New computer or upgrade?

Lardalish

Ok, so I need a change with my computer. It's getting old and the newer games either can't be played (because Im still running win2k) or they are slow as hell. I may be decent at working with software, but Im totally lost when it comes to hardware, so hopefully you guys can help.

This is the system info that I know how to find, if you guys need other things then you'd have to tell me where to look

Windows 2000
version 5.00.2195
Service Pack 4

Intell Pentium 4 2.0 GHz
AT/AT compatable
785,424 KB RAM

80 gig HD

So yeah, kinda sparse, sorry bout that, as for upgrading I know I need to get at least XP if not Vista, but I've heard Vista can be a bitch. So, should I bother upgrading this some or would it be cheaper to just buy a new system?

Rook

New system. Give us your price range and what you want to do with it and we can sort something out.

BlochWave

Yah if you haven't upgraded in a while you'll probably need a new video card. So you'll need that, a new processor but you'll probably need a new motherboard for that, in which case you'll probably need a new case, and you'll need that new type of RAM etc.

So yah, just get a new system

Lardalish

Ok, if its a new system I'll be needing, then as of right now I only have about $300, but chances are I can swing it with my parents and get them to foot some of the bill. So I guess Im looking at 5-600? Something like that I think. And I dont need a top of the line machine, I dont mind turning down graphics on the top of the line games to play them (though it would be nice if I could afford it), but my machine can't run WoW without some problems.


Oh, and how do I chec what my graphics card is? I seem to remember my dad getting a new one for this computer when he gave it to me a couple years ago. As in, it might be worth keeping.

imperial6

Start > Run > dxdiag

You probably won't be keeping your graphics card.

Check out the budget upgrade path in the OP of the Twice and Future Computer Thread.

Lardalish

NVIDIA GeForce FX 5500

Approx. Total memory, 256mb



Also, yeah Ill go check that thread out, I thought it was computer problems not upgrade stuff so I didn't look. Sorry bout that.