Computer Upgrade

[JGardnerA]

I've been finding out that my current computer is inadequate for playing the newest games, so it's time to upgrade! I'm not going to buy a whole new system, I just want to improve what I have. My current computer is an Emachines 466is. I've added a few improvements on it since I bought it. It's got the following features:

-Intel® Celeron™ 466MHz (w/128KB L2 Cache) PPGA CPU
-192mb PC100 SDRAM (I have an extra 64mb stick)
-2 USB Ports (1 is on Front)
-1 Serial / 1 Parallel / 3 Expansion Slot
-Audio In & Out / Game Port on Front
-Microsoft® Windows® 98 Second Edition
-Crystal CS4280 3D PCI Audio
-ATI Xpert 128 PCI graphics card
-40x Max. CD-ROM Drive
-Creative 12x DVD Drive
-40gb 5400rpm hard drive
-3.5" 1.44MB FDD
-56K* ITU V.90 PCI Fax/Modem
-PS/2 Keyboard/Mouse

I'm content with the hard drive, dvd, audio, etc. What I want to do is get a new motherboard with a faster processor. I'd like to get something in the range of a 1 to 1.5 GHz processor. Now, for my questions:

What type of motherboard/CPU combo do you guys recommend? I'd like to keep my PC100 SDRAM, memory can be expensive. Will I have to buy a new power supply/cooling system, or can I keep the one I've got? Will I need a new case? I'm not sure whether or not a new motherboard will fit.

I want to keep the entire cost of the upgrade under $250. I don't want to buy any more than I have to.

 

[PsychRN]

How about:
$83 for Asus VIA VT82C694T Chipset ATX Model TUV4X Pro133T
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?submit=manufactory&catalog=280&manufactory=1315&DEPA=1

$125.00 Intel Pentium III 1.2GHz FCPGA2, Flip Chip, 256K Cache , 133MHz FSB, TUALATIN- Processor CPU Retail
Specifications:
CPU: 1.2GHz
Type: Pentium 3
Cache: 256K
BUS: 133MHz
Socket: 370 (FCPGA2) Retail (Box with Heatsink and fan)
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?submit=manufactory&catalog=266&manufactory=1157&DEPA=1

You know, if you insist on using your old memory then your choices are really quite limited because unless I miss my guess, chipsets that can use PC100 memory are limited to Intel pentium III CPU's and those are kind of expensive:

$350 for PENTIUM® III 1.4Ghz FCPGA2, Flip Chip, 512K Cache Coppermine, 133MHz FSB, Retail Box
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?submit=manufactory&catalog=266&manufactory=1157&DEPA=1

If I were you, and I know I'm not, given the budget and your guideline of using your old RAM, I wouldn't bother to upgrade mostly because of the bottleneck of performance because of your old RAM, and the limits of your budget.

I always ask my friends WHY they want to upgrade, and I usually tell them that they don't need to upgrade because they only do word processing and some internet browsing. They don't want to do desktop video, play the latest games, Adobe Photoshop, etc.

The e-machine may have funky form-factor that doesn't allow drop in of other motherboards. But cases and power supplies are relatively cheap.

But if you wanted to make a move?

$158 for 512 mb of Crucial DDR RAM
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?submit=manufactory&catalog=147&manufactory=1455&DEPA=1

$131 for a KT333 Chipset MB Asus VIA A7V333
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?submit=manufactory&catalog=22&manufactory=1315&DEPA=1

$160.00 for AMD ATHLON XP 2000+/266 FSB PROCESSOR CPU - RETAIL
Specifications:
CPU: 1.67 GHz
Type: 2000 XP
Cache: 256K
BUS: 266MHz

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...nufactory&catalog=226&manufactory=1028&page=2

and join the 21st century with a burner
$69.00 for Lite On 40X 12X 48X CDRW Model: RTL40125S-Retail
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?submit=manufactory&catalog=5&manufactory=1336&DEPA=1