[Iron Giant]

Originally posted by Hunkpapa:

faster system/better processor
Have a 2nd disk drive for easier copying of disks
Install and ehternet card
Upgrade to WinXP
And possibly upgrade my hard disk space to 40 or 60 GB.
I will use it for gaming*, internet surfing, wordprocessing, digital photography and CD-burning
*SEIV, Alpha Centauri, Jagged Alliance, etc., no 3-D/FPS games more strategy/sim based

Is there space in the case for an additional hard disk? It would be a shame to lose the 20 gig in an upgrade.
Is there a PCI slot avaiable in the case and motherboard for a network card?
What is the Wattage output of the powersupply? (230w - 250w - 300w - 350w - 400w)
What is your video card?

Random, off the top of my head idea:

AMD 1800+ - 512mb ram - new Motherboard (this is dependant on the powersupply being compatible and capable)
$150
Generic Network card
$30
Windows XP
$100
60 Gig hard disk installed as D:
$75
Good case fan well placed to increase air flow in the case
$20

$375 and that includes shipping. It saves your 20 gig and your burner and your video card and gives you a reason do do it yourself.

Even better idea if you can afford it: Do the above AND buy a brand name computer so you have 2 computers. When you are building a computer and don't have one thats already working, you tend to cut corners to save time.

*WARNING* I can't help you if something goes wrong. None of these parts will have a warranty to speak of (some RAM and processors are 30 days!). If you need a computer to do your job, or if you don't think its worth learning to do this yourself, buy a full computer.