I'm prepping to upgrade to Vista shortly, but I'll need a few things.

Namely a graphics card, and some RAM.

I have a gig of RAM but I'm planning on buying a stick of 2G.

If you guys can suggest some DDR sticks, I'd be happy.

As for the graphics card, I'd like to cap it to $75 and DirectX 9 128MB; as you guys know.

I also would like to know how to disable integrated graphics, and enable a card's graphics.

Edit: I have PCI slots, and if you guys need any more info, here's the link to my computer's specs.

I bought this, but is there a 2G solution for the same price, since RAM really costs as much as a stick of gum.

I also have a 512MB stick. Instead of buying a completely new one, will Vista Ult run sluggish on 1.5G?

I'm also heading towards this card.

Will that RAM and GFX Card run Vista well, not extreme gaming and all.

Vista on that computer may be a bad idea. It'll be really slow... Anyways to diable your interated graphics card, you'll have to chagne your BIOS, press F8 when you start up and scroll to a place called vram. Press enter and then scroll down to disable. As for RAM, I suggest you buy Kingston. Graphics card, check this site out Best Buy or Newegg Hope that helps!

Actually, there is only the RAM and the GFX to update .

Will it be that slow?

Run this to check if your PC really is good enogh:
Windows Vista: Upgrade Advisor
This will check everything related to the requirements.

I did, and those are the things to upgrade.

The specs on the link aren't my exact specs since I have a 3.0GHz Pentium 4 HT Processor, and not a 2.4. I also have a DVD reader. Nonetheless, I did run those things, and those are the things to upgrade; RAM, and a Video Card.

Running a single-core netburst with Vista is not a good idea--even a low-end dual-core netburst with Vista isn't so bright. In short, a lot has changed for processors. You'll want something Core, if you want a better experience than Vista--It's know to cause some serious speed problems on slower/older systems.

Since you guys are not approving, Ill leave it to VM Ware; will it run?

Just a stupid question; will I have to change my motherboard?

If you want to change processors i would recommend a core rebuild, since your computer probably supports DDR up to 1GB non registered - and only the P4 range. That probably means new Motherboard, Ram, Graphics, Processor. With today's computer prices that isn't too bad. Can i ask why your looking for running vista? Running it under VMware would be heavier by the way.

Can I just ask why your upgrading to Vista? If your running XP and it runs fine, I would stick with XP unless there is something in Vista which you want/need.

I just want to test it before hand so once I get my new computer, I'd know how it runs and all.

Use the money and put it into your new computer you'll be happier once you get your new computer and you find how annoying vista is that you sticked with XP for that little bit longer . Vista isn't all that different anyway there isn't that much of a learning curve.

Save your money and spend what you have saved on a better computer when you buy a new one. That way Vista will run even better.

Basically that's correct (previous posters)--if you have WinXP and it's running, you NEED a specific reason to upgrade to WinVista--there's not a substantial change, really, though there's still a change. Right now especially, you do not NEED Direct3D 10 or 10.1. You do not NEED 64-bit OS support 98% of the time. You do not NEED Aero GUI. Basically, Vista is really only for new computers. If you're thinking of Vista, forget 90+% of systems older than 2 years now and even 50+% of systems older than 1 year now. WinXP is plenty and will be supported for a long time still. My decision to go with Vista was because I was getting a new computer and I wanted 64-bit support because I'd probably be using 64-bit applications in the future.

So yes--if you want a new computer to run Vista, be prepared with a K8 dual-core, a K10 tri/quad-core, or a Core dual/quad-core. That, and 2GB of RAM is a minimum, and a DX10 graphics card is usually a pretty good idea (GeForce 8000, HD2000, HD3000, GeForce 9000). You should be able to integrate that all into a sub-$700 computer if you do it yourself or a sub-$850 computer if you let Dell, HP, Acer, Toshiba, or Lenovo build it for you.

I might be running a few 64-Bit apps, but I'd need a laptop for next year. I'm sure I don't need Dx10, but if its possible, can you guys make any recommendations for something around $700 max?

Dx10 is standard in vista. You won't get anything good for $700, I would recommend this site... iBuypower but trust me you won't get anything good for 700$.

Looking at Dell's laptops to give me an overview of the US laptop prices, I think your going to struggle to get something decent for $700. Ideally you'd want a fairly decent spec laptop, so it last a long time, but not top spec as you won't get as much value for money.

When are you planning on buying the laptop? If its not for 6 months or so, then there is not much point thinking about it right now. The technology moves so fast, that the prices of today will be drastically different to the prices in 6 months. For example my processor which I bought 10 months ago, is now available for getting on half the price I paid.

What are your specification standards for today as a decent computer would be?

I'd like to clarify that I really don't care about a gaming PC.

Dual-core processor based on Core, at least 2GB of RAM, and at least a 160GB hard drive. When selecting storage choices--go for a 5400RPM hard drive over a 4200RPM (the 5.4k drive is much faster) or a 7200RPM (the 5.4k drive draws less power and should be quieter) hard drive. Look for an Intel Core 2 Duo processor--most any will do--though I'd aim for at least 1.8GHz. Go for standard 2GB of RAM--if you can, get a 1x2GB setup instead of 2x1GB setup--as you will have a much better time upgrading. I'd say at least 160GB of storage--Vista will take up 20-30GB of space on its own.

HP Pavilion dv6700t

There are some things I can leave out for example I'm fine with a 120GB drive, or a 1.7Ghz Processor if it makes any difference.

Components

• Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium (32-bit)
• Pentium® Dual-Core Mobile Processor T2370 (1.73 GHz, 1MB L2 Cache, 533MHz FSB)
• 15.4" WXGA High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Display (1280 x 800)
• 2GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
• Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator X3100 - For Core 2 Duo Processors
• HP Imprint Finish (Radiance) + Microphone
• 802.11b/g WLAN
• 120GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
• SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-R/RW with Double Layer Support
• No TV Tuner w/remote control
• 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery

That should be fine--though I would not be caught carrying such a large notebook.

It's for school

Have you looked at the ASUS EeePC?

$300 for a Linux machine which has OpenOffice for MS Office documents, WiFi for web browsing and its really small. The size of an A5 piece of paper. Almost fits in your pocket.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16834220269

Quite basically--I'm very close to purchasing one but in a better color. Add in a USB keyboard, mouse, and 4GB flash drive, and I have everything I'd need for doing basic school work and entertainment.

Asus EEE PC 2G in black
... in white
... in light blue
... in light green
... in pink
Asus EEE PC 4G in black
... in white

Basically it's a tiny LCD and includes Linux. $300 for a 2G Surf with standard battery, $350 for a 4G Surf with standard battery, and $400 for a 4GB Surf with a larger battery. Also, for $500, you can get a 8G Surf with 1GB RAM. I'm personally looking at a 4G Surf with the smaller battery and a USB hub (to connect a keyboard, mouse, and flash drive through 1 USB port on the Surf) for $350.

EDIT: Add $90 for WinXP Home OEM and $130 for MS Office, and you have an ultra-portable computer that will really do everything. WinXP runs fine on 512MB of RAM--though it favors 1GB of RAM.

EDIT2: It came out to about $510 for me--a 4G Surf (Galaxy Black), a USB keyboard, USB mouse, USB hub, and WinXP Home OEM. I already have Office 03 and an external DVD burner so I'm fine with those. I'm now really thinking of an EEE PC Surf for a college computer--at least for Office applications. It's better than the P2 400's I was using for 3 years at my old high school--doing the same type of work with 64MB of RAM.

EDIT3: Forgot to mention the $27 for additional storage--two 4GB SDHC memory cards--basically one for school and one for personal use. I'm seriously thinking about getting one myself--it'll be good for lectures as there are at least a few teachers at the university who allow students to use laptops for classwork.