Looking For Upgrade Kits For Old PC

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photoman

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#34522 25-May-2009 16:54

I have an old PC that has been sitting gathering dust, and I was going to upgrade it for my kids to use (internet usage and games). I've upgraded it over time, so basically all I need at the moment is new motherboard, CPU and memory. Can anyone recommend any sites that sell upgrade bundles? I've gone into PriceSpy and just checked out a dozen or so sites, and have managed to come across that has does bundles. If anyone can help narrow the search for me, it would help. It will only be used for playing kids games on the internet and a few basic games I have lying around, so no need for super-duper processors. I also want to try and keep it cheap.

One other thing. Any site that would give me a CPU comparison?

tonyhughes

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#217764 25-May-2009 17:48

What specs do you have and what games do you want? Might be cheaper, easier, and quicker to buy an ex-lease machine on trademe. Or someones cast-off P4 3.0GHz, and stick a decent old graphics card and 2GB RAM in it.

Ragnor

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#217806 25-May-2009 20:19

Can''t really give you any reasonable advice without more detail...

What is the maximum you want to spend?
What is the current case, what size motherboards will it fit?
What make/model and wattage is the PSU?

photoman

217 posts

Master Geek

#217876 26-May-2009 00:34

Old PC is a Gateway G6-450 - PIII 450MHz with 768MB RAM. Monitor is a 19" Sony rebranded with a 1600x1200 resolution. It has a couple of 120GB drives and a DVD writer. It's a full tower case and can accomodate a full sized motherboard (in fact you could probably put my current PC inside it) and built like a tank. Would need to check PSU, but it's at least 200W.

The games are things like Spongebob Monopoly, Scrabble, Shrek and painting games. Online games are the likes of the Disney channel, etc.

So far as cost is concerned, I was thinking around $400-$500 for motherboard, CPU and memory.

http://www.computerlounge.co.nz/ have a combo builder which eliminates the hassles of ensuring everything works together. I just have to decide on how much to spend on each area.

richms

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#217881 26-May-2009 02:11

Ok, so you also need a new PSU since that one will not have the needed connectors, new harddrives since they will be PATA and thats at best a single channel on new boards. The case may need modification to take more fans so it doesnt cook since they didnt have the cooling issues of back then.

I would get an upgrade box from somewhere - xpcomputers do several when I last looked. Transfer your XP license over (questionable legality but who cares really) and away you go.

Then trasnfer ownership of the old case/computer to the side of the road.

Richard rich.ms

Ragnor

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#218171 26-May-2009 23:18

It's really not desirable / possible / worthwhile to reuse anything from your old pc apart from the the monitor. it's simply too old.

You know I'd be tempted to look at netbooks. Acer Aspire One's are going for $500-600ish thesedays the portability is nice.

http://www.pricespy.co.nz/pno_14551.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5E7cIQDUwc

.. but yeah xpcomputers have a couple of cheep upgrade boxes around your budget (note :their listed prices are ex gst)

http://www.xpcomputers.co.nz/views.asp?hw_id=5221
http://www.xpcomputers.co.nz/views.asp?hw_id=5542

Regs

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Snowflake

#218177 26-May-2009 23:36

QMB Computers also sell ex-lease computers for around $200 which is probably cheaper and more cost effective than upgrading your old box...

http://qmb.co.nz/pk.aspx?354&c=Package

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photoman

217 posts

Master Geek

#218259 27-May-2009 10:44

Thanks. I give those sites a check and check out other upgrade sites.