Upgrade Sites.

[lucianthegrim]

Ok, beside my bad harddrive, i would like to better my pc.  So i would like to know if any of you know of any sites that i can go to that would tell me what better video cards, sound, etc are out there once i tell it what my pc model is, company, or whatever.

like i found this one for memory.

http://www.crucial.com/

[jaythom1969]

If you have Win Vista then your "windows exp index" will give you that information under My Computer>Prop. If you have another OS just start with your weakest link in the chain (part of hardware).

Example: Onboard Video= Add a video card with GDDR5 and a GB of memory.
Upgrade your RAM, BIOS, CPU and mind your watts = PSU max. output.

[smeezekitty]

please post specs
@jaythom 1969
why a bios upgrade?

[lucianthegrim]

@smeezekitty

If your talking about my specs, and i think you are, then i forgot.  I remeber there was somthing i could put in the search part of my start button that would tell me everthing.  But i have the very basic things that come with a Compaq Presario sR1920NX. 

My computer dosnt even have a video card according to google.  It just has some chip thing, integratednvida geforce 6150 LE.

Processor is AMD Athlon 64 processor 35000+

Memory says 448mb


All this is info i got from the front of the cover of my pc and the memory came from the mycompter window thing.

So if you can help me MAX out my computer, or come close, than i would like the help. But i would also like to keep the price range to all the hardware somewhere at or less than$100/not including tax, but if if the items are going to cost a bit more than im ok with it as well.

Im pretty sure that this site has the specs to my computer .

http://www1.dealtime.com/xPF-Hewlett-Packard-Compaq-Presario-SR1920NX-Desktop-PC.

nd now that my computer is starting to go all crazy and run slow... i think my harddrive is about ready to lose its os ................. AGAIN

[smeezekitty]

you should upgrade ram first because 1/2gb is low in todays standerds
also i think you have a corrupted os
if you have your windows disk
you probubly should get more memory
backup evreything important and reformat and reinstall

[mroilfield]

According to the HP site the below should be the specs of your PC ( the info in the link you provided was good info but the HP site went into more details about the different parts). I am not sure how much you will be able to upgrade and stay under $100 but I am sure you will get some suggestions.

Product number
EX318AA
Introduction date
15-May-2006
Country/region sold in:

    *
      US
    *
      Canada

   
Hardware
   
Base processor
Athlon 64 (V) 3500+ 2.2 GHz

    *
      2000 MT/s (mega transfers/second)
    *
      Socket 939

Chipset
GeForce 6150 LE
Motherboard

    *
      Manufacturer: Asus
    *
      Motherboard Name: A8N-LA
    *
      HP/Compaq motherboard name: Nagami2L-GL8

Memory
Component    Attributes
Memory Installed    512 MB
Maximum allowed    4 GB* (4 x 1 GB)

*Actual available memory may be less
Speed supported    PC-3200 MB/sec
Type    184 pin, DDR SDRAM
Hard drive

    *
      200 GB SATA
    *
      7200 rpm

16X DVD(+/-)R/RW (+/-)R DL LightScribe drive
Modem
56K bps data/fax modem
Video Graphics
Integrated graphics
Sound/Audio
Integrated High Definition audio

    * Realtek ALC 883 chipset
    * Supports up to 8 audio channels
    * Dolby Pro Logic II compatible

Network (LAN)
Integrated 10/100 Base-T networking interface
Memory card reader

    * USB interface

    * Supports the following cards:
          o Compact Flash I
          o Compact Flash II
          o SmartMedia
          o Memory Stick
          o Memory Stick Pro
          o MultiMediaCard
          o Secure Digital (SD)
          o Micro Drive
          o XD Picture Card (xd = extreme digital)

External I/O ports
I/O ports on the front panel
Port type    Quantity
9-in-1 (4 slot) + 1 USB    One
USB    Two
Headphone    One
I/O ports on the back panel
Port type    Quantity
PS/2 (keyboard, mouse)    Two
VGA    One
USB    Four
LAN    One
SPDIF out (coaxial)    One
Audio (side speaker out, rear speaker out, center speaker out, line-in, line-out, microphone)    One Each
Expansion slots
Slot type    Quantity
PCI    Three (Two available)
PCI Express x16    One (One available)
Drive bays
Bay type    Quantity
5.25" external    Two (One available)
3.5" external    Two (One available)
3.5" internal    One (None available)
Keyboard and mouse

    *
      Compaq PS/2 keyboard
    *
      Compaq PS/2 scroller mouse

Look here for possible solutions for the PC running slow.
http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000179.htm




Smeezekitty,

How in the world did you come up with the OP having a corrupted OS? There are resources available on Computer Hope that people can use and go thru before they have to reinstall their OS. Please direct people to these before just suggesting the reinstall especially if you have very limited info to go on as to why they are having problems.

[lectrocrew]

So if you can help me MAX out my computer, or come close, than i would like the help. But i would also like to keep the price range to all the hardware somewhere at or less than$100/not including tax, but if if the items are going to cost a bit more than im ok with it as well.

It's probably going to "cost a bit more" if you want to "MAX" out your computer. But a good starting point to increase the speed would be to purchase memory. According to the specs for     *  Motherboard manufacturer's name: Asus A8N-LA
    * HP/Compaq name: Nagami2L-GL8E
you can install up to 4gb of ram

    *  Dual-channel memory architecture
    * 4 DDR1 DIMM (184-pin) sockets
    * PC3200/PC2700 DDR1 DIMMs
    * Non-ECC memory only
    * Maximum memory: 4 x 1 GB DDR1 DIMMs, 4.0 GB total

I would suggest buying 2 x 1gb modules for now, that should boost speed considerably, then you can add another 2 x 1gb later when $ allows.

This memory is about the cheapest I found that will work. This already will spend over half of your $100 (not including tax), but if it were me, I'd make this my first move.
JMO, Hope it helps. 

[lucianthegrim]

Yes,  all this info works.  When i said i would like to stay around 100, i meant i would like for each part to stay around the 100 mark.  But i was planing on making my memory better to be my first move. 

I also have another suggestion in another post, it said to try to fix my bootloader or whatever.  So im going to try that later on.  Right now my OS is fine and i didnt lose it, guess it went slow cause it was checking for updates. 

@lectrocrew

Thanks for giving me that site for the memory.  But ill buy those memorys both separate at the same time.  Cause i pay 54 with tax and all for buying both memorys at same time, compared to the 56 for both in one bundle.


Edit:

Now that i have a good memory to buy, what is THE BEST video/graphics card that i can get for my computrer.  Becauce when i go online i see all this model types and from diffrent companys and what not.  So im haveing trouble which one it is that i should be getting that my computer will be able to use and be compatable with.  Cause i dont want to go through the hassle of finding out my computer is not able to use the video card that i get.

This one looks and sounds awsome.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9270969&st=Video+Cards&type=product&id=1218072892035

good bad? maybe?

[lucianthegrim]

Comment2:

Ok, so i found a better video/graphics card that im going to use. 
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9254585&type=product&id=1218069451494

But i need more power for that. So im going to upgrade my power supply box thingy. 

But unless you Think that there is a better video card that well let me play games on high then tell me.

Also if going to 400w, maybe higher, well be bad for my computer, mother board, cpc, whatever. then i would like if you told me. Because i plan on getting this one. 

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10929837
or
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9321263&st=pc+power+supply&lp=3&type=product&cp=1&id=1218084393178

So if theres a better one or upgradeing power is bad than tell me.

[smeezekitty]

seems like your are rushing a bit to much
why dont you get and install the memory and give it a few
days before upgrading so you dont end up with an unexpected
problem
and if you do you know what component it is

[lucianthegrim]

 

dont worry.  Im not rushing anythings at the moment.  Right now i only have the money for the memory things that im going to get first.  Then around xmas/birthday, im going to get the video and power supply thing.

Right know im asking so i can have the info down ahead of time.  So if you think, smeezekitty, that my memory, video card, power supply, picks are good than awsome.  If not, it would be a help to find out what would be better.

Although i have to deal with my harddrive problem first.  Cause whats the point of all this if i cant even use them.

So in the end i am takeing my time on this.  This is my plan. 1) Around this time, fix harddrive.  2) Afther harddrive problem solved, get memory.  3) Around december or further out, get video card and power supply better.  4) Further out deal with sound, maybe.

[smeezekitty]

i am sure the harddrive is physically fine it just
has errors or bad formatting
the video card upgrade looks like a good choice

[hejlik]

I would buy my parts from newegg.   Best buy price for your video card $119.99  Newegg price $59.99 plum maybe $6 shipping. That's almost 1/2 price.

[lucianthegrim]

@hejlik

Newegg dosnt have the card that i want.  It has the same one but it says AGP for 84 dollars.
My card is Model: HD-465X-ZDFR

and i want it for a PCI express 16

If you think im wrong then please give me a link to it.

[hejlik]

This isn't the exact same one, but it has great ratings and is only about $57 wich include shipping.

[smeezekitty]

This isn't the exact same one, but it has great ratings and is only about $57 wich include shipping.

and what if lucianthegrim doesnt have an avilable agp slot?

[Salmon Trout]

and what if lucianthegrim doesnt have an avilable agp slot?

If Lucian purchased an AGP card, the outlook, like his name, would be grim indeed...

Video Output Interface    PCI Express

[hejlik]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102829

Forgot the link    sorry

[soybean]

I'd be very tempted to grab this while the rebate offer is in effect:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815124001

Edit: Correct link: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133289

[lectrocrew]

I'd be very tempted to grab this while the rebate offer is in effect:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815124001

Why does he need that IDE controller? Please forgive my ignorance.

[soybean]

Oops, sorry, wrong link.  This is what I intended to post: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133289

[lectrocrew]

Oops, sorry, wrong link.  This is what I intended to post: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133289

Thanks, now I feel less ignorant. 

[lucianthegrim]

I like the picks that you guys are giving me.  The only reason i dont take this is cause of this.

1) I like how my pick comes with the s-video cable and Dvi to aga or whatever.
2) My card that i picked has an s-video out put thing on it, which i like to use to connect to tv.  If i can.
3) I want a card with atleast a 1GB.

[lucianthegrim]

I got another question now.  The fan in my computer is pretty much running the WHOLE day.  Is there a way to cool my computer down faster.

[lectrocrew]

Can you clarify?
The fan is supposed to run whenever the machine is powered up.

[lucianthegrim]

Well maybe its noting then but somtimes the fan wont turn on for like two or three, maybe more, hours after its turned on.  Other times it truns on when you turn the computer on, and stays on the whole time.  Other times it turns on and off.

If its noting, is there a way to make it less noisey.

[lectrocrew]

Is this the case fan, PSU fan or CPU fan?

[smeezekitty]

try disconnecting the case fan (do not run it this way for extended peroids of time)
do you still hear the anoying fan?

[lucianthegrim]

I just truned on my pc and the fan is runing nice and quiet.  But when it runs loud im pretty sure it might be the cpu one.

[patio]

You need to remove a side panel and determine which fan is the culprit when it happens...chances are it needs replaced...
95% of all fans have aftermarket replacements available at decent PC shops.

[lucianthegrim]

Well now i know its the cpu fan.  Guess thats another thing to add to my fix/upgrade list.
Any clues where i can get one that works GREAT and silent.

[lectrocrew]

Well now i know its the cpu fan. 

I assume this means you did remove the side cover? While your in there you may want to blow out the inside of the machine, including the CPU heat sink, with 'compressed air in a can' (available at walmart, any computer store, ect.}