Computer Upgrading Help

[hawk_767]

Ok, so I recently decided that I wanted to slowly upgrade my computer instead of buying another computer, eventually turning the computer into a custom built model.

I currently own a dell Dimension 4700

Specs:

Dimension 4700 Series,Intel Pentium 4 Processor 520, 2.8 GHz

512 MB DDR2 SDRAM at 400MHz

128MB PCI Express x16  (DVI/VGA/TV-out) ATI Radeon

40GB Serial ATA Hard Drive    (7200RPM)

Intel Pro 100M Integrated     PCI NIC Card

I'm planning on upgrading my RAM, Video Card, and Processor. Before I start buying products however, I need to know what types of hardware I can buy that will be compatible with my motherboard. I've been looking on newegg.com to search for hardware to try finding price estimates. Here are the products that I found so far.

RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145184

Processor: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103272


Video: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121274

I'm also planning on buying a new computer case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811144197


Now one thing I've heard is dell makes their computers specifically so you can't just buy any parts for it to work. Another thing I've heard is if you have an Intel processor running than you have to buy a new motherboard to get AMD processor. I'm just curious to whether or not the parts I've found are compadible with my computer or if I will need to buy a new motherboard to work these pieces.

I'm mainly buying these upgrades for gaming. I am pushing for more speed and visual power but I'm tight on cash so I'm getting cheaper products but powerful enough to get it up to date.

Also if anyone knows of a site with better pc hardware deals than newegg I'd be happy to hear them as well. Hope you guys can help, thanks

~~hawk_767~~

[ThrowingShapes]

Dell's are generally known for their diffuclty in upgrading but I'll try to clear a few things up for you.

Intel CPU's and AMD CPU's use different sockets, and you would need a new motherboard to use an AMD processor.  You would likely need to upgrade your motherboard to upgrade your ram as well.  Different motherboards accept different types or ram, you have ddr2 but there are several different kind of ddr2.  The main thing you need to know about ram is the number of pins, for newer motherboards 240 pin ddr2 is generally the standard.

To play most newer games you will probably need a new hard drive as well because many games require ~7gbs of hard drive space. You always want to have 10-15% of your total hard drive space open so it can move files efficiently.  With an operating system, and more than a few games installed you may be pushing it.

As far as the video card choice goes, what kind of games do you intend to be playing?  A few titles would give us a general idea of the power you'll be needing.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you may want to just look into a whole new pc.  Sometimes it just isn't worth it to upgrade an old rig, and you'll end up costing yourself more than if you would've just built one that will last a bit.

[Accessless]

http://www.crucial.com/

Will tell you what sort of RAM your motherboard will take and possibly the graphics expansion slots.

Amazingly though it seems to think that my PC is currently running with no RAM installed and that I should buy some immediately... I wonder how I went on the internet downloaded the program and used it?

According to our scan, your system already has the maximum amount of memory installed.

(and yet just bellow that it says none installed)