PC setup

[Kamui]

Well, i've had this computer for 4 years(since SWBF2), and i've been thinking about upgrading it before Starcraft 2, and Diablo 3. Especially since i've tried FF11 on the PC, and it looked horrible on my computer.

I don't know nothing about graphics cards or any of that. One time I tried to play L4D on the PC, and my computer literally couldn't take it.

Can anyone help me with graphics cards, and what not? I think I have a Radeonx300 or something.

[RaTix]

New PC all together, or just upgrading GFX card and stuff?

If upgrading, what type of PC do you have now? Model Dell, HP, etc.. custom built? If custom what motherboard?

If building new, I am very hesitant on giving advice. Nothing more annoying then someone asking what they should get, then to tell them get A B C, and they come back with, Well I went with X Y Z instead. Like foo's in his old thread on when he was buying his new setup. But he sucks so we can't hold it against him.

Is price a matter, if yes, go AMD. They are far cheaper. If money is no object, Intel. I leave it at that as to not start another AMD vs Intel pissing match.

For GFX cards, are you looking for dual SLI type setup or just one kick ass card to do the job?

Give me more details and I could help you out.

[Kamui]

I plan to upgrade my GFX card, and the type of the computer I have is an HP Media Center PC. Price is a matter since money is always rough on me. I think i'm looking for that one card to do the job.

[RaTix]

HP what though, pavalion ######?

[Kamui]

Sorry if i'm not a computer junkie...., here you go I think these are the specs to my computer

http://www.krunker.com/2005/06/29/hp-media-center-pc-7070n-photosmart-pc/

Oh wait, I got this from xfire:

Manufacturer:
HP Pavilion 061
Processor:
Intel(R) Pentium(R) D CPU 2.80GHz (2 CPUs)
Memory:
1022MB RAM
Hard Drive:
241 GB
Video Card:
RADEON X300 Series
Monitor:
HP f1905 flat panel monitor
Sound Card:
Realtek HD Audio rear output
Speakers/Headphones:
Keyboard:
USB Root Hub
Mouse:
USB Root Hub
Mouse Surface:
Operating System:
Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.090206-1234)
Motherboard:
Computer Case:

[RaTix]

Manufacturer:
HP Pavilion 061

That's what I would need, except that's not the real model. Look on the case itself and should have some letters and numbers near Pavilion. Like "Pavilion a457g".

Or you might be able to find it if you go to START -> Right click "My Computer" -> Properties. On the general page it might list the model number.

[Kamui]

Found it :D. Pavilion m7250n

[norm]

Product Info


Looks like you are using a P4 chip and an Asus motherboard.

From the specs I think your current card is in the PCI-E slot so you can take that one out and swap it. Just look through Newegg at some cards that will fit and see if any are worth buying. I think your MB is a PCI-E 16x slot.

You may be better off saving some cash and after the summer upgrading to a newer computer. It's do you want to spend $50 now and get so-so performance or save, upgrade later for $600 (or whatever you want to pay, Newegg has some choices for you for new PCs). Since you're in college do you need a PC or do you need a laptop more? You might want to factor that in.

It all depends on what you want and what you'll be happy with. Just make sure you check that you have room for the card, that your power supply can handle it and that sorta thing. :D

[Capthemfoos]

Yea, don't buy from these Best Buy assholes or those big electronic chains. They usually don't have what you want and when they do, you can't really trust them and their stupid policies.

I would advise Newegg. It gives you all of the specs and w/e you need. Plus, most of the stuff has free shipping.

Concerning your box. You want to get good graphics cards, right? Well, if I were you, I'd also invest in a new processor. However, the cost of a good card and processor could go up from $400 whereas you are better off upgrading your pc.

Just getting a graphics card won't make things amazing. Everything has to compliment everything in a PC. If you have one part that is amazing and everything else is archaic, its not going to work out as you are envisioning it.

But I suck so every piece of advice I give should be disregarded. Lol.

[RaTix]

You suck a little less now for that spot on answer Foos, lol.

Run one of the more intense games you have and then Alt+Tab to your desktop while it's running and open the task manager. See what component is bottle necking the most. If the CPU is pegging at 100%, physical mem being mostly used up (the less virtual mem you have to use the better). If not too bad on those, then a new vid card could be a good start.

Product number
ED842AA
Introduction date
20-Sep-2005
Country/region sold in:

*
United States
*
Canada

Hardware
Base processor
PentiumD 820 (S) DC 2.8 GHz:

*
800 MHz front side bus
*
Socket 775

Chipset
Intel 945P
Motherboard

*
Manufacturer: Asus
*
Motherboard Name: P5LP-LE
*
HP/Compaq motherboard name: Lithium-UL8E

Memory
Component Attributes
Memory Installed 1 GB (2 x 512)
Maximum allowed 4 GB* (4 x 1 GB) requires the replacement of the installed 512 MB DIMMs

*Actual available memory may be less
Speed supported PC2-3200 MB/sec
Type 240 pin, DDR2 SDRAM
DIMM slots Four
Open DIMM slots Two
Hard drive

*
250 GB SATA
*
7200 rpm

16x DVD(+/-)R/RW RAM (+/-)R DL LightScribe drive

*
must use Double-Layer media discs in order to take advantage of the DL technology
*
must use LightScribe-enabled media discs and supporting software in order to take advantage of the LightScribe technology

type Attributes
DVD-RAM 5X
DVD-R DL Write Once 4X
DVD+R DL Write Once 8X
DVD+R Write Once 16X
DVD+RW Rewritable 8X
DVD-R Write Once 16X
DVD-RW Rewritable 6X
DVD ROM Read 16X
CD-R Write Once 40X
CD-RW Rewritable 32X
CD-ROM Read 40X
DVD ROM
Maximum speed 16X
Modem
PCI K56flex data/fax modem
Video graphics
ATI Radeon x300se

*
128 MB DDR memory
*
I/O Ports: Composite, S-Video, VGA

Television

*
TV tuner card with FM tuner

Sound/Audio
Integrated High Definition audio

* Realtek ALC 882 chipset
* 8-channels for Full Dolby 5.1/6.1/7.1 surround sound support with Dolby Pro Logic IIx

Dolby 5.1
Network (LAN)
Integrated 10/100 Base-T networking interface
Memory card reader

* Supports the following cards:
o Compact Flash I
o Compact Flash II
o SmartMedia
o Memory Stick
o Memory Stick Pro
o MultiMediaCard
o Secure Digital (SD)
o Micro Drive
o XD Picture Card (xd = extreme digital)

External I/O ports
I/O ports on the front panel
Port type Quantity
9-in-1 (4 slot) One
1394 One
USB (2.0) Two
Headphone One
Microphone One
Audio L-R One
S-video in One
Composite video in One
I/O ports on the back panel
Port type Quantity
PS/2 (keyboard, mouse) Two (one each)
Parallel One
USB (2.0) Four
IEEE 1394 One
LAN One
Audio One each (side speaker out, rear speaker out, center speaker out, line-in, line-out, microphone)
Expansion slots
Slot type Quantity
PCI Three (one available)
PCI Express One (occupied)
DIMM Four (two available)
Drive bays
Bay type Quantity
5.25" external Two (occupied)
3.5" internal One (occupied)
Personal Media Drive One (available)
Chassis accessories

*
Camera dock lid
*
iPod dock lid

Remote control

*
USB infrared receiver

Keyboard and mouse

*
HP PS/2 multimedia keyboard
*
Quebec Keyboard Kit (French Canada only)
*
HP PS/2 optical scroller mouse

Is the VGA to the monitor connected to an actual card right now (expansion slots), or is it integrated (near the audio, LAN and USB jacks?)

If integrated, any card will be a great improvement. Even if ti's an actual card, and the original that came with it, replacing would greatly help.

Any of these cards will work on your system, and pretty cheap too for the PCIe x16 cards.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010380048%201069609641&name=PCI%20Express%20x16

[Kamui]

So recently I brought L4D2 on the PC(Last night), Because it is on sale for 20.39 until Monday on Steam. Now at the moment, I can afford a new card ranging from 50-140$ max.

my VGA monitor is connected to....i'm sure at the moment. Sorry I didn't respond in so many months though.