Computer Help

Ok I really need help with this. My computer is way out of date and the games now a days arn't playable for me. So heres my awful specs

Processor I think?
AMD athlon 1700+
1.47 Ghz
512mb ram

Video card
ATI radeon 9000


Im looking to keep it around $200-300. Now do I need a new motherboard? I really don't even know my current motherboard but it obviously supports AMD so my new processor is going to be an AMD. I have heard you choose your processor before your motherboard so im wondering since my motherboard is pretty old, if it will still support the new CPU.

So the questions are
-If I buy a new video card and CPU do you think it will still be compatible with my motherboard?
-Recomendations on CPU/Video card that will work for me

I realise my computer sucks and i should upgrade the motherboard too but I mean I might as well build a hole new computer then and I don't want to do that or deal with putting in a new motherboard. I would think as long as my procesor is AMD it should easily be fine but I want to be sure. I will open up my comp and see if I can tell what motherboard it is if you guys really need me to.

 

I can't really help you but your lucky..

Try Pentium 4, 256MB Ram I can play games with mine..but it's crappy :/

You can get cheapy $600 AUS comps which are good.

 

How am I lucky? I have really bad computer lol

and id think a pent 4 with less ram then i have would be backtracking?


I can build my own computer and make it pretty decent for 500-600 bucks but I don't want to shell out that kind of money on a dumb computer that will be outdated again in a few years. I have what i think a decent processor and video card picked out that will be less then $200 but I just need to know if im going to need more then a processor and video card, such as a new motherboard.

I have a EVGA GeForce 8600GT video card picked out which is 75 bucks when mail and rebate is over with.

then a AMD Athlon 64 X2 4000+ Brisbane 2.1GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 65W Dual-Core Processor which is 60 bucks

problem is figuring out if theyd even work for me lol. All i understand with video cards is AGP and PCI slot which i think i have both but id have to check again. As for the CPU I know nothing about. seeing as how I could even get a better cpu for still less then 100 bucks but I will stick with this one if I need a new motherboard...I honestly don't need the best of the best, if i can run some MMO's on high without lag id be happy but it doesnt really matter much to me. Id easily think the above things i listed could run games like lotr, the new pirates of the burning sea MMO game i just bought all on high though. In fact thats why im doing this, i just bought the new pirate mmo and it wont work with my computer so im upgrading. plus lotr lagged bad for me a lot.

 

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3570023&Sku=M452-2840 G


this seems to be a good deal, anything else ill need im not seeing besides monitor (use my current) hard drive (use my current) and optical (use my current)

 

The CPU and RAM wouldent be easy to replace its most likely older and harder to find and more expensive

I would go with the computer TheRedeemer suggested or something similiar

 

i would upgrade on graphics card and ram

ram (random access mmory) goes before graphics card though

try to get atleast 1000mb of ram (1 gigabyte)

 

It would be hard to find RAM that is compatible with his. And even if he does upgrade his RAM and graphics card his 1.47 CPU isent gona keep up

 

so you think barebone kit i posted a link above would be a good deal? I think I just need hard drive and optical? I can get a 400gb hard drive for 90 bucks and if i could, just take out my current optical and put it in. Plus I have a monitor,keyboard,speakers. Would I need anything else for it?

So it would probly run me $500 bucks for the barebone but a dual core 2.8ghz and dual video cards it seems to be a bargain. Id think that computer would normaly be just as good as computers that run $1500-$2000? Plus it would be good for ages to come. However, I kind of think its going to be a hassle for me unless I know every single part I will need that it doesn't come with.

 

yes i would agree with this but it doesnt come with any speakers a screen key board mouse ect.

 

If i were you i would just take out the hard drive and optical drive from your old computer. It will be compatible. What OS are you using?

 

windows xp home edition

and i found out my motherboard well is a k7 triton and sucks so I would need a new one.

did more searching and I am finding I can get the 3 basics I need. So I have a motherboard/cpu deal which the cpu is an AMD x2 2.8ghz and comes with the correct motherboard for $150 for both. Then I would get $90 graphics card. so its around $290 all together. I will have to check my power wattage my computer has and I am not sure if I have good enough fans to cool it all down... I really would like a whole new computer but its hard for me to spend a lot on a computer..I tried looking at some computers on ebay and craigs list but they are pretty much shit for the price.