|
Build, Buy, Upgrade?
|
|
|
bazookafx
Junior Member
|
9. July 2007 @ 12:54 |
Link to this message
|
|
So heres situation, i inherieted a broken computer from my dad. I fixed the comp using 2 Hand-me-down hard drives. Waht i wanna do is to upgrade my comp to al least run Battlefield 2 and some other mid quality games. Waht i wanna know is would it be esyer to just buy a new computer, build a new one, or upgrade the current one. And yes i know how to build my own if needed.
Here are the specs of my computer
2.79Ghz pentium4 processor
512mb of ram
128mb ATI graphics chip
a 13gb and a 17gb hand my down hard drives
|
|
Advertisement
|
|
|
|
AfterDawn Addict
2 product reviews
|
9. July 2007 @ 12:58 |
Link to this message
|
|
Depends, what kind of RAM and video card is it? What setting do you want to run these games at?
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 9. July 2007 @ 13:09
|
AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
|
9. July 2007 @ 13:19 |
Link to this message
|
|
it'll be doable, but will probably require:
new Graphics card
New Power supply
Additional RAM
and depending how many games you want, more hard disk space, those two drives will only be good for half a dozen games nowadays, if that.
What you've got to consider is how much it will cost to upgrade this one, versus buying a new one. Touch and go in this example I think.
|
|
bazookafx
Junior Member
|
9. July 2007 @ 13:29 |
Link to this message
|
|
im wanting to run teh games at medium or if possible high. im getting me a new HDD soon so im set in that factor. The PSU i have curently is a 300watt power suply. and Ram comes fairly cheap for my system. my video card is a ATI Radeon 9550SE 128mb card. i might be able to get the 256mb NVIDIA Geforce 7300LE TurboCache from my dad's comp seeing as he dosent use it
|
AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
|
9. July 2007 @ 13:42 |
Link to this message
|
|
neither are powerful enough, and the Geforce is probably PCI express anyway, which you won't have. You'll need to buy a new Graphcis card regardless.
|
AfterDawn Addict
2 product reviews
|
9. July 2007 @ 13:43 |
Link to this message
|
|
You definately nee to change the PSU. What speed does the RAM run at?
|
AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
|
9. July 2007 @ 13:53 |
Link to this message
|
|
I'm going to guess PC2100 (266mhz) or PC3200 (400mhz). That's not really that important though, DDR1 is fine.
|
AfterDawn Addict
2 product reviews
|
9. July 2007 @ 14:03 |
Link to this message
|
|
The 7600 GS and GT comes in AGP. Maybe you could try getting those. They arent too expensive.
|
|
bazookafx
Junior Member
|
9. July 2007 @ 18:59 |
Link to this message
|
|
how is a 256mb nor good enough? im not going for top of the line, i just want enought to actuly run some newer games, they dont have to be at extreme quzlity. take in mind that i dont have alot of money to spend
|
AfterDawn Addict
2 product reviews
|
9. July 2007 @ 19:47 |
Link to this message
|
|
Its not about the memory. The more memory you have the more textures you can load in a game. The 7300 series of cards was not meant for gaming. Its like having a crappy CPU with 4 gigs of RAM. It's still gonna run slow. Its the GPU architecture, how fast it runs, and how fast the memory runs. How much money are you willing to spend. Do you have an AGP expansion slot in your PC? It could be just PCI and that would limit your choices much more.
|
|
bazookafx
Junior Member
|
10. July 2007 @ 05:40 |
Link to this message
|
|
yes i have ang AGP and 3 normal PCI slots
|
AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
|
10. July 2007 @ 07:13 |
Link to this message
|
|
The the 7300 probably won't fit. Money to spend or not, modernising that into a gaming computer isn't going to be a pocket money job, it'll take reasonable investment.
|
AfterDawn Addict
2 product reviews
|
10. July 2007 @ 07:47 |
Link to this message
|
|
If you want an AGP 7600 GT, it will set you back about 117 plus shipping on eBay. If you buy it there use paypal, because you are covered on most item for atleast upto 200 dollars.
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 10. July 2007 @ 07:49
|
AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
|
10. July 2007 @ 07:52 |
Link to this message
|
|
The 7600GT is about the sort of thing I'd recommend but I don't buy things like that off ebay because if you get ripped off, you can't do anything about it. You MIGHT be able to get your money back, but not always, paypal aren't great about that, they just do too many transactions. Use a proper store like Tigerdirect, Newegg, Zipzoomfly in the US, Ebuyer, Scan, Aria, Specialtech in the UK and Tigerdirect or NCIX in Canada.
|
AfterDawn Addict
|
10. July 2007 @ 08:28 |
Link to this message
|
|
I agree with sam. No way I would buy if from e-Bay. Newegg and ZipZoomFly are my two favorites.
Life is good!
GrandpaBruce - Vietnam Vet - 1970 - 1971
Computer: Intel Core i7-920 Nehalim;Asus P6T Deluxe V2
|
|
Advertisement
|
|
|
AfterDawn Addict
2 product reviews
|
10. July 2007 @ 13:00 |
Link to this message
|
|
I really havent had a problem with eBay. Ofcourse I do most of my business there so I am a bit biased I suppose. I suppose you just have to buy it from a trusted seller. Zipzoomfly had a deal on the 8500 GT, it was for 60 bucks. I believe the performance is comparable to that of the 7600. Ofcourse they don't come in AGP so thast no help I suppose. Try using google product search. You can also try pricewatch.com.
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 10. July 2007 @ 13:02
|
