BleepingComputer.com: Looking To Upgrade Old P4 Computer

I am looking to upgrade my old p 4 computer here is the computer http://www.directron.com/usedi865g.html I mostly use this computer to surf the net watch hd videos & convert videos to mp4

I am looking at upgrading the ram to 2gb or 2.5gb ddr400

http://tinyurl.com/2ql47g

& maybe this to

http://tinyurl.com/3cjecg


Also looking to upgrade the video card to this

http://tinyurl.com/3nmask8

So would these upgrades make hds videos play smoother & converting videos to mp4 a little faster. Overall would these upgrades make this computer faster

This post has been edited by DJboutit: 02 November 2011 - 04:07 PM

only one of your links works ,for me anyway,the first one, showing the computer you have[very old entry level computer] ,any upgrade will make it work better ,question is. is the extra performance worth the price of the upgrade.

suggested usage from the first link ,don't say much for the computer .

copy/paste .
Applications for This Inexpensive Computer: (1) This computer makes a perfect system for "waiting room computers." You can place this computer in the waiting room of your office, so your visitors can play simple games, it will make the waiting time to faster. (2) The computer also is an excellent choice as the first computer for small children - little ones then won't fight over computer with the parents or older kids. (3) Use these in classrooms, these actually came out of classrooms. They are ideal to be used in various class rooms for entry-level computer usage. They are networked and can access Internet! (4) Buy these to donate or ship overseas. (5) This once powerful Pentium 4 system will work perfectly as kiosk stations for order taking, Internet accessing, and many other applications. (6) This system is a great low-cost replacement for Pentium II and Pentium III machines out there. (7) A few more great applications: call center work stations, Internet access stations, web hosting, data center, and terminals. A local call-center ordered hundreds of this product as a much more cost-effective way to add workstations to their office. With such a low cost, they don't care if their people beat up / abuse the equipment quickly.

This post has been edited by caperjac: 02 November 2011 - 03:58 PM

Updated the links

no sure if the board will take a 8x video card .

check the motherboard manual for what it can take ,manual here .

http://downloadmirror.intel.com/15206/eng/D865GLC_SpecUpdate12.pdf

This post has been edited by caperjac: 02 November 2011 - 04:13 PM

All of those items are compatible with that system. Have you looked to see how many memory slots are already used for the 1 GB it says is in there already? That will determine what you need/should get in the way of memory. 8X cards are fine in those boards as well.

However.....unless money is extemely hard to come by I would save my cash and get newer parts for a new computer. The reason being the video encoding/conversion you said you do since that is a CPU/memory dependent task. A bottom of the barrel system built from current generation parts will run circles around that computer for right around $300 and if you drop back one generation you can do it for even less. Keep in mind the P4 platform is five generations old.

Specifications:
Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP Professional, Service Pack2.
CPU: Intel Pentium 4E, 3.2 GHz (4x800)
Motherboard: Intel La Crosse D865GLC (3 PCI, 1 AGP, 4 DIMM, Audio, Video, LAN)
Motherboard Chipset: Intel Springdale-G i865G
System Memory: 1024 MB DDR SDRAM ( 2x512MB DDR400, 2 of 4 slots used)
Video: Nvidia Geforce4 MX 4000 ( Microsoft Corporation), 64MB
Audio: SoundMax Integrated Digital Audio (Intel D865GLC)
Drives:
- ST380011A (80GB, 7200 RMP, Ultra-ATA/100)
- USB2.0 CardReader CF RW USB Device
- Lite-on Combo SOHC-5232K
Network: Intel PRO/1000 CT Network Connection
USB Device: USB Mass Storage Device
Power Supply: 240W