Upgrades

I keep talking about doing this, but I think next week will finally see me upgrading the computer. Thanks again to the incredible Stuart for the processor, I'm finally taking the plunge. Here's what I've decided on. I have an aging Compaq computer. It's running Windows ME. Three PCI slots, and one AGP 2x/4x slot. Three slots for RAM.

I'll take the RAM first - three 256 Meg DIMMs. The manufacturer says that's the max, so we'll go with that.
Then, a video card - I've decided on the ATI 9800 All In Wonder, with the remote control. Video Capture a Go-Go, Baby! Plus Crankin' Video Performance.
I'll leave the current sound card there (unless I decide to pick up a cheap 5.1 card), and leave the wireless network setup. I'll take out the current Ethernet card, and replace it with a USB 2.0 card. I'll install a new 120 G hard drive as a D drive. I'll format the C:\ drive, and upgrade to Windows XP Media Center edition. I'm also installing a DVD burner (for to burn Foster's, Stargate, Battlestar Galactica, etc.) I may need a new power supply. That might just be a good idea anyway.

As for software, I'll pick up a copy of Nero. There are drivers and programs for video capture with the card. The only other serious outlay for programs I think I'll make is maybe a game for the GBA:SP (I'm thinking Metroid Zero Mission, Zelda: Minish Cap, or Final Fantasy Dawn of Souls), maybe Tales of Symphonia for the 'Cube (which I can get DIRT CHEAP at Gamefly), and (maybe) heaven help me, the Steam version of Half-Life 2. Not that I'll have a lot of time to play it (maybe an hour or two on weekends), because this new semester is going to be B-U-S-Y!

UPDATE: Nope, stupid student loan disbursement won't allow this to happen until Mid-March, or so. I'll see what I can do about the video card (the most essential part of the upgrade), but it'll all probably have to wait.