Upgrade Help

[bubusam13]

I would like to upgrade my PC so that it supports DDR2 RAM and PCI-E Graphics Card without changing my Processor (Intel Pentium D 820, LGA775 ).
I know my PC is old.
I have new laptop, but I don't wanna loose this ol' desktop. Using a desktop is much comfortable than laptop.

Can you suggest me what components should I use to get descent performance without spending much?

CURRENT CONFIGURATION :
Intel Pentium D 820, LGA775
512MB X 2 RAM
Nvidia 6200ALE Graphics Card
80gb internal(SATA) + 320 GB external HDD
2 DVD Writers (one is SATA)

 

[Jaskanwar Singh]

can you mention the motherboard please?

 

[bubusam13]

865 GSA motherboard

 

[skeletor]

Get a new G31 chipset motherboard. They are easily available.

Asus P5KPL-AM/PS - Asus P5KPL-AM-PS PrimeABGB - 2.3k
1GB DDR2 800Mhz RAM - 1k

What PSU do you have?

 

[vickybat]

Go with the board that ico suggested. If possible , change that 6200le and go for a radeon 5570 or nvidia gt 240 later. Will transform your old pc into a good htpc and will also up its performance in gaming and multimedia apps.

Upgrade the rams to 2 gb or more cause they won't be available anymore and prices will skyrocket upwards due to lack of availability of ddr2 as their production has been ceased with the advent of ddr3.

With g31 at your disposal , you can also add a core 2 quad in future when prices drop considerably CAUSE CORE 2 QUADS are also EOL.

 

[Cilus]

Get the Gigabyte G41M-COMBO motherboard @ 2.4K. This motherboard is having both DDR2 (2 slots) and DDR3 (2 slots). But both type of ram cannot be used simultaneously.
I think you should sell your old DDR2 rams and get a 2 GB DDR3 module. Currently DDR3 modules are cheaper than DDR2 counterparts.
A Corsair/Kingston 2 GB 1333 MHz DDR3 module is available @ 1.05K compared to 1.7K of 2 GB Transcend DDR2 rams.

 

[satyamy]

I think you should sell your old DDR2 rams and get a 2 GB DDR3 module. Currently DDR3 modules are cheaper than DDR2 counterparts.

Well
the current motherboard is Intel 865GSA, so must be having DDR1 RAM

btw
nice suggestion Gigabyte G41M really Good

 

[pegasus]

Very sincerely, can you please get a complete upgrade if possible.
You will anyways need to buy a motherboard and maybe new DDR2 RAM too.
A new setup with a Sempron 145 or Celeron 420 may outperform your existing setup for maybe 1/3rd the TDP of the PentiumD 820 apart from other benefits.

If you still want to use your existing processor,
before buying a motherboard,
first please visit the manufacturer site and make sure your processor is there in the CPU support list of the motherboard chosen
(and also do check since which BIOS version, PCB revision it's supported).

Here are a few G31 motherboard models i found that have PentiumD 820 in the CPU support list-
ASUSTeK Computer Inc. - Motherboards - ASUS P5KPL-AM
[strike]ASUSTeK Computer Inc. - Motherboards - ASUS P5KPL-AM/PS[/strike]
Please check for availability and pricing in your area.

I am not so sure about the G41 motherboards, whether DDR2, DDR3 or combo, supporting PentiumD processor.
So please check for more info on that.

 

[Piyush]

i agree with clius
currently ddr3 is cheaper than ddr2
and the mobo supported by him is a killer deal
u wont need to change ur processor and still ur rig will be as good as new

 

[vickybat]

The mobo cilus suggested is excellent for op as he is getting ddr3 support. But alas the pentium d 820 is not supported i guess. Op has to change an lga 775 based proccy to use that board.

Since the prescotts are compatible, there's a chance that smithfield should be compatible with g41 as well.

Check this.

Very sincerely, can you please get a complete upgrade if possible.
You will anyways need to buy a motherboard and maybe new DDR2 RAM too.
A new setup with a Sempron 145 or Celeron 420 may outperform your existing setup for maybe 1/3rd the TDP of the PentiumD 820 apart from other benefits.

If you still want to use your existing processor,
before buying a motherboard,
first please visit the manufacturer site and make sure your processor is there in the CPU support list of the motherboard chosen
(and also do check since which BIOS version, PCB revision it's supported).

Here are a few G31 motherboard models i found that have PentiumD 820 in the CPU support list-
ASUSTeK Computer Inc. - Motherboards - ASUS P5KPL-AM
ASUSTeK Computer Inc. - Motherboards - ASUS P5KPL-AM/PS
Please check for availability and pricing in your area.

I am not so sure about the G41 motherboards, whether DDR2, DDR3 or combo, supporting PentiumD processor.
So please check for more info on that.

Asus p5kpl am/ps boards should be avoided at all costs. They are known to have issues and many of my friends using the board are facing problems and rma'ed frequently. Rashi takes some 2-3 months to replace them.

 

[bubusam13]

Thank you all so much for your replies

@ico... I have a 450 W PSU. Will the Pentium D CPU (lga 775) be supported by the motherboard you mentioned ?

@pegasus... Hi, I already own a lappy. And I normally use my desktop for chatting, surfing and office works, and I think my Processor is powerful enough for this purpose. So I don't wanna buy a new one. Believe it or not, I m able to play Bioshock on it.

Thank you all once again. You have solved one of my big problem

 

[Cilus]

The motherboard I've suggested does not support your Processor Pentium D 820.

 

[satyamy]

dont know how but its a coincidence my condition is exactly same as above
My PC config is
Intel 865GSA Board, Intel 3.2HT Proc, 2 x 512MB DDR1 Ram, 160GB HDD
Even I have Laptop which has win 7 & can play fifa10 on it but Desktop is much more comfortable than Lap

earlier i was thinking to add a Graphics Card (approx cost 2.5K) so i can install Window 7 & Play Fifa 10

my thread
*www.thinkdigit.com/forum/graphic-c...hics-card-intel-865gsa-board.html#post1319399

but now have another option to get a New Board
1) Asus P5KPL-AM/PS
2) Gigabyte G41M-COMBO
+
New RAM (either 1 GB DDR2 or 2GB DDR3)

?

Do anyone has idea if i just replace motherboard + ram than can i install win 7 & play fifa10 ?
with my same old P4 3.2Ghz HT Proc ??????????

i know i can easily install win7 bcoz i can do this in my current 865GSA Board also but in low setting, but main problem is of FIFA 10 ?

 

[skeletor]

FIFA 10 will stutter badly on Intel Graphics.

@ico... I have a 450 W PSU. Will the Pentium D CPU (lga 775) be supported by the motherboard you mentioned ?

Company and Model of the PSU. Pentium D CPU will work on every motherboard mentioned in this thread.

 

[satyamy]

FIFA 10 will stutter badly on Intel Graphics.

so wht will u suggest......
1) Graphics Card on Intel Board
or
2) New Mobo + RAM
?

 

[skeletor]

New mobo with PCIe + RAM + Graphic card.

Intel 865GSA has AGP 8x slot.

 

[satyamy]

New mobo with PCIe + RAM + Graphic card.

Intel 865GSA has AGP 8x slot.

thanks ico

if possible.... suggestion plssss.......