reusable emachines comp parts

[mdelgado]

So i have this emachines computer w3609


CPU: Intel® Celeron® D Processor 356
64-bit processor with Intel® EM64T Technology
(3.33GHz, 512KB L2 cache, 533MHz FSB)
Operating System: Genuine Windows Vista® Home Basic

Monitor: Includes eMachines® 15.4" Widescreen LCD
Chipset: Intel® 945G
Memory: 512MB DDR2 dual-channel capable (1 × 512MB), 533MHz (PC4200)
Expandable to 2GB
2 DDR2 Slots (Total), 1 DDR2 Slot (Available)
Hard Drive: 120GB SATA II (7200rpm, 2MB cache)
Optical Drive: DVD±RW 16x Multiformat Dual-Layer Optical Drive
Up to 8.5GB with Dual-Layer Media
Write max: 16x DVD±R, 6x DVD-RW, 8x DVD+RW, 4x DVD+R DL, 40x CD-R, 24x CD-RW
Read max: 16x DVD-ROM, 40x CD-ROM
Media Reader: High-Performance 15-in-1 Digital Media Managerâ„¢
xD-Picture Card™, CompactFlash® I (CF), CompactFlash® II, Secure Digital™ (SD), Mini Secure Digital™ (Mini SD), Multi Media Card (MMC), Reduced Size MMC (RS-MMC), MMC Mobile, MMC Plus, Memory Stick (MS), Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick Pro®, Memory Stick Pro® Duo, SmartMedia, IBM Microdrive
Video: Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 950
Up to 224MB Shared Video Memory
PCI-Express® (PCI-E x16) slot available for upgrade
Sound: 6-channel (5.1) high-definition audio
Amplified Stereo Speakers (USB-Powered)
Communications: 56K ITU v.92-ready Fax/Modem (RJ-11 port)
Intel® 10/100Mbps Ethernet LAN (RJ-45 port)
Peripherals: Standard multifunction keyboard, 2-button wheel mouse
Ports/Other: 6 - USB 2.0 Ports (2 Front, 4 Rear)
1 - VGA
1 - Parallel port
1 - Serial port
2 - PS/2 ports (keyboard and mouse)
3 - audio (rear): line-in/side (stereo), front/headphone (stereo), microphone
2 - audio (front): microphone, front/headphone (stereo)
1 - RJ-45 ethernet port
1 - RJ-11 modem port
Dimensions: 14.50"H x 7.25"W x 16.50"D

I know it doesn't have much room for improvement but if i could upgrade a few things to make it run better or even take some of the parts to build a new computer what would you guys recomend to take out of it or put in.. im already adding more ram 1gbx2 pc4200 ddr2 i dont know what brand yet what else would i be able to change on it. It really isn't that slow but it struggles with playing wow and a few other games if i have something else running in the backround. Thanks guys!

 

[RichM499]

you wont be able to use alot.

533mhz bus is quite low, which leads me to believe this motherboard is old,
you could re-use the hard drive, but you may need to format it and re-install windows.

(if you just need a slight boost with games, buy a video card and put it in the pcix16 slot)

(if you already have 512mb ram, and only 2 slots, your ram will not run in dual channel mode----- you need IDENTICAL ram to run in dual channel, your best bet is to buy 2x1gb pc4200 ddr2 533mhz ram)

i recommend the radeon 3850 (you can get one for only 70 bucks on newegg!)
the 8800 is a little more expensive, but its also a little faster.
9600 is a good choice, so is the 4650-4850

its your choice, but i think the Palit Radeon HD Super 3850 is the best bang for the buck right now,

and you'll definitely be able to play wow much faster with this card than your on-board graphics.

just keep in mind, your 512mb ram WONT play nicely with a 1gb stick.
it might work, but only in single channel mode (or you might even only see 1gb ram)

best bet is to get one of the cards i mentioned, and buy 2x1gb pc4200 ram

 

[mdelgado]

Yea i was thinking of replacing the 512mb stick with 2 1gb sticks like you mentioned as far as the video card i do have a geforce i think its 5500 or something i know its 256mb but i might change it to the radeon 8800 like you mentioned if its better than the one i have. i really dont know what it is since im not at home ill take a look at it when i get back there. now as far ast the ram what bradn would you recoomend i was looking at some patriot pc4200 1gb sticks but i dont know if thats good. anyway thanks for the help and the advice!

 

[RichM499]

get the radeon 3850, (the 8800 is a geforce, and its twice as expensive, and only about 10% faster)

its up to you, i assume your on a budget...

this one is only 80 bucks, its a great deal for the card.

Newegg.com - Palit AE+38500+HD52 Radeon HD 3850 512MB 256-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards


ALSO, this asus 9600 card (its probably slightly slower than the 3850, but still a nice card, and its a newer technology)

Newegg.com - ASUS EN9600GSO MAGIC/HTDP/512M GeForce 9600 GSO 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

it comes with alone-in-the-dark=)

and its only 49.99 after the rebate=)

 

[mdelgado]

Well i'm not really on a budget but id rather do what is best to either upgrade or to just get another computer i do have a few bucks laying around that i could spend on some good improvements.

http://Newegg.com - Palit AE+38500+HD52 Radeon HD 3850 512MB 256-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

this one is much better than the one i currently have.

as far as memory i did see this i dont know if its good
Newegg.com - G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 533 (PC2 4200) Dual Channel Kit System Memory - Desktop Memory
thanks again for the help.

 

[RichM499]

yes gskill makes great ram,

check the voltages on the ram you currently have, and make sure the gskill is going to work with that voltage (it should. just make sure)



and yes, with the 2gb ram, and the 3850 video card, your going to notice a HUGE difference in load times, and in over-all speed


EDIT-- Vernong pointed something out to me, those cards are the GDDR2 versions

Newegg.com - ASUS EN9600GSO TOP/HTDP/384M GeForce 9600 GSO 384MB 192-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards
Newegg.com - DIAMOND Viper 3850PE3512O Radeon HD 3850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards


those are the GDDR3 versions, and they are a little faster (50 dollar rebate on the 3850! WOW..)