Recently it became clear to me that it is high time to upgrade my computer. In fact, I'd almost call this a rebuild rather than just a simple upgrade.

My main use for this system is as a gaming platform, so it needs to be able to handle the latest games with all settings set to maximum and run at a decent resolution, specifically whatever the native resolution of my current monitor.

At the time I built this computer, I was on a very tight budget, and ended up determining that AMD and ATI offered the best value as far as performance per dollar. In fact, that is still the case to this day. Intel may have higher end processors available, but you'll pay a lot more.

I determine that at this time, I need to install a new processor, graphics card, and double my system RAM. Fortunately my motherboard is a socket AM2 (a little forward thinking on my part in getting a motherboard with the latest CPU socket means that even now there are new processors being manufactured for that socket) so I'm able to pick up a great deal on a new processor.

My first item of business is to install the new graphics card. I've gone with the ATI Radeon HD 4830 512MB because it is currently the best deal for what you get. With 640 stream processors, I'll be able to run any game I toss at it at max settings and high resolutions and it won't break a sweat. The 4800 series is the current flagship of ATI/AMD (with the 4870 being its current baby) and the 4830 is the budget revision of that GPU.

First things first, after uninstalling the old graphics card drivers, I pull out the old Radeon X1650 Pro. You've been good to me, girl.

You can see the difference in size between the two cards. This is because the X1650 Pro is the mid-range class of the X1000 series (the high end being the X1900s), whereas the 4830 is in the performance class of the 4000 series.

Now to install the new GPU. You can see the massive (by comparison) heatsink/fan on this graphics card. Good thing I don't care about that PCI Express X1 slot that is now engulfed. Note this card requires dedicated power from the Power Supply Unit, fortunately (more forward thinking) I originally purchased a PSU with dedicated 6 pin PCIe power plugs.

After making certain everything is hooked up properly on the inside, I start up the machine, which has now reverted to 640x480 resolution display (this is because of uninstalling the graphics drivers). I install the proper graphics drivers for this card, and I'm all set.

Installing the extra RAM was also a snap, as highlighted in a previous entry.

Upgrading the processor, however, was not quite a quick and simple ordeal. Rather, one that required a BIOS flash and a repair installation of Windows. Yikes. But alas, those are stories for another day.

Original system specs:
• ECS KA3-MVP socket AM2 motherboard BIOS Rev 1.0a
• AMD Athlon 64 4000+ processor clocked at 2.6Ghz
• ATI Radeon X1650Pro 512MB GPU
• 2GB DDR2 800 RAM

Upgraded system specs:
• ECS KA3-MVP socket AM2 motherboard BIOS Rev 1.1E
• AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ processor clocked at 3.1Ghz
• ATI Radeon HD 4830 512MB GPU
• 4GB DDR2 800 RAM