought my MX440 second hand over 3 years ago and has done me well (and continues to do so)
Myth (110)
442432 2006-04-05 05:11:00 Thankyou for your help.

~Matt :-)
matty3 (5363)
442433 2006-04-17 04:31:00 its interesting seeing how some people insist on spending thousands when if you settle for second best it costs a fraction of the price.

i myself did exactly what you plan to do, and did it about 2 months ago...

i've spent almost $900, about 70 of which went to couriers and added extras (like led fans lol). all parts were brand new, not from trademe. i strongly recommend www.pricespy.co.nz, and knowing what you are doing

i got a amd64 3000+
ecs motherboard - not great brand, dodgy sound drivers (easily fixed, but was/is only mobo with pcie for skt 754
1gig of ram
case
2 led fans
80gb smart sata hardrive
decent psu (forgot the specs, but runs it all fine)
geforce6600gt 128mb ("extreme" overclocked model from asus)

i recycled my old floppy drive, cd/rw drive (case has door things to hide the beige), wireless pci card, monitor, mouse, keyboard, headphones and parents winxp pro cd

in short its pretty good actually, and i would hav a 256mb card, but the couriers LOST it. seriously, opt to pick stuff up, its often cheaper (especially if u have a motorbike) and safer/more reliable.

but define "normal use", for web browsing your budget is definetly more than enough, while for gaming my computer was a dream machine 3 years ago, not so anymore (a friend built a similar machine for 3 grand 3 years ago!)

i could build one for you if you're interested (but where's the fun in that?)
motorbyclist (188)
442434 2006-04-17 06:22:00 If its like going to be used for browsing of writing type of activities, wouldnt you just be better off on one of those warehouse deals? rob_on_guitar (4196)
442435 2006-04-17 06:35:00 If its like going to be used for browsing of writing type of activities, wouldnt you just be better off on one of those warehouse deals?

again, Where's the fun in that?!:D

but you're right, i would never personally buy one, but that's because i want performance

i would not recommend HP though, stay well clear of them. you have to buy their modified parts in the event hardware failure/upgrade
motorbyclist (188)
442436 2006-04-17 06:48:00 again, Where's the fun in that?!:D

but you're right, i would never personally buy one, but that's because i want performance

i would not recommend HP though, stay well clear of them. you have to buy their modified parts in the event hardware failure/upgrade

Yea, the ol' HP does get expensive after awhile. Im finding that out the hard way! :o
rob_on_guitar (4196)
442437 2006-04-23 08:32:00 Thanks for your advice :-)

~Matt :-)
matty3 (5363)
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