Some New Stuff (I need help!)

Ok first off I am running a dell >
3.4Ghz,3.4Ghz Intel Pentium 4 Processor
1.5 Gb of ram
Nvidia Geforce 6800
SoundMax Digital Audio Integrated

Now heres the thing I can't tell if I got a pci express or just plain old agp, When I go to device manager and go to system and go under system device category I only see pci express no agp, it says pci express root port 2660,2662.

Question 1: How do I tell if I have PCI Express?
Question 2: How do I tell what mother board I have?
Question 3: When should I buy vista and reformat my whole computer (Tons and tons of genuine problems just want to buy a new OS and format everything!)
Question 4: Whats a good Graphics card now but is much beter than mine.
Question 5: Wheres the cheapest good stick of 1gb ram I can buy?
Question 6: Is my processor dual core? (It doesn't say anywhere at all and I have never ever seen even when I am buying my computer dual core.)
Question 7: My computer gets very very very hot how can I cool it down better?


I AM TAKING MY PC TO A SHOP SO THEY CAN ADD ALL MY STUFF AND CLEAN MY COMPUTER AND EVERYTHING.

Thanks A Bunch its about time this computer gets a goooooood cleanin!

Yeah you better cry.... LOL .. I build computers for a living so if you want we can chat and I'll build you a bitchin machine that will blow your socks off. Plus it will cost less then that DELL>......

send me a message ..

www.newegg.com. lovely place
wait to buy vista. iv head lots of reports thats its very unstable, so let em work out the bugs first
get atleast 2 gig ram if u intend to run vista. 1gig is the min req for their "fansy" settings, but vista uses about 512 ram just idleing

You can't buy vista, it's currently in beta and i don't suggest you trying to get a copy.

To get a full audit of your system go to Belarc Advisor

It's a free program that's a quick download and runs through your web browser, it will tell you pretty much all the specs of your PC along with software, hotfixes, ms updates, pretty much the lot.

For your cooling I would suggest taking a look at a few options available.

1 - Hard Drive cooler caddy. Sits next to your HD and is effectively another fan.

2 - Change your heat sink and fan to a Zalman Flower Cooler, it's a big copper fan like heat sink with a bracket mounted fan above it, keeps my pc icy cool.

3 - Take a look at your case and where it's situated, if it's stuck in a corner unit of your computer desk then the airflow is likely to be pretty bad.

4 - Look inside your pc and see how tidy it is, if there are cables everywhere it's likely that the air flow inside your pc is shambolic, tidy up with some cable ties and keep as much clear area as possible, this may improve your temps.

1. No, Dell did not offer PCIe until the LGA-775 processor.
2. Does not matter, it is propriatary Dell.
3. That is up to you. But you always want to ripe and reload for a new OS. Do not trust "Upgrades".
4. Not much is better then the one you have, is about the best you can get for AGP.
5. It depends on what RAM you have now. Go to a local store, and they should be able to "Match" what you have now. Normally, 1 gig is around $75.
6. No. The P4 is single core. Dual Core is the Pentium-D (LGA-775).
7. Not a heck of a lot. The case is the biggest problem. Dell cases are notorious for having super-poor quality cooling. As somebody said earlier, replace the stock CPU cooler (it is only a heatsink - no fan) with a good-quality after-market one. However, since Dell does not use the standard P-4 bracket, you will have to remove the motherboard and attack a standard P4 bracket first. Also remove the stupid green duct and put the highest RPM fan you can get into the back of the case.

Thanks a bunch everyone especially mushroom. Is there anyway I can get a pci express bus on my computer or will I need to get a totally new mother board?

Edit: I need help building a new computer totally by scratch but hopefully using some of my parts