Hardware Guide

Install More Ram

Installing more RAM into your system is the possibly the simplest of all the upgrades that can be done to the internal hardware of the computer. RAM is the space that your programs runs on, and if you don't have a lot of RAM then the computer uses the Hard Drive to swap a virtual memory which could cause slow down. You will need some information about your motherboard before you can do this though. You need to know what type of RAM that your motherboard can accept. If you do not have the documentation that has come with your motherboard try visiting the manufacture's website or calling the technical support. The minimal now for smooth game play is 64MB, a better minimal should be 128MB; to check how much that you have right click on my computer and click properties and it will be displayed on the opening screen. Once you go out to the store and purchase the RAM just locate an empty RAM slot and the RAM will just lock in. Just turn on the computer and if it boots up correctly, then you have successful installed the RAM.

Replace Your Video Cards

Your video card is the main image processor for the computer. The technology for this area is rapidly changing and becoming faster and more complex. To begin updating, you need to know whether or not you have an AGP (a slot that is specifically designed for video cards and comes currently in 3 speeds 1x 2x 4x) slot or not. If you don't, you can buy a PCI version (which will be slower). Currently as of November 2000, currently the best card out is the GeForce 2 from Creative Labs ($500). There are many other less expensive that will do the job perfectly. Visit the company webpages below this paragraph for some info. Once you get the card just follow the instruction with it or take it to a computer dealer to get it installed.

3dfx Creative Labs Creative Labs 3d Blaster

Update to a Faster Processor

This one is more of a professional job than for the novice. You can probably go out and buy a new computer and get everything upgraded an spend just a couple hundred more dollars. You should at least have 450 MHz and the don't make any less than 600Mhz and the prices are extremely low. The Pentium III and the AMD Athlon processors are really great for gaming and the new Duron and Pentium 4 are designed for gaming and fast speeds. Visit your local computer dealer for more specific info on processor upgrades.

Faster Disk Drives

A faster drive can mean faster loads and less skipping of performance. Currently hard drives come in two low cost speeds 5400 RPMs and 7200RPMs with the fastest being 7200RPMs. The noticeable difference is hardly visible until you start doing high end things and loading big files. A faster CD-ROM drive can also ensure shortened load times on games. A 24x speed is a minimal for optimal gaming while 40x is good. At about $1 per speed its a low value.