New Computer.. Issues.

[A Leopard]

Hello!

I went up to see my family the other day, and came home with a computer they no longer needed. I need my own computer, so i was given one, Looked quickly at the stats, not too bad!.

1GB RAM
Dual Core.
Kind of crappy Radeon Graphics (Will go onto later)
MSI MS-7301 MoBo.

I've always known a bit about computers, but never about upgrading. I found a power cable, plugged it in, and got a long beep. Fiddled with the RAM, as i knew the tone from other computers, No Avail. Found my old computer, Changed the 1GB ram (DDR2) to a 512Mb (DDR2) and now no beep.

Of course, i wanted the 1gb ram, but, i also know i can upgrade to a 2gb, not too expensive neither.

I just wanted some help to upgrade this PC, As i thought it may be cheaper to get a decent computer free, and just buy fresh parts, rather than my 900 quid dream computer from dell.

Sorry for the essay, But im 13. I dont know LOADS about '240 Pins' and stuff like that, but i'm no techniphobe. Any advice for affordable yet sufficient parts? PS - UK, so no newegg.

 

[not so gray matter]

According to your motherboard specs, you can use both DDR2 400 and DDR2 533 speed memory.

Here's a couple good 2 x 1GB memory stick sets:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146569
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231044
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820144157

If you wanted to upgrade the processor, you could get any LGA775 processor:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...ption=&Ntk=&CFG=&SpeTabStoreType=&srchInDesc=

As far as a decent video card:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130535
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150369
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125310
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102874

Personally, I'd go with either the 9800 GT or the GTS 250 but thats just me.

 

[A Leopard]

I looked on Ebay, and saw a kingston 2gig card, for 39.95.. £, that is.

 

[not so gray matter]

You have to purchase memory that is DDR2 533 (PC2 4200). You cannot get 2GB sticks, those won't work in your computer. You have to purchase 2 x 1GB. There's a few sets that I linked to that are $50-60.

You could purchase a $50 set of Crucial Ram, and a $100 NVIDIA video card and you'd have an alright system. You should make sure that your power supply can handle the video card first though.

Also, check to see what your processor speed is. If it's below 2.0Ghz you could upgrade that as well. If you're not planning on running too many high end apps you can get away with a lower end Core2Duo that's got a 2MB cache.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116076

If you include the processor with the memory and video card you'll end up spending $220 dollars to beef up your system.

 

[A Leopard]

I dont think i'd need the new processer, Considering it's already Dual Core, and that seems to be fine for the games i play (FPS's, Sometimes RPGS). I'd definitely want to head down the Nvidia route, and the 9800 GT i was eyeing up, but needed conformation if i could handle.

Would this be able to handle a game like Company Of Heroes as an example.

So, My future PC would look like -

2x 1GB Kingston DDR2 533 sticks.
Nvidia 9800 GT 1GB
?