Question on Upgrading

[Zvolen]

I wanted to upgrade my current PC in order to play some of the newer games, Bioshock, Gears, Orange Box, Crysis, but not sure if it would be worth it to upgrade my system or if my system can even be upgraded. I know I will need more RAM as I only currently have 512mb, never thought I would say *only* 512mb. I also will need a new graphics card and was thinking about getting the 8800 but not sure if it will be worth the money, or if my current system can handle it. If not maybe that $300-400 will be better spent on a 360.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks, Z

[Ajmukon]

what is your current specs?

[George Hallam]

well with $300-$400 you can get a
-8800Gt
-2Gb of good RAM
and thats it :rolleyes:

newer games, Bioshock, Gears, Orange Box, Crysis

to play at good FPS with enjoyable graphics you really need $1000+ minimum

so yes if that your budget ($300-$400) a PS3 or 360 would be a good idea

also do what Ajmukon said and post your current specs

[Zvolen]

what is your current specs?

Well unfortunately I am not sure, nor do I know how to get them. If you give me an idea I would be happy to post them. Thanks.

I do know my current rig is a few years old pre-built my a mojor manufacturer.

Thanks, Z

to play at good FPS with enjoyable graphics you really need $1000+ minimum


Why would I need so much? Isn't the graphics card the most important?

Anyways, I will wait and post my specs to hear the rest. Thanks

[George Hallam]

ok is your system bought from the shop? if so how old? have you got the model number?

another good indicator would be
click start > Run > dxdiag
then read the specs from there
Isn't the graphics card the most important?
yes it is but modern games need good dual/quad core CPU's, good RAM, and MOBO then a good PSU and HDD, OS it all adds up :p

[Zvolen]

Ok, my system is a HP Pavilion a730N. Some of the information from dxdiag is as follows, if any more information is needed let me know.

Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.00GHz (2 CPUs)
Memory: 504MB RAM
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)

Card name: Intel(R) 82915G/GV/910GL Express Chipset Family
Manufacturer: Intel Corporation
Chip type: Intel(R) 82915G/GV/910GL Express Chipset Controller

[George Hallam]

ok looking at your detailed specs it shows you have a PCI x16 slot which means you can put a brand new top of the line graphics card in.. But your MOBO only supports 800Mhz FSB and not dual core you only have DDR 400 support and your PSU will probably not power a 8800Gt..

so really you do need a full system upgrade to play some modern games..

what is your budget?

[Zvolen]

ok looking at your detailed specs it shows you have a PCI x16 slot which means you can put a brand new top of the line graphics card in.. But your MOBO only supports 800Mhz FSB and not dual core you only have DDR 400 support and your PSU will probably not power a 8800Gt..

so really you do need a full system upgrade to play some modern games..

what is your budget?

Just for my own knowledge, what does a PCI X16 mean along with 800Mhz FSB.

I had a feeling that I would need a full system upgrade. However could I setup a system within my budget of around $1000.00?

Thanks for your help

--Z

[George Hallam]

ok heres what FSB (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Front_side_bus) and PCI-E x16 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PCI_Express) mean

ok your system... you can buy quite a nice PC with $1000 that will do some good gaming and be easily upgradeable

you MOBO you have two choices

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131219
and intel chipset MOBO 100% supporting new 45nm CPU's at 1600mhz FSB but does not support SLI (to Nvidia graphics cards together)

or

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131073
an Nvidia MOBO supporting SLI and 1333Mhz FSB (so not as future proof) and im not sure if it supports 45nm CPU's

RAM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145590
2Gb is fine and an upgrade next year to 4Gb should be easy and at 800Mhz should be fine for a while

HDD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148261
250Gb is enough space for most people for there dirt cheap now and easy to install so you can buy another at any time

Graphics card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130303
great bank for buck half the price of the 8800GTX and only 10% slower :eek:

CPU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115030
this is NOT the best on the market its lower mid range because January the NEW intel 45nm CPU's are released and it would be a good idea to get one of them

PSU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817128002
580w is fine for SLI of 8800Gt and be plenty if you didnt... had good rating not tried it personally though

case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133046
if you dont have a nice one ;) and thats down to personal choice

DVD drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151151
if you dont have one of them either

i didnt put down an OS i didnt know if you had the disc or a copy somewhere

the total them is
$985.96 with the 680i Nvidia chipset MOBO
or
$1011.95 with the X38 intel chipset MOBO

this PC should be could for new games and be around for a while and has great potential for upgrading. Next/this week sometime AMD/ATI are releasing there new graphics cards so they may be better/cheaper than the 8800GT and they support DX10.1 and SM4.1

hope that helped :p

[Zvolen]

ok heres what FSB (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Front_side_bus) and PCI-E x16 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PCI_Express) mean

ok your system... you can buy quite a nice PC with $1000 that will do some good gaming and be easily upgradeable

you MOBO you have two choices

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131219
and intel chipset MOBO 100% supporting new 45nm CPU's at 1600mhz FSB but does not support SLI (to Nvidia graphics cards together)

or

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131073
an Nvidia MOBO supporting SLI and 1333Mhz FSB (so not as future proof) and im not sure if it supports 45nm CPU's

RAM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145590
2Gb is fine and an upgrade next year to 4Gb should be easy and at 800Mhz should be fine for a while

HDD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148261
250Gb is enough space for most people for there dirt cheap now and easy to install so you can buy another at any time

Graphics card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130303
great bank for buck half the price of the 8800GTX and only 10% slower :eek:

CPU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115030
this is NOT the best on the market its lower mid range because January the NEW intel 45nm CPU's are released and it would be a good idea to get one of them

PSU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817128002
580w is fine for SLI of 8800Gt and be plenty if you didnt... had good rating not tried it personally though

case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133046
if you dont have a nice one ;) and thats down to personal choice

DVD drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151151
if you dont have one of them either

i didnt put down an OS i didnt know if you had the disc or a copy somewhere

the total them is
$985.96 with the 680i Nvidia chipset MOBO
or
$1011.95 with the X38 intel chipset MOBO

this PC should be could for new games and be around for a while and has great potential for upgrading. Next/this week sometime AMD/ATI are releasing there new graphics cards so they may be better/cheaper than the 8800GT and they support DX10.1 and SM4.1

hope that helped :p

Big help, Thanks I really appreciate.

It looks like it may be best to wait until the new year when the new CPU's are released. Also some of the prices will go down, I will keep looking and saving.

Again, Thanks

--Z

[George Hallam]

it ok ;)

when you get some $$$$ in the new year post back and we will set ya up

[Zvolen]

Sounds like a plan, you have been a big help. Thanks!

[George Hallam]

its ok anytime :D