What can i upgrade on this computer?
maybe ram, or a graphics card? maybe even another cpu? i dont know much about computers. please help. this is the computer:
http://reviews.cnet.com/desktops/compaq-presario-sr1303wm-sempron/4505-3118_7-31466861.html?tag=rnav
these are the specs:
General
* Type Personal computer
* Recommended Use Home use
* Product Form Factor Tower
* Width 7.2 in
* Depth 16.5 in
* Height 15.4 in
* Localization English / United States
Processor
* Type AMD Sempron 3000+ / 2.0 GHz
* Installed Qty 1.0
* Max processors supported 1.0
Cache Memory
* Type L2 cache
* Installed Size 512.0 KB
* Cache Per Processor 512 KB
Mainboard
* Chipset type VIA UniChrome KM400A
* Data bus speed 333.0 MHz
RAM
* Installed Size 256.0 MB / 1.0 GB (max)
* Technology DDR SDRAM
* RAM form factor DIMM 184-pin
Storage Controller
* Type 1.0 x IDE – Integrated
* Controller interface type ATA-133
* Storage controller interface channel qty 2.0
Storage
* Hard Drive 1.0 x 40.0 GB – Standard – 5400.0 rpm
* Hard Drive (2nd) None
Optical Storage
* Type CD-RW / DVD-ROM combo – IDE
* CD / DVD read speed 48x (CD) / 16x (DVD)
* CD / DVD write speed 48x
* CD / DVD rewrite speed 32x
Optical Storage (2nd)
* Type None
Storage Removable
* Type None
Monitor
* Monitor Type None.
Graphics Controller
* Type Integrated
* Graphics Processor / Vendor VIA UniChrome
* Video Memory Shared video memory (UMA)
Audio Output
* Type Sound card – Integrated
* Audio output compliant standards AC ’97
* Speaker(s) None
Input Device
* Type Mouse , Keyboard
Audio Input
* Type None
Telecom
* Modem Fax / modem – PCI – Plug-in card
* Max transfer rate 56.0 Kbps
* Protocols & Specifications K56Flex
Networking
* Networking Network adapter
* Data Link Protocol Ethernet , Fast Ethernet
Printer
* Type None
Expansion / Connectivity
* Expansion Bays Total (Free) 1.0 ( 1.0 ) x Front accessible – 3.5" x 1/3H , 2.0 ( 0.0 ) x Internal – 5.25" x 1/2H , 2.0 ( 1.0 ) x Front accessible – 3.5" x 1/3H
* Expansion Slots Total (Free) 1.0 ( 1.0 ) x Processor – Socket A , 1.0 ( 0.0 ) x SD Memory Card – DIMM 184-pin , 1.0 ( 1.0 ) x AGP 8x – Type I/II , 3.0 ( 1.0 ) x XD-Picture Card , 2.0 ( 1.0 ) x Memory , 1.0 ( 1.0 ) x Memory Stick , 1.0 ( 1.0 ) x CompactFlash Card , 1.0 ( 2.0 ) x SmartMedia Card , 1.0 ( 1.0 ) x PCI
* Interfaces 6.0 x Keyboard – Generic – 15 pin HD D-Sub (HD-15) , 1.0 x Display / video – Generic – 4 pin USB Type A , 1.0 x Headphones – Line-in – Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm , 1.0 x Audio – Phone line – Mini-phone 3.5 mm , 2.0 x Modem – Input – Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm , 1.0 x Audio – Line-out – RJ-45 , 1.0 x Parallel – RS-232 – 6 pin mini-DIN (PS/2 style) , 1.0 x Network – Output – Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm , 1.0 x Serial – VGA – 9 pin D-Sub (DB-9) , 1.0 x Hi-Speed USB – IEEE 1284 (EPP/ECP) – 25 pin D-Sub (DB-25) , 1.0 x Microphone – Ethernet 10Base-T/100Base-TX – 6 pin mini-DIN (PS/2 style) , 2.0 x Mouse – RJ-11
Miscellaneous
* Pricing Type HP remarketed
Power
* Power device type Power supply
Operating System / Software
* OS Provided Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
Card Reader
* Card reader 9 in 1 card reader
* Supported flash memory cards MultiMediaCard , CompactFlash Card type I , XD-Picture Card , Memory Stick Pro , Memory Stick , SmartMedia Card , SD Memory Card , Microdrive , CompactFlash Card type II
Filed under: Tapit Software
RAM, GPU, and CPU, in that order of priority.
Get yourself 1GB of RAM, an older AGP 8X based video card (getting anything faster than a 6800 GT/7600 GT is a waste), and swap that Sempron out for a supported Athlon.
I go along with Null…but I would upgrade that Hard Drive as well. 40GB is awful small nowadays and 5400 rpm isn’t the fastest horse in the stable either.
The ram is seriously lacking. It maxes out at 1gb and even that is a bit low these days.