Need to upgrade my graphics card or motherboard, any suggestions?

[Androider86]

Hi guys, I am new to this forum although it has helped me a lot over the last few years I just haven't registered until now. Please can someone help me with a few questions on how to upgrade or completely upgrade my Desktop PC.

I have a E-System Ei207 and want to upgrade so that I can play sort of modern games, I have a bit of knowledge about computers but the hardware side is something I'm trying to learn.

Here are my specs and I may get some wrong but I can't tell the difference between CPU, GPU, Motherboard etc.

Operating system: Windows 7 Ultimate x86
Installed memory RAM: 2.00GB 2x1GB DDR2
CPU: Intel Celeron 430 @1.80GHz
Motherboard: Foxconn 45GM/45CM
Chipset: i945G
GPU: Intel 82852/82855 GM/GME Memory 256MBytes

I am just curious as to what I can upgrade to, can I just buy a top of the range motherboard and install it? Thanks for your help, it's much appreciated.

 

[archer]

Hi Androider86, Welcome to Sevenforums.

I am sure you will get the best suggestion here for the upgrade you are looking for.
first of all, tell us what is your budget? If you want to buy a top range motherboard, you can. But, if you are planning to install the same CPU that you currently have, it won't work. You need to but a good CPU with that as well.

If you are planning to buy PC for gaming. Then I will suggest you to have good motherboard, CPU, GPU, 8 GB RAM, a good cabinet to put all these in and most important a good power supply to give enough power to all these components.

But, we can suggest the hardware once you give us your budget.

 

[RoasterMen]

Hi guys, I am new to this forum although it has helped me a lot over the

Operating system: Windows 7 Ultimate x86
Installed memory RAM: 2.00GB 2x1GB DDR2
CPU: Intel Celeron 430 @1.80GHz
Motherboard: Foxconn 45GM/45CM
Chipset: i945G
GPU: Intel 82852/82855 GM/GME Memory 256MBytes

Seems like you need to upgrade anything except for your hard drive. In my opinion, i'd go for a new compute.r

 

[Androider86]

Thank you Archer, my budget would be between £100 and £300. Thanks for the reply, I'd love to hear any suggestions. I'm willing to change anything to make it better performing. And thank you Roasterman but I want to learn how to upgrade a computer, I appreciate your suggestion though

 

[Androider86]

Can you replace a motherboard with ANY motherboard?

 

[pjhutch]

No, the new motherboard has to fit the case and the ports at the back also have to fit as well.
There are different 'types' of board and some are custom which may not be easily replaced. Do some research on your current setup and see what m/b's will fit your case and the mount points.

 

[crankypenguin]

I am sorry, but I am going to have to agree. I think it's time for a new computer. It does not have to be top of the line or even mid range, but something to get you up to date with the current hardware expectations, that software places upon our machines. I know it's not the answer you wanted, but I am just being honest. But you can always use the old computer for other things, like a DYI router, or small home server..lots of things can be done with a spare computer.

 

[paulpicks21]

Can you replace a motherboard with ANY motherboard?

Following on from what pjhutch said,

There are many sizes of motherboards, the most common are ATX and MATX. Which of these you need depends on your case.

But that is only a small part of it, you need the correct socket type for your CPU.


I have to agree with everyone else, not trying to be rude, but your hardware is very old and if you put a current gen GPU in it the rest of the system would bottleneck the performance of it quite badly.

If I was you I would save up or if you fancy building one yourself start buying parts bit by bit as you can afford them. You should be able to get a reasonable CPU/Mobo/Ram and Case for around £300, you will also need a decent branded PSU. You could use the onboard graphics on the new CPU such as the i7 4670K (which would be 100s of times better than you are used to) while you save for a nice GPU.

Paul.

 

[Androider86]

Thank you all guys, none of you are being rude. I sincerely appreciate your time and suggestions. I will buy a new computer and save up a few hundred bucks. I can't wait to have a PC that actually is faster than my smartphone lol thanks again guys, I can not wait. Feel like a kid at Christmas