ugrade HP or buy new

Hi, I just joined here, pleased to meet you all.

I need some expert advice

I have HP pavilion m7680n pc with dual processor running XP media edition driving a Samsung LCD 1920x1280 TV and I need the following ugrades to get the performance I want . . . . .

1) Windows 7
2) New video card - I currently get video glitches on any horizontal pan with video or folders - i.e if a video pans horizontally or if I drag a folder horizontally
3) New 500W PSU ( for the new video card )
4) Blu ray drive
5) Another couple of gigs of ram

I do not use PC for gaming . . . just audio & video but I want these to be just about as good as it can get

I estimate these ugrades will cost me about $550.

Do you think this is a worthwhile upgrade for my current PC or is this idea littered with potential problems and buying a new PC with these features would be a better way forward.

I have changed a video card before but not a power supply. I have a technical background but not in building PC's

cheers

mike

 

Welcome to Computer Help Forums, Mike!!

We have some real experts who can help you through the process from upgrading to a total new build. None of the upgrades that you require appear difficult to install.

Frankly, if it were me I would buy a new machine rather than upgrade the parts. But, if it were me, I would build a machine from scratch taking advantage of the help I know is available here.

My opinion is based less on the specs as the fact that it was introduced in 2006 without, among other things, Windows 7 in mind.

 

OK first of is the $550 the total budget you have available for a new PC or Upgrade?

Personally for audio and Video use if the penny's allow I would be looking at an Intel I7 system.

the main problem you will have upgrading is your system is its a Micro ATX system

Product Specifications HP Pavilion Media Center TV m7680n Desktop PC - HP Customer Care (United States - English)

so for the hassle and cost of finding and buying compatible parts I think you would be looking at a new system.

however, we have a PC Hardware God (we like to boost his ego lol) who if you can answer my questions and post a list of the parts you are looking at for your $550 will give you some really good sound advice on your options. ?

 

wow - this is one heavy duty kind of forum . . .

I'm glad I found you guys - thx for your help so far

$550 is the rough cost I work out for the upgrade option

My budget for a new machine I think would have to be higher - perhaps $1200 or more

my main problem with this computer is that I have glitches in the video so I am just looking for a video card with VGA & DVI output that can drive my 1920 x 1080p LCD TV without even a hint of a glitch . . .for this I am guessing will need a video card that will need at least a 500W supply.

some advice on what video card would great

I definitely want windows 7, a Bluray drive and I'm guessing another 2 gig of ram will help things

but if you think a new machine will be better just say so - I have an open mind and would be interested to hear what you would recommend

many thanks

mike

 

First of for reference 1200 U.S. dollars = 738.916256 British pounds

second I assumed last night that when you said Audio and Video that you were using it for editing, if you do a lot of Video converting between file types as well you will benefit from the I7 core.

I'll put money on this being a heat problem? when was the last time you cleaned the inside of your PC? the best way is with a can of compressed air, in short bursts to blow the dust out.

If you are interested in Building yourself there is a good thread here

http://computerhelpforums.net ew-bu...-for-a-few-suggestions-on-a-new-computer.html

Thanks to Patrick I think he asked about every conceivable question in regards to whys when building a PC.

If your not keen to build yourself and would rather go for an off the shelf PC, It's also worth thinking about the January sales season.

Sorry if it seems were asking lots of questions without much advice but the more we know, and how you feel about different options the better the advice we can give, and when Dalo reads through this thread Mon morning or Tues at the very latest he will have all the information he needs to tell you your best option.

 

Hi, there are plenty of options you can go for with around £600, the 260GTX card is more than capable of playing at the resolution you are asking for and only costs around £100 now.
So that leaves you plenty to get a system that can do everything you ask as well as allow you to play games if you would like

 

Mostly just listen to audio & watch video and I want to upgrade to HD video

Actually I did have a dust built up problem that I fixed a few months ago with the vacuum cleaner. The symptoms were fan running hard for long periods which stopped after I cleaned it.

The glitches I have now I only noticed after a bought my 1920x1080 TV and began watching TV & movies through my PC but when I was playing around to understand this problem I noticed that I also get this problem when I drag an open window horizontally across the screen.

I want to emphasize that I only ever get this problem when the video card / processor is dealing with a horizontal pan either in a movie or in a window. When I have a horizontal pan I always have this problem and if there is no horizontal panning happening I have no problems so I suspect that this problem is connected to processor power or not enough RAM ( or both )

I have tried a geforce 8400 GS video card because with my old TV I needed a DVI output and regarding this problem it was exactly the same as the original supplied video card.

Also with the 8400 GS the problem is the same with either DVI or VGA. I have currently reverted to the original video card now as my new TV has a VGA input.

I do not see glitches on my TV with a stand alone DVD player so the TV itself seems fine.

Thx, I will check it out

I hope now my situation is clear to you and thx again for your input

 

Given that you have had dust heat problems, then their is every possibility that upgrading won't solve the problem if its related to RAM or Motherboard.

so I would go for the new PC

just had a quick look and found this

The Dell Online Store: Build Your System.

if your interested in building your own then let us know and we will have a look and post a list of components that you will need for your build to your budget.

I'm not saying that I recomend Dell but they do have one of the better support sites, as for off the shelf systems I have never owned one, but you also have the option of using the HDD's out of your old PC in your new one.

 

The 8400GS is a budget card (you can get them online for <£20) and that is why you cannot view the resolution that you need to, it is the equivalent of onboard graphics.