400 bucks

[mikee]

OK well i'm probably going to get the hard drive the videocard and find different ram.

edit: for the ram I might just get rid of my 256mb that came with the computer and get 2 sticks of 1GB so I would have 2.5GB.

 

[Apokalipse]

I would recommend using 2 sticks only. plus anything over 2GB can actually slow down the system.

I'd go with what Trotter said, except maybe change the RAM:

OCZ 2 x 1GB Performance
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820146970
has $20 rebate

OCZ 2 x 1GB Platinum
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820227084
has $40 rebate

 

[mikee]

plus anything over 2GB can actually slow down the system.

WHAA!!!! How is that possible. I was told more ram more speed and preformance

 

[Apokalipse]

the system has to address more RAM, and that can be slower. it shows a lot more over 2GB than anything. but that will probabbly change in future.

1GB - 2GB is the optimum to go for

plus, DDR RAM works best in pairs.

 

[mikee]

I took my computer in yesterday to get upgraded with a 200gb hard drive and as it turns out I have to get a new video card too because when I opened it and dusted it the mobo and video card were all black and I don't know if that's good so I took it to get professional help. amyways I m getting a 200gb hard drive for $120 CAD and I don't know what video card I 'm getting yet.

 

[COD2_fanatic]

Yeah ity would mean new CPU, but the Athlon 64 3000+ from wht i've heard is a good budget CPU i wouldn't know this personally, I have an Opteron 144 on the way )

If you want to use Vista you might as well do an overhaul of your system cause its becoming outdated (atleast CPU, RAM (if not DDR), video card, and motherboard). If you don't game to much you could go for a 6800XT card but you can get a card with double the performance for about the same price (Geforce 7600GS)

 

[mikee]

I just baught a few things see sig