Help a guy out here

[I Hate Pants]

Alright I think i've asked these questinos before. But I wanna make sure I know what im doing.

Firt off will I see a noticable fps increase in PS if I upgrade my ram from 512 to 768?

Secondly on the side of my computer it says this:
"256mb SyncDRAM Total System Memory
Upgradeable to 512mb"

Does this mean: (a) I can only have a max of 512mb of ram in my computer or (b) both of the slots my ram goes into (i have 2 slots for ram on my MoBo) each be upgraded to 512mb, therefore allowing me to have a max of 1024mb of ram?

And lastly I have currently a 1.2 Celeron processor. If I upgrade to a Pentium 4, will I see an fps increase?

Keep in mind I want to run PS on the highest graphic setting as possible with minimal lagging.

[Sentrosi]

Sounds like you have an eMachine special or another vendor's PC.

1) Chances are, the maximum ram you're going to have in there is 512MB

2) Your RAM is SDRAM, not DDR.

3) Upgrading to a P4 will require you to get a new mobo. Your graphics are probably on-board as well.

Assuming all these are correct, there's only one solution for you.

Dump your old PC and build a nice one. This can be done for under $700.

[I Hate Pants]

Actually I have a compaq. I'll die before I buy an e-machine.

Yes im aware i need a new MoBo. Any sugestions on a decent one? something between $150-$200?

Im concidering buying parts for a new comp and having my friend slap it together. Although I wanna keep my ATI RAEDON 9000 128mb graphic card, my 2 sticks of 256ram, and my 40 GB UltraDMA Hard Drive.

Here's what I want:
stick of 256mb of ram SDRAM (so I can have 768)
sound card (audigy 2)
new MoBo (with 3 ram slots and able to handle a good processor)
new processor ( pentium 4 2.6ghz)

Whats an estimate price on this? Im Canadian so things are a little more exspensive here than they are in the states.

Will I see better overall performance in PS with these upgrades?

[Spee]

Originally Posted by Sentrosi

Sounds like you have an eMachine special or another vendor's PC.

Nothing wro-...Damn it. Goddamn eMachine.


I've determined that no amount of pimping done with keeping the original mobo shall make it 1337...


/Me punches eMachines in the face.

[Sentrosi]

No, there is a way to make an eMachine 1337.

Use it as target practice.

[I Hate Pants]

Alright e-machines are bad. I don't have one. But please I NEED ANSWERS!!!!!!!!!!

[Spee]

Originally Posted by Sentrosi

No, there is a way to make an eMachine 1337.

Use it as target practice.

Firearms are for wusses. Give me my sword any day.

[I Hate Pants]

Alright! Here is what I have decided to get and keep:

40 GB UltraDMA Hard Drive (keeping)
ati raedon 9000 128mb (keeping)
512 DDR ram (buying)
Asus P4P 800s (buying)
Pentium 4 2.6Ghz (buying)

What do you guys think? Good? Will I see better performance on PS? I will get 768mb of ram when I have the money.

Im kicking myself for having bought that 256mb stick of SDRAM. I guess i'll give it to my parents computer. Seeing how they refuse to buy a new computer or even upgrade.

[Ait'al]

The top of the line boards are only 190$ 8)

Miss the old days Could by a tandy 3100 and start it with oversized 4 MB ram. Keep it for 8 years and then get a new when the max 64MB wasnt enough and couldnt get ISA slot cards anymore. 8)

They made a computer that could go up to 14 times the size you needed when it was way more than you needed at teh time you bought it!

[Daleon]

Hope your also looking for a new case/ps. As there is little to no chance of it fitting into a compaq case. You will still be a little under powered on ram for PS. It gives you a good starting point for easy upgrades later on.