Upgrading my computer

[efee24]

Ok so to start off, I'm new to this and I'm not very familliar with a lot of names. I have been doing some research though and I have been learning some things. So, I have a out of date Dell Dimension E310, and I would like for it to.. well perform better overall. I mean it still performs nicely right now.. but its just at that point where I'm really starting to notice the ageing of it.

So I don't have much knowledge as of upgrading, buying, and building. But from what I've heard it seems fairly easy. I once had to replace my motherboard when it went out, but thats all I've really done. Well as I have been doing my research I noticed that I can't even upgrade my ram past 2.0gb with this computer. It seems as if it has pretty low limitations.

Is there anyway I could upgrade this pc so that I can play games like starcraft 2, warrock, and others without lag, and do other stuf like, play 1080p videos without any problems, edit videos without my computer going slow. I really just need to get up to date and have a decent computer for everything including gaming and such.

Also I have a budget of around 300-400 dollars..

and here are my computers specs

Dell Dimension E310 Specs (Pentium 4 521 2.8GHz, 256MB RAM, 80GB HDD, XP Media Center 2005) - Desktops - CNET Reviews

Also I have upgraded to 2gb ram (max for the motherboard ...) and I have a nvidia geforce 6200 video card which is out of date..

Thats all I can think of for now.. so THANKS FOR HELPING!

 

[MindoverMaster]

You could build a new swell i3 or Phenom II system for that price.

This combo would be great:
Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, LED LCD TV, Digital Cameras and more!

Add a cheap case of your choice: Newegg.com - Computer Hardware,Computer Cases,Computer Cases,MicroATX Mid Tower
Windows 7: Newegg.com - Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - Operating Systems
DVD Burner: Newegg.com - SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA CD/DVD Burner - CD / DVD Burners

Total: ~$426

It includes onboard graphics, but idk how much higher you want to go.

 

[efee24]

Thanks for the reply!

Alright, so how much better would this be than my current computer? Like how much of an upgrade would it really be?

Also I'm pretty broke with money, I really need a job haha.

 

[MindoverMaster]

A Pentium 4 to i3 range? That's a big gulp. IIRC that's three series apart.

 

[efee24]

haha alright well I did a tiny bit of research and I saw that this dual core can be overclocked to a quad core? Could I do this with the bios and motherboard that I get with this?

and also could I just borrow a windows 7 home premium disk from a friend? Or does it have to be that specific one?

-Thanks


Aww the combo deal is no longer available

 

[MindoverMaster]

You can not OC a duo core to a quad. It has to have 4 physical cores.

 

[patonb]

haha alright well I did a tiny bit of research and I saw that this dual core can be overclocked to a quad core? Could I do this with the bios and motherboard that I get with this?

and also could I just borrow a windows 7 home premium disk from a friend? Or does it have to be that specific one?

-Thanks


Aww the combo deal is no longer available

You unlock amd cores to go from duals to quads... but its a hit nor miss thing, not OC which usually means overclock.

If your freind is using the Win7, then no you can't use his disk. Can only be used by 1 person at a time, and technically only by 1 motherboard ever.

One thing that wasn't mentioned to you is your case can not be reused. Dell uses special mounting holes for their motherboards. So unless yours is different, i'm 90% sure youre SOL.

Its not really the best, but you might beable to use your dells xp if youre done with the dell.... but that too isn't technically allowed.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.566229 $152.99 Ath x3 and 890 mobo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227483 $58.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153113 $54.99 $34.99 afdter rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754 $99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147120 $49.99


This all comes to $415.96 (395.96 after you get the rebate back) but you'll have to reuse your harddrive and dvd drive. But i did add win7 too. The case is also a just a case, but you can cheap it abit more by picking one you like, but that one has 4 fans included.

The aboves a good guidline, that can be cheapened with a dual core and crappier ram case and psu though i wouldn't.

Save an extra $100 sand you can get an okay gpu too.

 

[efee24]

Alright thanks for the reply! Yea thats alright that I reuse the same harddrive and dvd drive. So I won't have any problems resusing the same harddrive and stuff right?

Thanks

 

[patonb]

Nope, 80gigs is small now adays, but a good size for a start. Most recycle the hds, opticals, cases and powersupplies.

You'll probably need to format the hd though.

 

[efee24]

ok, how would I format the hd?