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Need help upgrading my computer!
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joebloe12
Junior Member
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21. December 2008 @ 21:48 |
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OK, I have not been on this forum or checked PC hardware prices in YEARS! Because I basiclly am happy with what I have.
But when I wanted to get GTA IV for PC, the box said that the MINIMUM requirement was for a dual core chip and motherboard.
To tell you the truth, I am so far behind in my computer I may need a complete overhaul!
Here are my specs (Sad to say they are WAY, WAY out of date as far as keeping up with hardware...even minimum hardware as it goes)
WIN XP SP3
1-CRT Xflat monitor
1- Asus A7N8X-E Deluxe Motherboard
1- AMD Athlon single core chip XP 3200
2-gigs of PC 2700 RAM (Samsung I think)
1-LG DVD 20x Burner
1-Lite on 20x DVD Burner
1-zip100 drive (NOW you know how OLD my computer is)
1-3.5 floopy drive (NOW you REALLY know how old we are talking)
1-Soundblaster Audigy 2 soundcard
1-Radeon X1300 series Video card
1-5 hub PCI 2.0 card
1-80 gig Western Digital Hard drive WD800JB
1-PCI TV card with tuner 7130
1-ATX case with 4 bins for DVD drives and two bins for 3.5 and 4 bins for hard drives
Again....I know all of this is out of date BADLY! But what would you suggest?
I DO NOT WANT a PRE BUILT SYSTEM! Because a lot of companies like dell and others cripple their BIOS and other things you may need to get into on a regular system you built yourself and you just can't on those,so I would rather NOT go down the "pre-built" road.
I would rather have my own built by someone. Can you suggest a decent system withouyt breaking the bank?
If I just need a motherboard, chip and RAM, I have a friend that could put those in...IF theytwould work with all my older hardware. But that is another problem....the video and sound cards are WAY out of date and probably would need to be updated as well.
I absolutely hate upgrading my computer, but I am so far behind that I guess it is time.
So what could I build at a reasonably low cost to replace my aging computer. I love AMD processors because they are cheaper, but could go with intel if they are cheap enough. I am looking for some way I can future proof my computer...if only for a short while. While staying on a budget.
I don't know WHAT to say my budget will be, but I was hoping to be able to use some of my old stuff if I can, if not,I will just get a new case, motherboard chip and ram and go from there.
So what would some of you more experienced users that have been building for awhile suggest? Completyely start from scratch, or try to save what I can? Again, I KNOW my computer is old and out of date, but I just put off upgrading for as long as I could. Now it has caught up with me.
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Member
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22. December 2008 @ 00:47 |
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Lol you think this is out of date..? My computer is a pentium 3 750MHz, 20 gb HD, I think I have an on board graphics card, and like 350Mb of RAM, I have no hope of gaming and I can't even upgrade it at all since it's so old. That's why I had to build a brand new computer... Oh, and I forgot that I have USB 1.1, completely ridiculous, cant even use my data cable to put songs on my phone since the driver won't even install on my old ass computer
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AfterDawn Addict
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22. December 2008 @ 01:19 |
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What is the amount that would NOT break the bank? An amount will help in getting you the best deal for the money. ;)
I would start with a mobo, cpu, RAM, gpu, and possibly a psu. ;) You can have all of these for around $500 and be able to play the game you would like. I'd consider a complete build but it's up to you. I think you could get a real NICE rig for under $1000 and it would compete with most of the "pre-built" machines at twice the price. :D
.....gm
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joebloe12
Junior Member
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22. December 2008 @ 02:58 |
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Originally posted by greensman:
What is the amount that would NOT break the bank? An amount will help in getting you the best deal for the money. ;)
I would start with a mobo, cpu, RAM, gpu, and possibly a psu. ;) You can have all of these for around $500 and be able to play the game you would like. I'd consider a complete build but it's up to you. I think you could get a real NICE rig for under $1000 and it would compete with most of the "pre-built" machines at twice the price. :D
.....gm
Well If I can build one for #500.00 to 600.00 it would be great, but everything I seem to have is pretty outdated, so it may take more money.
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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22. December 2008 @ 09:20 |
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GTA4 is an absolute no go on your current PC. It's not so much an upgrade, as a complete new build. Apart from the exteral stuff like monitor and keyboard, nothing can really be kept from that PC except for the sound card and disk drives (Audigy 2s are nice, hang on to that!)
$600 for GTA4 is not going to be easy, but if you're willing to keep the same Hard disk, sound card and DVD drives (you will need to reinstall windows by the way, be advised) it's doable.
Note, this won't run GTA4 at top detail settings, but it will play it well enough.
Core 2 Duo E7300: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115132 $120
EP43-DS3L: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128345 $100, $15 rebate
4GB Corsair DDR2: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145184 $55, $30 rebate
Sapphire Radeon HD4830: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102803 $115, $10 rebate
Antec Three Hundred case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042 $60
Corsair VX 450W: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139003 $70, $10 rebate
To fare better in GTA4, you would be wise to consider overclocking your CPU. If you agree to do this, get one of these:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186134
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AfterDawn Addict
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22. December 2008 @ 20:48 |
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Sammy made some good suggestions but what PSU do you have right now? Are you gonna do away with the machine (computer) you have now or keep it for old times sake? lol.
I think a little more psu would benefit you in the long run and it won't do if you're gonna go with something a little more powerful than the list that Sammy gave. NOT a bad list at all but not top notch equipment either.. of course it takes into consideration the "monetary" constraints discussed earlier. ;)
..gm
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