CPU Building I need help i know nothing at all about computers!

[Amanda_23]

Hey, my Husband I are creating a webseries, It's a Let's Play Webseries for a Video Game Channel on YT! I had a bet with my Husband Travis, That i could make a computer by myself (Well i consider this kinda by myself) So i have this really ancient computer I got from my Father's Attic! I need it to be able to record easily without lagging and all of that in the games we play like Diablo III, TC2 Beta, WoW, and Amnesia. Also i need to have this computer actually be able to run the games listed above! Um these are all the computer terms i know soooo....
The hardrive is 500g i believe
The Graphics card is a Radeon X1300/X1500 Series (I had to google how to find that out :/)
The Processor is a AMD Athlon(tm) 64 Processor 3500+
With 2.0 G of Ram
That's all i know of computery stuff. Also, i would love if this was all very cost affordable so it looks as if i didnt just go out and buy a new computer and instead it looks like i actually refurbished a computer all by myself so i can rub it in his face. Please let me know!
I know its mainly going to be a new processor and a new graphics card i think... at least.

 

[unksol]

We need to know the motherboard model. if its an AM2+ board you MIGHT be able to do something with it. If its an AM2 socket you're pretty much going to have to start from scratch.

Also need to know the PSU(power supply) model to see if it can handle new parts

 

[Amanda_23]

We need to know the motherboard model. if its an AM2+ board you MIGHT be able to do something with it. If its an AM2 socket you're pretty much going to have to start from scratch.

Also need to know the PSU(power supply) model to see if it can handle new parts

Ok! How do i find out what motherboard model i have? and PSU?

 

[mocchan]

Something like CPU-Z will do great for finding out what motherboard you have.

Also, open your computer case and there should be some stickers on your power supply. Branding, wattage, and amperage ratings!

 

[mcnumpty23]

think its actually going to be a socket 939 motherboard

can you run cpuz to get the model--under the motherboard section

http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html

its probably a 2ghz single core athlon

and may be an agp graphics card

chances are you cant upgrade it too much especially if its agp not pci-e

probably only to a dual core cpu about 2.2ghz to 2.4ghz

and something like a nvidia 6800 if its agp

 

[unksol]

Also have a look at the info in this link. Number 4 is a step by step guide to building a PC so you can take a look and see if you're up to it. Its really pretty easy once you have the parts.

www.tomshardware.com/forum/288241-31-buyer-guides-troubleshooting-tips

 

[mocchan]

Also have a look at the info in this link. Number 4 is a step by step guide to building a PC so you can take a look and see if you're up to it. Its really pretty easy once you have the parts.

www.tomshardware.com/forum/288241-31-buyer-guides-troubleshooting-tips

I like to refer to building computers as "Adult Legos" :lol: then again...Legos are fun at any age

 

[Amanda_23]

Well my computer is a Compaq Presario 061 if that helps with anything haha :/ Im sorry if im not much help!

 

[DJDeCiBeL]

Is this it? http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/product?cc=us&dlc=en&lang=en&lc=en&os=228&product=3239113&

 

[Amanda_23]

I like to refer to building computers as "Adult Legos" :lol: then again...Legos are fun at any age

I was never very good at legos

 

[DJDeCiBeL]

If the system I posted above IS it, you're actually almost maxed out on the CPU. Socket AM2 up Athlon 64 3800+.

 

[Amanda_23]

Is this it? http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/product?cc=us&dlc=en&lang=en&lc=en&os=228&product=3239113&

That looks just like the one im using but the one im using has a bunch of USB slots in the middle below the disc tray.
Im so hopeless. Im sorry!

 

[mcnumpty23]

problem is a lot of those models look the same

i think you have this model

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/product?product=501877&lc=en&cc=uk&dlc=en&os=228&sw_lang=

you really need to run cpuz to tell us the motherboard

 

[DJDeCiBeL]

There doesn't appear to be a BIOS update for it, so if that's it, and the Athlon 64 3800+ is the best you can do, it's really not worth spending money on that part (since it's already a 3500+).

 

[DJDeCiBeL]

problem is a lot of those models look the same

i think you have this model

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/product?product=501877&lc=en&cc=uk&dlc=en&os=228&sw_lang=

you really need to run cpuz to tell us the motherboard

If that's it, you're in an even worse situation

 

[mcnumpty23]

yep that would make it a socket 754

can you at least right click my computer and then properties to see the cpu details

should say if its socket 939 or 754 or am2

 

[Amanda_23]

problem is a lot of those models look the same

i think you have this model

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/product?product=501877&lc=en&cc=uk&dlc=en&os=228&sw_lang=

you really need to run cpuz to tell us the motherboard

I downloaded it but it downloaded loads of other things as well im not sure what im suppose to do with like PDFCreator and Wajam etc.

 

[mcnumpty23]

think you downloaded the wrong thing

never mind heres how to get the model number on a compaq

While holding down the Ctrl and Alt keys, press the S key on the keyboard.

 

[Amanda_23]

Ok the model # is SR1750NX!

 

[mcnumpty23]

that looks more like it

so its socket 939

4gb max memory

and pci-e graphics

so the most limiting factor will be the cpu

 

[DJDeCiBeL]

Ok the model # is SR1750NX!

Alright, Socket 939. http://tinyurl.com/cb667nd Processor support.

 

[DJDeCiBeL]

The Athlon 64 X2 4800+ would be a decent upgrade, but I'm still not sure it's worth it.

 

[Amanda_23]

So um.... You guys Just got VERY computer jargony on me! I will just explain to you what i dont know... what do you mean by the most limiting factor is the CPU? um whats Socket 939? and i went to that link and Let's say i was looking into the matrix after i went down below processors haha... Im sorry

 

[mcnumpty23]

so can stick a dual core in there

dont know if you can even find a AMD Athlon 64 X2 4800+ nowadays

probably a 4600 would be easier to find

just need to figure out how high a graphics card it could run

 

[mcnumpty23]

So um.... You guys Just got VERY computer jargony on me! I will just explain to you what i dont know... what do you mean by the most limiting factor is the CPU? um whats Socket 939? and i went to that link and Let's say i was looking into the matrix after i went down below processors haha... Im sorry

Socket 939 is the form factor of the motherboard cpu socket

that dictates which cpu you can run

when newer pcs come out they change the socket type--so you cant just put in the latest cpu in an older board