[austen]

I'm just wondering if anyone can help me out in choosing some things to upgrade on my computer for gaming. I've never really done this before so I'll be needing a lot of help. :]

Eh.. I don't even know what I should be typing out for the specs of my computer, so some assistance on that first would be nice.

[Advertisements]

First download Everest Home Edition: Everest Home. Install it and run it. Once it is running click the "report" button. Click next and then select "system report only". Save as a text file and copy and paste the results in your next post (don't add as an attachment).

Also how does your budget look?

[Titan8990]

First download Everest Home Edition: Everest Home. Install it and run it. Once it is running click the "report" button. Click next and then select "system report only". Save as a text file and copy and paste the results in your next post (don't add as an attachment).

Also how does your budget look?

[austen]

I knew that Everest thing was good for something..

My budget isn't so high at the moment, but I'm willing to wait and save up. I'm pretty much looking for the best product for the price- just like everyone.



--------[ Summary ]-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Computer:
Operating System Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
OS Service Pack Service Pack 2
DirectX 4.09.00.0904 (DirectX 9.0c)
Computer Name AUSTEN (Precious..)
User Name Compaq_Owner

Motherboard:
CPU Type AMD Athlon 64, 2400 MHz (12 x 200) 3400+
Motherboard Name Asus K8S-LA (3 PCI, 1 AGP, 2 DDR DIMM, Audio, Video, LAN, IEEE-1394)
Motherboard Chipset SiS 760GX, AMD Hammer
System Memory 1024 MB (PC3200 DDR SDRAM)
BIOS Type Award (10/19/05)
Communication Port Communications Port (COM1)
Communication Port ECP Printer Port (LPT1)

Display:
Video Adapter RADEON 9600 SERIES - Secondary (256 MB)
Video Adapter RADEON 9600 SERIES (256 MB)
3D Accelerator ATI Radeon 9600 (RV350)
Monitor HP VS17 [17" LCD] (CNC5192H2V)

Multimedia:
Audio Adapter C-Media CMI8738/C3DX Audio Device

Storage:
IDE Controller SiS PCI IDE Controller
IDE Controller Standard Dual Channel PCI IDE Controller
SCSI/RAID Controller SCSI/RAID Host Controller
Disk Drive ST3200822AS (200 GB, 7200 RPM, SATA)
Disk Drive Generic USB SD Reader USB Device
Disk Drive Generic USB CF Reader USB Device
Disk Drive Generic USB SM Reader USB Device
Disk Drive Generic USB MS Reader USB Device
Disk Drive WDC WD25 00JB-00REA0 USB Device (232 GB, USB)
Disk Drive Apple iPod USB Device (18 GB, USB)
Optical Drive LITE-ON DVDRW SOHW-1633S (DVD+R9:2.4x, DVD+RW:16x/4x, DVD-RW:8x/4x, DVD-ROM:16x, CD:48x/24x/48x DVD+RW/DVD-RW)
Optical Drive QI3519A MEM915H SCSI CdRom Device
Optical Drive QI3519A MEM915H SCSI CdRom Device
Optical Drive QI3519A MEM915H SCSI CdRom Device
Optical Drive QI3519A MEM915H SCSI CdRom Device
SMART Hard Disks Status OK

Partitions:
C: (NTFS) 184636 MB (34671 MB free)
D: (FAT32) 6130 MB (1007 MB free)
P: (FAT32) 238414 MB (5657 MB free)
Total Size 419.1 GB (40.4 GB free)

Input:
Keyboard Compaq PS2 Keyboard (2K - 3)
Mouse Logitech USB MouseMan Wheel

Network:
Network Adapter SiS 900-Based PCI Fast Ethernet Adapter (75.57.243.214)
Modem Agere Systems PCI Soft Modem

Peripherals:
Printer Fax
Printer hp psc 2170 series
Printer Microsoft Office Document Image Writer
USB1 Controller SiS 7001 PCI-USB Open Host Controller
USB1 Controller SiS 7001 PCI-USB Open Host Controller
USB1 Controller SiS 7001 PCI-USB Open Host Controller
USB2 Controller SiS 7002 USB 2.0 Enhanced Host Controller
USB Device Logitech USB MouseMan Wheel
USB Device USB Mass Storage Device
USB Device USB Mass Storage Device
USB Device USB Mass Storage Device

Problems & Suggestions:
Problem Disk free space is only 2% on drive P:.

[jackflash1991]

How old is this computer?
What games are you thinking about playing? Counter-Strike Source, Battlefield 2142, World in Conflict, Crysis...?
If you really do not want to spend money the easiest and cheapest thing to upgrade is the RAM but that will not be very cost efficient and it will not last you long.
If you are going for the new DirectX 10 games to last you a while then you will need:
#1 more RAM
2.) a better video card
3.) A better CPU

To upgrade the video card and CPU you are going to need a new motherboard and you have the old DDR RAM so I would upgrade to DDR2 with the new board.

PS: It looks like you are going to have to start from the ground up and scrap the old computer.

Are you ok with that?

Edited by jackflash1991, 01 October 2007 - 03:13 PM.

[austen]

The thing's about 2 or 3 years old now and the only thing I've replaced is the sound card.

I already play Company of Heroes, World in Conflict, C&C3 on this PC. Just looking for an upgrade, I suppose. I kinda wanted to borrow and try out MOHA, but I don't think my video card can run it.

[jackflash1991]

If you want to ride that system out for every penny then get 1 more GB of DDR RAM. You usually need 2GB to run games well.
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820220030

Edit: You only have AGP for a video card. AGP is an out of date connection and I really do not recommend newer AGP cards. I recommend PCI-E but you would need to get a new board for that.

Edited by jackflash1991, 01 October 2007 - 08:12 PM.

[Titan8990]

I think that an upgrade on your graphics card will do you much better than another 1gig of RAM. With something like this: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814161071. It may require that you upgrade your power supply as well.

Whether you upgrade you RAM or your video card they are both outdated techs as Jack said and will be of no use in a future build.

Edited by Titan8990, 01 October 2007 - 08:27 PM.

[austen]

So, if I were to get myself a new computer.. Build one or whatever. How much money are we talking?

[Troy]

It truly depends on how well you want it to go. Have a look here at some system recommendations under $1000, we're currently helping DOH! build. He's in the same kind of situation as you...

You could build one cheaper, but obviously won't be as good. Tell us what appeals to you from that thread.

[jrm20]

Like FPVDriF6 said it all depends on your budget.

$1000 can get you a pretty good gaming rig but it wont be all high end components but that is where the price barrier is if you just go alittle bit further you can get alot more speed for little money like $1400 will get you all high end stuff..

If you choose a video card that is 2-3 steps below the fastest video card ati/nvidia makes you could get a whole system for about $1200 for example using the 2900HD PRO. The 2900HD PRO has a good price to performance ratio for a gamers build as it is not the fastest card it is 2-3 steps below the fastest.