Still upgrading.

[JSIMMO]

I have on various websites including about upgrading my DELL Inspiron Desktop so its optimized for gaming (Portal 2 and Fallout NV, for example.)

I have been told that I would need to upgrade my processor to a quad core processor, but that I would need to upgrade my motherboard also.

They say I would need a DG33M03 motherboard, and a 350w power supply. Also, what RAM slots does this have?

What if I upgraded to the highest performance processor that I could, without buying a new motherboard.

What would I be looking at buying?

I have been reccomended to buy an intel socket 775 CPU and a Radeon 4600, would these work on my stock motherboard?

[VHG]

>What if I upgraded to the highest performance processor that I could, without buying a new motherboard.

Motherboards can only accept a certain "range" of CPUs. So it is not about buying the best CPU you can, it is about buying the best processor your motherboard can take.

But the speed of a CPU is only part of what makes a PC go fast. It is also about the speed of the memory, the speed of your hard disk, and the speed of your BUS (the speed the data flows round your motherboard).

So you could maybe get a CPU that was twice as fast as your current one, but the PC would not go twice as fast, maybe only 20% faster or whatever.

As technology moves on the speed of everyhing increases. CPU speed gets better, memory speed gets better, BUS speed gets better. So you have to upgrade the lot to gain much performance.

Note also graphics cards are very important in games playing. You need space in the case for a graphics card, plus the right slots, plus probably a more powerful power supply (a 350W is probably not enough).

Sounds to me like you need a complete new PC.

[JSIMMO]

Okay, so what sort of PC would you reccomend, with a 64bit OS, a HD Graphics card (which would be fit for the highest end games, like Black ops) and a good processor and an really good sound card?

[VHG]

I dont play games on a PC so cant help much.

I suggest you go over to the micro mart forums as they really know their stuff there. Ask your question on the gaming forum (or "System Bulders and Upgraders" forum).

You need to register first (which is free)

http://forum.micromart.co.uk/

[JSIMMO]

Okay, thanks mate :)

[SlackAlice]

Some more forums for you

http://www.pcgamer.com/forum/

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/