What can I upgrade?

[PhantomNL]

Hello, I don't really know a lot about upgrading PC's and stuff, so I heard that this website gives quite a lot of information about that. And as the title explains, I'm thinking of upgrading my PC.

I've got a HP Pavilion Slimline, and I'd like to know more about what I can upgrade in it. I am especially looking for a new graphic card so I can play slightly better games for now. Now I hear you people thinking, why would you want to play games with THAT thing? And I've got the anwser right here; I don't have a lot of money for a new PC at the moment. I am saving money for a new one, but until then, this Pavilion will need to do. So as mentioned above, which graphic card can I buy which will definately fit into this machine?

I will now post the specs of the Pavilion below;

OS: Windows Vista Ultimate 32-bit SP2
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+ - Brisbane 65nm Technology
RAM: 2.00GB Dual-Channel DDR2 @ 359MHz (6-6-6-18)
Motherboard: ASUSTek Computer INC. Acacia (Socket AM2 )
Graphics: DELL E173FP (1280x1024@60Hz) - ATI Radeon HD 3450 (MSI)
Storage: 335GB Seagate ST336032 0AS SCSI Disk Device (SATA)
Optical Drives: HL-DT-ST DVD-RAM GH10L SCSI CdRom Device
Audio: Realtek High Definition Audio

I think the amount of watts inside the PC is 300. But I'm not sure where I can check it exactly.


Thanks to everyone trying to help me out here!

 

[USAFRet]

Ultimately, there's not a lot you can do with that thing. I wouldn't put any money into that.

Put in a better GPU, and you'll have to change the PSU. In a slimline case, that may not be possible. And you'll be really limited in the GPU that will fit.
And your old CPU will then hold the system back.

Add RAM? Adding DDR2 is not cost effective. And with the Vista 32bit, you can only go so far.

New CPU, new motherboard, new RAM, new GPU, new PSU, new case to hold it all. A whole new PC.
I fully understand current lack of money, but you'll be throwing money down a non-performing hole trying to improve that box. There comes a point where it just won't work.

 

[LucoTF]

Ultimately, there's not a lot you can do with that thing. I wouldn't put any money into that.

Put in a better GPU, and you'll have to change the PSU. In a slimline case, that may not be possible. And you'll be really limited in the GPU that will fit.
And your old CPU will then hold the system back.

Add RAM? Adding DDR2 is not cost effective. And with the Vista 32bit, you can only go so far.

New CPU, new motherboard, new RAM, new GPU, new PSU, new case to hold it all. A whole new PC.
I fully understand current lack of money, but you'll be throwing money down a non-performing hole trying to improve that box. There comes a point where it just won't work.

Agree completely, there's very little you can do I'm afraid. I would try to avoid spending any money on it until you can afford to upgrade the whole thing.

 

[jay2tall]

I agree as well. That machine is limited in that it is a slimline and all hardware is beyond obsolete as far as gaming is concerned. I would not put any money into this system and save every penny for a new build or purchase. Even if you threw $50 at this PC it wouldn't add much value at all, let alone performance. That $50 into a newer machine could make a huge difference. I totally get the limited budget, I've been there. It's just better to hunker down and save to build new.