[Brutorious]

Hey everyone.

I have a good deal of knowledge with programs, and even coding now with computers but I know absolutely nothing about what goes in it, or how to upgrade it.

I was hoping some of you perhaps had some knowledge about it, and could tell me if I listed my specs...what I can and should upgrade.

I use my computer mainly for 2 things. Adobe creative suite: Designs, website building, after effects/photoshop/illustrator/dreamweaver etc...

I also use it to play video games.

Specs...?

System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 7/29/2010, 02:58:01
       Machine name: HAL-2009
   Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.080814-1236)
           Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: System manufacturer
       System Model: System Product Name
               BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
          Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) D CPU 2.80GHz (2 CPUs)
             Memory: 2046MB RAM
          Page File: 606MB used, 3331MB available
        Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
    DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
     DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.5512 32bit Unicode

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
        Card name: NVIDIA GeForce 7900 GS
     Manufacturer: NVIDIA
        Chip type: GeForce 7900 GS
         DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
       Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0292&SUBSYS_C6243842&REV_A1
   Display Memory: 256.0 MB
     Current Mode: 1152 x 864 (32 bit) (75Hz)
          Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
  Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
      Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
   Driver Version: 6.14.0011.8122 (English)
      DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
 Driver Date/Size: 1/15/2009 09:19:00, 6168960 bytes
      WHQL Logo'd: Yes
  WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
              VDD: n/a
         Mini VDD: nv4_mini.sys
    Mini VDD Date: 1/15/2009 09:19:00, 6301248 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B71E3E-41D2-11CF-4844-2FE600C2CB35}

_____

I have had this PC for about 2 years now, if anyone could help or at least point me in the right direction I would appreciate it.

[Brutorious]

Brutorious

[Yet]

Upgrading to a quad core processor would help you out, I use the AMD Phenom 9850.

Your graphics card is out of date as well.  Try upgrading to at least a Geforce 9800.

The hardest part about upgrading a computer's hardware is making sure that the new parts will fit with the old ones.  I spent $600 on hardware for my computer a year ago, and forgot to get a power supply, and RAM, it took me like six hours to figure out that I forgot to order that shit.

[Yet]

Yet

[doc209]

upgrade your ram, RAID a couple hard drives to make one fatass storage, or a couple medium size drives(how i have my computer setup just in case i have to clear any system files, my own personal stuff is located on a seperate drive, saving me from the trouble of constantly backing everything up), and get a new video card. i believe a newer version of directX is out...if you were to upgrade the video card im pretty positive they would include the software required for the upgrade. and on the subject of software..XP is an oldie but a goodie...upgrading soon to windows 7 wouldnt hurt, save yourself some money though.

http://thepiratebay.org/torrent/5182426/Microsoft_Windows_7_Ultimate_Retail%28Final%29_x86_and_x64

most important to upgrade IMO(for photo processing/editing) is your ram and video card. after those two you should absolutely notice a difference in rendering and processing times. shoot for at least 4 gigs of ram, and a nice video card...i havent bother checking up on video cards since i used to play PC games... but newegg.com is always a great place to start.

7900 has limited memory...especially the 256mb lol, when looking for a new card look for a minimum of 512mb of memory. and something with a higher pixel per clock rate.


last thing to remember...once you upgrade your computer...its already old

[doc209]

doc209

[doc209]

Yet mentioned something i forgot, power supply, were you able to get any information on it?

computers seem complicated, and deep down in all the code it IS an endless fuckin maze, but when it comes to hardware its ridiculously easy, i was doing this stuff in the 8th grade, youre a grown man so you shouldnt have a problem.

and i can tell you right now the all geforce 7900's were made only with PCI express, so there you go, thats your slot type.

last thing to check would be RAM, find out your motherboard brand/model, research it and you'll have no problem finding the right RAM sizes

[doc209]

doc209

[Brutorious]

So upgrade ram and videocard?

[Brutorious]

Brutorious

[doc209]

So upgrade ram and videocard?

yessir, probably the easiest things to replace too..

http://www.crucial.com/index.aspx

hope that helps...idk how their prices are, but from that you should be able to to find the right model ram that will fit in your motherboard.  from there you can search on other sites for cheaper prices

[doc209]

doc209