Reviving a Dead PC from 2003

[l33tabix]

So i have an old 2003 Compaq presario pc in the corner of my room and i thought it would do as a nice CS:GO or TF2 Machine, Nothing to extreme. The specs as of looking in it now is:

processor - AMD Athlon xp 2600+
RAM - DDR 512mb
GPU - NVIDIA GeForce MX Intergrated GPU
Motherboard - ASUS A7N8X-LA
CPU Socket - Socket a (462)

I just want to know if i could do an Upgrade on this hunk 'o' Junk for (Sadly) Under $60. I know thats cheap but i only need some ram and a graphics upgrade. Thanks for any answer you give me!

 

[Joshua_32]

I wouldn't suggest it either way as it's going to run poorly (being AGP & DDR ram) however if you still intend on upgrading you have a few options..

GPUS:
GeForce 6200 512MB
PROS - 512MB VRAM // 2048x1536 Max Resolution // 300MHz Core Clock // 523MHz Memory Clock
CONS - 64 Bit Memory
PRICE - $35
LINK - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130635

ATI Radeon 9550 256MB
PROS - 112 Bit Memory // 1024x768 Max Resolution // 250MHz Core Clock
CONS - 256MB VRAM // 400MHz Memory Clock
PRICE - $30.70
LINK - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA4UB2T47341

CONCLUSION
Whilst these are similar cards, in this case I'd go for the 6200. Despite having 128bit memory interface on the 9550, I feel the 256MB VRAM isn't enough and will hold it back for games like csgo causing it to be very slow.

MEMORY:
Your motherboard only supports DDR SDRAM, very slow ram with a max bus clock of 400MHz. The problem here is DDR SDRAM is only sold in 512MB sticks at the most. Given your motherboard can only take 2 lots of ram. The most you're going to get is 1GB of ram, 2GB is you have 4 lots.

Kingston 512MB 133MHz
PRICE $9
LINK http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA76H2GU2150

FINAL CONCLUSION
Personally I wouldn't waste my time and money. You'll still get terrible game play out of these upgrades in my opinion. However, if you're still dead set on it, look up some bench marks for cs:go on youtube for the given graphics card you pick.

 

[l33tabix]

I wouldn't suggest it either way as it's going to run poorly (being AGP & DDR ram) however if you still intend on upgrading you have a few options..

GPUS:
GeForce 6200 512MB
PROS - 512MB VRAM // 2048x1536 Max Resolution // 300MHz Core Clock // 523MHz Memory Clock
CONS - 64 Bit Memory
PRICE - $35
LINK - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130635

ATI Radeon 9550 256MB
PROS - 112 Bit Memory // 1024x768 Max Resolution // 250MHz Core Clock
CONS - 256MB VRAM // 400MHz Memory Clock
PRICE - $30.70
LINK - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA4UB2T47341

CONCLUSION
Whilst these are similar cards, in this case I'd go for the 6200. Despite having 128bit memory interface on the 9550, I feel the 256MB VRAM isn't enough and will hold it back for games like csgo causing it to be very slow.

MEMORY:
Your motherboard only supports DDR SDRAM, very slow ram with a max bus clock of 400MHz. The problem here is DDR SDRAM is only sold in 512MB sticks at the most. Given your motherboard can only take 2 lots of ram. The most you're going to get is 1GB of ram, 2GB is you have 4 lots.

Kingston 512MB 133MHz
PRICE $9
LINK http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA76H2GU2150

FINAL CONCLUSION
Personally I wouldn't waste my time and money. You'll still get terrible game play out of these upgrades in my opinion. However, if you're still dead set on it, look up some bench marks for cs:go on youtube for the given graphics card you pick.

Thanks for the detailed and thoughtfull response. I will keep your information very close and will be buying the GeForce 6200 512mb Card! I have found a certain Ram stick that is supported for my Motherboard and is 1Gb, Its a 184 pin RAM. Link here:http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kingston-ValueRAM-333MHz-Non-ECC-CL2-5/dp/B00008XOKP Thanks for your help 🙂

 

[Joshua_32]

Oh, lucky you said something. I made a mistake and clicked on 168 pin ram. 184 pin is what you need, and yes it comes in 1G sticks. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA5751XG5525 is cheap. Bare in mind your motherboard only supports up to 3G. You might be able to find a card that better fits for your requirements for cheaper. Something with 128 memory interface and at least 512 VRAM would be ideal.

 

[Joshua_32]

It all depends what you want to spend. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA3SD1YK6677 thats a good card too. When looking for cards just make sure its AGP and your PSU can support it and youll be fine.

 

[l33tabix]

It all depends what you want to spend. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA3SD1YK6677 thats a good card too. When looking for cards just make sure its AGP and your PSU can support it and youll be fine.

Thanks man, You helped me alot! Im sticking with the 6200 as my freinds have said their computer worked fine with a cheap card like that when they had one.