updating my computer  

in all honesty ... it's going to cost more to up grade this machine than to buy a new one. if you are trying to stay on the cheap, and just running around the web, honestly, i'd check the price on Dell or HP, either should be able to get something fairly cheap and ALOT cheaper than trying to update the current computer. if they're really serious about upgrading instead of buying something new ... upgrading you will essentially need to replace potentially *everything* in the tower. the monitor, speakers, keyboard, mouse, etc can all be reused. essentially you'd be building your own tower.

A pretty decent setup won't cost you too much nowadays if you know how to shop. If you're going to buy a pre-assembled PC from a big company like HP or Acer, it might cost you more. If you build a PC from scratch, you can save a lot. A computer with pretty decent specs should cost around somewhere between $200-$300.

You could get something with at least a Core 2 Duo with 1.8GHz and a decent motherboard, 2GB of Ram, 120GB hard drive, and a 17" CRT Monitor. You could always spend a little more for a good video card and an LCD Monitor. You can still re-use the speakers and the tuner card if there's an available slot on the motherboard.

This configuration is absolutely fine except for the motherboard.
Earlier I had mercury motherboard and it served me for more than a decade. But I have heard that ASUS motherboard is better.
If you want really better performance and planning to upgrade your processor too get AMD processor. They cost lower and are better.

Hi Hari,

The system you are using is 8 years old and none of the new components are supported by your system.Best thing to do is buy a new one.I will just give an approximate cost of all the peripherals here.(note that all costs are in indian Rupees- to make it in us $ just multiply it by 45)

Monitor: 17" CRT = 4200rs
17" LCD= 7000rs

MotherBoard : ASUS M2A-MX = 2200rs(for AMD X2 processors)
GIGABYTE 945 = 2200rs(For core 2 duo intel processors)

Processor : AMD X2-5000+ (2.6GHZ ) = rs 3000
CORE2DUO E7300(2.66GHZ) = rs 5700

RAM: 2GB = 900rs

HArd Disk(SATA): 320GB= RS 2200

Graphics CArds: Nvidia 8800gt = rs 10,000(the best card in market now, i own it)
Nvidia 8600gt = rs 3200
ATI 3850 = 5600rs

System cabinet will sot you around 1500rs(buy one with a fan)

SMPS: usually comes with cabinet.But if you are buying a highend graphics card like 8800gt you must have a 600w smps(powersupply)
which wil cost : 3000rs for zebronics power supply

DVD write : LG writer = RS 1100

UPS : 1700rs

Keyboard + mouse : 750rs(microsoft combo)

Make sure if your buying a system for gaming to buy 8800gt card and also go for a good processor.AMD processors are less costly and high performing compared to intel counterparts.hope this helped you out