[Ryutso]

Operating System System Model
Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 2 (build 2600) Dell Computer Corporation Dimension 3000
System Service Tag: 1VDXV81 (support for this PC)
Chassis Serial Number: 1VDXV81
Enclosure Type: Mini-Tower
Processor a Main Circuit Board b
2.80 gigahertz Intel Pentium 4
16 kilobyte primary memory cache
1024 kilobyte secondary memory cache Board: Dell Computer Corp. 0TC666
Serial Number: ..CN7082159201CX.
Bus Clock: 533 megahertz
BIOS: Dell Computer Corporation A02 11/08/2004
Drives Memory Modules c,d
76.27 Gigabytes Usable Hard Drive Capacity
33.61 Gigabytes Hard Drive Free Space

HL-DT-ST DVD+-RW GWA4164B [CD-ROM drive]
3.5" format removeable media [Floppy drive]

ST380011A [Hard drive] (80.00 GB) -- drive 0, s/n 5JVSYP7G, rev 8.16, SMART Status: Healthy 510 Megabytes Installed Memory

Slot 'DIMM_1' has 256 MB
Slot 'DIMM_2' has 256 MB
Local Drive Volumes


c: (NTFS on drive 0) 76.27 GB 33.61 GB free

Controllers Display
Standard floppy disk controller
Intel(R) 82801EB Ultra ATA Storage Controllers
Primary IDE Channel [Controller]
Secondary IDE Channel [Controller] Intel(R) 82865G Graphics Controller [Display adapter]
LogMeIn Mirror Driver [Display adapter]
Trident Video Accelerator 96XX/938X [Display adapter]
Default Monitor
DELL E173FP [Monitor] (17.1"vis, s/n D542859J1YWL, September 2005)
Bus Adapters Multimedia
Intel(R) 82801EB USB Universal Host Controller - 24D2
Intel(R) 82801EB USB Universal Host Controller - 24D4
Intel(R) 82801EB USB Universal Host Controller - 24DE
Intel(R) 82801EB USB2 Enhanced Host Controller - 24DD SoundMAX Integrated Digital Audio
Unimodem Half-Duplex Audio Device
Communications Other Devices
Conexant D850 56K V.9x DFVc Modem

USB Human Interface Device (2x)
HID Keyboard Device
Compatible USB Port Mouse
USB Printing Support
USB Root Hub (4x)
pcouffin device for 32 bits systems

My stats. I'm looking for components for a gaming rig. I don't even know how to tell Mobo's apart so you're going to have to give me the exact name of the items.

Any suggestions?

[Nick5020]

Well if your motherboard has an open pci-express slot you could just add a new graphics card, some ram(memory) and then you would be pretty much set.

The p4 is outdated though so I would recommend building a new PC(SDRAM also outdated) if your trying to play the newer games that are coming out. You should try to get at least 1gb ram. What is your budget? And what games are you looking to play?

[johnfoe]

For motherboards you will basically have to choose one that fits your need. There is honestly no reason for you to have 20 sata connections or such, but you will need to know if you are going to build a real gaming machine that does 'crossfire' or whatever they call it now days where you have two of the same graphics cards on the motherboard and they are connected with a cable to render graphics with twice the power.

So are you gonna have one or two graphics cards?

next i would look at the processor and bus speed, obviously what type of processor you get will only work with a certain motherboard, so the processor you want is a huge factor. Then you have the choice of looking for ram compatibility, I believe DDR2 is common, but if I remember correctly you can get DDR3 and DDR4 ram as well which is better because it is faster.

All these things will cost more money, the ending factor is trying to see how you will use the system. Personally I built a gaming system last year and I hardly ever use it so it is a waste of money except for the once every few months i play a game. My gf loves it because it plays the sims very well, but even a lower end graphics cards now will be able to play normal games at great quality.

Other than that you should get SATA hard drive(s), some call the good ones SATA 2.0 and some just say SATA 300 (both are the same)



I know this doesn't help you decide just got bored. I'm sure someone else will post some good links to items with the correct jargon.

[theguy200]

I have the same computer as you, except it has 1gb ram and a PCI video card, I would just buy a new PC, it's not worth upgrading, since theres nothing you can save besides the DVD drive

[Ryutso]

Originally Posted by theguy200

I have the same computer as you, except it has 1gb ram and a PCI video card, I would just buy a new PC, it's not worth upgrading, since theres nothing you can save besides the DVD drive

Any links to a new tower setup that customizable?

I'm debating on whether to hook this one or the new one up to my TV.

[Stev]

how much are you looking at spending?

and how cutting edge do u want the graphics performance to be?

[Dudenow12]

How much are you looking to spend, and how big is the tv you want to hook it up to? Cause if its a big tv and you want the picture to look good then its going to be more demanding on your graphics card because its a higher resolution.