Topic: The Hardware Recomindation thread... (Read 3801 times)

Sirgod · « **on:** May 02, 2006, 05:39:21 pm »

I'm starting this, in order to help others, get Recomendations on what next to update on there systems. I have used belarc adviser, and will simply list my PC Stats here.

For example, My PC is about 1.5 years old, But I figure, there's always new tech, in which I can Use on It.

System stat's follows.

I ask also that, If you offer advice to a member here, That you quote there stats, and then give your Advice, so that we can Help each other, and keep It Pretty clear on who's system we are advicing.

Quote

.20 gigahertz AMD Athlon 64
128 kilobyte primary memory cache
512 kilobyte secondary memory cacheBoard: MSI MS-6702 1.0
Bus Clock: 200 megahertz
BIOS: American Megatrends Inc. Version 07.00T 04/02/01
Slot '0' has 512 MB
Slot '1' has 512 MB
Slot '2' has 512 MB
AOPEN COM5232/AAH [CD-ROM drive]
LITE-ON DVDRW SOHW-1213S [CD-ROM drive]
VOBID InstantDrive CD SCSI CdRom Device [CD-ROM drive]
WT9838M AVN348Q SCSI CdRom Device [CD-ROM drive]
IC35L060AVV207-0 [Hard drive] (61.49 GB) -- drive 1, s/n VNVB40G2HPXX6V, rev V22OA66A, SMART Status: Healthy
WDC WD1600JB-00EVA0 [Hard drive] (160.04 GB) -- drive 0, s/n WD-WCAEK1487589, rev 15.05R15, SMART Status: Healthy
c: (NTFS on drive 0) 160.03 GB 27.12 GB free
g: (NTFS on drive 1) 61.49 GB 3.30 GB free
RADEON X800 PRO [Display adapter]
RADEON X800 PRO Secondary [Display adapter]
Proview AY965C [Monitor] (19.1"vis, s/n 308006198, September 2003)
Proview AY965C [Monitor] (19.1"vis, s/n 308006195, September 2003)
Creative Game Port
Creative SB Audigy 2 ZS (WDM)
Realtek AC'97 Audio for VIA (R) Audio Controller
OHCI Compliant IEEE 1394 Host Controller
VIA OHCI Compliant IEEE 1394 Host Controller
UltraMon Display Mirror Driver
Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural PS/2 Keyboard
Logitech-compatible Mouse PS/2
USB Root Hub (5x)
Patin Couffin engine

Now, I'm thinking of upgrading my Seconfdary HD, But any Recomendations are welcome.

Stephen

Javora · « **Reply #1 on:** May 02, 2006, 08:41:22 pm »

IMHO I would go with another stick of Ram first.

Sirgod · « **Reply #2 on:** May 03, 2006, 08:10:25 am »

I was thinking the same thing. My system can go up to 3gig of Ram, and the 3 512mb sticks could be of use to someone else here.

Stephen

Javora · « **Reply #3 on:** May 03, 2006, 01:27:22 pm »

Well I was thinking more along the lines of two matched pairs instead of the three sticks you have now. I'm setting here wondering just how much that 3rd stick is actually boosting performance. IIRC DDR Ram benefits from matched pairs, it not required like RD Ram was but the benefit still exists. In fact if you look at your motherboard the four slots should be color coded in pairs. Two Gig of Ram would be a good ending point for a system of that age, I can't think of too many needs other than Picture/Sound/Video editing that would require more than 2 gig of ram.

Looking at your system specs. I can't think of to much that would really need to upgrade. If I may ask as I don't have a lot of time, is that 939 CPU socket on your motherboard? Also is the Video slots AGP or PCI-e? If the motherboard is 939 you may want to upgrade the CPU in about a year or so when the top end processor is cheap to buy. If the video is AGP then you really don't want to do a whole lot of upgrading with this system anyway as AGP has reached the end of its life cycle. Other than that I think the system you have now should last you for a good couple of years. What I would do (and I'm starting to do) is spend a little money and time on research for what you want in your next system. With Vista (Gack -- Cough) coming out next year (Big maybe) I'm going to weigh my game playing wants and other needs versus what I can afford.

After doing some research I would slowly price out and buy some items that can handle a last minute change like a Case, Keyboard, Mouse, etc. That way when you are ready to take the plunge into a new system you can focus your attention and a good lump some of money into the core system needs. Hope this helps.

Just plain old Punisher · « **Reply #4 on:** May 03, 2006, 02:22:55 pm »

Why do you need that much RAM? You aren't going to get much of a performance increase beyond 1 gig.

Javora · « **Reply #5 on:** May 03, 2006, 03:08:22 pm »

Quote from: Punisher NCC-2000 on May 03, 2006, 02:22:55 pm

Why do you need that much RAM? You aren't going to get much of a performance increase beyond 1 gig.

Depends on the game, Battlefield 2 players like me have found that 2 gigs of Ram makes for much smoother game play and the maps load a lot faster. It won't be long and 2 gigs will be the new benchmark.

Nemesis · « **Reply #6 on:** May 03, 2006, 05:57:54 pm »

Quote from: Punisher NCC-2000 on May 03, 2006, 02:22:55 pm

Why do you need that much RAM? You aren't going to get much of a performance increase beyond 1 gig.

Windows Vista with all the bells and whistles.

Just plain old Punisher · « **Reply #7 on:** May 03, 2006, 06:54:41 pm »

Quote from: IKV Nemesis on May 03, 2006, 05:57:54 pm

Quote from: Punisher NCC-2000 on May 03, 2006, 02:22:55 pm
Why do you need that much RAM? You aren't going to get much of a performance increase beyond 1 gig.

Windows Vista with all the bells and whistles.

Ah yes, the OS that wasn't.

E_Look · « **Reply #8 on:** May 03, 2006, 07:29:00 pm »

Quote from: Javora on May 03, 2006, 03:08:22 pm

... It won't be long and 2 gigs will be the new benchmark.

Oy vey.

Sirgod · « **Reply #9 on:** May 03, 2006, 07:41:46 pm »

Quote from: E_Look NCC-9091 on May 03, 2006, 07:29:00 pm

Quote from: Javora on May 03, 2006, 03:08:22 pm
... It won't be long and 2 gigs will be the new benchmark.

Oy vey.

<snikers> There you go again with that Accent...

Stephen

E_Look · « **Reply #10 on:** May 03, 2006, 08:08:45 pm »

...
...

Quote from: Stephen NCC -73070 on May 03, 2006, 07:41:46 pm

<snikers> There you go again with that Accent...

Stephen

Elvis · « **Reply #11 on:** May 03, 2006, 08:22:04 pm »

A few things:

Stephen is using a socket 754 processor, single channel memory. The motherboard only has three slots for memory also. DDR is cheap right now, it wouldn't be that expensive to upgrade to 2 gigs. If I were going to keep the machine for a long time I would definetly upgrade before DDR2 becomes the standard for AMD. Do you need more hard drive space? I'm not cost efficient upgrader, so if I was going to upgrade a hard drive I would be looking at the new 16MB cache Raptor because speed > size. Though then again I don't have any porn on my computer.

Javora · « **Reply #12 on:** May 03, 2006, 11:48:31 pm »

If that is the case then I wouldn't even bother with upgrading that system then. Saving your money for a new system later on would be a better investment.

Sirgod · « **Reply #13 on:** May 04, 2006, 10:11:37 am »

Thanks for the Info guys. If anything, I might grab another HD, I can always use more HD space, as I usually put my DVD collection on my PC. I might even go a SATA route this time, and simply just save up for a newer system sometime in the next year or so.

Stephen

Javora · « **Reply #14 on:** May 05, 2006, 09:54:09 am »

Well ok here's a hard drive for you Stephen, enjoy.

http://dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=1896

Sirgod · « **Reply #15 on:** May 05, 2006, 10:26:40 am »

Quote from: Javora on May 05, 2006, 09:54:09 am

Well ok here's a hard drive for you Stephen, enjoy.

http://dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=1896

750GB, man I just made wee wee.

Holy hell, That's one big HD. and hey, there's a seagate plant her in Oklahoma.

Stephen

Strat · « **Reply #16 on:** May 05, 2006, 11:52:45 am »

A Seagate plant?

Does it do Hard Drive Pollination? Or just have Giga-byte size flowers?

Sirgod · « **Reply #17 on:** May 05, 2006, 12:00:07 pm »

Quote from: Strat on May 05, 2006, 11:52:45 am

A Seagate plant?

Does it do Hard Drive Pollination? Or just have Giga-byte size flowers?

LOL, Smart ass.

Stephen

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