Upgrading[rebuilding] Presario for gaming

[oldman_gamer]

new guy here and could use some help.
Here's what I have to work with.
Compaq Presario 3.0 GHz Pent 4 HTT
1024 MB PC 3200 DDR SDRAM
80GB 7200RPM ultra DMA hard drive
DVD+RW/Cd-RW 8x DVD writer & CD writer combo drive
CD-Rom drive 48x max.
Nvidia GeForce 6200A 256MB DDR 64bit w/TV/DVI/PCI
17' Compaq FP7317 flat panel monitor
*all new in 2005 except for video card.

I have no problems with the setup whatsoever,but can't run newer games with the card I have and cant put a bigger card in the unit like an 8800gt PCI Express card type .Can I change the mother or CPU or something to make it be able to work with higher end games? I spent $1400+ on the unit in 2005 and wife wont let me buy another new unit,so the only way for me to do it would be piece by piece.Thanks for any help,Merry Christmas!

[cured]

You won't be able to install an 8800***, your card is AGP which is diffrent slot to the 8 series which is PCI-e

[Dr. V]

Here's the thing. Before going anywhere with your system, you need a new motherboard. Now, if your existing CPU is socket 775, then you can get a new socket 775 board and use it. However, regardless of what socket it is, I recommend getting a newer socket 775 board and grabbing a sub-70-dollar Intel Pentium Dual Core E2140 and using it - it's a Core 2 core, and you'll notice very considerable and noticeable performance increases. Then, you can add the video card of course.

Technically, you could get a socket 478 board with a PCIe slot (if your CPU turns out to be socket 478), but I don't advise that especially when only for less than 70 dollars more, you can get way better performance. Not to mention that you'd probably end up spending less on a socket 775 board and getting way more features compared to how much you get for the money on a socket 478 board nowadays (after you find one).

Note: in any case, you'd need to purchase new RAM, too. But that's dirt cheap now.

Here are my recommendations for the "hardcore" budget route (not saying that this is the route you wanna take):

RAM: Newegg.com - pqi POWER Series 2GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Desktop Memory - Retail
Motherboard: Newegg.com - MSI P6NGM-L LGA 775 NVIDIA GeForce 7050 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
OR
Newegg.com - Foxconn G31MX-K LGA 775 Intel G31 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail (I prefer the FOXCONN a.k.a. the G31 chipset instead of the GeForce 7050 - although it is still good.)
CPU: Newegg.com - Intel Pentium E2140 Allendale 1.6GHz 1MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail
Video Card: Newegg.com - EVGA 512-P3-N801-AR GeForce 8800GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

That would be an AWESOME setup.

If you're on a higher budget than "low as possible for best performance", then let us know, and we'll make some more recommendations.

[stinger608]

One problem that I see, this computer being a presario the 8800 series of cards man not fit!!
What model number of presario is it? Is this a mini tower, or a mid tower system?

Something else that you will have to consider, is a new power supply! Most of the premade systems use lower grade, lower wattage power supplies. This will need to be addressed before or during the upgrade part of this system

[screwballl]

the cheapest route:

512MB HD2600XT AGP

or

256MB HD2600XT AGP

I was also going to suggest a X1950GT AGP card but newegg doesn't carry them anymore since they moved up to the 2K series cards.

For a bit pricier setup, see ST!X's post above. It all depends on what you are looking for (and can get away with from the wife )

[One4yu2c]

Originally Posted by stinger608

One problem that I see, this computer being a presario

To expand on this, OEM manufacturers (HP/Compaq, Dell, Gateway, etc) are notorious for using proprietary parts on all but their most high end models (such as Dell's XPS line). A new motherboard may or may not fit, depending on whether Compaq used a standard ATX design, and the power supply may be incompatible too.

Do you have a budget in mind that you're working with? As mentioned, an AGP videocard upgrade can stretch the life of this rig, provided the PSU has enough juice to power whichever one you go with. But aside from that, you're kind of stuck until if/when you decide to gut the rig and build a new one yourself. Just one example:

Antec Sonata III Case with 500W PSU - $110
EVGA 650i Motherboard - $101 ($20 MIR available)
Team Elite 2GB DDR2-800 - $49 ($20 MIR available)
EVGA 8600GT - $110 ($20 MIR available)
TOTAL = $370 shipped, or $310 after rebates

This represents just one of many different configurations to quibble over, but the point is that migrating existing components (processor, hard drive, opticals, monitor, keyboard, mouse) over to a new foundation offers both a much better bang/buck than an AGP videocard upgrade, and it gives you a non-proprietary upgrade path the next time you find your rig feeling long in the tooth. Some things worth noting:

1) I'm assuming your existing processor is LGA775 and not socket 478.
2) If you're open to mail-in-rebates, you can cut the above costs even further, such as this Sigma Luna case and OCZ 600W StealtXstream PSU combined for $89 shipped (after rebates), bringing the total above to $289 shipped.
3) Most likely would need a new OS if going this route, which runs roughly $100 (XP Home OEM or Vista Home Premium OEM).

[Tech Geek Deluxe]

I suspect you cannot change out the Mobo ... this leaves you with little option as to the choice on cards.

The cards screwball suggested are about it.

Perhaps another Gig of ram also. [Make sure you have the space for it and match compatibility and specs.]

G.SKILL 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200)

[Tech Geek Deluxe]

Just to tempt you. Though you best stick with what the wifey wants ...

New system for under $420 ... after shipping and rebates and using old OS and CDR KB and mouse. [Solid and super upgradeable ... "best know how to build if you take it on" system]

Open Box: ASUS P5B-Plus LGA 775 Intel P965

RAIDMAX APEX ATX-802BP

mushkin 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)

EVGA 512-P2-N757-TR GeForce 8600GT 512MB 128-bit GDDR3

Western Digital Caviar SE WD1600AAJS 160GB

Intel Pentium E2140 Allendale 1.6GHz

[oldman_gamer]

Thanks a bunch everyone.After reading all your reponses,I am bald from pulling my hair out . I dont know too much about gigs and rams and ddr stuff or if I could add to my current PC.But after reading these posts it's time to seriously reconsider buying a new machine and selling or parting out the good one I have.
I built this one online and figured maybe you could tell me if it looks like it would run the newest games out there today and tomorrow.I only built it with 1 hard drive,is 2 really needed even in the future? All I do is play poker and shooter type games?

PC Configurator Details Page - TigerDirect.com

Thanks again...and whatever you do,dont let my wife here us talking about this.

[oldman_gamer]

You just had to show me that newegg site din'cha. Now I see THIS pc on a good sale price and wonder if it's what I need? I'm not sure I could handle building my own PC,knowing where it all goes , setup Bios,etc..


Newegg.com - COMPAQ Presario SR5262NX(GV344AA) Pentium dual-core E2160(1.80GHz) 2GB DDR2 320GB Intel GMA 950 Windows Vista Home Premium - Retail



Dont know what to do but sure is helpful having you guys/gals here to feed me information,Thanks again.