Which Slot is the AGP slot?

[Major Kong]

Newegg is an excellent vendor. You may think about a mobo and new processor. Another thing since you already have SDRAM (PC66,PC100 or PC133?) be sure to get a mobo that uses this RAM type. If not then there are other choices depending on the criteria you set (Intel or AMD processors, DDR or Rambus memory, and chipset type - AMD, VIA, etc.). ASUS, ABit, Epox, Iwill and Tyan are excellent mobo choices.

[Homicide00]

I did..., but hey look at this one. By the way I dont have much money, probably the MOST I can get is $120


<a href="http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?submit=manufactory&catalog=22&manu factory=1280&DEPA=1" target="_blank">http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?submit=manufactory&catalog=22&manu fac tory=1280&DEPA=1</a>

I was also thinking about getting a new Processor, for about $70, AMD TBird 1Ghz 266mhz FSB, but im not gonna have enough money for a Mobo and Processor, and since I'm getting a new card for Xmas, the Mobo is more important.

[tablesalt]

What kind of PC are you running? ie... processor type and speed, pc brand and model (if there is one)...

[Homicide00]

I already put it up but I'll do it again since we are on a new Page...

OS: Windows XP Professional
Manufacturer: Compaq
Model: Compaq Presario, Model: 5461
Processor: AMD k-6 3D processor, MMX, 3DNow, 500Mhz
Memory: 312MB SDRAM PC-133
3D Card: Voodoo3 2000 PCI

The 2nd one down on this page looks good but will it work with my Comp?
<a href="http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?submit=manufactory&catalog=22&manu factory=1424&DEPA=1" target="_blank">http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?submit=manufactory&catalog=22&manu fac tory=1424&DEPA=1</a>

[Gollo]

My advice would be for you to take the system to a local computer shop and have them quote you (not sell you unless it's a really good deal) a new mobo for your system. Most likely you will be able to find the mobo online cheaper but they might be able to sell you a combo (CPU + Mobo) for a decent price. Just my 0.02

[confus-ed]

Mmmm, maybe you should look for a board that supports both PC133 and DDR (you can find them but they tend to have only two slots for each), slap the cheapest duron you can find in it for now, and then buy DDR and a new processor later. Your $120 should just about do that.

If you buy a board that takes your current chip, you are gonna have the memory and chip upgrade issue later(Well it doesn't go away!).

My point is that you then have matching chip, mb, video & mem all left over, a new machine perhaps? or something to sell?, better than a pci video card and non agp mb anyways.

[JungleMan1]

If you take confus-ed's suggestion and use a modern Athlon/Duron note that you're going to probably need a more powerful power supply as the, assumedly 200w or so, PSU that came with your Compaq won't cut it.

Also make sure your Compaq case is an ATX form factor.

[Larommi]

[quote]Originally posted by Homicide00:
<strong>I already put it up but I'll do it again since we are on a new Page...

OS: Windows XP Professional
Manufacturer: Compaq
Model: Compaq Presario, Model: 5461
Processor: AMD k-6 3D processor, MMX, 3DNow, 500Mhz
Memory: 312MB SDRAM PC-133
3D Card: Voodoo3 2000 PCI

The 2nd one down on this page looks good but will it work with my Comp?
<a href="http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?submit=manufactory&catalog=22&manu factory=1424&DEPA=1" target="_blank">http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?submit=manufactory&catalog=22&manu fac tory=1424&DEPA=1</a></strong><hr></blockquote>

Ok, I cannot find your computer on Compaq site. I clicked enough links for one day. Since it is a Presario I am going to assume a few things.

1. You need a micro-Atx board. This is a bit shorter than full form factor board.

2. Even if you get the board it may not work due to how the inside of the Compaq Case is designed. ie. some of them had air draw in through power supply and blow on heatsink if the cpu. This put the power supply in an odd place.

3. You may need a new power supply to run your new board/chip.

4. Bottom line is with your limited funds, get a NVidia based PCI card. It will be cheaper that way.

5. If you have your heart set on AGP, figure on a new case along with your board and chip. This should give you the P/S that you need and you can transfer your drive from the Compaq. It looks ugly but you can slowly upgrade your parts.

Sorry, but compaqs are difficult to upgrade. While I could be wrong on alot of this I have seen enough of the Presarios out of the time frame that yours was put together and they are not the best designed. If you go with the advise of some of these other and get a board and Athlon or Duron, cooling is an issue that you need to consider. I dont see getting that in the case you computer is built in.

Your funds seem to be light so I dont know why people are telling you to get so much. I would recommend a newer PCI card until you have the funds for a new computer. Since you have one you can use parts on the new one. See #5. You dont have to have all the money at once. You get get a barebones and buld it from there. You can usually find good deals on that.

[WebHead]

Aaaahhh,.. the joys of upgrading your video card. That seems to be where it always begins...

1) First you get a new AGP video card...
2) Now you need a new ATX mobo with AGP slot...
3) Which means now you'll need new memory and CPU...
4) Oh no! Now my new ATX mobo won't work with my AT power supply!!
5) Congratulations! You've got yourself a whole new PC now.

[tablesalt]

Checked our database for retired products at work, this machine does not have an AGP slot. I would follow the recomendations on a new mainboard/cpu, but go with a new case as well.

[Homicide00]

Wow...I didn't think it would be all this trouble.
Ok, for X-Mas, my Mom said she would get me the new Motherboard. I have my heart set on the first one: <a href="http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?submit=manufactory&catalog=22&manu factory=1424&DEPA=1" target="_blank">http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?submit=manufactory&catalog=22&manu factory=1424&DEPA=1</a>
And my Dad said he will get me a GeForce3. So I have right now...$100. When Christmas comes, I'll probably get between $20-$40. So I'll have a new Motherboard, Geforce3, and $120 to spend on DDR Memory or anything else I need to make this thing work.
Oh and by the way my case is pretty big and I'm pretty sure it will fit inside my computer. I'm thinking about bringing it down to a computer guy and having him put it in so I don't screw up my computer.
It's kinda difficult for you guys to help me because of my lack of information/experience, and since you guys are unable to look through my system or whatever, so I think my best bet is to take your guys advice, bring my system down to a computer shop, see what he says after looking through my system and I'll talk to him about what you guys considered.

[Major Kong]

Homicide00 the mobo you've chosen is a good one, but supports the Pentium 4 processor. A P4 is an excellent choice but will set you back a pretty penny (min ~$100 for a low end P4). Throw in the price of DDR memory from <a href="http://www.crucial.com" target="_blank">www.crucial.com</a> and you are looking at ~$150.00. Remember the processor is not included with the Motherboard unless you purchase a combo special. Go to <a href="http://www.pricewatch.com" target="_blank">Price Watch</a> and keep and eye out for prices and specials. With $120.00 you should be able to put a fairly good machine together since you will have a good start (i.e. Video Card, Mobo, etc.). Also remember a Tech is going to charge between $50.00-$75.00 (if your lucky) for his services.

Good Luck

[WebHead]

Yep, this is exactly how it all began for me too (as far as learning more about the technical side of things). I had an old 486/66, 20mb RAM, 500mb HDD. I wanted to get a cool new video card one day. So I got this really cool Diamond Video 3200 video card. But little did I know, it was a PCI card. So I brought it back home, tried to install it only to discover that they had put the mounting plate on backwards on the video card (or so I thought). I later found out, that I needed a new mobo that supported PCI because PCI slots were configured differently than ISA slots. So I thought ok, no problem. So I got a new mobo (ASUS .../T2P4, can't remember the whole model#.) Then I discovered that my 486, top of the line, cpu wouldn't fit in the new mobo. So I went out and bought a top of the line Pentium 133mhz CPU. Now I was set for sure. But damn! My memory wasn't compatible either. So I went and got 32mb of memory for it (at the time, that was considered more than enough.) Anyway, about $1500.00 later (maxed out a credit card I had recently aquired), my new video card worked great, and I lived happily ever after. The end.

[Homicide00]

Lol Webhead.

Pakprotector, I didn't know that only supports P4. I'll just look for one that supports AMD-k6

Will this one work with AMD-k6 or only AMD Athlon?
<a href="http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?submit=manufactory&catalog=22&manu factory=1280&DEPA=1" target="_blank">http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?submit=manufactory&catalog=22&manu factory=1280&DEPA=1</a>

[Major Kong]

Homecide00 you are going to need a Socket 7 mobo. I do not believe New Egg carries a Socket 7 motherboard. FIC and Soyo mobo's are pretty darn good K6-2 boards. Stay away from PCChips (ARGHHH!) and Amptron! Your best bet may be E-Bay or <a href="http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/Category/category_slc.asp?Id=1305" target="_blank">Tiger Direct</a> . Some people do not like Tiger Direct, but I have never had a problem with them. Another thing you will find is that the Socket 7 boards support AGP 1X and 2X but not 4X. Good Luck!