Hmmm so i plan to upgrade my system...help?

HP Pavilion 764n

Intel Pentium 4 2.66 GHz
1 GB (SDRAM)
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition

Only upgrade Ive done is added another stick of 512mb RAM. Im not a huge computer guy so this is why im coming to you guys. Right now Im still running the stock 128mb GeForce MX440...which I hate. Its for sure not up to what I want it to look like. I have 400 dollars or so to spend on it, any ideas?

I'd say upgrade the graphic card to something w/ 256 memory or above. A good choice would be something w/ 512 memory.

Seeing as you've got 400 bucks to spend and a pretty decent computer as it is, a great new graphic card would most likely be one from GeForce.

For some further reference, check out www.newegg.com or www.zipsoomfly.com .

If you'd like some specific cards, just feel free to post your need here, and I'll see what I can come up w/ on your budget. To have something to go by, I'm curretly looking into a GeForce 7950 which, @ ~$270.00, is an EXCELLENT card JUST from the last generation, and pretty affordable. The new 8800s are overpriced and the power demand is akin to that provided by a Nuclear Power Plant.

Also, for this, I'd need your power supply wattage, to make sure these cards would work for you.

-Meta

What I would suggest:
If you're not buying a new system, and want to upgrade what you have, get the specs of your machine (go to HP's web site; it wouldnt do you any good to buy a PCI-E express card if your PC doesnt have the slot for it), and see what max specifications your PC can handle. Then use a site like www.tigerdirect.com to get a genereal idea on what the components you want to upgrade to will cost you...

Meta Physical: I saw the ATI X1600 Pro which is around 200 dollars or so local, 160 online...I have an AGP and 2 open PCI slots, the current vid card (GeForce MX440) is using the AGP slot. Im pretty sure its 4x as well. my power supply is a Bestec ATX-1956D Power Supply 200 Watts, which is the stock although i have a 450watt one I could use from another system. Also I was thinking about maybe getting a new case, the stock case seems TINY and hard to work in, any reccomendations?

I'm going to wager the PC doesn't have a PCI-Express slot.

Save the money, and build from scratch.

motherboard, RAM, GFX

That Northwood CPU you have should give you a bit more service. An upgrade of the PSU is strongly suggested, as the more you upgrade, the more juice you'll need. Concentrate on matching components for a rounded machine.

My suggestion for a case would be a full tower, they have at least 10 bays and are quite easy to work within. Concider this though, a full tower can reach heights of upwards of 22"-26" or more so some may noit be desktop friendly.Look at www.tigerdirect.com and www.newegg.com for several good choices. On to power supplies I always recommend one from either Antec or Enermax and no less than 420 wattsfor future upgadeability. The processor you have should be good for a few more years worth of work as they were very good to begin with. Plus the cooling requirements for a processor that has more speed than what you have now may bcause headacjhes in the future.

Mega Mouse

Will any motherboard fit in any case? If not, how do I tell what motherboard will fit which cases?

Most motherboards will fit in most standard ATX cases. Just don't get a MicroATX case if you're going to buy an ATX motherboard.

Browsing HP.com,... If this is the computer you're using, the specs show that you do have a 4xAGP slot that you can use to upgrade your video and get off the Intel Extreme Graphics it's using.

Unfortunately, I think the most advanced video card that was able to use a 4xAGP was like a Nvidia Geforce Ti4600, though my memory is bothering me and I'm thinking that the more advanced 4800SE and perhaps the 4800 were backwards compatible and would run on both a 4x or 8xAGP slot. Still, all these cards are seriously dated compared to what's available now, if it's within your means you should replace the system if you're intent on improving the graphics and get in on the newer cards that use PCIe.

Video Card Reference - Just the numbers.

yea, it has a 4x, I plan to upgrade to a new system ina year or so, until then Ill be saving up to have something overkill built, but for now, Id like to make this one the best I can with what I have...as far as the vid card, I was looking at this?

http://shop.ati.com/product.asp?sku=2826995

itll work with an AGP 4x...is it worth the cash or can 200 bucks be better spent on another card?

Nice find, only concern is the recommended power supply for that card is a 350watt. I'm betting they didn't put that powerful a power supply in your Pavillion, and I'll willing to bet that HP's power supplies are some non standard HP only fitted unit. You'll have to check that out for yourself.

Good luck!

You're correct my OEM was a 200watt, Ill be upgrading to a 450 watt (which I have access to right now) or something larger with a new case depending, as most cases ive looked at come with a 500 or 550watt. So the power isnt an issue.

I appreciate your time