ok, so matt is getting ANOTHER computer, and i was going to do some research into what the best specs would be, and realized i have no clue.

so, any help would be appreciated!
it will be a gaming computer (99% of the time it is on will be for diablo2, the other 1% will be the time it takes to boot up and shut down, and the occasional internet surfing).

even with a new computer last year, diablo2 still plays chopy when there are too many graphics from spells on the screen.
what determins that? the video card? the processor?

also, the computer MUST be able to play dos games for the rare occasion that we might play x-com, so it will have win 98 because trying to get xp to run dos games is a headache.

if there is anything else that anyone thinks is just the bomb for playing games, let us know!

A computer purchased last year could be easily upgraded to boost gaming performance. You can also use these suggestions as guidelines for getting a new one.

What you need to take a look at:

- Video Card
This is what makes the magic appear on your screen. If your machine has an "integrated" video card or less than a 16MB video card, you should seriously consider buying a new card. Decent cards can be obtained for less than $50. If you are good at following installation guides, you should be able to do this yourself.

- RAM
This come 2nd to video in importance. You should have no less than 128MB, 256MB is a good amount. This will also give Windows a good boost. RAM is pitifully easy to install, don't get suckered into paying $35 for someone else to do it. Just open the PC, slide the stick into place, close the case, and it's totally installed.

- Hard Disk
Defrag your hard drive at least once every three weeks. It is a no-cost way to boost performance. Also perform scandisk checks regularly. This will keep your hard drive in good running order.

- Background tasks
Look just to the left of your clock (bottom right of screen), if you have more than 5 icons down there, you may be losing performance to ram sucking programs. Right click some (leave antivirus, firewalls alone!) of them and see if you can disable the tray icon. Or for a more in-depth examination: Click Start > Run, then type "msconfig". Click the Startup tab. Uncheck suspicious items (ex. "Hey what's RealPlayer doing here?").

- Throwing useless junk overboard
Your computer is like a boat. If it starts to sink a little, you dump useless junk overboard. Go though the Add/Remove Programs control panel, and if you find stuff that you don't/never use, uninstall it and reclaim your disk space.

I hope this was helpful!

actually, that helped a LOT!
thank you.

its actually the second computer we are replacing, this one is good enough for now.

and dont worry, i defrag on the first of the month, and scandisc occasionally.
we've only norton, zonealarm, the local area connection indicator thingy, and nForce Tray options in our background tasks. im not sure what the nforce one is, or if we need it there, so ive left it.

also, we were told to get an athlon 64 fx-51.
and to stay far far away from celerons.
does the brand matter?