Upgrading an old PC

Adding Memory

A very simple task.
To add more RAM to your PC, you must know the characteristics of your motherboard.
For this, use Everest, which will provide the type and frequency possible for the RAMs compatible with this motherboard.


We must track down if the motherboard supports DDR or DDR2, and then the maximum capacity.
Depending on the number of slots. you may add some 2 at 4 strips.

Replacing the graphics card

It's not very complicated.
Verify that the graphics port of your motherboard fits well with the graphics card you want to buy. Currently, graphics cards are PCI-Express x16 v2: if there is not no problem to install on a motherboard with PCI-Express x16 v1, there are motherboards with older AGP not compatible: Here too, we must help to Everest for example.
Do not take a very powerful graphics card if you have a fairly old PC, because a little CPU power can limit the graphics card, it's called "CPU limited"

Changing processor

We must identify the motherboard of the PC as in the previous steps, then go to the manufacturer's website to see which processors are compatible because the compliance of the socket is not enough to ensure compatibility, other factors come into play such as floors food processor or the BIOS version.
For example, a motherboard socket 775, see:
replace processor socket 775

Change of Power Supply

We must make sure your power supply is sufficient for these upgrades: new graphics cards consume much more than those of previous generations, a limited power at best will reboot your PC during a game ...
Similarly, if you changed the processor, the new can consume more.

Changing motherboard

In extreme cases, too small processor, AGP graphics port, you must change the motherboard.
This is not a complicated matter, but requires great care and thoroughness.
An important criterion is the format: it must fit in your box.
But also, it must verify certain details such as the connector of the front buttons (power, reset, ...)
On some motherboards, is a specific connector, it will be impossible to change the motherboard without changing box also ...