Will upgrading specific parts help me

[Vagabond]

Hey all,

My wife bought me Orange Box (HL) but my computer does not really like it. I played episode 1 (barely) but Ep 2 does not even want to start.

Here is what I currently have:

Mobo: SOYO SY-KT600 DRAGON +V1.0 RTL
Video: VGA ATI|RADEON 9600XT 128M 8X
CPU: AMD|3000/400 ATHLON XP BARTON
PSU: 400W
HD: Seagate 200GB Ultra ATA/100
RAM: 512MB PC-3200 400 MHZ DDR STANDARD
Opsystem: Win2kpro

If say I would get another 512 RAM and a new video card like this one:
SAPPHIRE 100217L Radeon HD 2600PRO 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 AGP 8X HDCP

would that be worth it. I figure I could do the above for about $200. If not is it still worth it to build a computer or just go and buy one. And on that note which OpSystem is the one to go for (Vista, XP home, XP pro ??)

ok so i guess that was at least 3 questions.

Thanks

[Rootstonian]

Shop around for some 1 gig sticks and add it to your 512 (or do have 2x256?). Mobo specs says it'll take 3 gig (hell, even 2 gig would be a huge increase). Look for DDR Sdram 400Mhz.

$70 for 2 gig
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145579

I'm not the vid card expert; hopefully someone will chime in for that upgrade.

[nickslick74]

The memory is certainly holding you back, secondary would be your video card. Root found a good deal for good ol' DDR memory and that should help quite a bit. If you shoose to upgrade your video card you will need to see if your current power supply is up to the task of powering it. What brand is it and what's it got for amps on the 12+ volt line(s)?

If your psu will support it, this 1950Pro would be a better choice than the 2600, scores higher in the 3DMark tests and would keep you close (maybe slightly over) your $200 limit.

[Vagabond]

Thanks for the thoughts. I will look into getting more RAM.

Currently I have only one stick of 512.
I am not sure what the PSU is I will have to check it out.

[carl33p]

Hardware is cheap these days. IMO, if your gonna spend over 200$, do a new build. Your buying outdated ram and an outdated GPU interface that you wont be able to ever use again.

Heres a price estimate for you:
Reuse your optical drive, HDD, Case, and maybe PSU if you can.

CPU: Intel Pentium E2160 68.00
Mobo: GIGABYTE GA-P35 97.00
RAM: CORSAIR XMS2 2GB 40.00
GPU: 9600GT 512MB 150.00

Total: 355$

A new PSU would be 40-50$, and if you dont have a spare OS around, another 100$. Which would make my idea less realistic, if budget is a big concern.

But as you know, the performance gains would outweigh the price difference.

[Vagabond]

Thanks Carl33p that is some good things to keep in mind. Budget is not really a huge issue. I just have to minor thoughts on that one what do I do with the old computer it still seems like a good one and which opsystem is best Vista or XPhome or pro?
I just hate trashing things that still work.

[ShyguyXPC]

use the old PC as some sort of Server in the house on the network, store all your video/pics/music, etc on it & you can access it from any other computer on network etc... or depending on the games you play, you could easily set it up for a dedicated game server over the network or internet as well...

[Vagabond]

Thats a great idea could you point me to a website with some info on how to set that up.
I music box would be cool connected to the TV too.

(though there goes my video card upgrade again) thanks

[ShyguyXPC]

if the 9600XT has an S-Video output, you should be able to connect it to your TV, unless the TV doesn't have an S-video or RCA Coaxial type video input?

not sure of any specific sites, as I've just done it once myself by trial & error... currently I have all my systems set up to see one another on the network, and have several sharing folders on each rig, so I can access media from one or the other when ever I want... nothing really special about it, just have to setup the network from with in windows XP (theres a wizard to step you through the process), & then its just a matter of right clicking a folder & going to Sharing & Security & more or less set it for sharing (some other options, but thats the jist of it), then you can access the folder from the other PC, make a short cut on the desktop to the shared folder & always have access to it, etc etc etc...

hoping someone can post something with more specific instructions on how to set something like that up...

if you had XP Media Center Edition or Vista Premium or Ultimate, you'd be able to buy a Windows Media Center Remote & even sit the PC next to the TV & be able to view pictures, movies, etc on the TV. (buy a TV Tuner card & you could even turn the old PC into a PVR, providing your have enough drive space on it)

there's countless things to do with the old system, especially with reasonable/respectable specs like it has (only thing would be to bump up the RAM for more intensive things like PVR/recording video, or things like that, playing video, using XP Pro, 512MB might be fine. playing music of pictures, shouldn't be an issue)