[SOLVED] Gaming machine help!

fej2008 · 06-27-2009, 07:46 PM

hey guys,

i have this gaming machine and need to stick with it for few more years, can't afford to buy a new one.

Processor: P4 2.8ghz
Motherboard: Asus P4V8X-X 800MHz FSB VIA P4X533Chipset DDR400 Socket 478 Motherboard with AGP 8X and PCIE 4X
Memory: 1GB RAM ddr1 400mhz (2 sticks 512mb running on dual channel)
Video Card: GeForce 9400GT 512mb 128bit (running on 4x PCI-E slot)
Operating System: Windows XP Pro SP2
Power Supply: 450W PSU (generic)

Just wanted to check if i can still maximize this machine and use it for the upcoming games, can you tell me if there's something i can replace or add to make it more powerful or let say to reach it's limit as a gaming machine with regard to ram, video card etc.

I think P4 2.8ghz is the last processor my board can handle. please advise.

**Lord Sirian** · 06-27-2009, 07:53 PM

You won't be able to handle games like Crysis or Supreme Commander with that system, you should be fine with older games though.

I would however, highly recommend a better PSU, as generic power supplies are often unreliable and can lead to damaged hardware.

You should view the information located here:

http://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/ram-power-supply-support/192217-power-supply-information-selection.html

And use it to choose a new PSU.

Your system will not need a very large PSU, so I would choose one from the "Power Desktop Computer Class".

Hope this helps.

Zealex · 06-27-2009, 07:54 PM

Your processor will become obsolete soon, it's a single core. I'm pretty sure programs are now being written to use two cores(dual core). You say your board can only handle a p4 2.8ghz? I don't think you can upgrade your cpu then.

What games do you want to play?

fej2008 · 06-27-2009, 08:41 PM

@Lord Sirian... thanks for the link sir.

@Zealex... Yup 2.8ghz is the max proc a 533mhz chipset can handel, i can't upgrade to 3.0HT anymore, my board will not take it. I play online games most of the time which is good compared to offline games. But i'm planning to play NFS Prostreet and NBA 2009 which I'm not really sure if my system can run them full capacity. Tried playing NFS Carbon, Titan Quest and GTA San andreas and they work fine. What about maximizing my RAM to 2GB? Will it help? or is it still advisable to upgrade to 2GB? or just stick to 1GB...?

Zealex · 06-27-2009, 10:10 PM

Click the Game-O-Meter link in my signature, it will check to see if your specs meet the games, if they are not on there. http://www.systemrequirementslab.com/referrer/srtest
run both in IE. Just select your game on IE and run a test

fej2008 · 06-28-2009, 02:05 AM

Thanks for the link bro! My system passed but I wasn't able to reach the recommended part, at least it passed. lol!

Mcninjaguy · 06-28-2009, 03:12 AM

The only things I would upgrade on your machine is the ram and PSU

PSU
Corsair 650w (same price as the Corsair 550w)
$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 Model F1-3200PHU2-2GBNT - Retail
$58
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231039

fej2008 · 06-30-2009, 12:58 PM

Thanks Mcninjaguy !!

I will do that as soon as possible.

By the way, follow up question guys. Switching tabs like one game is open and another is browser, when I switch tabs it takes a while like around 20-30 secs before it switch, is it from my internet connection or pc?

Mcninjaguy · 06-30-2009, 08:48 PM

That would be your PC as it takes time to reinitialize your graphics being displayed

fej2008 · 06-30-2009, 09:20 PM

I see, single core processor is no more good nowadays.. thanks Mcninjaguy !!

06-27-2009, 07:46 PM	#1 (permalink)
fej2008 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 263 OS: Windows XP SP2	[SOLVED] Gaming machine help! hey guys, i have this gaming machine and need to stick with it for few more years, can't afford to buy a new one. Processor: P4 2.8ghz Motherboard: Asus P4V8X-X 800MHz FSB VIA P4X533Chipset DDR400 Socket 478 Motherboard with AGP 8X and PCIE 4X Memory: 1GB RAM ddr1 400mhz (2 sticks 512mb running on dual channel) Video Card: GeForce 9400GT 512mb 128bit (running on 4x PCI-E slot) Operating System: Windows XP Pro SP2 Power Supply: 450W PSU (generic) Just wanted to check if i can still maximize this machine and use it for the upcoming games, can you tell me if there's something i can replace or add to make it more powerful or let say to reach it's limit as a gaming machine with regard to ram, video card etc. I think P4 2.8ghz is the last processor my board can handle. please advise.

06-27-2009, 07:53 PM	#2 (permalink)
Lord Sirian Mentor, Games Team Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 1,602 OS: Windows XP SP 3 My System	Re: Gaming machine help! You won't be able to handle games like Crysis or Supreme Commander with that system, you should be fine with older games though. I would however, highly recommend a better PSU, as generic power supplies are often unreliable and can lead to damaged hardware. You should view the information located here: http://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/ram-power-supply-support/192217-power-supply-information-selection.html And use it to choose a new PSU. Your system will not need a very large PSU, so I would choose one from the "Power Desktop Computer Class". Hope this helps. __________________ "A rush of blood To my head Leaves me winded and wanting To feel the weakness in my body Beaten and crushed like my soul..."- Doomsday

06-27-2009, 07:54 PM	#3 (permalink)
Zealex Tech, Games Team Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Long Island Posts: 2,147 OS: Windows Vista Home Premium 32 bit SP2 My System	Re: Gaming machine help! Your processor will become obsolete soon, it's a single core. I'm pretty sure programs are now being written to use two cores(dual core). You say your board can only handle a p4 2.8ghz? I don't think you can upgrade your cpu then. What games do you want to play? __________________ Xfire Steam Nvidia Drivers ATI Drivers DirectX 9.0c Game-O-Meter System Information for Windows(SIW) Revo Uninstaller Last edited by Zealex; 06-27-2009 at 07:57 PM.

06-27-2009, 08:41 PM	#4 (permalink)
fej2008 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 263 OS: Windows XP SP2	Re: Gaming machine help! @Lord Sirian... thanks for the link sir. @Zealex... Yup 2.8ghz is the max proc a 533mhz chipset can handel, i can't upgrade to 3.0HT anymore, my board will not take it. I play online games most of the time which is good compared to offline games. But i'm planning to play NFS Prostreet and NBA 2009 which I'm not really sure if my system can run them full capacity. Tried playing NFS Carbon, Titan Quest and GTA San andreas and they work fine. What about maximizing my RAM to 2GB? Will it help? or is it still advisable to upgrade to 2GB? or just stick to 1GB...?

06-27-2009, 10:10 PM	#5 (permalink)
Zealex Tech, Games Team Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Long Island Posts: 2,147 OS: Windows Vista Home Premium 32 bit SP2 My System	Re: Gaming machine help! Click the Game-O-Meter link in my signature, it will check to see if your specs meet the games, if they are not on there. http://www.systemrequirementslab.com/referrer/srtest run both in IE. Just select your game on IE and run a test __________________ Xfire Steam Nvidia Drivers ATI Drivers DirectX 9.0c Game-O-Meter System Information for Windows(SIW) Revo Uninstaller

06-28-2009, 02:05 AM	#6 (permalink)
fej2008 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 263 OS: Windows XP SP2	Re: Gaming machine help! Thanks for the link bro! My system passed but I wasn't able to reach the recommended part, at least it passed. lol!

06-30-2009, 12:58 PM	#8 (permalink)
fej2008 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 263 OS: Windows XP SP2	Re: Gaming machine help! Thanks Mcninjaguy !! I will do that as soon as possible. By the way, follow up question guys. Switching tabs like one game is open and another is browser, when I switch tabs it takes a while like around 20-30 secs before it switch, is it from my internet connection or pc?

06-30-2009, 08:48 PM	#9 (permalink)
Mcninjaguy Temporarily Banned Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 10,422 OS: Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit My System Blog Entries: 1	Re: Gaming machine help! That would be your PC as it takes time to reinitialize your graphics being displayed

06-30-2009, 09:20 PM	#10 (permalink)
fej2008 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 263 OS: Windows XP SP2	Re: Gaming machine help! I see, single core processor is no more good nowadays.. thanks Mcninjaguy !!