Need to upgrade my computer badly

[SilentKilla]

I got a new laptop, as I've been out of gaming for a year or so now. My old AlienWare shit the bed on me. The motherboard went.

It had a 2.4 gig Intel and a Geforce 4 ti4600 (?) or something. It also only had 512mb of ram.

Obviously there are open slots inside there, and it seems like it would be cheaper for me to upgrade that rather than buy a new computer. Am I correct?

What would you guys suggest as far as a video card? I'm interested in playing Call of duty 4 and stuff like that. I'd also like to play Crysis. Is that asking to much? haha

Also, what would you suggest for a motherboard? I'm looking to buy cheaper stuff if possible. I can't afford to put together a $10000 computer

Thanks!

 

[Krynn72]

How are your feelings on putting a new computer together yourself? Building one by just buying components and assembling it yourself is the cheapest way to go and gets you the best bang for your buck. Upgrading your computer to the best your motherboard can handle probably wont be enough to play either of those games enjoyably, so i'd suggest getting a new PC.

And dont buy Alienware. EXPENSIVE!

If you post a rough budget we can suggest some components that will make sense for you.

 

[Nemesis6]

Yeah, trust me - Upgrading something old is not gonna be a good solution. As Krynn said, a budget would help a lot.

 

[SilentKilla]

Hm that sucks. I was talking to a few other people and upgrading was seeming decent for right around $500. I didn't want to spend much more than that.

What did you guys have in mind?

I think I'd be able to assemble a computer on my own, if I had to.

 

[Eejit]

E8400 is the new E6600 go for that, the price should be similar (mine was cheaper).
Intel mobos are fine, unless you want sli at some point (which you shouldnt )
Other than that, what Sea said.

 

[MRG]

I think I'd be able to assemble a computer on my own, if I had to.

That does not inspire much confidence in us. Either you feel up to the task or you don't. It's the same principle as me saying that I "think" i'm up to changing the oil in my car, but instead of putting new oil back in, I use ATF instead, which would not be good. No one here wants you to buy a bunch of parts, if you do not have the basic understanding of PC repair. Regardless of what some people here would tell you, it's not as easy as opening your case and just messing around indescriminatly. Some common sense is required.

Note: I just got done repairing a clients PC because he had been told by the store salesman, that the video card he had bought, would fit in his PC. A PCIe card is not compatible with an AGP slot. Still, he had "tried" to make it fit. So i'm sorry if the above comes across as rude.

Before we all go post crazy, trying to out-do each other with giving you ideas for upgrades, First tell us the model of Alienware you bought, so that we can check the cases dimensions & the wattage of it's PSU

You can buy some pretty decent parts for your PC for $500.

You might also want to think about buying a CPU+Mobo combo. So that you don't have to worry about compatibility or installing the CPU. These are also sometimes cheaper than buying the parts separate.

-MRG