upgrading e-machines model 3220

[thecrock]

Upgrading e-machines 3220

I want to upgrade my pc shortly but know absolutely nothing bout the workings of a pc.

My computer is a couple of years old and i would like to maybe add some ram to the 512MB i have now and perhaps a faster processor, mine is intel celeron 2.80 ghz.

My motherboard is D845GVSR, i think, as the documentation that came with my machine is garbage. There is a note on the first page of my users guide saying: Depending on the model, your computer's components may vary and look slightly different than those pictured.(cheapskates).

I really want to be able to run Vista easily (when it has been tested a bit)and think my pc might be a bit slow with it, if i can run it at all! I am also getting interested in gaming on my pc so help with graphics cards would be welcome.

Looking forward to your replies.

Peace

[CobraPilot]

Computer upgrading is a little like going out to dinner: You've got LOTS of options, some cheap, some expensive, and some that may give you heartburn!

First thing you need to consider before making a MAJOR upgrade: If I completely screw it up and fry my computer, how sick will I be? Do I have a replacement/backup PC with all my critical stuff on it, if I need access to the "stuff" fast?

You evidently have a fairly fast CPU (faster than anything I've got by 1 ghz!) and 512 mb of RAM. The various specs I've read about the new Vista requirements (and Micro$oft ALWAYS grossly underreports the "real" minimum in its official pronouncements) indicates 1 gb of memory is HIGHLY recommended.

That coincides nicely with everything I've read about speeding up a computer: The SINGLE most cost-effective step you can take is to add memory, and it's usually the simplest upgrade you can make.

Note: Some OS's don't know what to do with memory much above 512mb (Win 9x, especially), but XP will take all you can install, as far as I can tell.

Been there, done that department: There's nothing quite like doing a major upgrade (such as replacing the motherboard), checking and doublechecking everything many times, saying a little prayer, and turning on the "new" computer and have it . . . . do NOTHING.

I had that "pleasure" one time . . . . even the so-called gurus at a PC repair shop couldn't troubleshoot the problem. When I decided to give up and replace that "new" motherboard with a "newer" one, I spotted the problem: A couple of the wires that make contact with the memory chip pins were bent, the computer couldn't access the memory, and wouldn't boot. No one (including me) had thought of checking that. It was basically a no-cost repair, although the repair shop probably wouldn't have refunded my diagnostic charge had I brought to to their attention!

Vista will also require a VERY powerful video card to take advantage of all the bells and whistles of the new interface. However, that might be no more complicated than buying another such card, removing the one in your eMachines (or disabling it if it's a built-in), installing the new one, installing the appropriate drivers, and be ready to rock 'n roll!

Soooo, bottom line after a long-winded discourse: I'd update to 1 gb of RAM and see if I like the increase in speed (probably noticeable only if you run several programs at once). If that "first-step upgrade" went okay, I'd read up on how to upgrade a graphics/video card, research what the "real" speed/ram will be needed on such a card for Vista, and watch for a deal.

Good luck!

Edit: Greymalkin's response just below delves well into deeper considerations, such as your having limitations on your options for a faster graphics/video adapter!

[greymalkin]

Make sure you turn off and unplug your pc before doing any of these steps below.

According to your post this is your motherboard. The first thing you will want to do is crack it open and see if you have both memory slots used up by the memory. The memory slots are those 2 black ones with white clips at both ends. It's possible that you have 2 256mb sticks rather than a single 512. If this is the case then you'll have to remove at least one to add more to it..then you'll have 256 + whatever you add. Otherwise if you just have a 512, you could buy another 512 and stick it in the second slot. This is DDR ram but we don't know what the speed is on it as of yet. You will need to probably pull out the memory stick and look at the writing on it. It should tell you whether it's DDR266/333/400..etc. It may also say PC1600/2700/3200..etc. These are 2 different ways of saying the same thing. Anyways...once you know the spec's of your memory (ex. DDR400) you can buy it at any online pc retailer

As far as the processor goes, it supports "an Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor in an mPGA478 socket with a 400/533 MHz system bus". You can get the 2.8ghz p4 but it costs a little over $100 right now. Then you'll want a good heatsink/fan on top of that which will set you back another $25+

As for the video card, I'm afraid your board only has PCI slots (the 3 white slots on the motherboard pictured above). This is 2 formats behind the current PCI-E so it is not the best suited for the newer games.

You may be better off selling your existing pc and applying that money towards a better computer...in the end you will have spent less or the same amount, but gotten a much better overall pc.

If you are interested in knowing about the basic parts of the computer and how they work I have a manual I made for a technical writing class that covers these things.

[MJA]

save your money and keep the PC u are using now for internet,and stuff like that.if you know how to build a pc go for it . you can build a nice pc for less than $400


by the way. AMD AM2 CPU's and motherboards are out now

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?DEPA=0&type=&Description=Socket+AM2&Subm...o.x=15&Go.y=28

[ROF]

I really wouldn't bother upgrading your current PC. It won't achieve any significant results that would justify your expense. What I would do is either use some of your parts and build a new machine or sell this PC and buy a new one.