Thinking about a computer upgrade...

djmcmath · 02-11-2005, 08:08 AM

My computer is too slow -- 1.47GHz processor with only 768MB of RAM and a (gasp) 1x AGP card. You didn't know those still existed, did you?

No, it isn't dramatically slow. In fact, it's quick enough for _most_ stuff. But I can't play half-life, not that I have time for it anyway. So I'm looking at upgrade paths.

1 - Whole new machine -- just replace everything, drives an' all. Then I have two whole computers, one of which is just taking up space, because, in all reality, I will be too lazy to persuade any useful work out of a second machine.
2 - Barebones new machine -- find a deal on a hot little bare bones machine (ebay? PriceScan? Local newspaper?), transfer my drives from one machine to the other, and junk the "old" machine.
3 - Laptop -- Given that I'll be moving in October to a hotel in Connecticut, and living in said hotel for 6 months before going back to a submarine, a laptop almost might make sense. It's also a lot more expensive.
4 - Wait -- just hold off, continue to not play half-life, settle for mediocrity ... until October -- then use my nuke bonus and the fact that I have no debt to get the hottest laptop money can buy!

Thoughts? Opinions? Random ideas? Death threats? Cries of rage? Thanks in advance,

Dan

84porsche · 84porsche's Garage

Based on what you listed, I would go with # 1 and # 3. Upgrade your processor, motherboard and memory and move all your drives over. You can add the video card later or now all depending how much you can afford. Also, get your self a a laptop for say $4-600. To me its really not worth it to get a fully loaded laptop just to have it break or something go wrong and you lose all your data. I only know this because I paid over 2k for a Dell Laptop, all the options, extras and accessories and the motherboard went kaput one month out of warranty and $700 bucks for a new motherboard.

bryanthompson · bryanthompson's Garage

I'd go with #3 and a little bit of the death threats, mixed with cries of rage.

If you're going to pay for a laptop, and you want something that isn't going to be a pain the the ass for the rest of its life, get a powerbook

surflvr911sc · surflvr911sc's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by 84porsche
$700 bucks for a new motherboard.

Holy Crap! Was it made out of gold or somethin'?

asphaltgambler · 02-11-2005, 10:11 AM

Why not just hotrod what you have? More mem + a really good graphics card should be reasonable $$ to tide you over until option 4 arrives?

mikester · 02-11-2005, 10:22 AM

a graphics card alone will make an amazing difference man. Seriouslt - a 1X AGP card?! What is the chipset a trident?

Get a newer ATI or nVidia chipset and you'll see leaps and bounds of difference.

Deschodt · 02-11-2005, 11:09 AM

Same situation as you. But I was "given" a new intel chip. That requires a new socket, ergo a new motherboard and new memory to take advantage of the above!!! After buying that, financially speaking, you might as well take advantage of the new serial ATA technology and get a nice new drive... Given the price of all of the above Vs a case and a power supply + a cheap optical drive, might as well build a whole new PC and keep the old one and turn in into a TIVO or something ;-) It's been my experience at least...

asphaltgambler · 02-11-2005, 11:19 AM

I believe additonal mem and good card will get you by. Also check any other programs that may be running in the background using additional resources while you game.

84porsche · 84porsche's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by surflvr911sc
Holy Crap! Was it made out of gold or somethin'?

It might have been - that is what Dell quoted me over the phone to do the repair. It was for the Dell Inspirion 8200. They could not guarantee that that would fix the problem so I decided that it is not worth replacing.

BlueSkyJaunte · 02-11-2005, 03:02 PM

Dell blows goats.

I have proof.

JavaBrewer · JavaBrewer's Garage

Here we go again

djmcmath - are you saying you can take your laptop on the boat? Then by all means go laptop otherwise #1 all the way.

djmcmath · 02-11-2005, 08:47 PM

Thanks for the replies! I knew I could count on this group for practical computer help.

My problem with a laptop right now is that I won't _need_ it for another 9 months -- by which point laptop technology will have advanced quite a bit. By the time I actually use it onboard the submarine, I'll be more than a year out of date -- substantial, for mobile technology.

The problem with "hotrodding," imho, is that I can only go so far. The processor is, for all practical purposes, tied to the motherboard. That limits my upgrades to the memory and video -- which makes for a very "asphaltgambler" solution. Get the video and memory upgrade now, then get the laptop when I go back to a submarine and have need of greater portability.

Any recommendations on a good video card?

Something quick, but not extravagant?

Thanks again,

Dan

Halm · 02-12-2005, 05:07 AM

Dan, IMHO computers are a lot like Porsches: Everyone likes different modifications. If you have the $$$ go for a new high end laptop with the big screen and fast video card. The Dell Insperion 9200 or XPS are a couple of examples. That way you can play games and take it on the boat. And that is the best part of a laptop, you always have all your data / programs with you.

Otherwise, upgrade with 1.) memory, 2.) better video card, and 3.) a new hard drive. A new serial ATA hard drive will give you at least a 50% boost in disk I/O and will make a huge difference. It is just a PITA to reload a well sorted out system.

StevoRocket · StevoRocket's Garage

AS above - first add RAM!
Add the new hard drive as an additional drive and move the virtual memory to it.
Copy all your user data (music, documents, photos etc) to the new drive periodically as a backup.
Get a copy of Executive Software Diskeeper - a faster defagmenter which can run automatically to keep the drives operating at top speed.

azasadny · azasadny's Garage

Don't do the upgrade. Can you old motherboard even support faster AGP rates? If not, it's a waste of $. Get a new Dell, they have mini desktops and a flat panel minotor. It's pretty portable. Unless you really want a laptop...

asphaltgambler · 02-12-2005, 10:49 AM

Quote:

The problem with "hotrodding," imho, is that I can only go so far. The processor is, for all practical purposes, tied to the motherboard. That limits my upgrades to the memory and video -- which makes for a very "asphaltgambler" solution.]

Wow man I know I've made the big time when my screen persona turns into a catch-phrase !! Nexty thing you know all the Pelicanites will be 'asphaltgambling' their Porsche!!
Woo-Hoo!!

Now ......If only I can patent that.......

redtiny914 · 02-13-2005, 10:58 AM

IMHO you need to customize your old computer...with the following:
You definately need to replace your processor try something over 2gigs ....replace the graphics card to 128 mb DDR memory Radeon 9200 SE is what I have in mine...then if your motherboard will not handle this...then trying getting a micro ATX motherboard ....replace your RAM with DDR RAM if you dont have it already....This may sound like replacing your whole computer but you can custom one to tailor your needs rather than buy one that does not do what you want it to do Which is play Half Life.

mikester · 02-13-2005, 01:06 PM

First check as stated before what level of AGP functions your MB supports. If it's a 1.4Ghz machine though you can bet that it supports at least 4x which most newer cards support as well (as well as up to 8x). Any newer nVidia 42XX based card or better yet a newer ATI Radeon will get you leaps and bounds better performance in your game.