PC Upgrade Question - Please offer advice

Hey Everyone,

I was wondering if you all can give me some advice on my computer. I want to upgrade to Vista by the end of the summer, and I was wondering if I should just wait longer and buy a new computer with new components, or should I just upgrade my 3 year old computer. It's a Gateway 500GR with P4 3 Ghz HT Processor, 512 MB PC3200 RAM, and a 200 GB Hard Drive. What I was thinking was adding 1.5 GB of RAM to bring it up to 2GB, changing the power supply (if it's possible or recommended because it's extremely loud) from the stock 350W one to a Thermaltake 430W one. Finally, I want to disable the onboard graphics and put maybe a 256 MB XFX GeForce 8600 GT video card to handle Aero. The operating system of course would be last, and I was just thinking Vista Home Premium. So what do you all think? Should I just build or buy a new PC, or should I just upgrade my PC, which would cost roughly $295.96 according to newegg.com, and that's just for the components, not the operating system. I've never built a computer, but I was just planning on asking friends who have to help with upgrades. Looking forward to everyone's input. Thanks.

Your computer isn't hopeless - but you'll have to double-check and make sure that your case will support a standard ATX power supply. From this picture it does look like a standard ATX power supply - and thankfully your motherboard is Micro-ATX, so it doesn't have a crazy pin setup. But since that motherboard is Micro-ATX, that might mean that your power supply is also Micro-ATX, which will limit your power supply choices. The case size is "Mini-tower", which doesn't say much. You probably can't get a standard ATX sized motherboard, but you may be able to get a regular ATX power supply. Your computer is only about 3/4 of an inch less wide than a standard ATX case, which is a good bit wider than most Micro-ATX power supply only cases.

Your choices look decent though - although I'd shoot for the 430w Antec Earthwatts power supply instead of what you picked out, since it is 80-plus certified. It does cost a bit more, but the price is worth it. With the quality of that Thermaltake TR2 430w, the Antec power supply will actually provide more power for your system than the Thermaltake, not to mention it having much more power allotted to its +12v rail, active PFC, and providing much more stable power, which will help keep your components lasting longer.