My computers become a 'little' outdated for playing modern games and I am planning to upgrade the amount of RAM and upgrade the Graphics card to improve gaming performance; however I am unsure what components will work with my current Motherboard and PSU.

Here are my current specs

Motherboard: ASUSTeK Computer Inc. K8V
PSU: 360 watts
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 Processor 3000+ 792 MHz
Graphics Card: GeForce FX 5900 XT
RAM: 2 x 256MB (thats all the information have)
Sound Card: Auidgy 2 ZS
(Do you need any more information??? Its a MESH PC)

Can anyone recommend a better card or extra RAM that will be compatible with my system?

Thanks

Alex

According to the ASUS official site, your mobo can support memory speeds of up to PC3200 (400)DDR and a 8X AGP Video card.

You'll need to specify your approximate budget so it will be easier for us to recommend the best value option.

I was thinking up to £200, maybe £250 at the very most

a better card would a geforce 6600 gt, if you want to play modern games. 1GB Ram will be more than enough.

Thanks, apart from the speed of the RAM is there anything else I need to consider such as number of pins???

Yes, you need 184pin ddr pc3200 ram, be sure to NOT get ddr2 ram.
For example, you already have 512MB in two of your slots, so if you want 1gb, then you would need a 512mb stick, like this one.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatalog/Corsair_Value_Select.html
(go to 8th one down, which is "Corsair 512MB DDR Value Select PC3200 CAS2.5 (VS512MB400) (MY-042-CS)")

The Ram would be about 28 after VAT, so you could still get a 7800gs agp card, which is about 223 after VAT, like the ones on this page.
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatalog/7800AGP_Series.html
If the 7800gs is too much, consider a 6800gs, like the ones at the top of this page.
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatalog/6600AGP_Series.html

Thanks People, you've really helped

I can send you instructions on how to install everything, if you dont know how to.

I think I know, but it couldn't hurt to have extra instructions as I'm not that confident.

OK for your video card:

1. Remove your video card from the box.
2. Take your new video card and place it the correct way into the motherboard's AGP or PCI slot, whichever is appropiate.
3. Plug your monitor into the new card and you should see your windows desktop.
4. Install drivers from CD or manufacturer website.

For your RAM:

1. Make sure there is an extra upgrade slot for RAM.
2. Unlock the latches so you can insert your RAm stick.
3. Insert the RAM and close the latches. Your RAM will be recognized on reboot.

This is all you need to install the video card and the ram. Also, for your video card, make sure that your video card is compatible with your motherboard, I would do this by calling AsusTek and asking them if your video card choice is compatible with your motherboard.

Best regards, sw123

Thanks alot! I'll let you now how I get on.

uhm, for the video card, I dont suggest you literally pull out the old one, insert the new card and start installing drivers..
its good practice to uninstall prior video card drivers (even if you have nVidia and is upgrading to anotehr nVidia card) to make sure there are no driver conflicts. use DriverCleaner Pro. google it and install it. THEN go ahead and install the new card.

heres a comprehensive guide to installing/upgrade to a new video card:
http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=965852

here it is if u dont wanan go there:
1: go to add/remove progs and uninstal 'nvidia display driver' it might ask u to restart.
2: if it doesnt, then restart anyway and this time restart in Safe Mode. press F8 a few times before WinXP boots
3: open drivercleaner pro and on the drop list menu, go down to "nvidia" and select/add that to the list. and click clean button
4: turn off PC. install new card (make sure u ground urself) then boot up PC normally
5: wait for XP to do its autodetect thing and cancel everything. then start up the CD that came in the box and isntall the driver.
6. it may ask u to reboot one more.. do so, and ur set =]

ya dont rip out the old one. leave it in it will just be disabled and your new card will dominate

what do you mean "leave it in"? wheres he gonna put the new card? He has an ASUS K8V and a GeForce FX 5900 XT currently on his AGP. he doesnt use on-board video that can be 'left' on.

If he's using a different graphics card, it doesn't really matter I don't think that you need to take out the old card. If he needs to take it out, he shouldn't rip it out. He should remove all the screws or nuts required, then he could gently take it out and put it in a safe place, if he somehow needs to use it again.

Also remeber to unlach it and not just "pull it out" from the A.G.Port (slot).


Best Of Luck

uhmm.. dude, seriously read what i said.. he IS using a graphics card called the FX5900XT.. do you know what that is? its an AGP8X card by nVidia under the GForce line.. and YES it does mattter than he takes this card out.. where would he put in his new card? right on top of his old one? UGH.. i KNOW you need to take out the old card.... ding dong

DUUHHH!!!

what screws or nuts? is your PC a spaceship or something? as far as i know there are no screws (unless you have an old school case from like... 90's and if thats the case its jus a little flat thats held on by a screw or two.. there are no nuts.....)

I got an eMachine computer and it requires me to take out the screws so I was able to put my PCI card. I think maybe it is also required from other PC's to remove the screws to put in the new card.

Do not mix speeds , brands, types, or size of memory. RTFM of your motherboard to determine what it will take. Certain motherboards are very picky on RAM. Asus is one of them.

Sw I think I understand your confusion. You have PCI graphics and Alex has AGP graphics. The slots in the motherboard are entirely different. PCI has one screw but AGP only has a locking lever arm to secure the card.