Upgrading very old computer

[Couchyam]

Hello everyone, I'm new to Tech-Forums and have a question about how I can upgrade my computer so that it can play the Harry Potter Lego game.

In case you don't know, the specs for the game are:

OS: Windows XP/Vista/7
Processor: Intel Pentium 4 @ 3.2 GHz / AMD Athlon 64 3500+
Memory: 1 Gb
Video Memory: 512 Mb
Video Card: nVidia GeForce 7800 / ATI Radeon x1900

I currently own a Compaq Presario SR2020NX computer with
512 Mb RAM, (planning on upgrading to 2 gb)
Athlon 64 (O) 3500+ 2.2 GHz
300 Watt Power Supply (will be upgraded)
PCI-E x16 (1.0) expansion slot

I'm planning on upgrading the power supply, RAM, and graphics card, leaving the processor on the slower side. Will it be possible to upgrade to a PCI-E 2.0 compatible graphics card, and will there be any performance cap on what the card can do in a 1.0 slot? Also, any suggestions on budget graphics cards and notebooks would be welcomed.

Thanks!

 

[Trotter]

You can upgrade your CPU, as well. I found this one and a list that says your mobo can run it.

Don't let the "1.0" worry you. Any PCI-E x16 card will work in it as all versions are backwards compatible. They raised the theoretical throughput in the later versions.

I don't know your budget, but I will give you some suggestions:
Newegg.com - VisionTek 900329 Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
$94.99 + $6.98 Shipping

Newegg.com - SAPPHIRE 100289L Radeon HD 5670 (Redwood) 1GB 128-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card w/ATI Eyefinity
$89.99 + $3.99 Shipping w/$15 MIR card

Newegg.com - FSP Group SAGA+ 500R 500W ATX2.2 Power Supply
$44.99 + $9.20 Shipping

Newegg.com - AllComponents 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel kit Desktop Memory Model AC2/800X64/2048-kit
$39.99 + $1.99 Shipping

 

[Whirlwind]

I would think you have the right idea....that cpu should be fine for that game....the extra ram and that 4850 card that Trotter linked should tear that game up.

That would be a nice upgrade indeed.

 

[rawcomputers]

I've got a laptop with very similar specs to that (same processor) and you'll see a nice boost just from upping your RAM to 2gb and getting a modest video card (radeon HD 4350 should do nicely)

The problem is new DDR is pretty pricey for what you get these days.

Any socket 939 processor should work, so you can go to a dual core if you can find one.

Your PSU is probably ok, but you can get anything with 450w max output for pretty cheap from any computer store.

 

[Trotter]

Any socket 939 processor should work, so you can go to a dual core if you can find one.

It is an AM2 board, not 939, so it uses DDR2. It is also a pre-built, so it probably can't handle the higher wattage versions of the CPUs.