NEC 3550 Firmware Update 1.07

[Chewy]

I would just buy the power supply and the burner cause you can always pull them and use in a new computer

if you have someone that can use it later then a 100$ video card would be a huge upgrade for gaming

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130076

[Dr Klovernutz]

currently my system is as follows:

Dell 4600
-P4 2.6 GHz hyper threading
-800FSB
-1G (4 x 256MB DDR RAM in dual channel configuration) PC3200
-250W PSU
-1/4" floppy (I actually use for work sometimes for older computers)
-80GB HD
-250GB HD
-Creative Live 5.1 Sound Card
-NVIDIA FX 5200
-Win XP home ed
-NEC 3550A DVD+-RW
-DVD ROM (forget model # right now, but it reads great)
----------------------------------------------------------
I was thinking about upgrading the following:

-2G (4X 512BM DDR RAM in dual channel) PC3200
aprox $110-130

-500W PSU
approx $30-40

-Video Card (unknown what)
approx ?50? I've seen prices all over the place and i don't know what to get.....

-New CPU (i've seen P4 3.2GHz/ 3.4 GHz) ?use current heatsink and fans?
approx $70

total approx 250-300

.....AND now the DVD burner (i no longer trust the NEC)
approx $30

-----------------------------------------------------
I eventually wanted to build a new system, but to do so would cost much more (I would think)
I am aware you can buy a new Base model dell for like $500 but I would like better quality parts
AND
I absolutely want XP for my desktop
(all my software and hardware works GREAT in XP)
I have worked with Vista (not too fond of it, but eventually I will have to get it for work)
Actually I just picked up a HP dv6105us laptop XP MCE (upgraded to 1G RAM) after rebates was $440 (including RAM)
my plan for VISTA was pick up a laptop HD / swap out my current laptop HD and put vista on the new one/ BOOM
a VISTA machine for like $60. but anyhow................


To build an entire system I would have to buy EVERYTHING
that's gotta cost way more than $300 for a good desktop?
I need: Tower, PSU, CPU, heatsink, fans, HDD(sata), memory, graphics card, audio card, dvd drives (sata) etc...
pretty much everything I have in my desktop now would be useless in a new one, or am I mistaken.????
plus I recall reading about how certain mobo dislike certain components, etc.

What do you think? Am I way off base with my facts? should I only do a minor upgrade on the DELL and build a new system
later; or do you think the upgrades I want to perform will result in greater performance?

any input would be greatly appreciated.
thank you

PS (just saw ur last post)
1. Would the better PSU show an increase in performance
2. I can use IDE DVD drives on a new mobo (I thougt everthing was SATA ) or will this be something I should look for: combo IDE and SATA
3. wouldn't a new video card take away from the RAM?

[Chewy]

going from 1 gig to 2 gigs for 130$ isn't going to be much benefit

you've got a 30$ vid card now, going to a 50$ won't help gaming that much

the power supply is a necessity with the new burner, the added components and a possible new video card

going to a new cpu, that mobo only supports up to 3.06? will not raise any performance much at all, the P4 suffered from a lot of lame characteristics

you have socket 478? which limits you even more?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116027

both old and new would be at the bottom of this chart

http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/07/16/cpu_charts_2007/page14.html

even this 80$ new amd cpu

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103747

gives almost twice the performance

either way new video with more ram onboard won't affect system ram, just make gaming a lot faster

[BR7]

I have the ND-3550A.Which of the L&Ds do I download

original or RPC1

And how do you install the bin?

[Chewy]

original if you never use out of your region dvd's, rpc1 if you want region free

download binflash(bottom left) win32gui for regular windows

put it in a folder with the bin file

[BR7]

Thank you

[Dr Klovernutz]

thanks for the input chewy,

so in conclusion, my best bet is to add PSU, DVDRW, and video card only.
and this will be the final upgrade for my dear o'le Dell.....

thanks much

[Dr Klovernutz]

chewy,
ok
i am stuck between these 2
my concern is as follows:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171018

this one claims input voltage as: 90-132V/180-260V

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817148027

this one claims input voltage as 115/230 V


my current PSU says 115/240v

I just don't want to blow up my computer (haha)

whick one should i buy

[Chewy]

don't worry about the power specs, just make sure the switch is in the 120 position

both look like a decent choice, good deals

[Dr Klovernutz]

thanks,

hey, over a CD freaks, someone says that only a DELL brand PSU will fit into a Dell tower

http://club.cdfreaks.com/showthread.php?p=1877725#post1877725

this true?

also you said 120 position, all my towers say 115?

thanks

[Dr Klovernutz]

thanks for all your help chewy!

I went with the coolermaster PSU
the EVGA 256-A8-N542-T2 GeForce 7600GS 256MB 128-bit GDDR2 AGP 4X/8X Video Card - Retail

and the SAMSUNG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black PATA Model SH-202G - OEM

I figure the NEC is still region free so if i need it (RPC1 ) i can always reinstall that drive for a specific DVD is needed (haha and if it'll read it haha) then i could always remove it.

thanks for all your help though, the hardest part about replaceing that drive was finding a new one......

Chewy Rules!

-DRK

[Chewy]

also you said 120 position, all my towers say 115?

well if you want to nitpik, I think the correct voltage is 117 volts or at least that's what they are supposed to try for(the power grid)

let's just hope you get a good coolmaster, they are good but their quality control isn't the best, but I coulodn't see you paying a 100$ for one either

[Dr Klovernutz]

SHOULD I have bought the other one?!?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817148027

reading the reviews more carefully seems like 1/2 of people complain about noise.......

[Chewy]

apeivia is too new, like beta testing a product

[Dr Klovernutz]

i have heard of cooler master and not apeivia... I hope I get a good one, tired of playing quake 4 on the geforece 5200fx, and in order to use the new video card i'm gonna need the psu. How long should i give it before i cut off the upc for the rebate?