Upgrading advice....

I have this computer:
http://reviews.cnet.com/desktops/hp-...-32103840.html

I've already installed a 550 watt powersupply and a 7600 gs.

I want to add these:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814127329 (to replace the 7600)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115037
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231098

But before I spend the money, I thought I'd get everyone's opinion and see if anyone thinks something else would be better. I'm planning on getting four gigs of ram (for a possible upgrade to ultimate later on).

Are you sure your board can handle 45nm? I don't see anything on HP's site that indicates that it does.

Well... after poking around some, I think it WOULD support the 45nm, BUT I'm not sure that it can handle the 1333mhz FSB. I'm glad you thought of that, cause I didn't even look into that. Regardless, I'm not gonna spend a bunch of money on something I'm not sure about.

The graphics card is a really crappy one. The ram is ok but the processor is AWESOME I have the E8200 and the E8400 they are both 2 of the best processors out. But yea you should check to see if ure motherboard can handle that much of an upgrade. Because win XP only supports up to 3Gigs of ram and ure motherboard may not be able to handle over 2 as well as the graphics card. But just as a suggestion I would suggest getting the card that I have. Its the best out unless u want to go into spending thousands for a card. But its the EVGA e-Geforce 8800 GTS SSC Edition. Its HDCP Capatable DX10 Ready as well as PCI-E and the best part is that its a 640MB DDR3 Its SLI ready and the graphics are by nvidia. Enjoy...

After a little more digging, I've found out that my motherboard won't support much of an upgrade on my processor, and I'm pretty much stuck with what I have. So will upgrading Ram/Video card really be that much an improvement if I'm stuck with the same processor?

I'd expect a lot of improvement going from 7600GT to 8800GT, even with the E6300 processor. Adding RAM isn't critical, but since it is so cheap nowadays, why not...

Yes, you'll get a noticeable improvement with that 8800. Upgrade to 4GB will give a lesser improvement (3-and-a-bit - you know the score ). That's about it, though. End of upgrade path.

Work out how much those upgrades are going to cost, look at the cost of a new system, subtract a from b and calculate how long it will take to save up.

Good system now, or save up and get kick-ass later.

LOL! I had that exact same computer, with the same upgraded power supply. haha. Anyways, you're right about the processor, the mobo doesn't support 1333FSB, I know cuz i spent awhile looking around and found that it didn't support it. I also don't think it supports 45nm either, but don't take my word for it, so I suggest getting something that's 65nm and 1066FSB. I have no idea if it supports quad core processors. I would personally get the e6600, which is the best LGA 775 that's a 65nm dual core and 1066FSB(I think) As for the video card, if you're willing to spend $175 on a card, I'd wait 2 weeks til the 4xxx series comes out. I personally was going to get the 8800gt or 3870 until I heard about the 4850, which is supposed to be on par or better than the 9800gtx for $190-$230. So that's that for the video. As for the RAM, it's fine, but I'd invest more money into getting a better video card or processor instead. If i remember correctly, my old computer had media center 32bit installed, with 2gigs already in it.

EDIT: Why don't you just buy a new mobo and vid card for now? I just now thought of that, haha. This is assuming you know how to change out the mobo. Btw, if you want the specs of your mobo, here they are if you haven't seen the site yet:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...d uct=3262025

if you have a HP computer, expect to get stuck with upgrading.
i'd suggest getting a new mobo as well.

^^ by the time I've added a new motherboard, I might as well have just built a whole new computer. I can splurge for Ram and a vid card now, but following Snograt's advice, I think I'm gonna hold off and start laying out plans to build a new computer from the ground up.

*Edit* I'm not so sure that I can replace the motherboard anyway. Seems like I was reading that HP designs their cases so that you can't upgrade easily/at all. I've really learned alot with this computer, but I will never never buy something from a big comp company again.

that's true. HP cases are designed so that the motherboard is wedged very tightly with other components. looking into my HP case, to remove the motherboard, i have to first remove the powersupply and drive bays, just to get enough room to maneuver the motherboard out. i have no idea if there's anything else that i need to watch out for.

Wow, somebody following my advice oO

*faints*

Heh, when you do upgrade, we expect pictures, Snipe

That's a good idea, just save up for a new comp. But, dunno, I just received some info that by the beginning of next year the new Nehalem sockets will be the standard, and replacing the LGA775. I can't confirm this information yet, but if this is true, I'm not quite sure I'd upgrade right now.

He's not buying a new CPU though. The 8800GT would still work, but the RAM probably won't.

Yes, but since he said he'll be making plans I meant he should hold off for a year, if my info is correct. Also, I think the RAM would work, since THIS is the exact motherboard he's got.

I meant on Nehalem. That'd use DDR3.

I stand corrected

The 8800gt is far better than the old series gts's. There is more to a card than the amount of ram, and this uses the newer g92 gpu. Hell, you can pick up a 9600gt or 3870 for 130$ and it will beat the old 8800gts 640mb.

To the op: Just spend 90$ on a ga-p35-ds3l, it will have everything you need.

the 8800 will not wont, the CPU will not work, the ram will work. for that card u will need taht cpu, run it witht he cpu u have now and youll have bottle necking, not only that but 550W is not good enough, especiall if you plan on that CPU with that 8800, which you cannot not do anyhow

it will support 45nm, if they were 800fsb........ the size of the cpu does not matter, it is still in the heatsink which is the same size of even a 90nm...

IMO, do not waste your money. get a new board, new cpu, new gpu and psu. keep the hdd if ud like, u can even temporarily run that ram.

Are you sure? I had read that the 8800 GT's didn't require as much power as the earlier versions of the 8800 line.

I'm well aware that my CPU will be the bottleneck. But the 7600 GS is a really poor card, and it's the weakest part of my setup.

And to reiterate, replacing the board for this computer is not an option. Even if the HP case let me change MB's by the time I replace everything but the case, I might as well and spring for another case as well.

550W is plenty for that system. I wouldn't worry about it. The system will probably need only 300W or so running at 100%. Even the "requirements" for the card are like 400-450W and probably 30A(?) for the +12 rail. Those assume a whole system, not just the video card. The PSU is rated at 42A... nowhere close to the limit.

i really would not run that power supply, id use atleast a 650W. but then again, i like my systems to work without me worrying whether it is going to crash or not. it might just run on 550, i wouldnt doubt it, but a psu that says 550 doesnt mean it is 550, it could be rounded up from another number. 500 still may even be well enough, and you are not overclocking. the psu you have now might be fair enough. i just would upgrade if i had the chance too.


nvm

with his setup he needs only 403-420W

You're just wasting power and money. The GeForce 8800 GT has a minimum recommended PSU of 400 Watt, so the 550 Watt is still pretty much overkill.