Getting New Parts

[Twiggy]

I have a computer that i bought from best buy and it came with 1GB of ram and a 1.6GHZ Pentium Dual Core Processor. It is the Compaq Presario SR5254X pc. What so you guys think of these upgrades that im planning on getting soon:

Intel Pentium E2200 Allendale 2.2GHz 1MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116063

A-DATA 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820211066

EVGA 512-P3-N801-AR GeForce 8800GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 HDCP Ready SLI
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130318

APEVIA ATX-CW500WP4 ATX 500W Power Supply 115/ 230 V UL, CSA, TUV, CE
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817148027

[Grunt 70]

I'm still running a skt 939 AMD 4800+ dual core so I'm not so up on the E2200...I have seen lots of hype on the C2D chips and if I was doing a new build now I might go for one of those 6850 chips...


It strikes me that for not too much more money you could add a case, a hard drive an OS and some other peripherals and come up with a better, second computer.

Stick with a name brand power supply. The extra money spent is well worth it.

[Bamboo]

First of you are going to want to spend a good while making sure your computer can handle those upgrades, as many store bought computers won't let you change out things like the power supply. Make sure also your motherboard will allow 2 gigs of memory.
Just google your computer model, and you will find lots of threads like this one:
http://www.gamespot.com/forums/show_...ic_id=26103942
So you know you have a 16X PCI-E slot, which means your 8800GT will at least fit.
(Look at the link a little ways down: http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...623519&lang=en)

It does say that it is rated up to PC2-5300 MB/sec, which means the memory you picked probably won't work (very slim chance it might, but doubt it.)

Should get some memeory from this page instead:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...+667+(PC2+5300)
Still have some good choices, though not as many rebates as it doesnt' sell as good.

I would vote no on the power supply. Like I said make sure you can replace the one you have, and then pick the best one you can afford. Not one that is $20, though. Spend $20 now and fight with your computer cause it crashes constantly or dies after a few months and have to buy a new PSU, or just spend the money now and get a good name brand one.
I just posted this list and someone was nice enough to make it a sticky:
http://www.tacticalgamer.com/hardwar...t-psu-buy.html
Not saying buy a $100 one, but not a $20 no name either. Something good from Antec or another name brand after rebates should last you for the life of the computer and not be but around $50.

Let us know if you need any more help or have any other questions and I am sure someone will be glad to answer, like more details on a PSU or which memory.

Also, do you know how to play around in your BIOS? You are going to have to if you want to put in that card to turn the integrated graf. off.
May also want to consider a sound card in the future to take a little pressure off of the CPU, but that is just something for later.

[Twiggy]

What about this PSU

Antec Earthwatts EA500 ATX12V v2.0 500W Power Supply 100 - 240 V UL, CUL, FCC, TUV, CE, CB, C-tick, CCC
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371007

This is in the PSU list at the bottom

[Bamboo]

Much better!
It is > 80% efficency and has 4 SATA connectors and 2 PCI-E connector.
I know it costs more, but will be well worth it.

[Acreo Aeneas]

You could also go for a FSP (Fortron Source)/SPI/Sparkle PSU. They make some good stuff and is usually lower in price than Antecs are.

[machowner]

thats not bad, 50 after the mail-in rebate.