Now you understand why I said in your previous thread to use your current system as a net machine backup and just start working toward building a new system. You need more memory, bigger power supply and your current CPU is not good enough to allow your video card to show it's true potential. You easily get stuck in a cycle of catch up with an upgrade. For example, in the July magazine of MaximumPC starting on page 30 they upgrade 3 older computers. The lowest cost of all three of the upgrades was $1,165 which is just a little below what I spent for my system.
These are the prices I paid in Apr 2004 at NewEgg.com
Discount for 00-999-153&Motherboard (Qty=1,Price=-10.00)
POWER SUPPLY|ANTEC TRUE CONTROL550W (Qty=1,Price=101.00)
CPU ACC|SLK-947-U HSINK ONLY THR RT (Qty=1,Price=42.99)
ACCES FAN|8CMX25 AJ 3/4P ENER RT (Qty=2,Price=9.80)
MB NFORCE2 A7N8X-E DELUXE ASUS RTL (Qty=1,Price=113.00)
DVD-R RITEK DRD-47-4X-RDSM 50PK% (Qty=1,Price=46.99)
CPU AMD|3000/400 ATHLON XP BARTON % (Qty=1,Price=158.00)
HD 160GB|MAXTOR 6Y160P0 72R 8MB% (Qty=1,Price=115.00)
DVD+/-RW LITEON SOHW-812S BLACK % (Qty=1,Price=110.00)
DDRAM 1GB TWINX1024-3200LLPT COR RT (Qty=1,Price=301.00)
DDRAM 512MB64MX64PC-3200LL COR RT (Qty=1,Price=155.00)
CASE ANTEC|SVR SOHO TOWER SX1040BII (Qty=1,Price=91.00)
Subtotal:1,233.78
I have a 550 watt PSU in my machine. Many system freezes are caused by a PSU that is too weak. System freezes are also caused by a house voltage that drops too low. Often this happens when a frig or something kicks on. When you see your lights dim your PSU is not getting what it needs either. It's a good idea to have a APC batter backup unit to keep the voltage just right. Another good reason to have the APC battery backup units is because they all have AMP/High Current breakers and being so close to your computer will speed up how fast it trips out vs. the basement breaker. This can also mean the difference between just a new PSU or a new computer. Not to mention the smell of burnt wires and maybe a fire in your house.
Am I right BearCat?
