PCV-RX302 fully upgradeable?

[andyc1909]

Hi all

Was wondering if I could upgrade the motherboard, hard drive, graphics etc in this unit. It's about 4 years old and probably would be easier to get a new pc all in all however I like the tower colour.

Specs below,
Thanks in advance!
AC

Specifications for PCV-RX302
Processor Intel Pentium IV 1.8 Ghz
Network Realtek RTL8100B(L) - 10Base-T/100Base-TX
Cache 256 KB (on die)
Memory 256 MB
(Upgradeable to 1536 MB)
Memory Information DIMM 266Mhz (DDR)
Hard Disk Drive 40 GB (IDE)

Video Chipset nVidia GeForce4 MX 440
Video Memory 64 MB DDR
Sound Chip Analog Devices AD1881A 16-bit CD-quality stereo sound 3D Surround AC97
Floppy Disk Drive 3.5" 1.44 MB
Optical CD-ROM : 40 x Speed
CD-R : 32 x Speed
CD-RW : 10 x Speed

Optical 2 CD-ROM : 40 x Speed
DVD-ROM : 16 x Speed

Ports on Unit 4 pins i.Link Port, MemoryStick Slot, 2 USB Port(s) (full / low speed )
Ports on Unit Line In, Headphones Out, 6 pins i.Link port, Microphone In, Ethernet Port, Parallel Port, 2 PS/2 Port(s), Serial Port, VGA Monitor Out, 2 USB Port(s) (full / low speed )
Modem built-in modem V.90/K56Flex (56kbps) data/fax modem
Keyboard 101 Keys
Keyboard troubleshooting
Mouse PS/2 Wheelmouse
Weight 13000g
Dimensions (W x H x D) 203mm x 366mm x 371 mm
Operating System Windows XP Home

[Blencogo]

Hi andyc1909 and welcome to Club Vaio.

I suppose everything is upgradeable at a price - but you are absolutely right that it will be easier and cheaper to buy a new PC.

The major restriction with the Vaio is the PSU (power supply) which is a custom size and difficult to replace with anything larger. This will restrict the Graphics Card considerably. You are also restricted in the processor department.

If you are changing the Motherboard, then you can do what you like and the only restriction will be the physical size of the components. However, considerable advances have been made with cooling recently and I can't help feeling that you will be far better off with a new PC - they can be bought ridiculously cheaply these days.

[kee-lo_]

As Blencogo says by the time you've done that all you'll have is the case that's the original, it's really not worth upgrading, you might as well start from scratch or buy a new machine.

[andyc1909]

Hi Blencogo, Kee-Lo,

Thanks for taking the time to reply, if you don't ask you don't find out as they say.

Thanks for putting me straight.

Cheers
Andy C