Uprgrading or a whole new PC???

OK here is the situation, I have a 1999 IBM Aptiva computer, it has been non-stop, without fail reliable for the last 4 years. It came with 64MB RAM, I have put another 128Mb stick in there since, not too long ago I also switched to a dual hard drive (13Gb and 40Gb) setup, which does me great, as I don't download a hell of a lot or play too many games.

It has an internal ADSL modem, Windows XP Professional and a few other pretty bits. It still runs, however a stock 500Mhz PEntium III processor, graphics and sound cards.


I want to upgrade to a least 2+Ghz and put in another 256Mb RAM and a high-end graphics card, now the problem is, on what is a (Reasonably) old-ish computer could this even be done??? When I got the 40Gb Hard DRive done the guy said that the computer used some form of old wiring, that isn't used in this day and age, and I was lucky to be able to get 40Gb in there, would this wiring affect things like installing a P4/newer AMD Processors??? or is it simply limited to Hard Drives, or even Graphics cards??? Do people even know the differences between the two wiring methods???

I'm thinking that the process, if do-able should be MUCH cheaper than a new computer, as I cannot afford much at all in the way of delay-able goods


Your thoughts please.......

well to upgrade you need to get almost everything..the only thing i see worth saving its that 40Gb HD...just dump it in the new one as backup or even main if its a good and fast HD

and don't even think about using that case....its a brand name case and will most likely have its proprietay design and its power supply won't be up to the task for the new parts

bottom line...build a complete new custom system and save some parts from yours

Interesting........So what you are saying is have a custom one built????? because I'm fucked if I'm going to build my own one, I'll simply screw it up, I've heard how having a guy build one up for you from different parts can be done for damned cheap and this is a good option for me here, if I can save my 40GB HD- which I'm gunna, because it's got all my stuff on it- and I'm sure it'd be better than buying one from Harvey Norman (especially since I don't want a screen, speakers, keyboard or mouse (Got them all sorted ages ago)

But my main goal here is for cost effectiveness, If I wanted to buy a new case (Good idea, this one isn't really up to the job), an 80GB main HD, about 512 Mb of RAM and an AMD 2800, with decent graphics and sound cards- plus whatever else I'd need, what kind of expense would I be looking at??? The regional difference will be one to take into account, but I wouldn't mind a rough idea

well custom will always be the best quality/price ratio since you can choose the best componens and due to intense competition they will not be very expensive

plus you won't need to buy extra stuff you don't need as you said

as prices go...i'll check some tomorow..tonight i'm too tired