Upgrading a 10 yr Old PC with $100

[Insulares]

Cpu: Intel Core 2 Quad Q8300
Mobo: FOXCONN MCP73M06 with on board gpu nvidia GeFore7050/nForce 610i
PSU: ATX 700w that comes with the case
Ram: 2gbDDR2

My budget is just $100
Whats the best way to improve this work of art? I'm a noob so I'm guessing GPU and Memory.

The dedicated GPU HD4670 stopped working years ago, so since then Ive been using the integrated graphics card. I'm not sure if its the mobo or the card.

I want to do basic cut to cut video editing. Is this possible?

 

[kanewolf]

Memory will make the biggest immediate difference. That motherboard has a max of 4GB and only two slots. You will have to go to E-Bay to see if you can find some 2GB DDR2 DIMMs.

 

[Insulares]

Memory will make the biggest immediate difference. That motherboard has a max of 4GB and only two slots. You will have to go to E-Bay to see if you can find some 2GB DDR2 DIMMs.

Whats DIMM? Can I just pick any cheap 2gbDDR2? Do branded components make a difference because I've been using generic brands and they are slow.
Can you also please suggest a video card?

 

[kanewolf]

That PC is going to be slow. 4GB RAM will help because the OS won't have to use the pagefile as much. DIMMs are the term for a main memory stick. It is an acronym that stands for "Dual Inline Memory Module" I would probably get something like this -- https://www.ebay.com/itm/Wholesale-2GB-RAM-2Rx8-PC2-5300U-DIMM-Memory-Kit-Desktop-DDR2-667Mhz-For-Intel/302540670549

That motherboard has SATA ports. You could get a solid state disk. That would also make a big difference.

 

[Insulares]

That PC is going to be slow. 4GB RAM will help because the OS won't have to use the pagefile as much. DIMMs are the term for a main memory stick. It is an acronym that stands for "Dual Inline Memory Module" I would probably get something like this -- https://www.ebay.com/itm/Wholesale-2GB-RAM-2Rx8-PC2-5300U-DIMM-Memory-Kit-Desktop-DDR2-667Mhz-For-Intel/302540670549

That motherboard has SATA ports. You could get a solid state disk. That would also make a big difference.

Can I install the SDD in this motherboard along with the existing hard drive?

 

[kanewolf]

You should be able to. If you can do a fresh OS install, that may speed it up. It is amazing what cleaning out the Windows registry can do.

 

[dontlistentome]

I agree that first max out memory, in your case 2 sticks of 2gb DDR2. That Q8300 seems to have a 1333mhz front side bus, so that means your memory can be DDR2 800 or 667, whichever you can find cheaper.

Next I would install a cheap 120gb or so SSD. This is for your OS and programs like your video editing software. IF you have some extra space after that, maybe you can install a game or two on there as well. All your other data, video files, and games would go on your mechanical hard drive. I'd advise you keep a good percentage of your SSD empty, maybe only use up to 90gb of it(out of the 120). This SSD will help a lot in making the system more responsive overall.

Finally, the videocard. I wouldn't buy anything that's still not getting driver updates. For AMD this means an HD 7750 or better. For Nvidia this means a GT/GTX 4xx series or better assuming you're using Windows 10. Look for a card that you can afford with the money you have left and that doesn't use more power than you can supply. For instance, check to see how many pci-ex 6 or 8 pin connectors your 700W power supply has, if any. Make sure the card has the kind of output you need for your monitor.

 

[Insulares]

I agree that first max out memory, in your case 2 sticks of 2gb DDR2. That Q8300 seems to have a 1333mhz front side bus, so that means your memory can be DDR2 800 or 667, whichever you can find cheaper.

Next I would install a cheap 120gb or so SSD. This is for your OS and programs like your video editing software. IF you have some extra space after that, maybe you can install a game or two on there as well. All your other data, video files, and games would go on your mechanical hard drive. I'd advise you keep a good percentage of your SSD empty, maybe only use up to 90gb of it(out of the 120). This SSD will help a lot in making the system more responsive overall.

Finally, the videocard. I wouldn't buy anything that's still not getting driver updates. For AMD this means an HD 7750 or better. For Nvidia this means a GT/GTX 4xx series or better assuming you're using Windows 10. Look for a card that you can afford with the money you have left and that doesn't use more power than you can supply. For instance, check to see how many pci-ex 6 or 8 pin connectors your 700W power supply has, if any. Make sure the card has the kind of output you need for your monitor.

Thanks, I appreciate your detailed answer. Is there anything I should keep in mind when buying an SDD, like compatibility with my Mobo? Or could I just buy any cheap SSD I can find?