Need Help Upgrading my PC

[FrustratedGamer24]

Im upgrading the cpu, ram and psu on my HP Pavillion a1677c, the thing is I cant find the specs of the motherboard ASUS A8M2N-LA. So my questions are:

 

Could it handle a AMD Athlon x2 6400+ @ 3.2Ghz Model #: ADX6400CZBOX ?

What kind of PSU can i fit in there, what should i look for in it, what brands should I look for?

Can it handle 4Gigs (2x2gig pc 5300 ram modules)?

 

later on im going to upgrade the GPU, i think this depends onthe PSU upgrade i do now but im not really sure, im thinking of getting the XFX - GeForce 9800 GXT+512MB DDR3 PCI Express Graphics Card.

I want to upgrade this pc because i dont have enough money for buy/build a new one and I think with these upgrades i may be able to play games like crysis or COD 4 in mid setting at 1680x1050 pixels . I have $200 to spend on these upgrades (without the gpu). Any advice would be nice.

 

The specs i found are these:

 

For the whole pc

 

HP Pavilion Media Center a1677c Desktop PC -  Product Specifications 

 

For the Mobo

 

HP and Compaq Desktop PCs -  Motherboard Specifications, A8M2N-LA (NodusM3) 

 

by the way thanks for the help =D

[Dalo Harkin]

Hi and Welcome :)

 

Right lets get started on this -

 

It will take AM2 chips - NOT AM2+ chips

 

PSU is preference really but the Corsair and OCZ ranges IMHO are the best in terms of reliability and cost.

 

It can take 4GB - but seeing as though there are 4 DIMM slots you may need to buy 4x1GB DIMMS as opposed to 2x2GB DIMMS

 

GPU wise - I would more at the ATI offerings - you can get the 4850 for along the same lines as the 9800GTX+ and the ATI will blow it out of the water :D

 

If you need anything more, let us know :)

[FrustratedGamer24]

TYVM Dalo Harkin for the help

 

Ive looked uo some ATI GPUs and i think im going to go with the Sapphire 1GB HD4850. With the PSU im going with a OCZ modular with red cooling fan :D. The CPU im still not sure but maybe a Athlonx2 6000+ @ 3.1Ghz wich is AM2 socket and windsor core.

 

The only thing i still dont know is the RAM :confused: . Some guy told me heatspreders are the way to go if im upgrading for gaming. He offered me a G.Skill dual channel kit pc-5300 (2x2GB) wit CAS 4 nad 4-4-4-12 timing (I have no idea what that means). He wants US$50 for those but i have never heard that brand before, is it good/reliable?? He offered me the same thing but PNY with CAS 5 and 5-5-515 timings at US$43. I have heard bad reviews on this brand but still some people say that with ram brands arent that important nowdays since everyone has "lifetime warranty". Or should I go with more trusted bands with no heatspreaders (because of budget) like crucial, corsair and kingston????

[Dalo Harkin]

TYVM Dalo Harkin for the help

 

Ive looked uo some ATI GPUs and i think im going to go with the Sapphire 1GB HD4850. With the PSU im going with a OCZ modular with red cooling fan :D. The CPU im still not sure but maybe a Athlonx2 6000+ @ 3.1Ghz wich is AM2 socket and windsor core.

 

The only thing i still dont know is the RAM :confused: . Some guy told me heatspreders are the way to go if im upgrading for gaming. He offered me a G.Skill dual channel kit pc-5300 (2x2GB) wit CAS 4 nad 4-4-4-12 timing (I have no idea what that means). He wants US$50 for those but i have never heard that brand before, is it good/reliable?? He offered me the same thing but PNY with CAS 5 and 5-5-515 timings at US$43. I have heard bad reviews on this brand but still some people say that with ram brands arent that important nowdays since everyone has "lifetime warranty". Or should I go with more trusted bands with no heatspreaders (because of budget) like crucial, corsair and kingston????

 

Hmm - heatsinks are a good idea - but you need to have a case with sufficient cooling for them to be of any benefit whatsoever.

I wouldnt pay the extra for the 1GB version of the GPU as you will noy notice the difference unless there is not much difference in price.

The PSU is a good one :D

With RAM I always go for OCZ as I have not had one fail yet.