Gaming Getting an upgrade

[Sao Mortel]

Ill be upgrading my computer in the next couple of days and I need to know what I can buy.
I have a Dell dimension c521 with AMD sempron 3400+ at 1.8ghz

Now, I want 2 to 4 gb of ram and I have 2x 512 mb of DDR2 PC2 5300U clocked at 667 mhz

And I want 1 to 1.5 TB hard drive from what looks like sata2 (see picture below)

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MqsO6LnFgHU/Sy_h...-h/100_5378.JPG

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MqsO6LnFgHU/Sy_h...-h/100_5379.JPG

Ill be buying from tigerdirect.ca (probably)
tell me please what I can buy ask if you need more info

 

[Deleted member 35947]

To start with it'll be a waste getting 4gb of ram as you are running a 32bit OS. I would recommend something in the region of 3gb as max. Windows just won't be able to access the entire 4gb, unless you use a 64bit OS.

The hard drive does indeed look like a sata. More then likely sata 1. Sata 2 drives are backward comaptble, so not much to worry about.

Not much of a choice when it comes to older type ram from tigerdirect. It also seems very expensive... This is what I got.

As for a hard drive. Maybe something like this. From what i read of your desktop's case, it is very limited in the bay area. It can store just one hard drive and a card reader. You'd have to remove the card reader to store another drive.

 

[how_do_i_do_that]

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/ProductList.a...ion=PC5400+DDR2

newegg is alternative that is cheaper.

 

[Sao Mortel]

The hard drive does indeed look like a sata. More then likely sata 1. Sata 2 drives are backward comaptble, so not much to worry about.

Exactly the kind of info I needed thanks a mountain.
Ill be just ditching the other HD so this is perfect.

Now I want to know about ram can I use 5400? Is it better if I just change for a new set or should I keep the 1 gb I got (2 slots left) Thanks again

BTW newegg is great ill be checking it out

 

[Deleted member 35947]

Now I want to know about ram can I use 5400? Is it better if I just change for a new set or should I keep the 1 gb I got (2 slots left) Thanks again

I believe the max your board supports is 5300 type ram. Personally I would keep the 2 sticks you already have (assuming they are 512MB each) , and just get two other 512MB sticks of ram to fill up the two other slots. Try and get the same spec ram. It shouldn't matter if it's from a different manufacturer once they are similar.

 

[Sao Mortel]

great stuff thanks Edhel ! I am sure you are right.

 

[Sao Mortel]

I googled my ram this is what i got
Micron MT8HTF6464AY-667 512MB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM Non-ECC 240 pin 1.8V 667MHz Unbuffered DIMM Memory
now theres no mention of dual-channel
still not sure what to get here
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/ProductList.a...ion=PC5300+DDR2

id like 2x1gb to have 3gb is that possible or good

 

[Deleted member 35947]

Maybe something like this then. 3GB should be okay. I wouldn't go any higher on a 32bit OS.

CORSAIR 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM

PNY 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300)

Kingston 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300)

 

[Sao Mortel]

I got my ram today It runs really well I got the PNY brand. Great stuff. Newegg suck because they only ship with UPS and UPS sucks. Oh well I am happy now

 

[Deleted member 35947]

I got my ram today It runs really well I got the PNY brand. Great stuff. Newegg suck because they only ship with UPS and UPS sucks. Oh well I am happy now

Good to hear it's working fine.