Discussion
Okay, as is the way with computers, if you dont stay up to date, you get left behind...
Now, my mainboard died a couple of years ago, and i upgraded it with an Athlon XP (2100 or something), stuck with the AGP video card I had at the time, and added another IDE HDD... new PSU etc...
later on i added a gig of 3100 DDR2 RAM
Now the case is probably 8-10 years old, along with the DVD-rom and CD-RW... as i say, the rest is somewhere in the 2-5 years old...
And finally getting to the point...
I'm lacking somewhat HDD space since getting an Ipod, and dont have enough to install Unreal Tournament back on..
Performance-wise, I have no real gripes, it doesnt get a hammering on games anymore...
but i'd like to know whats best? Just find a decent size IDE HDD, or should I consider shelling out and upgrading the system? or just adding bits and bobs?
Where are the best places to buy this sort of stuff from? I used to use Dabs, but Ive heard they were bought by the Dixons group....
Now, my mainboard died a couple of years ago, and i upgraded it with an Athlon XP (2100 or something), stuck with the AGP video card I had at the time, and added another IDE HDD... new PSU etc...
later on i added a gig of 3100 DDR2 RAM
Now the case is probably 8-10 years old, along with the DVD-rom and CD-RW... as i say, the rest is somewhere in the 2-5 years old...
And finally getting to the point...
I'm lacking somewhat HDD space since getting an Ipod, and dont have enough to install Unreal Tournament back on..
Performance-wise, I have no real gripes, it doesnt get a hammering on games anymore...
but i'd like to know whats best? Just find a decent size IDE HDD, or should I consider shelling out and upgrading the system? or just adding bits and bobs?
Where are the best places to buy this sort of stuff from? I used to use Dabs, but Ive heard they were bought by the Dixons group....
fidgits said:
Okay, as is the way with computers, if you dont stay up to date, you get left behind...
Now the case is probably 8-10 years old, along with the DVD-rom and CD-RW... as i say, the rest is somewhere in the 2-5 years old...
Now the case is probably 8-10 years old, along with the DVD-rom and CD-RW... as i say, the rest is somewhere in the 2-5 years old...
Firstly just make a little point here, but you always need to upgrade sooner or later and it sounds like you done well with yours, significantly better than say a car or a games console
Anyway. HDD's cheapest way would be if you have the space inside and spare power and connector, buy a new big HDD and put it in the case and set it as a slave drive. Much cheaper than buying an external USB drive. Try Dabs.com overclockers.co.uk or ebuyer.co.uk for prices for discs
FourWheelDrift said:
fidgits said:
Okay, as is the way with computers, if you dont stay up to date, you get left behind...
Now the case is probably 8-10 years old, along with the DVD-rom and CD-RW... as i say, the rest is somewhere in the 2-5 years old...
Now the case is probably 8-10 years old, along with the DVD-rom and CD-RW... as i say, the rest is somewhere in the 2-5 years old...
Firstly just make a little point here, but you always need to upgrade sooner or later and it sounds like you done well with yours, significantly better than say a car or a games console
Anyway. HDD's cheapest way would be if you have the space inside and spare power and connector, buy a new big HDD and put it in the case and set it as a slave drive. Much cheaper than buying an external USB drive. Try Dabs.com overclockers.co.uk or ebuyer.co.uk for prices for discs
Worth mentioning, I already have 2 IDE HDD drives, both around the 12-15Gig mark... i've also got an external, but i wouldnt use that for gaming tbh...
Yeah, i figured a 100Gig IDE HDD to replace the slave is probably the cheapest and quickest way to upgrade, but as some parts are getting on a bit, I wondered if i should just spend the money now rather than inveitably later...
(I was thinking a new mainboard + CPU, jump up to a SATA HDD etc?)
Depends on what you intend to use it for mainly.
I'd go for a new motherboard (faster CPU) and about 2GB of fast RAM (whatever the latest or you budget for an upgrade). Also bare in mind a new motherboard might need a new graphics card, if it's a PCI-Express board. If you stay with an AGP you'll probably be upgrading again sooner than you'd want to.
If you are into gaming then maybe some more RAM and a better graphics card. I've just got myself probably the fastest AGP card around the Gainward Bliss 7800GS with 512ram and it's a significant upgrade to my previous 660GT.
I'd go for a new motherboard (faster CPU) and about 2GB of fast RAM (whatever the latest or you budget for an upgrade). Also bare in mind a new motherboard might need a new graphics card, if it's a PCI-Express board. If you stay with an AGP you'll probably be upgrading again sooner than you'd want to.
If you are into gaming then maybe some more RAM and a better graphics card. I've just got myself probably the fastest AGP card around the Gainward Bliss 7800GS with 512ram and it's a significant upgrade to my previous 660GT.
yeah, thats the trade off im trying to decide...
i can get a 200Gig IDE HDD for 45 quid... but i'll have to upgrade Xp to SP2 soon, and im pretty sure it doesnt support my Graphics card (or at least, didnt last time i tried) so i was wondering about the upgrade - but then, as you say, its just more and more stuff to add on!
i can get a 200Gig IDE HDD for 45 quid... but i'll have to upgrade Xp to SP2 soon, and im pretty sure it doesnt support my Graphics card (or at least, didnt last time i tried) so i was wondering about the upgrade - but then, as you say, its just more and more stuff to add on!
Oh forgot to say, when I upgraded just my graphics card I also had to upgrade my PSU as it needed more power and install more fans for better cooling. When a PC gets to a point of upgrading it's hard to do just one thing.
And then you start looking at faster and better PC's from the likes of Dell and wonder how they can sell them for £399 after you've just spend close to £300 on one card and a PSU. I start thinking about buying one and ripping the rubbish bits out and putting my latest bits in that.
And then you start looking at faster and better PC's from the likes of Dell and wonder how they can sell them for £399 after you've just spend close to £300 on one card and a PSU. I start thinking about buying one and ripping the rubbish bits out and putting my latest bits in that.
fidgits said:
*cough* Im embaressed to say i cant remember - thats going to be 3-4 years old...
its a GEForce 2 i think... AGP but beyond that, i cant remember!
its a GEForce 2 i think... AGP but beyond that, i cant remember!
Ok. With more modern drivers XP-SP2 should have no issues with that, having said that I do remember hearing that SP2 was rather dubious about going on systems with some types if spyware/malware on it.... so might be worth putting it through the wringer with Spybot & AVG (or one of the on-line virus checkers) before you do that.
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