I want to upgrade my pc

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Im a newbie to all this but I am wanting to upgrade my current pc. I do photography as a hobby and am about to get so editing software, but the software I have at the moment struggles and its only basic. So I would like some ideas please. I have a Compagq Sr5601uk

Motherboard - MS-7525 (Boston)
Processor - Celeron E1200
Memory - 1Gb
Video graphics - Intergrated graphics using Intel GMA3100
Hard Drive - 160Gb
Computer case - Mid size ATX
Power supply - 300w

Now Im happy to do this gradually but I would like to know where to start. this is a first for me but I think im capable of doing it. Any help and Items to buy would be great. Thank you.
 
processor wise you have the following which are compatible:

Motherboard supports the following processor upgrades:

* Core 2 Duo E7xxx (Wolfdale-M)
* Core 2 Duo E4x00 (Conroe)
* Pentium E2xxx series (Conroe)
* Celeron Dual Core E1xx0 series (Conroe)
* Celeron 4xx series (Conroe)

and memory:

* Dual channel memory architecture
* Two 240-pin DDR2 DIMM sockets
* Supported DIMM types:
o PC2-5300 (667 MHz)
o PC2-6400 (800 MHz)
* Non-ECC memory only, unbuffered
* Supports 2GB DDR2 DIMMs
* Supports up to 4 GB* on 32 bit PCs
o 32 bit PCs cannot address a full 4.0 GB of memory.

taken from - http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?cc=uk&lc=en&docname=c01386897#N134
 
Budget? Which OS are you running? Whilst Neil is right on costs, it might be better to go for a complete new build (I'd be worried by the 300W power supply depending on the processor you choose).
 
arad85 said:
Budget? Which OS are you running? Whilst Neil is right on costs, it might be better to go for a complete new build (I'd be worried by the 300W power supply depending on the processor you choose).
Click to expand...

That was the jist of my reply which I deleted lol. It's been a while since I tinkered with PC internals so my idea was mainly driven by the thought that Celeron processors were the pit of the bunch and looking at the rest of the specs I didn't envisage the MB being able to take any of the more modern processors.

Might have to budget for a new monitor too perhaps.
 
i think the existing PSU should be okay up to a duo, providing youre not slapping anything else like internal hard drives or a power hungry graphics card.

while im not a big fan of budget PSUs they not too bad with a limited spec. example, i have a budget CIT SFF case with supplied "300w" unit. runs a core2 quad fine.
 
Have just got a mailshot from eBuyer for this.. Value Desktop PC £229

- Intel Pentium Dual Core E5800 Processor 3.2Ghz
- 4GB DDR3 1333Mhz
- 1TB hard drive
- DVD-RW drive

Only thing is, it doesn't come with OS, keyboard, mouse or monitor. But I'm guessing you're probably running XP or Vista so it could be worthwhile upgrading to 7 whilst you're on.
 
id prefer a E7600 core2duo in the existing chassis to be honest, more cache, faster FSB..

i concider Intel Pentium (as the E5800) processors to be in line with celerons personally.
 
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I run my PCs 24/7 (which, I admit is probably unusual). I've had 3 good 320W power supplies fail after about 3 years use. Decided that I'd overspec and went for 650W since then and haven't had a failure (although I do normally keep a spare handy just in case - 4 PCs using ATX sized power supplies here...).
 
Well i really dont know what to do now. I would love to buy a new pc but this one is only couple years old, but then again it does not really do what I want it to do. What about laptops? Would anybody reccomend using a laptop for photography?
 
Neil g - Ive just been reading other posts about laptops and I think im against going down that route now for photo editing.
So neil do you think im best to replace complete unit or should I slowly upgrade my current one?
 
Ok if I go down the upgrade root then. What processor do you reccomend and memory for £160?
 
+1 for Scan. Dealt with them on numerous occasions, very helpful staff and easy to take things back if they do go wrong.

On the E7600, I have it on a little desktop running a few media programmes and it copes well. It'll be a big upgrade on your current rig!
 
luckily i dont like far from scan and use them quite often (for work aswell) and never have an issue with faulty parts. I even bought my new system from them and wouldnt consider buying from anywhere else.

If you looking for new cpu, mobo and ram have a look at there bundles they are quite good value.
 
I'd have to agree that eBuyer seem to win on cost, but if you live near Scan (as i do) paying that little extra to have the comfort of being able to take it in etc could be worth it.

That said I haven't bought from them in the past few months, purely due to me having no money!
 
I've just added up everything I've bought from ebuyer over the years.... <cough> six grand <cough> Expensive business this building PCs!
 
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