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Resolved Upgrading my computer!

Discussion in 'PC Hardware' started by Evan Omo, 2008/01/03.

  1. 2008/01/03
    Evan Omo

    Evan Omo Computer Support Technician Staff Thread Starter

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    Hi everyone. I am thinking about upgrading the parts on the computer that I have to higher end specs. I got the machine for free from a neighbor who built computers about 3 years ago. Here are the specs for when I first got the machine.

    Computer specs before Upgrades:

    • Motherboard: MS-6534 Intel 845 Chipset
    • RAM: 1 Slot of 512 MB SDRAM PC133
    • Processor: Intel 1.5 GHz
    • Power Supply: IDE Cable 180 Watts
    • Graphics Card: NVIDIA RIVA TNT2 Model 64 AGP X8
    • Network Card: Unknown Model
    • Sound Card: Realtek AC'97 Audio
    • Harrdrives: One 37 GB and One 19 GB
    • CD Drive: Standard CD Drive Unknown Speed
    • Operating System: Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2 32-bit

    Computer specs after Upgrades:

    • RAM: 2 Slots of 512 MB SDRAM PC133 for a total of 1GB
    • Power Supply: IDE Cable 450 Watts
    • Graphics Card: ATI Radeon X1650 Pro 512 MB AGP X8
    • Cd Drive: DVD/CD-RW High speed drive
    • Operating System: Windows Vista Ultimate 32-bit

    All other components that aren't listed under Computer specs after Upgrades are the same.

    The only components that I haven't upgraded which should be upgraded are my motherboard and my processor. I am thinking about building a computer for my senior project next year. I want to keep all of the components that are in my current machine but I want to get a new motherboard that supports my ATI Radeon X1650 Pro 512 MB AGP X8 graphics card and will support 2 1 GB sticks of SDRAM PC133 RAM. I have bought the 1 GB sticks of RAM but my MS-6534 Motherboard only supports a maximum of 512 MB per slot so my 1 GB sticks don't work in my current machine. :( So does anyone know of a good AGP X8 Motherboard that supports 1 GB sticks of SDRAM PC133 and my current graphics card? I would greatly appreciate any advice. If you need more information let me know. :)
     
    Last edited: 2008/01/03
    Evan Omo,
    #1
  2. 2008/01/13
    Evan Omo

    Evan Omo Computer Support Technician Staff Thread Starter

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    Anyone?
     
    Evan Omo,
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  4. 2008/01/13
    mattman

    mattman Inactive Alumni

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    Hello Evan,

    I have had trouble finding replacement motherboards for those with DDR RAM, PC133 is prior to DDR.

    You are trying to base the system on technology 6 years old or more.

    You can try websearches, but a second-hand M/B is all you may find.

    Matt
     
    mattman,
    #3
  5. 2008/01/15
    Evan Omo

    Evan Omo Computer Support Technician Staff Thread Starter

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    Hi mattman. I actually returned my 2 1 Gigabyte sticks of SDRAM. So now all I am looking for is just an AGP motherboard that supports my graphics card and supports a good processor. :) My SDRAM is actually quite old so I wouldn't mind just buying some newer RAM. BTW do newer AGP motherboards include USB 2.0 or only 1.1? Thanks! :D
     
    Evan Omo,
    #4
  6. 2008/01/15
    mattman

    mattman Inactive Alumni

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    Evan, seems like a good "rethink ". I doubt the 1.5 Ghz CPU would carry Vista Ultimate very well at all, although the minimum requirements for Vista are 1.0 Ghz (maybe a very basic business workstation). Windows XP minimum requirements are a 233Mhz processor, but I would not even try it. I suggest to get parts to balance with your graphics.

    A new motherboard will have quite a lot of bells and whistles. Yes, USB 2.0, SATA, RAID , Gigabit Ethernet, audio, etc. I suggest you get one with add-in graphics, not just a cheap 4-in-1 (as I said, try to balance the system).

    APG is being phased out, so don't expect to upgrade in the future (I did find a motherboard with both AGP and PCI-e slots, try Asrock).

    Don't overdo the CPU or RAM if your other parts don't match.

    Matt
     
    mattman,
    #5
  7. 2008/01/15
    Evan Omo

    Evan Omo Computer Support Technician Staff Thread Starter

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    Thanks for the info mattman. I will google Asrock AGP motherboards and see what I find. Once I get a new AGP motherboard with add-in graphics, a good processor, and hopefully more than 1 GB of RAM I will most likely not need to upgrade my system any more again unless something breaks. :rolleyes: I actually have tweaked my Vista Ultimate machine so it runs very well on my current system but its a bit slow at startup which I have gotten used to. Anyway if I have any further questions I will post back here. Thanks for the assisstance. :cool:
     
    Last edited: 2008/01/15
    Evan Omo,
    #6

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