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#1
6th Mar 2009, 02:35
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Well Im a new forumer so forgive me if I posted in the wrong section.
Is my computer still upgradeable? I bought it in late 2006. Its a Dell Dimension E520. If yes, read on. If no, then ignore the rest of the thread. Hm yeah. My computer cant run most games like Crysis smoothly anymore. So I've decided to upgrade it. Its my first time doing so. Some specs of my com. If you need more, dont hesistate to ask. Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 CPU 6300 @ 1.86GHz (2 CPUs) Memory: 1022MB RAM Video Card: Radeon X1300/X1550 Series I've got about $480 to spend and Im from Singapore. So yeah, what would you recommend? I just want to run most games smoothly and dont wish to spend too much. I dont need a monster, but if its achievable with that budget, I dont mind.  The main things I hope to upgrade are the CPU speed the system RAM and the Video Card. On a side note: Is the RAM = the computer speed? I seriously have to upgrade my com's speed. Its taking like 10mins just to power up or shut down. If not, then what determines the computer's speed? And is the processor upgradeable? Its got me wondering for some time. ALL help would be appreciated. |
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#2
6th Mar 2009, 06:01
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If it takes you that long on shutdown/startup you have a process problem not a hardware problem. While another gig of memory would help it should not take that long - I have a similar setup and the processor is fine. Overclocking it might be in the cards, but I would seriously post a HijackThis log in the Virus/Spyware section because that's way too long.
You have a PCI-E slot, so you can upgrade graphics. I have no idea what prices are over there, though. What resolution is your monitor? That would help a lot. Right now you're looking at a new graphics card and maybe a new PSU, though that depends on what the graphics card is. It's rare you can find a prebuilt that's worth upgrading, so congratulations, haha.
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"I loved the P182 so much that, when my wife's system was all noisy and needed all sorts of cleaning, I bought her one. Then, when I wanted a cat, I bought a P182. The P182 is not a cat per se, but it's still an excellent buy."
My System: 日夏子
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#3
6th Mar 2009, 23:11
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How do I overclock?
Hmm. My monitor is 1024 by 768 pixels. http://support.dell.com/support/edoc...n/NH730A01.pdf Maybe this can help you..? :) Oh and tell me what parts you would suggest. Im completely new to this kind of stuff so.. yeah. ._. |
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#4
7th Mar 2009, 01:15
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Well at that low of res you're going to be CPU-bound, so it makes sense you might be having problems on that front. Not really worth the extra money for a graphics card if you don't get a new monitor. 1024x768 has been outdated for like eight years.
I would first suggest looking up prices on a GTX 260, a 1920x1080 monitor, and a Corsair 520HX on whatever places you're willing to order from. That might be (in fact is certainly) over your budget but it should give me an idea how prices are over there. Alternatively, you can give me a website or a pdf price sheet and I can check out stuff for you.
__________________
"I loved the P182 so much that, when my wife's system was all noisy and needed all sorts of cleaning, I bought her one. Then, when I wanted a cat, I bought a P182. The P182 is not a cat per se, but it's still an excellent buy."
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#5
7th Mar 2009, 06:06
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Is it necessary to get a new monitor in order to be able to upgrade my graphics card? And what do you mean by CPU-bound?
Well, Im planning to go down to Sim Lim and Funan to get my parts. FYI, they're a kind of shopping mall specialising in selling IT stuff. Heres the web : http://www.simlimsquare.com.sg/index...tores_alphabet (sim lim) and http://www.funan.com.sg/ (funan. the link to the shops are at the top of the webpage) Those webs have the names of all the shops so I think it'll take forever for me to tell you all of them. I know it may sound a bit unreasonable of me to ask you to find it yourself when Im the one needing help.. but yeah. Sorry. Im looking at the web now too.  Thanks a lot buddy. You're really helping me out a bunch. Cheers!
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#6
7th Mar 2009, 15:14
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It's not really worth it unless you get a new monitor, and at low res it won't help as much to get a new one as it will the higher you get.
Nothing's loading properly on the Sim Lim one and the other just has a shop listing. :/
__________________
"I loved the P182 so much that, when my wife's system was all noisy and needed all sorts of cleaning, I bought her one. Then, when I wanted a cat, I bought a P182. The P182 is not a cat per se, but it's still an excellent buy."
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#7
7th Mar 2009, 20:27
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Yeah I wanted to say that but I didnt want a double post and I couldnt edit my other post anymore.
So.. no upgrading? D: |
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#8
7th Mar 2009, 21:00
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I would save up a little first. Doing a straight conversion assuming US prices ($200 for new monitor, $250 for GTX 260, $50 for new PSU), it'd cost you about SGD $750-$800. I'm willing to bet that it's going to be much higher because US hardware prices are dirt cheap.
You could get a new graphics card and maybe PSU for your current setup. It's not as efficient as far as performance per dollar, and if you ever move up to a higher monitor (anything beyond 1440x900) you're screwed. You could get a setup that'll run what you want okay within your budget, you could get that setup with a new monitor probably within your budget, or you could get the best deal and wait. If you want to do the first, grab a Radeon 4850. If you want to do the second, grab a Radeon 4850 and some sort of 19" 1440x900 LCD. You may or may not need a new PSU but I think you'll manage on the stock one. If you want to do the last option, grab a GTX 260 or Radeon 4870, a 21" 1920x1080 LCD, and a new PSU.
__________________
"I loved the P182 so much that, when my wife's system was all noisy and needed all sorts of cleaning, I bought her one. Then, when I wanted a cat, I bought a P182. The P182 is not a cat per se, but it's still an excellent buy."
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#9
7th Mar 2009, 21:04
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O_O why is it so necessary to get a new monitor in order to be able to upgrade my graphics? Does it mean everytime I want to upgrade my graphics I've got to get a new monitor? Or at least once every few times?
Hmm. My father may be willing to help fork out some too.. but Im not too sure yet. =X
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#10
7th Mar 2009, 21:06
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No, it's just that the monitor and graphics card are the primary things you should buy into for a gaming system and blowing that sort of money to play at 1024x768 is really a waste (not to mention the GPU will matter much less). If you have a good one it'll last you ages, the problem is that your res is almost two decades old and even the CRT market moved to 1280x1024.
People tend to go "yeah yeah whatever" when resolution is equated to total performance but it's true. Games in higher res, even ones that are old or not graphically complicated, look better. With most graphics cards you will max out everything (60fps), so the resolution is what should be primary.
__________________
"I loved the P182 so much that, when my wife's system was all noisy and needed all sorts of cleaning, I bought her one. Then, when I wanted a cat, I bought a P182. The P182 is not a cat per se, but it's still an excellent buy."
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