Gaming World Forums
General Category => Technology and Programming => Topic started by: Ryan on February 12, 2009, 09:30:42 pm
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my current pc specs are:
amd athlon 64 3400+
895~ megs of ram (crappy mismatched ram, tho)
ati radeon x1950 256vram pci express
160gb hdd
i'd like to upgrade my ram and my processor. i only have about $200 to spend and i'd like to add at least 1gb of ram. what would you guys recommend?
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What is your motherboard? What ram do you have?
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how do i find out?
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To find out your motherboard you might be able to run dxdiag (via start > run > dxdiag) in windows. On the first tab it will say "System Model: Board Name." To determine the brand of your memory you can either a) look at it, or b) run CPU-Z (this should also give you a more accurate description of your motherboard and other computer parts as well).
http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php
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my ram is ddr
motherboard: ASUStek computer INC
model: nagami 1.01
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Ok, well, this is what I would probably do. Your system is a bit dated. It's not completely off the charts but it could definitely do with some upgrades. $200 is fairly tight for what I'm going to suggest, but I doubt it would go over $300 at the most and you'll see a lot of improvement AND you'll be set up for the future. AMD has just released its first batch of Phenom II processors. These are quadcore processors that are going to be using the new AM3 socket, however they are also backwards compatible with AM2+ boards. This is a good thing! Because you don't want to jump the gun just yet, I suggest you buy a cheaper processor and then when the time comes swap it with a newer one.
First things first is we need to replace your motherboard. I know this isn't on your list, but I highly recommend that you do.
Something like this for example: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3672390&sku=S458-1302
That allows you DDR2 memory which although isn't enormously faster than DDR it will lend to some improvement, especially in low memory situations.
2GB: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2206874&CatId=2261
4GB: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3228139&CatId=2261
Now for the processor I'll recommend a dual core AMD 64 6000+: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3318082
This should run you ~$250 I think.
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also i'm pretty sure i have a really terrible psu. it's like 200w max. i should probably upgrade this, right?
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You could probably pick up a good socket 939 dual core amd processor for around 40 to 70 bux and I'm sure you could find a good price on 2gb ddr 400 ram on ebay
I'm p. Sure you won't go over 200 there and you'll notice a pretty big difference
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200w psu is fine for what you're running, if there's no problem with it I wouldn't even bother. They're pretty reasonable tho so if you need a new one I wouldn't go over something like 400w
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okay i just went lookin around newegg and i came up with this:
ECS A780GM-A AM2+/AM2 AMD 780G HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard $69.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813135075)
Rosewill RV350 350W ATX 1.3 Power Supply $24.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182006)
Kingston ValueRAM 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 533 (PC2 4200) Desktop Memory Model KVR533D2N4/1G (x2) $27.98 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820144151)
AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ Windsor 3.0GHz Socket AM2 125W Dual-Core Processor Model ADX6000CZBOX $74.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103773)
+ $12.33 for shipping = $210.28
how does that sound? is all this shit compatible? also how hard is it to replace a motherboard and add in a processor and psu? also, if you can improve on this money wise that would be great!
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checked my current psu and it's 150w Lol
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ACTUALLY if one of you guys could find a way for me to shave about $15 (or more) off the price that would be great. i wouldn't have to wait for my filthy government money to arrive.
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You could probably pick up a good socket 939 dual core amd processor for around 40 to 70 bux and I'm sure you could find a good price on 2gb ddr 400 ram on ebay
I'm p. Sure you won't go over 200 there and you'll notice a pretty big difference
This is sort of the alternative, the only issue is that there's nowhere to really go from there. You have to buy a new everything if you really want to upgrade because 939 is dead. At least this way when the time comes all he needs to do is pop in a Phenom II. It's up to you, though. I only suggested what I would do.
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Don't buy that motherboard if you absolutly want the 6000+ processor, it's a good board but it only supports processors up to 95w tdp.
It's not a problem if you plan on buying an AM3 processor when they'll be out as the board is listed as compatible with them and they are 95w, but otherwise I wouldn't recommend it.
EDIT: Alternative with that board would be a Phenom 9750, they made a 95w version of that one, but that would come out as more expensive, hell, it's probably the best you could get with it untill the AM3s are out. Altho, then again, there's also the Athlon X2 5800+, which is 89w and is less expensive then the 6000+
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Get an x2 5600+ you'll save 50 bucks and its 0.10ghz slower(you won't notice)
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the one on newegg is like $5 cheaper than the 6000 :(
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okay i just went lookin around newegg and i came up with this:
ECS A780GM-A AM2+/AM2 AMD 780G HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard $69.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813135075)
Rosewill RV350 350W ATX 1.3 Power Supply $24.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182006)
Kingston ValueRAM 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 533 (PC2 4200) Desktop Memory Model KVR533D2N4/1G (x2) $27.98 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820144151)
AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ Windsor 3.0GHz Socket AM2 125W Dual-Core Processor Model ADX6000CZBOX $74.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103773)
+ $12.33 for shipping = $210.28
how does that sound? is all this shit compatible? also how hard is it to replace a motherboard and add in a processor and psu? also, if you can improve on this money wise that would be great!
replaced the amd athlon 6000+ with an amd athlon 64 x2 5600+
replaced psu with a 300w one
replaced ram with a faster (and cheaper) stick by corsair.
grand total with shipping is now $187.48
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you're practically buying a new computer. also the 780g chipset rocks!!!!!!!
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Make sure you're not getting an OEM processor or else you're gonna need a heatsink+fan cuz they'll just gonna send you a chip in a little plastic container with nothing else
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I'd spend the little extra to up the PSU. Any future upgrade especially graphics cards are going to require it.
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already ordered.
but i couldn't afford a more expensive one. it was only $13 so i'm sure it's a POS anyway but soon as i get more cash (lol) i'll see if i can get a more reliable one with higher wattage.
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Good luck. :)
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how difficult is it to install? i've installed ram, graphics cards, and other pci stuff but never a motherboard or a psu.
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It looks a lot more daunting than it actually is.
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i mean is it just plugging shit in or do i have to screw stuff together or what. do i have to solder anything?
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Screwing and plugging.
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i took apart a computer once
it was a lot of tearing and cracking o_O.....
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All you need is a screwdriver. Everything else plugs, pops, locks, or snaps into place.
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All you need is a screwdriver. Everything else plugs, pops, locks, or snaps into place.
one time i had to write a paper responding to wendell barry's article called "why i will not buy a computer" or something like that where he lists all the reasons why computers are useless, and i basically just disproved ALL of his arguments because he made all of them in ignorance of computers
part of his argument was that a legitimate technology can be repaired in your house, which a computer "can't", i wrote in my paper that a computer can be repaired with just a screwdriver
my teacher wrote "this isn't true :(" with the frowny face next to that
at that point i had just given up on it but i still wish i had argued with him over that, especially since he knew that i was a computer science major :/
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i dunno your teacher sounds like a p. cool dude if they use emoticons on papers
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no he just drew a normal frowny face not a sideways emoticon one
but yeah ryan you apparently can't build a computer with just a screwdriver so you'll have to just find some other tools in the house and find a way to implement them, guess you'll have to hammer your processor into the slot
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i almost took a hammer to get my ram in once!
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i almost took a hammer to get my ram in once!
then you are an idiot (unless you were like just pushing the head of the hammer on to the RAM)
That setup looks alright. Installing those components will take time but likely won't be too difficult. There are numerous guides on the internet if you have any doubts. They also provide advice which could prevent you from breaking anything unintentionally.
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then you are an idiot (unless you were like just pushing the head of the hammer on to the RAM)
man i was kidding you are a jerk
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holy shit. this turned out to be way more expensive and took way longer than i originally had planned. :(
ok so i got my stuff tuesday. i open the package and take out the motherboard only to realize that my case is a micro-ATX case. i go out to best buy and buy an atx case. i install everything then realize my fuckin only bootable WinXP cd got broke a few days earlier. i order win vista from newegg. it arrives yesterday. then i tried installing it but my dvdrom drive refused to be recognized because i had both my hdd and dvd drive plugged into a single IDE slot. my only choice was to go out and buy a new SATA harddrive which i did about an hour ago. now it all works. :(
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okay now i'm getting a bsod occasionally. help!!
i accidently closed the error report but i remember part
BCCode: a
next time i get it i'll post the rest.
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Problem signature:
Problem Event Name: BlueScreen
OS Version: 6.0.6001.2.1.0.768.3
Locale ID: 1033
Additional information about the problem:
BCCode: a
BCP1: 000000800159DE08
BCP2: 0000000000000002
BCP3: 0000000000000001
BCP4: FFFFF80001A7BD69
OS Version: 6_0_6001
Service Pack: 1_0
Product: 768_1
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When does this seem to be occurring? Randomly?
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yeah pretty much. i haven't noticed it happening consistently after using a certain program or anything.
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i tried installing it but my dvdrom drive refused to be recognized because i had both my hdd and dvd drive plugged into a single IDE slot
This isn't very helpful since you already went out and bought a new drive but did you ever set the master/slave pins on these? That could have caused this problem.
I guess it still kind of helps because you can still use that drive for extra storage.
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yes i tried that.
also just got a BSOD again while trying to copy a file from a CD. this happening waaaaaay too frequently to be ignored!
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Are your temperatures okay and do you have the latest video drivers?
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yes. i've checked the cpu temp several times in the bios after the error occured. it was something <= 40c for the cpu.
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just got it again.
this has been in the bsod each time:
IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL
i'm starting to think maybe i got a bad stick of ram??
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it happens almost every time i try to copy a file from a dvd, i've noticed.
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Make sure the connection to the optical drive and your HDD is secure, also experiment with different PATA/SATA slots if necessary. After that I would suggest searching for drivers and making sure all of your components are up to date. If you're still experiencing the problem after that I'd look into updating your BIOS as it is relatively easy as long as you follow the instructions very carefully. I had random bluescreens before and my sound was starting to go really funky, updating my bios fixed all of my problems.
EDIT: Oh, assuming you have >1 stick of ram you might try swapping them in and out and seeing if you still receive the error. That rules out RAM.
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okay. i just tried removing one stick of ram and am gonna see if i get a BSOD. i've already updated my drivers.
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just copied one disk (of oblivion) with no bsod. i'll try disk #2 with the other stick
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okay. just copied the second disk with the other stick of ram and no bsod. whats goin on!!!!!!!
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Try it with both again.
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using both sticks now. trying ram slots #1 and #3
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already installed oblivion using both sticks of ram and nothing so far. installing the expansions. this is weird :(
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Are 1 and 3 the original slots?
It could potentially be that they (or one of them) was just improperly installed.
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no 1 and 2 were the original slots
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Your motherboard supports dual channel ram so you should've been using 1 and 3 regardless. I'm not sure what effect that if any would have if you ignored it though. It could be that your #2 slot is damaged in some way as well.
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Your motherboard supports dual channel ram so you should've been using 1 and 3 regardless. I'm not sure what effect that if any would have if you ignored it though. It could be that your #2 slot is damaged in some way as well.
yeah, just leave em' how they are. You'll get slightly better performance by having them plugged in like this
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Yea, for future reference, you can run two IDE devices on a single IDE cable (channel). It's just the small jumper(s) between the power and data plugs need to be set so that one is slave, and one is master, or both are set to cable select.
Also, is this a pair of ram? Are the voltages within your mobo range? Do they show up at correct speed during bios? Does it show you running dual channel when you have them in 1 and 3? If you want to test out if any of your ram slots themselves are bad, which is pretty rare, you could always try 2 and 4.