Noob needing help upgrading Comp. $250 budget

[Z e i g]

yea i really can't get a new comp, i might be able to get a new graphics card for free but i'm not sure yet, what kind would i need? as for ram, i know i need more..how much is a 2gb stick then just $100?

My friend has a 2000 Gateway that runs PERFECTLY!!! he says 5GB of ram but idk bought that lol...with a graphics card that is about $300..so how is mine out of date and not worth keepin up? If i just update it, wouldn't it be fine with liek 2-3 Gigs of RAM, new graphics card and protection prgrams? I mainly use my comp for forums, Ipod, School, some games but want to play mooooore!

few other questions...
* How do i completely reboot my computer so that it clears EVERYTHING?

*What kind of graphics card should i get to play Halo & Counter strike? mabey Guild wars...

*What Virus,spyware,firewall protection hardware do you suggest?

*to use this computer about 3-4 more years how much RAM should i buy?

*where can i go (site) that i could costum order a computer for school and gaming for $500 or less

 

[b1gapl]

To completely erase everything, you just have to reinstall Windows.

A 7600GT would play those games nicely.

1 gig of ram is fine for the games you'll be playing.

Ad-Aware is a great free program to remove adware and spyware. Theres also AVG.

You're going to use this computer, for 3-4 more years?

Your computer is out of date and not worth keeping up, considering how fast technology updates.

 

[TheDiceman]

Honestly, gaming does not need anything over 2GB of RAM currently. The video card is where the real system stress (and high $$) come into play. I have to agree with the others though, your system is pretty dated and upgrading it barely seems worth while, expecially since Vista alone will run you almost $200 for the low end verion (which in and of itself is not really worth it). Jus hold onto what you have and save up a bit for a better overall computer that will be worth your time to upgrade as you actaully need from year to year.

 

[gurusan]

yeah keeping your current system for another 5 years!!


.......dude

Give us your budget and we will put together a system that fits the budget...only catch is that you must fit it together yourself...but it's QUITE easy...also a great learning experience.

 

[Z e i g]

To completely erase everything, you just have to reinstall Windows.

A 7600GT would play those games nicely.

1 gig of ram is fine for the games you'll be playing.

Ad-Aware is a great free program to remove adware and spyware. Theres also AVG.

You're going to use this computer, for 3-4 more years?

Your computer is out of date and not worth keeping up, considering how fast technology updates.

soo...if i buy that, would it come with more RAM? or don't i have to go buy a new RAM chip.

If i buy that hard drive, 2 GB of RAM, and protection software...wouldn't my computer be up to date?

why is windows Vista so good? i looked it up a lil and i acually saw some complaints but i heard there are some games you can't play with windows Vista!! Whats it do that is so great?

the way i see it..the hard drive is about $100-150, Ram is about $50-100, and protection software is free because my parents are buying it. but if i do acualy need windows Vista then thats $200. All of that adds to at the most, $400, so why go buy a new computer for $500 when i can save $100 bucks. How much better would a new computer be then?


sorry about all the questions..i just wana save money and play games

Budget-->about around $350 for mods or w.e. but if i were to sell it then 350 + what ever i can sell my comp for, mabey $150-200?

 

[gurusan]

A new computer would be leaps and bounds better than your current one....even one built on a 500 dollar budget.

As for Vista...nah you don't need it and on a budget computer gaming wouldn't be that great if you were running vista anyway....

Also there are some very good free antivirus/protection programs out there....Avast! is one....and Ashampoo Firewall is a free firewall.....

 

[Vaanish]

If you were to buy a totally new computer, it would have 2 cores (each core being faster than your cuurent processor) and also be much more upgradable in the future.

As for Vista...nah you don't need it and on a budget computer gaming wouldn't be that great if you were running vista anyway....

I believe he said that he wanted halo 2, and correct me if i am wrong but dont u need vista to play halo 2?

 

[b1gapl]

If you were going to spend $400, on those upgrades, you can build a new decent computer that's better for $400.

 

[Z e i g]

A new computer would be leaps and bounds better than your current one....even one built on a 500 dollar budget.

As for Vista...nah you don't need it and on a budget computer gaming wouldn't be that great if you were running vista anyway....

Also there are some very good free antivirus/protection programs out there....Avast! is one....and Ashampoo Firewall is a free firewall.....

yes better than my current one..der...lol but would all those mods (now excluding Vista) be the same as a computer bought around the same budget or the same budget plus w.e. i coudl sell my current comp for? my current one is a dimension 2400.

 

[gurusan]

If you were to buy a totally new computer, it would have 2 cores (each core being faster than your cuurent processor) and also be much more upgradable in the future.



I believe he said that he wanted halo 2, and correct me if i am wrong but dont u need vista to play halo 2?

Do you really? That doesn't really seem right to me although I did look on the back of a halo 2 case today (they had boxes for prerelease) and it said vista required.

But how? Is it DX10 ONLY? If so, how stupid is that? They're eliminating 90+ % of gamers