upgrading OLD computer???

[traksta15 10+ year member]

I recently got 2 oooolllllldddd gateway e4600 desktops and im wanting to:

1. add hdmi output (to use it on my tv so i dont have to use these old monitors and to watch movies/browse the web)

2. upgrade to newer os (at least vista)

3. add wireless card/antenna

2. dvd player

3. bigger hard drive and more ram(nothing too big, just bigger than oem)

5. add a few more usb ports (currently has 2 in the back)

pretty much in that order, what do you guys recommend? I got these for free and im just wanting them to play movies off netflix/usb/dvd in my man cave instead of toting my laptop and ps3 to and from the bedroom. Price isn't too much of an option as I got these for free, but I don't want to spend tons of money on it either.

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[traksta15 10+ year member]

bump

 

[i2ain2thunder 10+ year member]

Buy a new computer

Seriously for how much you're going to pay to upgrade that. You're better off with a new comp.

 

[traksta15 10+ year member]

how much? i wouldnt mind spending ~$200 or so. I already have a torrent of windows vista and a spare 250gb hard drive i could use.

 

[Louisiana_CRX 5,000+ posts]

Buy a new computerSeriously for how much you're going to pay to upgrade that. You're better off with a new comp.

this

 

[dumple 5,000+ posts]

200 wont buy much

 

[Sub Woofin 10+ year member]

i recommend you get a new comp all together. with the stuff your gonna spend on upgrading the old one, you can most likely purchase one with all the features and more! my laptop has all listed above and i got it under $600 new. and forget about vista. its slow as an old tortoise. i installed ubuntu linux and have never looked back!

 

[traksta15 10+ year member]

Im thinking this could be a good learning experience, computer wise, for me so I might just start out small, the hard drive will do for now, as well as the extra usb ports. However, the wireless network card and hdmi output are a must. Im assuming if i get a modern video card it won't be compatible with my awesome windows 2000, so the new os will be in my first 3 mods. (new os, hdmi video card, wireless card).

 

[benchambers80]

Replaced don't upgrade **** to bigger ****

 

[Louisiana_CRX 5,000+ posts]

200 wont buy much

lulz

 

[I Like Waffle]

Buy a cheap case on ebay, a cheap mobo/cpu combo, decent vid card, and decent ram. Take those CD drives and that HD you got and put in the new case and you can probably put together a decent little rig for 200-250.

 

[traksta15 10+ year member]

Buy a cheap case on ebay, a cheap mobo/cpu combo, decent vid card, and decent ram. Take those CD drives and that HD you got and put in the new case and you can probably put together a decent little rig for 200-250.

thanks for the insight man. Im looking at cases and mobo's now. I have a question though, say I pick out my mobo, ram, etc, how do I know they'll work together? Im just asking because I don't want to buy all new stuff to find out my mobo is too big or doesnt line up to the ouput holes on the back of the case, etc etc.

 

[traksta15 10+ year member]

Buy a cheap case on ebay, a cheap mobo/cpu combo, decent vid card, and decent ram. Take those CD drives and that HD you got and put in the new case and you can probably put together a decent little rig for 200-250.

thanks for the insight man. Im looking at cases and mobo's now. I have a question though, say I pick out my mobo, ram, etc, how do I know they'll work together? Im just asking because I don't want to buy all new stuff to find out my mobo is too big or doesnt line up to the ouput holes on the back of the case, etc etc.

 

[TheUnderFighter 10+ year member]

Most important is RAM bro, and GPU, if you're doing graphic intense processes... like HD video. You can built a solid rig for around $400.

 

[ColterDC 10+ year member]

Pretty much what the other guys have said.

I doubt adding an hdmi output to those old arse machines would even be possible. Guess it would depend on whether a card was ever made that is compatible with your MB.

That's the biggest problem upgrading any old machine is if the MB is some old slow pile it won't matter how much RAM, graphic cards, HD's, etc you add to it, cause it will still **** balls.