Upgrading to Windows 7 64 bit

[thindery]

I want to upgrade my computer to Windows 7 from XP, and I'd prefer to do x64. My computer I have is pretty old, but maybe someone with some expertise can tell me whether I should upgrade a few parts and keep others or just buy all new items. A friend helped me build it 5 years ago and I don't know much hardware lingo. Here is what I got in there right now:

Motherboard:
ASUS A8V 939 VIA K8T800 Pro ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131541&cm_re=K8T800-_-13-131-541-_-Product

Processor:
AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Venice 2.0GHz 512KB L2 Cache Socket 939 Single-Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103535

Drives:
Seagate Barracuda 7200.8 ST3300831AS 300GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 1.5Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive

Western Digital 36 GB 8MB 360GD Raptor SATA 10K RPM

Video Card:
EVGA 128-A8-N335-TX GeForce FX 5700 128MB 128-bit DDR AGP 4X/8X Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...e=eVGA_GeForce_FX_5700-_-14-130-180-_-Product

Monitor:
Acer V223-WBD 22" Widescreen TFT LCD Monitor (Black)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0017AR13G/ref=ox_ya_oh_product

Power/Case:
Linkworld Q319-C2628-P4 Black/Silver Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 400W Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811164005

RAM:
Memory: 140139 - DDR (400) 3200 - 512 MB Corsair x2

Additionally, we have a cable line that runs in our office and I would love to be able to run it into the Computer monitor we have if it would work. It is Dish Network, and I would prefer to not have the TV ran through a computer program, but just "switch" to TV and use the Dish Remote, is that possible somehow? My nVidia card can do it through the computer, but I just don't like doing it through the computer program.

Also, there are so many different RAM types, what is the best right now? My computer seems to have really slowed down lately. But maybe that is because stuff is "dieing" because everything is so old.

 

[sniperviper21]

Motherboard:
ASUS A8V 939 VIA K8T800 Pro ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-541-_-Product

Processor:
AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Venice 2.0GHz 512KB L2 Cache Socket 939 Single-Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16819103535
not a bad Proc, though you could upgrade for a rather large power boost.
Drives:
Seagate Barracuda 7200.8 ST3300831AS 300GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 1.5Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive

Western Digital 36 GB 8MB 360GD Raptor SATA 10K RPM
this isnt really needed, such a small sized HDD, even if its 10k RPM speed.
Video Card:
EVGA 128-A8-N335-TX GeForce FX 5700 128MB 128-bit DDR AGP 4X/8X Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-180-_-Product
no offence, but HELL no lol. you need something like a ATi Radeon 4870 1GB to power your monitor to play the newest games well.
Monitor:
Acer V223-WBD 22" Widescreen TFT LCD Monitor (Black)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00..._ya_oh_product
nice monitor
Power/Case:
Linkworld Q319-C2628-P4 Black/Silver Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 400W Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811164005
Never use off brand Power supplies, they are crap, and i suggest a Corsair or OCZ power supply, though the case its self is a personal opinion
RAM:
Memory: 140139 - DDR (400) 3200 - 512 MB Corsair x2
This is a fine speed ram for web browsing, though i do recommend atleast DDR2 800Mhz for gaming, and 4GB of it instead of 1GB, though if you upgrade this, you would have to upgrade your proc and mobo to, so it would almost be making a bran new PC
Additionally, we have a cable line that runs in our office and I would love to be able to run it into the Computer monitor we have if it would work. It is Dish Network, and I would prefer to not have the TV ran through a computer program, but just "switch" to TV and use the Dish Remote, is that possible somehow? My nVidia card can do it through the computer, but I just don't like doing it through the computer program. yes you could but you mise well just get a small 22in LCD TV for your screen if you want that.

Also, there are so many different RAM types, what is the best right now?DDR3 would be the best currently My computer seems to have really slowed down lately. But maybe that is because stuff is "dieing" because everything is so old. Or because your PC isnt fast enough to keep up with current gen programs ect.

 

[Mutant Corn]

^ I think you misunderstood, dude. He already has that system, and is wondering if he should upgrade it or build a new one.

I say it'd be better to build a new one..here's why:

The graphics card slot on your motherboard is AGP, which has been replaced by PCI express. There are upgrades available, but they won't perform as well as their PCIe counterparts. Getting a new video card would also be pointless, because the processor is Socket 939, which has been replaced three times over. Socket AM3 is currently the standard for AMD processors, while LGA 1156 and LGA 1366 are standard for Intel. You can't get a modern processor for a 989.

Also, your RAM interface(DDR) was replaced by DDR2, and then DDR3. DDR3 is now the standard, and is very fast.
Sadly none of them are compatible with each other.

Your Case is fine, but the power supply in it will not power a modern system.

Basically, your case and drives can stay but everything else could use an update.

 

[sniperviper21]

He already has that system, and is wondering if he should upgrade it or build a new one.

Yeah, i know.
hence why i noted on what was good, what was ok, and what could be upgraded/changed.

so it would almost be making a bran new PC

like i said, you mise well make a new PC.

 

[Mutant Corn]

Oh, I see...I guess I misunderstood.

 

[thindery]

Thanks for all the help guys. One question, is there news of new ram or updated processors coming out soon? I plan on building a new computer and keeping it around for 4 or 5 years like I did this one. If something better then ddr3 and socket am3 is coming out in the distant future, say a year, I'd just wait and get the new items then. Otherwise I will go with your suggestions.

Also, I have heard about USB 3.0. However, I am not finding many boards that support it yet. Is that something I should get included since I will be using this system for the next 5 years, or is it possible to upgrade that somehow down the road on an am3 board when it is more widely used?

Thanks for the help again.

 

[sniperviper21]

Thanks for all the help guys. One question, is there news of new ram or updated processors coming out soon?
AM3 is the most recent, doubt it will be replaced soon, and DDR3 is only a year or so old really. So it is the most up to date
I plan on building a new computer and keeping it around for 4 or 5 years like I did this one.
even if you use AM3 and DDR3, it would most certianly last 5 years if you take care of it.
If something better then ddr3 and socket am3 is coming out in the distant future, say a year, I'd just wait and get the new items then. Otherwise I will go with your suggestions.

Also, I have heard about USB 3.0.
USB 3.0 is out, though it has not been mainstreem yet. I doubt it will be in the next year either. Though 3.0 I/O's will be backwards compatible with 2.0 USBs
However, I am not finding many boards that support it yet. Is that something I should get included since I will be using this system for the next 5 years, or is it possible to upgrade that somehow down the road on an am3 board when it is more widely used?
like i said, 2.0 is plenty fast.

Thanks for the help again.