Considering to uppgrade my computer, need advice! :)

[Knas]

Hey looking for some nerd advice on uppgrading my computer, I use it solely for gaming purposes and I'm feeling after a few years, it's starting to drag behind a bit on the newer games. for example I can always max out shadow or reflections. Some games get FPS drop on larger scale stuff at high graphics. So I'm looking to uppgrade my computer a bit but I'm a bit clueless myself as to what part of it I should put my money in The computer is from the begining a HP package computer so I haven't put it together myself, below are the current specs:


System Manufacturer: HP-Pavilion
System Model: GB331AA-B1U d4894.se
BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 CPU          6700  @ 2.66GHz (2 CPUs), ~2.7GHz
Memory: 2046MB RAM
 Card name: NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTS


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Not sure if there are any other stats I should post for it, if there are please let me know and I will

OH also I'm on vista 32bit so I probably can't put in much more than another gig ram for that matter.

Thanks a lot for any replies x)

[Purist]

I dislike "System Manufacturers". Why don't you build your own computer?

[Knas]

Don't have the time to learn how it all works. I was looking around for help about it a while back but no one of my remotely 'close' acquaintances knew anything about it. And I'd rather be able to get some support from whoever is helping me out if it breaks down than trust the internet completely with things like these.  Next time I go for a brand new computer though I'll most likely be sure to take the time, but as for now I'm stuck with what I've got and can only afford to upgrade it

[failed.bard]

  You'll need to know the wattage of you power supply before you look to upgrade your graphics card.  HP (most companies, to be honest) is bad for putting one in barely large enough to run the installed components.
  Another gig of ram is a good start, but you'll need to know the exact type installed to prevent issues.  There are scores of types and speeds on the market these days.

  A better soundcard can also speed up your system slightly, as it'll probably take some of the load the main CPU handles now, if you're running off software acceleration with it.

[Purist]

It is not that difficult man.

You just need:

-Motherboard (normally comes with sound card and network integrated)
-Processor, plus the heatsink and fan.
-Hard Disk
-Video Card
-Memory sticks
-Power Supply Unit
-Case
-Peripherals. (mouse, screen, keyboard, printer)

If you're low in budget you can always use some of your current equipment, like the peripherals, case and HD. Until you manage buy these brand new. again. This is a very simplistic notion, but you can rely on this whenever you wish to "make it yourself".

How's your budget(short, high)? Depending on it, I'll list a reasonable suggestion about what I think would be a fair -cost vs performance-

[LawfulJoe]

Check EBAY, I got an excellent 2.8 Mhz Quad Core with 8 GB of Ram and a 1GB Video Card, 500 GB hard drive and a 3 year warantee. I had to get Vista 64 bit, but once I worked out the bugs, it runs pretty well. That was separate from the computer, but the Computer only cost $800. I had the monitor already.

If you want BIG Ram, you need to go Vista or Windows 7, XP just can't handle more than, I think, 3 GB of Ram.

[Purist]

4Gb I think.

[shadymerchant]

Pretty sure 32 bit windows only handles up to 3. It says 2 actually, but I think it recognized 3 when I had 4 sitting in it.

Anyhow, 2 GB's of ram is gonna have a tough time of keeping up with today's cutting edge. Putting a PC together is easy though, and fun. The only part that is difficult is plugging everything into the motherboard correctly. While it comes with directions, one wrong pin will often leave you scratching your head and wondering where the problem is. The budget you're buying on is also rather important. The system you listed would be a good deal for around 500 - 600, but the one LawfulJoe listed is considerably better for 800.

[LawfulJoe]

This is the season too for crazy deals. Gotta love Christmas commercialism.

[Knas]

Haha Don't get me wrong everyone, that's the computer I have right now, I'm just looking to uppgrade it. What's always puzzled me with putting my own computer together isn't plugging stuff in, I've been having computers for long enough now to know how that works. However to know what kind of stuff is compatible with each other. For instance I know I have 2 sticks of RAM in it atm, so if I'm gonna add another stick how will I be able to tell if it's possible for them to work together?

[Purist]

Get CPU-Z(freeware), it tells you your ram speed plus many more things about your computer, or visit your motherboard manufacturer website(not necessarily HP) or read it's manual. I bet you use DDR2 memory.