Upgrading advice please

BT2K4 · 8 Aug 2011 at 12:38

Hello OCs, need some advice upgrading my PC.

It is used mainly for working from home, and playing games like Football Manager once in a while.

The current specs are as follows:

Code:

Computer
Model : HP HP Compaq dx2250 Microtower

Processor
Model : AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 5000+
Speed : 2.6GHz
Cores per Processor : 2 Unit(s)
Threads per Core : 1 Unit(s)
Type : Dual-Core
Integrated Data Cache : 2x 64kB, Synchronous, Write-Back, 2-way, Exclusive, 64 byte line size
L2 On-board Cache : 2x 512kB, ECC, Synchronous, Write-Back, 16-way, Exclusive, 64 byte line size

Computer
Platform Compliance : AMD LIVE!
Mainboard : MSI 0A7C
BIOS : Phoenix Technologies, LTD MS7297 1.08 08/22/2007
Bus(es) : X-Bus PCI PCIe IMB USB i2c/SMBus
Multi-Processor (MP) Support : No
Multi-Processor Advanced PIC (APIC) : Yes
Total Memory : 1.88GB DIMM DDR2

Chipset
Model : MSI RS480 Host Bridge
Front Side Bus Speed : 1x 199MHz (199MHz)
Channels : 1
Memory Bus Speed : 2x 100MHz (200MHz)

Chipset
Model : AMD Athlon 64 / Opteron HT Hub
Front Side Bus Speed : 2x 796MHz (1.6GHz)
Total Memory : 2GB DIMM DDR2
Channels : 2
Memory Bus Speed : 2x 324MHz (648MHz)

Memory Module(s)
Memory Module : Ramaxel RML1320EG38D7W-667 1GB DIMM DDR2 PC2-5300U DDR2-666 (5-5-5-15 3-20-5-3)
Memory Module : Ramaxel RML1320EG38D7W-667 1GB DIMM DDR2 PC2-5300U DDR2-666 (5-5-5-15 3-20-5-3)

Video System
Video Adapter : ATI Radeon Xpress 1150 (PS2.0, VS2.0, 128MB, PCI)

Graphics Processor

Now from what I gather, there is no chance these boards taking a decend CPU like the i3 or the AMD Phenom, therefore I'll have to buy a new motherboard, add to that some RAM and a decent PSU.

I'm assuming the microtower case will be okay to host the new MB?

What I'm after is a decent CPU + Motherboard + RAM + PSU (and a case if mine is not good enough). Don't need any Hard drives, DVD roms, OS etc.

Would I be able to upgrade this thing on a tight budget of about £200-£250, or am I just better off saving for a new PC?

Thanks

EDIT: I have a new ATI Radeon™ HD 5670 card that I would install in the new upgrade.

BT2K4 · 8 Aug 2011 at 12:43

Wow, that was fast

All my HDs and ROM are SATA.

BT2K4 · 8 Aug 2011 at 12:46

No idea about the case, found a link if that might help:

http://h18000.www1.hp.com/products/quickspecs/12605_div/12605_div.HTML

As for the PSU, it is some 250 watt one.

BT2K4 · 8 Aug 2011 at 12:48

stulid said:
Do you have a graphics card? what is it? and is it a PCI-E or AGP interface?

I have a new Sapphire HD 5670 512MB GDDR5 PCIE Graphics Card which I wish to install in the new setup.

BT2K4 · 8 Aug 2011 at 12:50

Brilliant! That will do nicely.

Thanks a lot stulid

BT2K4 · 8 Aug 2011 at 12:56

Cleeecooo said:
dammit! Go with Stulid's selection

Last question, is the built above good enough for games like Football Manager etc? I'm not into very graphic intensive gaming.

Sorry if thats a silly question

BT2K4 · 8 Aug 2011 at 12:59

stulid said:
Remember you will have to do a complete re-install of windows on the harddrive, moving it over and hoping it will boot is just asking for trouble as you have changed the heart of the PC, the drivers will be all wrong etc.

Good God yes, its capable of so much more with the 5670 installed.

Thanks, will order the parts in the afternoon

BT2K4 · 8 Aug 2011 at 15:28

Cleeecooo, I own a copy of Win 7 Retail so that shouldn't be a problem

stulid, While browsing around I had a look at AMD Llano A8-3850, does the Intel i3 build you suggested have any advantages/drawbacks compared to a Llano build?

Sorry to be a pain

BT2K4 · 8 Aug 2011 at 15:36

Alright I see.

Thanks again mate