Updating computer, Plz help

[Shawk]

Hey, i was thinking of Updating my computer so i could play Platetside but i don't really know much about computers, could anyone suggest what i should upgrade, And the cheapest way?
This is what i got right now

Intel, Pentium III 800mhz (can overclock to 1.2gigs)
My motherboard is this: http://usa.asus.com/mb/socket370/tuv4x/overview.htm
384 Ram
Geforce 2 Mx 400 with 64 ram
Cable

All i can think of that really matters, Thanks.

[Rbstr]

Well the best you can relay do is get more ram with that Mobo, you could get a Tulatin cored P3 but you would have a hard time finding one, you coudl also get a new Vidcard, but it won't work at maximun preformance because its not a AGP 8X thing.

i used to have that mobo its nice but your stuff is aging. A this point i would strip the insides of that case and put it a new mobo and psu and CPU and all that fun stuff. you could have a very good preformer for $800. If you have a price range i can find some parts that will fit you budget

[Shawk]

I was thinking about $300, Just spend $200 on Xbox games so kinda screwed myself.

[Sputty]

I'd recommend saving up and buying a new comp.

[Daleon]

For $300 your really skimming the bottom of the barrel but here goes:

All from newegg:
Biostar M7NCD-Pro Nforce2 Ultra 400 - $52
XP2100 - $62
512 PC2700 Any name brand - $80

Leaves about $100 for video. I'd look for the best deal you can find. Ebay, for sale forums, etc. Either a 9500 Pro, 9600 Pro, TI4400-4600, etc. If you have to buy new you'll only be able to get something like a 5600 or 9200 Pro. If you could come up with a cpl hundred more, I'd suggest a barebones from buyxg or wait for a good deal from Dell.

[NoSurrender]

dell has been pretty slashy on the prices. Look at magazine ads they put in. www.newegg.com is a good place for cheap prices.

[Shawk]

Hey, thanks for the help, was just wondering would this al work together?

CPU $62 : Intel Celeron 2.0 GHz 128K 400MHz FSB mPGA-478 http://www.intel.com/products/desktop/processors/celeron/index.htm?iid=ipp_desk_proc+prod_celeron&

MB $47 : http://www.biostar-usa.com/mbdetails.asp?model=u8668+d

Memory $75 : Apacer 512MB DDR PC2100 RAM 32X8 Infineon Original Chipset CL=2 - OEM

I just went for the cheapest thing with the best reviews at newegg.

[Daleon]

It will all work together, but damn its crap. When your on a budget, Intel makes no sense. Your not going to get all that great of performance out of a Celeron 2ghz. Its prolly comparable to around an AMD 1600 or 1700 tops. But its all in what you prefer I guess.

[Shawk]

Ahh ok, didin't know Celeron was crap, just realized whta you meant by XP2100 lol, so what about this?

AMD Athlon XP 2100+/266 FSB Thoroughbred Processor CPU 2100+/ 1.73GHz

Biostar Motherboard for AMD Athlon/Athlon XP/ Duron Processor, Model# M7NCD - http://www.biostar-usa.com/mbdetails.asp?model=m7ncd

Apacer 512MB DDR PC2700 RAM 32X64 Infineon Chipset CL=2.5 - OEM

Came to $197.99

Oh, does newegg not ship to canada? only shows fedex, was about to buy everything but it only shows states of america.

I'll probably just upgrade for the sake of upgrading now after playing the 7 day trial it looks like this game is still in alpha..

[Rbstr]

don't get a thourobred, get a barton

[Shawk]

AMD ATHLON XP 2500 "Barton" 333 FSB PROCESSOR CPU- OEM / 1.83Mhz?

only about 10 bucks more

[NoSurrender]

yup thats the one but you hafta but a separate CPU cooler.

[Rbstr]

ya the oem lack a CPU cooler i recomend Thermaltake for a good low cost cooler that is high preformance, my spark 7 + is sweet, look at them here http://www.thermaltake.com/coolers/volcano/retailmenu.htm and here a place to buy one http://www.buyxtremegear.com/a1607.html

[Daleon]

I would suggest the Biostar Ultra 400 instead of the normal or Pro versions. There is almost no price difference and the Ultra 400 is much much better.

Now bad part, getting shipping to Canada is next to impossible. Newegg doesn't, nor buyxg or gameve it doesn't look like. If you know anyone in US can you can ship to and get them to send it to you would be best way to do it.

But if you can't, your in luck! My favorite store I use locally actually when I want something immediately and don't want to wait on shipping heh looks like they do ship to Canada. Their prices are not quite as low as the other sites, but they are good, very good, compared to other "Local" type stores. They are also %100 reliable.

So check the site:

http://www.monarchcomputer.com

They don't have that Biostar MB or any quite that cheap though. You can also check pricewatch and see if any of the sites there ship to CA.

[Shawk]

Hey, i found a good Canadian retail place, they got a different selection and was wondering is this a good deal?

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=669621&Sku=MBM-M7NCD-2400 Im pretty sure the Processor is a XP2400+ Thoroughbred ($106.99) And the Mobo is a Biostar - M7NCD - Socket A ATX Motherboard with Audio, AGP8X/4X, S/PDIF, IrDA, USB 2.0, CNR, WOL, and 10/100Mbps Ethernet LAN Support ($82.99) so at $172.99 i was thinking it was a pretty good deal for the package but Im not sure about the Thoroughbred because you guys told me they wern't good and they won't alow you to make a package with the Barton 2500+ so is it better to just buy a Barton 2500+ ($117.99) and the same Mobo ($82.99) seperate?
Will there be much of a difference with the Package with the Thoroughbred? because buying seperate and getting the packages is a big price difference.

And will it be compatible with a ATI Radeon 9600 128MB Video card?

Sorry for still going on and on with this i just really don't want to waste my money.

Oh, Btw the Prices are in CDN and are about the same as the prices on newegg.com

[NoSurrender]

thats a broken link

[Daleon]

Big price difference? It looks like $11 cdn price difference, so like 6 or 7 US? Thats not a big price difference and yes you want to pay it to get the Barton.

[Shawk]

I read somewhere that Bartons can't be Overclocked anymore because they could be overclocked to easy, is that true?

[Rbstr]

no not at all, the multipliers can be unlocked with a little DIY and then you can achive OCing wonders. unlike Intel that lockes them and doen't let you open them (except on rare engineering samples)

[NoSurrender]

Rbstr your incorrect. On bartons its tricky to unlock them BUT with a NForce2 Mobo you should be able to get some decent overclock. Hell, some when pulled in the motherboard are identified as 2800+ or 3000+