So I've recently inherited my grandparents old computer. They both passed away last year, so we've been sorting through stuff we want, so I figured I'd take it. Hey, it's a free computer.

Anyway, I was wondering if it's worth upgrading. It's Windows 98, has 64MB of ram, and some veeeeeery old graphics card that I don't even think the company is in buisness anymore.

My sister bought 512MB of ram for her computer but it didn't work, so when she's home again she'll give it to me to see if it'll work.

In the end, would it be worth it to buy a new vid and graphics card and install XP onto it, or would I just be better off buying a new computer. I know they sell computers already made for flightsimming, or you could make your own, but that's not readily available to me. All I'd have to do in this case is just make a quick trip to Staples or Circuit City and I'd be set.

What do you think?

Thanks,
James

Mr. Sticks, if its a 64MB Windows 98 PC then I guarantee it'll be a hopeless option to upgrade, if running FS2004 is your objective (being a member here, I'd hope so!)
You'd be better off replacing the tower with new.

I assume your pc has keyboard/mouse monitor etc so there not required (yet) - Chances are the monitor will be an older model, usually, limited to 800x600 resolution - hardly ideal for gaming!
£300 odd will give you a pc that'll do the job to a fair extent.

A quick look at my local PC store www.overclockers.co.uk and I've priced up this for you.


Gigabyte K8NSC-939 nForce3 250GB (Socket 939) Motherboard (MB-036-GI)
£44.95 £44.95
AMD Athlon 64 3000+ Winchester 90nm (Socket 939) - Retail (ADA3000BIBOX) (CP-096-AM)
£89.95 £89.95
OcUK Value 1GB (2x512MB) PC3200 184pin DDR Memory Dual Channel Kit (MY-004-OK)
£49.95 £49.95
Samsung SpinPoint P SP0812C 80GB SATA 8MB Cache - OEM (HD-010-SA)
£35.95 £35.95
HIS Excalibur ATI Radeon X300SE 128MB DDR TV-Out/DVI (PCI-Express) - Retail (RX300SE) (GX-021-HT)
£34.95 £34.95 * A rubbish card by most standards, but compared to what you have now, absolutely stunning!
Subtotal £255.75
VAT £44.76
Total £300.51

Hope it fits in your existing tower, if not, your looking at another £40 for a half decent case & psu.

However, £500 would get this.....

AMD Athlon 64 3000+ Winchester 90nm (Socket 939) - Retail (ADA3000BIBOX) (CP-096-AM) £89.95
Epox EP-9NPA+ nForce 4 (Socket 939) PCI-Express Motherboard (MB-030-EP) £64.95
OcUK Value 1GB (2x512MB) PC3200 184pin DDR Memory Dual Channel Kit (MY-004-OK) £49.95
OcUK ATI Radeon X700 Pro 128MB DDR3 TV-Out/DVI (PCI-Express) - Retail (GX-020-OK) £84.95
Samsung SpinPoint P SP0812C 80GB SATA 8MB Cache - OEM (HD-010-SA) £35.95
Antec Sonata Piano Black Quiet Case - 380W TruePower Silent PSU (CA-003-AT) £66.95
Subtotal £392.70
Shipping (Amtrak Next Day (Mon-Fri) - UK Mainland) £10.75
VAT £70.61
Total £474.06


Its all down to what funds (if any!) you have my friend.

Hey man sorry to hear about your grandparents 

Anyway if your planning to build a system specificly for FS, PM me and ill give you some pointers. If you dont trust your DIY skills then go to www.ibuypower.com or www.cyberpowerinc.com both of these sights are specificly for building gameing computers.


And if all else fails, then you could build up your new free computer. Just need a gig of ram, new graphics (its probibly AGP) find out the socket of the processer, and get a new one youll probibly need a new HDD too (but IDE isnt too hard to find)

Well whatever you do have fun with it.

Best wishes
ctjoyce

I was going to comment about your Grandparents, but, by your post, I guessed your over it! 

A good thing, for sure, they would have not wanted you to be sad for them, I know my Grandfather wished this of me.

Just wanted to get that point over.

Paul.

Get a new computer.

Upgrading it now would be like trying to revive the dead.