[SOLVED] PC/Mac Boot Camp Dilemna for Gaming

[Miamifan30]

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Ok, so I have a HP Pavillion a730n, a fairly outdated computer. Don't remember when it was first released but I know it wasn't recently. Anyways, I am having lots of troubles playing games besides Braid and NBA Live 07 on this computer. I also have a iMac with an ATY, Radeon X1600 and tried to game on there with a program Parallels to make my OS Windows. That didn't work so I tried Boot Camp, but there are some errors there that it will not let me fix regarding unmovable (spelling?) files. So my choices are between getting Time Capsule (500 GB, $299) for the Mac and hoping that works or getting a video card that fits in my a730n (ATI Radeon 3850, $90-$145).

What do you guys recommend doing because I have no idea what would be better for gaming (Fallout 3, Half-Life 2, etc).

Thanks in advance,

Miamifan30


It might be relevant that I currently use Windows XP on my a730n and Vista on my Parallels.

[Mcninjaguy]

I would upgrade the HP computer

specs
http://www.dealtime.com/xPF-HP-A730N...W-CD-RW-DL-XPH

is the computer stick still? no new hardware added?

with a new graphics card comes a new PSU and you'll want to consider buying more ram too

this is what I'd suggest

GRAPHICS CARD
SAPPHIRE 100265HDMI Radeon HD 4830 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card
$85
after rebate $75
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102822

PSU
Corsair 650w
$100
after rebate $80
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139005

RAM
G.SKILL Value 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Dual Channel Kit System Memory
$61
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231039

you could use the extra stick of ram but it might cause errors

Total $246

[Miamifan30]

Thank you. I think I'll take your advice and upgrade the HP.

[Mcninjaguy]

after this upgrade there's no point upgrading it further. your next computer should be either taking apart this computer and using the HDD, video card, PSU and buying everythin esle new for the Tower itself

[Miamifan30]

One more thing, is the memory part of a new RAM stick? Cause I really want to run Fallout 3, but the only two things that are recommended that aren't on my CPU already are:
Memory: 2048MB
You have 512MB
and
my graphics card which I will be updating.

[Mcninjaguy]

yea the new ram will support that

the one thing you might have to deal with is your CPU since its pretty slow compared to a dual core

are you going to be running a bunch of new games on this computer then I'd suggest doubling this budget for around $500

your current motherboard only supports DDR which is pretty slow and it can't use DDR2
if you want I'll make a new list with a budget of around $500 for a computer that'll have no problem playing any new game

[Miamifan30]

Nah, thanks though. I'm gonna have to go with the $300 budget. Can't spend too much to play new games. Steam is working all right now, with the new graphics card/RAM Fallout 3 will be at recommended setting by Bethesda and so will tons of other games so thank you very much.

[Mcninjaguy]

no problem I was just gonna make a more future proffed computer but you know how fast electronics can become obsolete