[Topher500]

Hello all,

As money is tight I am wondering how I could upgrade my Dell Dimension 8300 in stages.

Current I have a 2.6ghz P4, 2g ram, 256 radeon pro 9800.

My end goal is to be able to play the new games like Sims 3.

Would anyone have any suggestions?

Cheers

Chris

[JohnWill]

Don't.

The foundation of the computer is the motherboard, and you're starting with an out of date motherboard.

[flavallee]

And by the time that you've upgraded "in stages"(which includes a new motherboard, processor, RAM, video card, power supply), you could've purchased a new and much more powerful desktop that's capable of handling those new games.

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[BG-0]

Exactly how tight is your money? I can say that there will be nearly nothing left of your original computer if you start upgrading, but that in mind:

Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129066 (new parts would easily overheat in the old case. Look at the non-illusion model if you dislike the LEDs, it has less fans at stock, but you can always add some.)
CPU+Mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.273428
RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145184
Video card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161287 OR if you really want graphics performance, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102859 or http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161306
Power supply: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139008 (for 4670) or http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139005 (for 57x0)
You might want a new hard drive so it can keep up to the performance of other parts: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148395 or http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136319 or http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148445

Keep in mind you also need a new operating system when you change your motherboard.

[Topher500]

Thanks for help everyone.

Cheers

Chris