Upgrading Old PC...

[One_mic021]

Hey everyone I was wondering if you could give me an opinion on upgrading an old computer.

I have an old Dell 8200 that I would like to upgrade...

The specs are:

Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
1.8 ghz Pentium 4 Processor
Dimension 8200 motherboard (not sure on specifics)
512mb pc800 RDRam
Nvidia Ti4600 128mb Graphics Card
40gb 7200rpm Maxtor HD
120gb 7200rpm Western Digital HD
48x CD-R/RW burner
Creative Sb Live! Sound Card

I don't know for sure about the power supply, but I believe Dell Dimension 8200's generally have a 250 Watt.


I know I would be best of getting a new rig, but I'm trying to milk the life out of this old system for maybe 1 more year.

I would like to upgrade my ram to 1gb
Upgrade my video to a 6600gt
Install a new power supply
and add a DVD burner.


Would this be feasible? Any thoughts or reccomendations would be appreciated.

I have attached my SiSoft Sandra System Summary if you need more information.

Thanks,

-Ray

SiSoftware Sandra

System
Host Name : TATIE1109
User : Ray
Domain : DONHOME

Processor
Model : Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 1.80GHz
Speed : 1.80GHz
Performance Rating : PR1975 (estimated)
Cores per Processor : 1 Unit(s)
Threads per Core : 1 Unit(s)
Internal Data Cache : 8kB Synchronous, Write-Thru, 4-way set, 64 byte line size
L2 On-board Cache : 256kB ECC Synchronous, ATC, 8-way set, 64 byte line size, 2 lines per sector

Mainboard
Bus(es) : X-Bus AGP PCI IMB USB i2c/SMBus
MP Support : 1 Processor(s)
MP APIC : Yes
System BIOS : Dell Computer Corporation A05
System : Dell Computer Corporation Dimension 8200
Mainboard : Dell Computer Corporation Dimension 8200
Total Memory : 512MB RDRAM

Chipset 1
Model : Dell Computer Corp 82850/E Host-Hub Interface Bridge Device (A3-step)
Front Side Bus Speed : 4x 100MHz (400MHz data rate)
Total Memory : 512MB RDRAM
Memory Bus Speed : 2x 400MHz (800MHz data rate)

Video System
Monitor/Panel : Plug and Play Monitor
Adapter : NVIDIA GeForce4 Ti 4600
Imaging Device : Chameleon Mega Video Camera
Imaging Device : Chameleon Mega Digital Camera

Physical Storage Devices
Removable Drive : Floppy disk drive
Hard Disk : MAXTOR 6L040L2 (37GB)
Hard Disk : WD 1200BB External USB Device
CD-ROM/DVD : LITE-ON LTR-24102M (CD 40X Rd, 24X Wr)

Logical Storage Devices
1.44MB 3.5" (A : 37GB (20GB, 53% Free Space) (NTFS)
Cod2cd1 (D : 112GB (57GB, 51% Free Space) (FAT32)

Peripherals
Serial/Parallel Port(s) : 2 COM / 1 LPT
USB Controller/Hub : Intel(r) 82801BA/BAM USB Universal Host Controller - 2442
USB Controller/Hub : Intel(r) 82801BA/BAM USB Universal Host Controller - 2444
USB Controller/Hub : USB Root Hub
USB Controller/Hub : USB Root Hub
USB Controller/Hub : USB Composite Device
USB Controller/Hub : USB Mass Storage Device
Keyboard : Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural PS/2 Keyboard
Mouse : PS/2 Compatible Mouse
Human Interface : HID-compliant game controller
Human Interface : USB Human Interface Device

MultiMedia Device(s)
Device : Creative SB Live! Value (WDM)
Device : Creative SBLive! Gameport

Communication Device(s)
Device : Lucent Win Modem

Printers and Faxes
Model : Auto hp psc 2100 series on THESON
Model : \\JOYKO\EPSON

Power Management
AC Line Status : On-Line

Operating System(s)
Windows System : Microsoft Windows XP/2002 Home (Win32 x86) 5.01.2600 (Service Pack 2)

Network Services
Adapter : 3Com EtherLink XL 10/100 PCI For Complete PC Management NIC (3C905C-TX)

Performance Tips
Tip 2546 : Large memory modules should be ECC/Parity.
Tip 2 : Double-click tip or press Enter while a tip is selected for more information about the tip.

 

[hercules_upw]

I found some RAM for $195.00 here

The video card for $169.00 here (assuming AGP)

Power supply $50-$100

Any DVD burner $35-50$

$450 upgrade.... seems pricey. You can get 2gig of PC3200 RAM for the cost of that RD-RAM. the PC3200 wont fit your Mobo

If i were you and i really wanted to upgrade this machine, i would forget the ram and power supply. Just go for the video card and the DVD burner.

If you don't have enough power to run your upgrades, then you can worry about a power supply.

thats still $200 for a one-year upgrade. thats pretty expensive.

Final recommendation:
1. Just wait.
2. Build a monster of a machine when you do build.
3. Don't waste money on that old Dell.

BTW: Why do you need to upgrade? Newer games?

 

[One_mic021]

yeah mainly to get about a year more of gaming life out of it.


Games like Swat 4, COD 2 etc.

 

[One_mic021]

I bought another 512mb of ram, 500 watt power supply, and a BFG 6600GT OC(Agp).

Now im thinking about buying a new processor. I'v seen other people with Dimension 8200's upgrading to 2.8 ghz. Anybody know which processor would be best?

Thanks

-Ray

 

[bonehelm]

well, according to Dell.com, it told me that you can only have intel pentium 4's and 2.8Ghz will be the max that it supports.

 

[Shannon]

If you're just trying to stretch this machine for another year or so, I'd skip on the CPU upgrade. Save your money for a newer better machine later. Maybe throw in another hard drive as a slave. Move your My Documents and other files to that drive, keeping only your OS and installed program files on your small drive.

 

[One_mic021]

I will do as you say with my other hard drive.

I'll just wait it out for another year. Thanks for the help everybody.