Need help to find parts for upgrading pc?

[aria96]

Hi i want to upgrage my pc and i know its a old one but i need help finding parts i want to upgrade everyting,

here is my pc (hp media center m7260.se desktop pc). plz i need help.

[Unoewho]

Hah, yeah that comp is old.  I have that thing running Win XP.  Well what kind of upgrades are you looking for?  After a certain amount of time I've noticed that computers start running slow no matter what you do(could just be newer technology makes it look slow though).  What you want to do is the main question though.  If you're plannign on using this for gaming, I'd suggest buying ram and a graphics card(make sure you get the right type of ram, as there are now newer version and the may be incompatible, and make sure the graphics card has the right slot).  If you're planning on using this computer for a long time you should probably get ready to change the PSU(power supply unit) as this degrades every year of use.  You can buy parts from HP and any electronic retailor.  If you are in North America, I'd suggest checking Bestbuy, however the cheaper alternative is Tiger direct.  Make sure you ask the service people there if these are the right parts for your computer.

*Edit
Just noticed you said everything.  If we're talking about tearing everything out and replacing, I'd advise against it.  Replacing every part costs roughly the amount of just buying a new computer.  The motherboard itself can range from 100-300 dollars for a good one.  A hard drive is 70 dollars upwards.  Ram can be found for 40 dollars up.  A new psu is 80 dollars upwards.  Your motherboard also has to fit your case.
Stores like Bestbuy mostly stock newer items but they may still have some of those parts.  HP most likely still carries the parts.  You could also try Tigerdirect or newegg.

[aria96]

well i want it for gamming medium resulotion well i have 3.5 GB of ram but i dont know what grapich card i can have to upgrade can you give me a tip.
and how do i know if my motherboard can fit the case! i dont know the hight or what you call it.
I dont want to upgrade everything directly now i first want to upgrade a few parts. BTW can i have dual core? i have search on google that it can have dual core but can it on my pc?

and if i keep my single core and find a motherboard that can unlock cores can i use it for gameing?

sorry if it is long but i hope you can anweser theseplz.

[Unoewho]

It's no problem.  Okay first I'll adress the motherboard issue.  Unlocking cores can only be done for triple cores and this is only on certain types.  So you're stuck with your single core unless, a. your motherboard can support a newer processor(dual core, triple core, quad core), in which case you have to buy and reseat yourself or have someone else do the install, or b. you buy a new motherboard, you'll have to find the specs like height to see if a newer one can fit in your case.  So if you can avoid it, I'd suggest avoiding changing motherboard.  However, most games nowadays require at least a dual-core, I mean games like Fallout 3, C.O.D, Halo, Spore etc..  Find the game you want to play and look at the specs for core.  Now, 3.5 gigs of ram should be fine, most games ask for a minimum of 2.  For a graphics card, you'll want one with at the very least 512 mbs of ram but preferably try to find one with 1 gig.  Your motherboard most likely has a slot for a PCI or PCI Express graphics card, but be sure to double check.  There are many websites that can show you how to identify the slot. Choosing a graphics card really depends on the game, the most I can suggest is to try and find one with these factors as well as a heat sink and fan.  I'd really suggest getting a new computer if you find out your single core can't handle the gaming.  Choosing a new motherboard is a lot of hassle and pricey.  Hopefully this helps you.

[aria96]

well yeah i could by a new pc but i reather want to upgrade this one cuz i dont have the money to buy a new one so thats why i want to do it slowly. i have pci express but what g-card can i have right now to gamming. and btw what length and width is my motherboard so i know when i should change.

[lasvegaswireman]

Here are the specs for your HP Media Center m7260.se Desktop Computer and it's MS-7184 (AmethystM) motherboard.

CPU/Processor Upgrades;
Socket: 939
Supports AMD Athlon 64 X2 (up to 4800+) and Sempron (up to 3200+) processors

Memory Upgrades;
Four 184-pin DDR DIMM sockets
Supports dual channel, eight memory banks DDR 333/400 DDR DIMMs
Supports 2.5v DDR SDRAM DIMMs
Maximum HP/Compaq approved memory is 4 GB* without ECC
NOTE:*Actual available memory may be less

Video/Graphics Card Upgrades;

One PCI Express x16 graphics card slot for PCIe x16 v1.0 - v2.0 graphics cards (already has card from factory)

Power Suppy Upgrade may be needed if you upgrade the graphics card. Corsair CX500 or CX600 are good choices and known to fit most HP cases.

Honestly, this computer will never support modern games and finding some of the components may be difficult.

[aria96]

so wich one is better AMD Athlon 64 X2 (up to 4800+) or Sempron (up to 3200+) processors?

[wb2001]

Of course the 4800+  is better, but costs $348+, but US sales only from this source.

http://www.amazon.com/AMD-Athlon-4800-Processor-Socket/dp/B0009RKLQM%3FSubscriptionId%3D0DWX0HJVE7AW...

Then you add a new graphics card and PSU $150-$300.

[aria96]

what g-card can i have right now?

[wb2001]

You could use a Rosewill 630W PSU, and be assured that any GTX550Ti, 560, 560Ti, or 570 card would have sufficient power. 

As an example, EVGA Graphic boards:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007709%2050001402%20600007855%2060009...

Asus boards: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007709%2050001315%20600007855%2060009...

I just bought this recently, but you may choose whatever.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130652

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182200

As a sidebar, the 550Ti could be paired with a 430W http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182202 savings of $15. I bought the 630W because my systems are 24/7.