Upgrading My Comp.

[AnLGP]

Hello,

I've got this computer:

http://support.gateway.com/s/PC/R/GTModels/5454/5454sp2.shtml

And was wondering what should I upgrade? I don't really game much so my video card isn't a huge necessity for me. I've got about 400 gigs of HD space (not all on board, though, and I have really been looking forward to buying a TB HD).

I could also see me putting in RAM. I run Ubuntu with the awesome WM but I like to do a lot of graphics work and listen to music and surf at the same time and eventually it can start bogging down.

I am looking for gift ideas to tell people what I want and it would probably come in the form of a gift card to newegg.com ;)

Also, I could see getting a decent flash drive and just sticking an OS on there and wiping the 250 g drive I have in my computer clean and using it for storage.. thoughts on that?

Thanks!

[nick09]

Here is a graphics card and from what I have read, it runs good in Linux:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150247

RAM:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820141241

1TB HDD:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152102

You can go cheaper on the graphics card if you want to.

[AnLGP]

Thanks!

[nick09]

I found out your computer even supports core 2 duo so here a comparison of the ones that are compatible with your system:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010340343%201050722265%201051107411&bop=And&CompareItemList=N82E16819115032%2CN82E16819115045

EDIT: Never mind. Though you could look up Pentium D processors. Though it will be useful if you provide what model the motherboard is. Your manual could tell you what motherboard it uses.

[AnLGP]

ah, sudo lshw my friend : )


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[Th3Professor]

Hello,

I've got this computer:

http://support.gateway.com/s/PC/R/GTModels/5454/5454sp2.shtml

And was wondering what should I upgrade? I don't really game much so my video card isn't a huge necessity for me. I've got about 400 gigs of HD space (not all on board, though, and I have really been looking forward to buying a TB HD).

I could also see me putting in RAM. I run Ubuntu with the awesome WM but I like to do a lot of graphics work and listen to music and surf at the same time and eventually it can start bogging down.

I am looking for gift ideas to tell people what I want and it would probably come in the form of a gift card to newegg.com ;)

Also, I could see getting a decent flash drive and just sticking an OS on there and wiping the 250 g drive I have in my computer clean and using it for storage.. thoughts on that?

Thanks!

I'd say go for:
4GB RAM
1TB HDD
new GPU
7.1 speakers
2nd LCD monitor

...AND last but not least:


http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31Sy3r1dssL._SS500_.jpg

http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/c3/1d/84ff225b9da005036c502110.L.jpg

[AnLGP]

Thanks.

I have a nice monitor but don't really see the need for a second one. I've never understood the advantage? If someone could put a nice concise list up I'd be appreciative.

My speakers are decent. They're not 7.1, though.. hmm.

[nick09]

You can only use Pentium D, Pentium 4, and Celeron D processors.

Here is information about your motherboard:
http://www.intel.com/products/motherboard/D945GCZ/index.htm

Also forget my suggestion on the ram, get one of these:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820178164

You don't need a second screen or a 7.1 audio system as you are not gonna do any real gaming and for the fact that you mostly do graphic work.

@Th3Professor: That does not really help him. Did you do any research on his hardware? It helps to to do such research to minimize the possible problems in the future.

[Th3Professor]

You can get this 1TB hard drive for $95 with promo code:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136151

http://c1.neweggimages.com/NeweggImage/productimage/22-136-151-01.jpg

[AnLGP]

Thanks this has given me a lot to look into :)

[nick09]

According to this page:
http://www.intel.com/support/motherboards/desktop/d945gcz/sb/CS-026632.htm

You can use a Pentium D 940 @3.2GHz with your kind of system. You can get it for $80 off of ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Intel-Pentium-D-Processor-940-HH80553PG0884M-SL95W_W0QQitemZ110295065115QQcmdZViewItem

Your old heatsink will work with it since it is the same socket. Also use isopropyl alcohol if you see any thermal paste on it. Use this thermal paste when adding in the new processor:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100009

Remember you only need a small dot of the stuff(about the size of a grain of rice). If there is too much then it will just act as a insulator.

[Th3Professor]

You can also remove paste with:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100010

An alternative to the dot is spreading, there are threads on that in these forums and other websites.

[nick09]

Uh... You are have to spread the dot of thermal paste.

[Th3Professor]

negative