[TroubledWizard]

So I've been wanting to upgrade my PC for quite some time. I mainly want a decent gaming machine, able to play up-to-date games at a high spec. However, I didn't realise the amount of parts needed. I can't just go out and purchase a new video card, I also have to purchase other stuff too.

Apparently someone said my computer is too old, and I should build a new one instead. My current specs are:

Card name: Tul Corporation, RADEON 9200SE
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip type: RADEON 9200 SE AGP (0x5964)
DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) XP 2600+, MMX, 3DNow, ~1.9GHz
Memory: 512MB RAM

I just don't know where to start, and I have many questions such as "how do I know which power supply I need?" etc. Yes, I'm useless when it comes to computer hardware.

Will I need a whole new computer?

[alex]

If you're wanting to play current games at a decent resolution with good frame rates and detail settings then, yes, you'll need a whole new rig.

Even with an upgrade on the graphics card in your current rig, the cpu you have will limit it greatly. This will also probably require a new psu. And you'll definately need to at least double your ram.

All in all, you'll still then be left with "old technology" in some of your components so the cost of the upgrade simply won't be worth it.

[TroubledWizard]

Thanks for the response. Yeah, I thought I'd need a new PC. It's amazing how quickly a computer ages - Three years ago my rig was okay.

Anyway, do you have any sort of recommendations on what to buy? My budget is at £450 max, so I won't get much?

[alex]

Originally Posted by TroubledWizard Thanks for the response. Yeah, I thought I'd need a new PC. It's amazing how quickly a computer ages - Three years ago my rig was okay. Anyway, do you have any sort of recommendations on what to buy? My budget is at £450 max, so I won't get much?

You might get more than you think.

A few questions first though:

1) Are you just needing the pc, not the monitor/keyboard/speakers?

2) Have you got a monitor?

3) Are you going to be using it for this new build?

4) If so, what resolution is it? (this is very important for a gaming build as the more pixels a screen displays, the harder the card has to work. The higher the resolution, the better the card you need).

5) Are you wanting components are a pre-built pc?

[TroubledWizard]

Originally Posted by alex You might get more than you think. A few questions first though: 1) Are you just needing the pc, not the monitor/keyboard/speakers? 2) Have you got a monitor? 3) Are you going to be using it for this new build? 4) If so, what resolution is it? (this is very important for a gaming build as the more pixels a screen displays, the harder the card has to work. The higher the resolution, the better the card you need). 5) Are you wanting components are a pre-built pc?

1) I'm just looking for a PC at the moment. I already have all the rest.

2) Yes, I have a monitor.

3) More than likely, yes.

4) My resolution is 1024 X 768

5) I will be wanting components. But I don't know where to start - My main problem is knowing every part I need, along with what type I need - There are so many versions.

[alex]

Okey dokey, give me half an hour or so. I'll go and nosey at a few sites.

[TroubledWizard]

Thanks a lot. Much appreciated

[alex]

Just a courtesy reply.

(Didn't want you to think I'd forgotten)

I'm just fine-tuning a couple of builds from two sites. Give me about 15 minutes.

Apologies it's taking longer than the stated half-hour.

[TroubledWizard]

Originally Posted by alex Just a courtesy reply. (Didn't want you to think I'd forgotten) I'm just fine-tuning a couple of builds from two sites. Give me about 15 minutes. Apologies it's taking longer than the stated half-hour.

Take as long as you want - I'm grateful either way.

[alex]

All the below spec'd from Ebuyer. Site link

The graphics card is overkill for the resolution of your monitor but at the resolution you state I gather it's an old one, so the card will cover you should this monitor fail or you upgrade it at some point.

Mhz still rule in gaming, so I've done away with a high cache cpu as the cache makes little or no difference when gaming.

There's some future proofing built in with the motherboard as it supports Intel's new Penryn processors, should you ever want to upgrade the cpu (as it is a slight compromise considering the graphics card, but not a compromise at your current resolution).

This spec will happily game at the next resolution up (1280x1024/1440x900 17"-19" screens), and should provide you with playable frame-rates, providing you turn AA and AF off and detail settings to low, at 1680x1050 (20-22" screens), on current games.

So you've that little extra choice should you need to purchase a new screen.




Corsair 2GB Kit (2x1GB) DDR2 800MHz/PC2-6400 XMS2 Memory Non-ECC Unbuffered CL5(5-5-5-12) Heat Spreader Lifetime Warranty098710883 in stock£34.98
LiteOn DH-20A1S 20X DVD1RW/DLRAM Black Bare Drive - OEM131151154 in stock£16.83
Coolermaster Centurion 5 Silver - No PSU103565103 in stock£34.98
Hitachi 160GB Hard Drive 7200rpm SATAII 8MB Cache - OEM122242117 in stock£32.58
MSI P35 Neo-F Socket 775 FSB1333 onboard 8 channel audio ATX Motherboard12804743 in stock£58.95
OCZ StealthXtream 500W PSU13515922 in stock£43.99
Intel Pentium Dual Core E2180 2GHz Socket 775 800MHz FSB L2 1MB Cache Retail Box Processor132064172 in stock£52.99
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium x32Bit OEM 1PK DVD12305236 in stock£60.49
HIS HD 3850 Pro 256MB 256bit GDDR3 Dual DVI TV HDCP PCI-E Graphics Card13913644 in stock£99.99


Total (without shipping) £435.78.
Shipping: £13.04

Grand total: £448.82

Hope this is helpful.