|
Help with making an adequate gaming machine..
|
|
|
Inbntly
Junior Member
|
15. January 2008 @ 22:56 |
Link to this message
|
Ok, I hope this is in the right thread first off.. I think so, anyway.
The computer that I have is a Dimension 4300 from Dell and the only thing I've really done with it is add another 256MB RAM to it, to make it have 512MB and bought a better video card.. A Radeon 9600 series I believe. How would I go about finding out what kind of processor I have? Also, (I know its a dumb question but how many watts my power supply can handle) without taking it out to see. Also I know its doubtful because of how old it is and since It was bought pre-made if it would be possible to upgrade the processor OR if I would even need to.
Now I'm rather noob like when it comes to working with the technical side of computers, (I read some of the Official Overclocking Thread, and was blown away to say the least!) the only thing I really know whats going on with is the RAM.
What I would like to do with the computer is make it be able to run a few games that are coming out that I plan on playing. The first one is Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures, and Also Warhammer Online. I'm unaware of the requirements for either of the games but I have a feeling that to play them at there full potential I need to make a few upgrades.
The video card I planned on getting
[url=http://computers.pricegrabber.com/video-cards/m/43405109/search=Geforce%208600GTS/st=product/sv=title ][/url]
and then I think 2GB of RAM would really help..
Sorry if I've used improper terms. What exactly did you guys go to school for? Because I know you don't learn that kind of lingo from everyday life.
Lastly, thanks for any input on the matter, and hopefully with the help I'll be able to do what I like best, running circles around noobs why they lag trying to fight back.
|
|
Advertisement
|
|
|
|
Member
|
16. January 2008 @ 01:45 |
Link to this message
|
You probably have a Pentium 4 and 250w power supply, to check cpu type and speed, you can right click my computer>Properties then the general tab. Or download and run CPU-Z for a more indepth look at your core hardware including your motherboard model and socket type, you'll need to know this if you want to find out how upgradable it is.
As for the graphics card its a PCI-e card where I'm pretty sure your board will only take AGP. Depending on how into gaming you are, A decent AGP card will be ok with a power supply upgrade and a minimum of 1 gig ram.
You really need to find the recomended specs for the games you want to play, then set your self a budget and decide if its worth upgrading or starting from scratch
|
AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
|
16. January 2008 @ 07:48 |
Link to this message
|
The minimum CPU for AOC is a 3Ghz P4 or equivalent. At 2.5 you may not have any problems running the game, but the installer may not let you proceed with the install if you don't meet the requirements. The minimum graphics card is a 9800 spec card, rather than a 9600, so an upgrade will be required in that department, and consequently an upgraded Power supply unit will probably be needed. You may also have problems with cooling in a stock dell case if you add heat-generating components.
Personally, I'd recommend trying to build a new PC from scratch that's up to date. Whilst you could possibly get the job done on AGP, you're investing a lot of money in old technology, and as such aren't necessarily getting what you pay for.
|
|
Inbntly
Junior Member
|
16. January 2008 @ 16:18 |
Link to this message
|
Ok I was reading a little bit into the budget concsious dream machine. And the more I looked into it.. I think that building a new computer from the ground up would be the best thing. It might cost a little more, but being up to date with everything I feel would be much more fortunate. I also found out that since my computers uses PC133 RAM that I can only have a maximum of 1G, at least from what I understand, I didn't find any place on line that sells more then 512 sticks. But I noticed a lot of the talk in the dream machine thread dealt with dvd video and such.. would it change any if I wanted to focus on running games at there best? I would like to spend around $1000 USD on this machine, or a little less would be even better.. and if it isn't too much to ask what is the minimum number of things you need to make a computer run? Hope this makes some sense. Thanks again.
Still the goal is to be able to run either of the games I mentioned in the previous post AOC, and Warhammer Online.. so I'd just like to keep that in my mind.
Also I was curious I understand that dual core is better then 1.. but then with that in mind is quad core a lot better then dual, I have a friend whos pretty knowledgable about computers and he said to not even bother with quad. Thanks again :)
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 16. January 2008 @ 16:27
|
AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
|
16. January 2008 @ 17:19 |
Link to this message
|
If you've got PC133, your system must be pretty ancient. Any system considered a 'gaming' PC should be running DDR at the very least.
I'm going to agree with your friend on the quad core, gamers don't really use them much. Dual core definitely, Quad core's a little overkill, I'd say they're more for those who edit video.
My current recommendation for mid-budget gaming PC:
Core 2 Duo E6750
Thermalright Ultra 120 heatsink
2x1GB Corsair XMS2 PC6400 RAM
HIS Radeon HD3850 512MB GPU
Corsair VX 450W PSU
|
Member
|
17. January 2008 @ 01:25 |
Link to this message
|
Originally posted by Inbntly:
Ok I was reading a little bit into the budget concsious dream machine. And the more I looked into it.. I think that building a new computer from the ground up would be the best thing.
I say go for it! Dont be intimidated. You will learn so much and will never buy a prebuilt machine again.
Your upgraded old computer will still 'at the end of the day' be an old computer.
|
Senior Member
1 product review
|
17. January 2008 @ 21:56 |
Link to this message
|
Quote:
Core 2 Duo E6750
Thermalright Ultra 120 heatsink
2x1GB Corsair XMS2 PC6400 RAM
HIS Radeon HD3850 512MB GPU
Corsair VX 450W PSU
I doubt that's a mid budget gaming system what would the total cost be?, he's was planning to upgrade a few things which wouldnt have done more then 200US, but depends what your budget is?, and that does not sound like a mid budget gaming PC more like a High End Gaming PC LOL!
|
AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
|
18. January 2008 @ 07:59 |
Link to this message
|
|
After rebates those components come to about $550. Now consider what the average price for a new PC in a shop is.
Granted, it doesn't include a keyboard/mouse/monitor or a case, but that's sort of personal preference.
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 18. January 2008 @ 07:59
|
AfterDawn Addict
2 product reviews
|
19. January 2008 @ 14:07 |
Link to this message
|
|
That mid-budget gaming PC will cost him around 800-850. I'd say as far as a gaming PC goes that is not all that much money.
|
|
Inbntly
Junior Member
|
21. January 2008 @ 02:25 |
Link to this message
|
how about something like this?
Case: ANTEC NSK6580 BLACK & SILVER ATX/MICROATX 9 BAY MID TOWER WITH 430W PS
RAM: Patriot Extreme Performance 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory
Hard Drive: HITACHI Deskstar P7K500 HDP725050GLA360 (0A35415) 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
CD-ROM: Sony NEC Optiarc Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM IDE 20X DVD±R DVD Burner
Video Card: EVGA 320-P2-N811-AR GeForce 8800GTS 320MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Processor
Mobo: ABIT IN9 32X-MAX ATX Intel Motherboard
The grand total on the cart came to a little over $1000 and I really like it.. what do you guys think about it? any opinions would be greatly appreciated.
|
AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
|
21. January 2008 @ 08:01 |
Link to this message
|
|
|
|
Inbntly
Junior Member
|
21. January 2008 @ 19:21 |
Link to this message
|
Hmm I have to admit that I was a little concerned about the vid card, and was thinking about getting something different, I'm not sure what I'm going to do about the psu and the case.. My friend that said I should get an antec said hes always been very pleased with his, and since I am new to the whole building a computer from the ground up.. I just took his advice, and is something I will look into.
I really like the sapphire and will have to see how much it would cost to get instead.
Also what do you all feel about cases, I'm guessing from the last reply ones with built in PSU's aren't the most favored kind? I won't be able to get this for about a month or so, so any ideas are greatly appreciated.
One thing I noticed from one of the reviews on newegg is that they said it takes up dual slot? also would that work still with the mobo I have in the build? Thanks again.
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 21. January 2008 @ 19:29
|
AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
|
21. January 2008 @ 19:34 |
Link to this message
|
The 8800GTS 320MB is not slow by any means. However, it will struggle with higher resolutions, and is certainly no longer good value, when there are cheaper, faster cards out there that even use less power.
As for the power supplies, any case that comes with a PSU made by anyone other than Antec will usually be awful. Antec PSUs are above average, but Corsair units are much better still. As for an Antec cases, they're solidly made and relatively well designed (with the exception of the 900 which has a few nasty bits, but is overall still quite good). The P182 is an excellent case and highly recommend. Coolermaster and NZXT are also well worth checking out.
|
AfterDawn Addict
2 product reviews
|
21. January 2008 @ 20:11 |
Link to this message
|
|
Well the 3850 is half the price and faster most of the time!
|
AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
|
21. January 2008 @ 21:52 |
Link to this message
|
|
Is true, but I'm not here to slag his graphics card off. Not when it's better than mine anyway...
|
AfterDawn Addict
2 product reviews
|
21. January 2008 @ 21:57 |
Link to this message
|
|
Well it's not "his", he hasn't bought it yet. So if we steer him away from it we are doing him a favor.
|
AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
|
21. January 2008 @ 22:00 |
Link to this message
|
|
That is true, and was my primary intention. Given the recent fraccas I'm reluctant to slag much off!
|
|
Inbntly
Junior Member
|
23. January 2008 @ 16:52 |
Link to this message
|
|
Honestly slag as much as you like if thats what you call it, if you think I could find something better or even save a little money here and there it would be greatly appreciated!
|
AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
|
23. January 2008 @ 17:49 |
Link to this message
|
|
Hehe I'm always in favour of making new suggestions, but trouble is, we don't always agree with each other.
|
AfterDawn Addict
2 product reviews
|
23. January 2008 @ 17:57 |
Link to this message
|
|
Well sometimes our members have... disagreements. That's why he is afraid to piss you off lol.
|
AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
|
23. January 2008 @ 18:44 |
Link to this message
|
|
And see the official PC building thread... again.
How do I manage it?
|
AfterDawn Addict
2 product reviews
|
23. January 2008 @ 20:23 |
Link to this message
|
|
Ooooh, things got a bit touchy there.
|
AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
|
23. January 2008 @ 20:26 |
Link to this message
|
|
I just don't get it. Suddenly my objective is to mislead people and set them into buying the wrong components, apparently. If I get another comment back about my recent post then balls to them, if they don't want my help, they won't have it.
|
|
Inbntly
Junior Member
|
30. January 2008 @ 18:09 |
Link to this message
|
Alright, well I appreciate any post about the topic. BUT, after realizing how much money I owe, especially to the community college I was attending, I found out that I can't register for classes for summer semester until I pay off what I owe. So the question is I figure I'd just buy 2x 512 RAM, because I don't think I can have anymore with the PC I have now. Also possibly just buy a new video card.
I realize that with having a Dell Dimension 4300, that my options are limited on vid card. But would anyone be able to tell me the best video card I could buy that would work with the mobo that comes with it? I've tried looking online about what kind of mobo I have, but haven't had much luck.
Thanks again for any ideas!
Ok, I did a little more searching on the motherboard and found this.
[url=http://nz.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080110172349AARhAVR][/url]
So, in the last part he says that the computer could handle even a 256MB vid card. Does that mean that I wouldn't be able to upgrade to like a 512 card? Thanks again for all the help!
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 30. January 2008 @ 18:22
|
|
Advertisement
|
|
|
AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
|
30. January 2008 @ 19:26 |
Link to this message
|
If I'm honest, I wouldn't bother upgrading the Dell right now. I'd leave it until you can afford to make a proper PC< even if it's slightly scaled down from the one spec'ed earlier in the thread. If you upgrade the graphics in the dell it'll probably need a new power supply and case, which means the total cost will be high - certainly for having upgraded old tech.
|
