ok Christmas time. Im looking to upgrade my graphics card (NVIDIA GeForce 3 Ti 200 ) and I want/need a new motherboard (no idea what I have now, its a ooolllddd DELL machine(Dell Dimensions XPS T800r)
I want to upgrade as I want to play games with good graphics and still run smoothly.
Im looking to spend around £200. If there is anything else I might need please say so..

Thanks in advance people

done that hardware scan
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Processor:
PropertyValue
Current Clock Speed 798
Description x86 Family 6 Model 8 Stepping 1
Manufacturer GenuineIntel
Name Intel Pentium III processor


Memory (RAM):
PropertyValue
Bank Label BANK 0
Capacity 268435456

Bank Label BANK 1
Capacity 134217728

Bank Label BANK 2
Capacity 268435456

Total Memory Deteced in Hardware: ~640 MB
Memory Reported to Operating System: 640MB

Disk Drives:
PropertyValue
Description Disk drive
Manufacturer (Standard disk drives)
Model Maxtor 2F040J0
Media Type Fixed hard disk media
Size 41109949440 (~38 GB)
Number of Partitions 2

Description Disk drive
Manufacturer (Standard disk drives)
Model ST380021A
Media Type Fixed hard disk media
Size 80023749120 (~75 GB)
Number of Partitions 1

Motherboard:
PropertyValue
Manufacturer Intel Corporation
Model
Name Base Board
Part Number
Product SE440BX-3
Serial Number 00027HRF1408303600FP
Version AA722396-300

Monitor:
PropertyValue
Description Plug and Play Monitor
Name Plug and Play Monitor
Screen Height 768
Screen Width 1024


Sound Card:
PropertyValue
Manufacturer Creative Technology, Ltd.
Description Creative Audigy Audio Processor (WDM)
Device ID PCI\VEN_1102&DEV_0004&SUBSYS_10021102&REV_04\3&61A AA01&0&70


Video Card:
PropertyValue
Adapter Compatibility NVIDIA
Adapter RAM 67108864
Description NVIDIA GeForce3 Ti 200
Installed Display Drivers nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version 6.14.10.6693
Driver Date 10/29/2004 16:50:00
Video Mode Description 1024 x 768 x 4294967296 colors


DirectX Installation:
PropertyValue
Version 6.03.01.0147


Modem:
PropertyValue
Model NEC 616 USB Modem
Name NEC 616 USB Modem


Network Adapters:
PropertyValue
Description Realtek RTL8139/810X Family PCI Fast Ethernet NIC
Description RAS Async Adapter
Description ASUS 802.11b/g Wireless LAN Card
Description WAN Miniport (L2TP)
Description WAN Miniport (PPTP)
Description WAN Miniport (PPPOE)
Description Direct Parallel
Description WAN Miniport (IP)
Description 1394 Net Adapter
Description Microsoft TV/Video Connection
Description Microsoft Tun Miniport Adapter
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Gr3g88,

Sorry to see that no-one has come back to you about this. Do you still need some advice?

Well I have looked around and I do not have sufficiant funds. Im running a fairly old motherboard and I would like more RAM but im not too sure what is complatable with what..

Phili G,

I've written a brief article in the FAQs section about the basics of what's compatible with what - have a read of it and let me know if you have any more specific questions: http://www.d-a-l.com/articles/library/33.html

I don't think there's much point increasing your RAM or graphics capability when your processor is only a PIII 800MHz. Your main focus should be upgrading that to a Pentium 4 and, to do that, you're right in saying that you'll need a new motherboard and that that's all likely to top £200.

I might be able to help you out with an alternative if you can increase your budget a little. For around £250 plus your old PC, I have a brand new Pentium 4 3.0GHz base unit with 512Mb RAM and 128Mb GeForce graphics card that I might be able to part-exchange if you're interested (and in the UK). Just a thought.

problem being if I do get a new motherboard then I will need everything else new including new case. So would a new PC be better like a dell dimensions package?

If you upgrade your existing base unit, you could keep your hard disks, floppy and CD drive. But you're right in that you'll need a new case (or PSU at least), motherboard, processor and RAM. So that's your £200 gone even before you've found a new graphics card.

Your middle option is to part-exchange your base unit against a clearance deal for a new base unit with decent graphics power (like the one I've got for sale).

The best option would be to get a whole new system, like a Dell Dimension with a nice new matching keyboard, mouse and TFT monitor. But, bearing in mind that you want a mid-range or high-end system with a good graphics card for gaming, you'll be looking at the bigger side of £500 for that.

ok thanks, I got a Geforce4 MX 440 graphics card for free..
I will think about it, then reply with a more detailed post

Isn't an MX 440 a 64Mb card, the same as the Ti200 that you've already got fitted? I don't know that much about graphics cards - is there a significant reason why an MX 440 is better than a slightly older GeForce3 of the same size? I've always assumed that you had to get a graphics card with more memory if you wanted to upgrade ... but I guess there's probably more to it than that.

You are more or less correct, exept for a faster clock speed? anyways is there a motherboard and AMD processor package I could get? Would that mean a new case/PSU? Problem being Im fairly ok with most PC innards but when it comes to the motherboard im completly lost. If I could create a 'pretend' PC and compare it to premade PC like Dimensions like preformance and price, It would help me. Thanks for your all your help so far

The Gigabyte GA K8NE motherboard comes with some nice features such as an 800MHz bus, a PCI-Express slot for the latest graphics cards, 7.1 sound on-board and gigabit network port, as well as Norton Internet Security software. Note, however, that it only supports DDR RAM (up to PC3200), not DDR/2 RAM - that might be an AMD thing, I'm not sure. As far as I'm aware, AMD systems don't need the new 'PFC' power supply but you should confirm that with someone else as I'm strictly an Intel guy! This board is £58.69 from Dabs.com.

To compare to a 64-bit Intel Pentium 4 3.0GHz processor, you should be looking at an AMD Athlon64 3600+ or similar. The 3400+ model sells on Dabs.com for £83.71.

One gigabyte of PC3200 Kingston ValueRAM is £65.68 on Dabs.com.

Don't forget to add delivery, which is probably £10-£15, and your preferred new graphics card. All in, you're probably looking at £250 - £300 and that system will definitely outperform a Dimension in a similar price range.

Hope that helps