Need Adive - not sure if right section

[hstar]

This is my first post, so hey guys, hope im welcome.

Well the situation is that i wanted to build my own computer so that i can run a few games and programs like 3Ds max, but it would just be too much money for me as i havent got much coming in. So my brother is selling me a pc for £50 but it's not so great at the moment, i have around £150 ~ $230 to spend on upgrading it.
I was thinking of upgrading the motherboard so that i can get a better processor, but im sure if it's that simple.
I was also thinking if just getting the best pentium 4 processor available would be a cheap alternative? but im not sure, which is why im here looking for your advice :)


So ill list out some of the specs :

Motherboard : Intel Brookdale-G i845GE
CPU : Intel Pentium 4A, 2800 MHz (7 x 400)
RAM : 1536 MB (DDR SDRAM)
GFX : NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT (256 MB)
Soundcard: Intel 82801DB(M) ICH4(-M) - AC'97 Audio Controller [B-0] (not sure if this is a soundcard)
Disk Drive ST3120022A (120 GB, 7200 RPM, Ultra-ATA/100)
Optical Drive _NEC DVD+RW ND-2100AD
Optical Drive UXWLM STURK5Q SCSI CdRom Device
PSU : not sure yet

Monitor : Plug and Play Monitor [NoDB] (CNN4021ZBB)

OS: Microsoft Windows XP Professional

any more information needed i can try to get for you

All help appreciated, thanks :)

[The Wise Monkey]

I wouldn't advise going with a P4 CPU, as they are really out of date now.

Ok, here is the best way to spend your £150 (all links from www.ebuyer.com, good site for components here in the UK, plus usually free delivery):

CPU - E2200 - http://www.ebuyer.com/product/139584 - £50.46
Mobo - Gigabyte GA-G31M-S2L iG31 - http://www.ebuyer.com/product/140066 - £39.37
RAM - 2GB Crucial - http://www.ebuyer.com/product/106133 - £23.80

You can keep everything else from your old build, and this will give you a pretty decent PC. If you wanted to upgrade your GFX card as well, then you could go for the 8500GT which is about £36, or sell a few of your old components on eBay and think about an 8600GT or a HD4650 for about £50.

Hope this helps. :)

[hstar]

thanks was looking for help like this :)

would this setup run a game like COD4 smoothly ?

[The Wise Monkey]

The HD4650 would, but it depends what resolution you run it at - check this chart:

http://en.hardspell.com/doc/showcont.asp?news_id=4041&pageid=3290

Of course, your CPU won't be as powerful, but that shouldn't affect the results too much, maybe 5-10 fps depending on the situation.