Hey everyone, I have been reading your forum all day long searching for information and what not. I was given a desktop computer from my parents, and I want to turn it into a media center. The desktop is a compaq s3300nx. Here are the specs from compaq.
Product Name s3300nx
US product number DC480A
Chassis (color) Mid-size tower- Pinehurst 2- Black/Gray
Color detail Black/Gray
Microprocessor Athlon XP2600+ 2.133 GHz
Frontside bus speed 266 MHz
Processor architecture Socket-A (PGA462)
Chipset KM266
Hard drive 120 GB
Drive RPM 5400 RPM
Memory 512 MB DDR SDRAM
Memory max 1 GB
Memory speed 2100 MB/Sec
Total DIMM sockets 2-184 pin
Available DIMM sockets 1-184 pin open
Multimedia drive 16X DVD drive
CD,DVD Rewritable drive CD-RW (48X12X48)
Diskette drive 3.5 inches (1.44 MB)
Fax and data modem Lucent V.92 56K modem
Network VIA VT6103
Keyboard Compaq PS/2 Internet Keyboard
Mouse Internet Scroll Mouse PS/2
Sound Realtek ALC650
Speakers N/A
Speaker Form factor N/A
Total expansion slots (3) PCI (1) AGP4x 1.5v
Available slots (2) PCI
Total drive bays Ext (2) 3.5 inches (2) 5.25 inches Int (1) 3.5 inches
Available drive bays (1) 3.5 inches ext. (1) 5.25 inches ext
Total external ports (1) Serial (6) USB 2.0 (1) Parallel (2) PS/2
Available external ports (1) Serial (6) USB 2.0 (1) Parallel
Front mounted ports (2) USB 2.0
Video graphics (AGP) GeForce4-MX440 128MB DDR TN
Tower dimensions 16.55 x 6.88 x 14.5 inches (23.8 pounds)
Power supply 200 Watts
It looks like I can only upgrade the memory to 1gig, which I will for sure do. I also would like to add a HDD to store my media, probably 500gig - 1T. I will also be looking into upgrading the audio and video cards. Looks like the power supply could use an upgrade too. I was hoping you all could point me into the right direction here on what to look for.
Currently the desktop has windows XP home. I am wanting to keep this as cheap as possible, and possibly upgrade one or two components at a time, since I am in school and money is tight.
Memory:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145024
HDD - Not sure if I need SATA or IDE, How can I tell?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136131
Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130076
Audio Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102016
These are what I have found from my initial searches. I could be way off with what I am looking at, which is why I am seeking your help. Let me know what you think, if there is something else you recommend, or if you think it is even worth upgrading this desktop
