Looking to upgrade...Or build new...

[arejay]

Ok, I have myself a Dell Dimension 8200 from about 2001 I think...And yea, well it's time to go

I do digital work (photo, artwork, post and pre-press work) mostly for fun and for some freelance jobs...Anywho, My computer has seen better days...And worst of all it's stuffed with RDRAM

I'm looking to either build a rig, or upgrade this one...I'm leaning more towards building a rig, simply because I am fascinated with computers, and have yet to build one in the 10 years I've been using them...

Here's my current specs on my Dell:

XP Home edition
Intel P4 2.0ghz
256mb RDRAM
40gb HD
GeForce 64mb video
soundblaster Live!

thats my base...as far as my chipset goes, hell if I know, i can't even fidn the paperwork for this computer anymore...Is there a way to find out what the exact models and types of components i have? I've checked system info, but nothing really comes up more-so than what I've listed above...

I'm looking for a high performance righ...capable of running photoshop and illustrator together, as well as maybe even other apps...

any help would be great!

 

[Juice Daddy]

download Everest to find out about your computers stuff -

http://www.lavalys.com/products.php?lang=en

and if I had that pc, I'd jut get more ram (512 to a gig+)

and a better video card (Geforce 6600GT or 6800GS(new budget performance card), or even 7800GTX)

and maybe another hard dirve for more storage, lol, I'm still useing my 40 and a 30

 

[arejay]

RDRAM is so friggin expensive though...I'd almost rather build a new system than upgrade just the ram hah

 

[Ridlyn]

Ya, it's time for you to build a new computer, dont buy one from, just build one.

 

[toxicity_27]

Definitely build a new computer. You can build good computers for not a whole lot of money so that would probably be your best route.

 

[arejay]

Ok So i'm going to build one...now here's what i'm looking for...

lots of ram (atleast 512mb, would like 1gb)
a moderate processor (obviously faster than 2.0ghz)
sweet video card (possibly with dual monitor support)
sound card, not too worried about

Now, since I'm new to all this, where would I start? Im guessing i would find my parts in this order:

mobo
processor
ram
video card
storage
sound card (maybe just use the one i have)

It's been years since I've thought of building one, so i'm unsure of where to look for chipset info etc...any help would be awesome!

 

[toxicity_27]

Go to www.newegg.com and look for some parts. List your budget and we'll help you build one.

 

[arejay]

Go to www.newegg.com and look for some parts. List your budget and we'll help you build one.

I'm on newegg.com now

so far i've got:

DFI LanParty nf4 SLI-DR socket 939 nvidia nforce sli-atx
amd athlon 64 3700+ san diego w/1ghz fsb
1gb (2x512) corsair 184pin ddr-sdram pc3200
western digital raptor 74gb 10,000rpm serial-ata

are these parts compatible?

and should i choose the geforce version of the DFI lanparty?

im looking at a 6800gt (256 or most likely 512) as a video card, but who's a good manufacturer? MSI? or...?

budget, im not sure...I'm going to pick and choose parts until I find a price I like...Most Likely i will put the whole thing on the CC anyways, so im not worried...my freelance work will pay it off in no time

 

[arejay]

PS I am reading the "building a system guide" posted here a a reference...helping me out alot already!

 

[royalk4]

get the 6800gs over the 6800gt. they are practically the same in spec's but the gs is way cheaper. Otherwise it looks pretty good.