hey guys, so first let me say a lot of thanks to whoever will take the time to help me out with this :-)
so the reason i wanna upgrade it is because i'm starting school soon, and i will study things that a good home computer will be necessary to run. i'll have to work with Avid express Pro, and edit videos, also alot of photoshop and probebly indesign. maybe after effects too, and titles. other than that i'm gonna probebly work with music editing/producing, but that's less important right now..
so, here's what i have -
processor: intel 2 duo E6400, 2.13ghz clock, 1066mhz side bus, s775 2MB(L2) cache
motherboard: gigabyte 965P-DS4 s775 conroe, DDRii800, 2xpcie-e
Ram: two - ddr11667 512 kingston
video card: sapphire X1650 pro 512mb DDRii, TV, DVI, PCI-E
hard drives: very nice WD 160gb, and external mybook WD 1000gb(with firewire)
that's the important things i guess. now, from my understing, i don't need a very good video card to work on editing, and i think what i have isn't bad and should be enough(am i right about it?) now since changing the processor is a big deal, i guess my best would be on getting better and more ram, the question is how much? and what kind?
anyways, so if you have the patience and kindness to help me out here i would really appriciate it, i know it's a long thread and all, but it's just that i vaguely have any clue about these stuff, so i figured nothing can be wrong in asking. so thanks in advance :-)
Help Upgrading my Computer?
Since you will be using this for school work, and probably not gaming, you wouldn't get a Dual Core. Quad core provides the highest performance for multi-tasking, and running programs, dual core for gaming.
I would suggest for the CPU: Intel Quad Core 2.66GHZ Q9450. It is priced at around $300 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as鈥?/a>
If it is out of your budget, the next best thing would be to get a Intel Quad Core 2.4GHZ Q6600. This will cost you at around $180 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as鈥?/a>
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That's CPU out of the way, since you will be using quite a few programs, of course you will need some more RAM.
I suggest a Kingston 2GB DDR2 (2x1GB). 2GB should be enough, and you can also use your 2x 512MB RAM Sticks along with the 2GB RAM as well if you have enough PCI slots.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as鈥?/a>
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I have also checked if your motherboard is compatible with the hardware I have stated above, and it is. The Video Card seems decent, since you won't be doing much gaming or 3D rendering.
You have enough Hard Drive space, thanks to your external hard drive. Tip: Don't store data that you will use often on your external, external hard drive has slower read/write speed so it will take longer to read/write files and applications. So store the data you use most on your internal, and the data which is not viewed or used often on your external.
For the CPU and RAM upgrade, it will only cost you around $400. (Newegg prices).
Note: Newegg is for USA only.
I hope I have helped. Good luck with schooling!
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Some useful sites you can look at on how to install RAM and CPU. Might come in handy when you decide to upgrade.
http://www.ehow.com/how_895_install-ram.鈥?/a>
(RAM)
http://www.pcmech.com/byopc/step-1-mater鈥?/a>
(CPU)
The installation manual will probably provide the best instructions, so when buying the part, and your about to install, a good flick through the installation manual is a good idea. If it doesn't give you enough information about installing, look at the sites. Last thing if none of the sites help, post up on here again.
Help Upgrading my Computer?
take it 2 da shop
Depending on your operating system, you should take perhaps 4 GB RAM.
i would go for 2 gig of ram
Hi,
If I were you,I would just upgrade my RAM to 3-4GB(XP wont detect the entire 4GB).After looking at configuration,I dont think anything else needs to be upgraded.In case you are consider changing the video card,it will be better after you start working with the applications that you mentioned and if it shows any issues.
Regards
Slash
