Need help from smart people!

mandom · 09-21-2008, 06:31 PM

Hey, so basically i have a mid range 3 year old dell computer and im interested in turning it into an adequate gaming rig.
Don't need to be running Crysis at 80fps.. just want to be able to play CoD4 and Warhammer Online comfortably on medium settings.
My specs are as follows:
OS: Xp
Model: Dimension 4700
BIOS: Phoenix ROM BIOS PLUS Version 1.10 A03
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.80GHz (2 CPUs)
Memory: 510 mb ram
Video card: RADEON X300 Series 128 mb

I think the rest of the stuff in the case is acceptable.. but i'm not sure. I also already have a keyboard/LCD screen/Mouse etc.. What would your advice be on the cheapest and most efficient way of boosting this crapbox up to a reasonable standard. AND I EMPHASISE; CHEAPEST lol

FadeToBright · 09-21-2008, 07:20 PM

In all honesty. You could build a decent system for $400ish.
I believe those Dell's only have PCI/AGP slots available.

videogamephreak · 09-21-2008, 07:23 PM

Yeah. Your best bet is to build one.

mandom · 09-21-2008, 10:27 PM

ok cool; im not the most tech savvy person and i certainly wouldn't be able to rock into a store and choose a list of good parts

would anyone be able to give me some suggestions for specs of a system around the 400-500 dollar mark which i could build myself?
remember im only talking the actual computer; got a screen, mouse, OS, speakers, etc
also can i use my dell case or is it worth picking up a new one? for that matter can i take anything out of my old comp and use it?
thanks in advance; these forums rock

FadeToBright · 09-22-2008, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mandom

ok cool; im not the most tech savvy person and i certainly wouldn't be able to rock into a store and choose a list of good parts

would anyone be able to give me some suggestions for specs of a system around the 400-500 dollar mark which i could build myself?
remember im only talking the actual computer; got a screen, mouse, OS, speakers, etc
also can i use my dell case or is it worth picking up a new one? for that matter can i take anything out of my old comp and use it?
thanks in advance; these forums rock

Most of the Dell cases are propitiatory. Where do you live? I usually shop from newegg.com

**wrench97** · 09-22-2008, 01:26 PM

What size hard drive do you have in the Dell?
You could use the DVD/CD drive and of course the monitor, keyboard, mouse, you will need a case, Power Supply, Motherboard, CPU, Memory, And a new copy of Windows.
For a mid range rig your looking in the neighborhood of $600-$800

FadeToBright · 09-22-2008, 01:57 PM

I'll try to part out a nice build for you when I return from class tonight.
(My Windows Server 2003 class,

)

**wrench97** · 09-22-2008, 02:02 PM

Look this collection of components over the video card is a decent mid range card the power supply is large enough to upgrade it to a 8800GT, 9800GTS, or a HD4850 card,
it includes a hard drive and Vista Home Premium.

Link........................................ Disc. .................................Cost .............Rebate

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...cription=E8400 E8400 $169.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128337 GA-EP35-DS3L $89.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145590 2 x 1Gig $41.00 $13.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130393 9600GT $109.99 $25.00
http://www.provantage.com/corsair-cm...x~7CSMC05F.htm 650tx $86.38 $20.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119106 case $49.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116485 Vista HP $99.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136073 WD 500Gig $69.99

$717.32 $58.00

$659.32

FadeToBright · 09-22-2008, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrench97

Look this collection of components over the video card is a decent mid range card the power supply is large enough to upgrade it to a 8800GT, 9800GTS, or a HD4850 card,
it includes a hard drive and Vista Home Premium.

Link........................................ Disc. .................................Cost .............Rebate

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...cription=E8400 E8400 $169.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128337 GA-EP35-DS3L $89.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145590 2 x 1Gig $41.00 $13.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130393 9600GT $109.99 $25.00
http://www.provantage.com/corsair-cm...x~7CSMC05F.htm 650tx $86.38 $20.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119106 case $49.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116485 Vista HP $99.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136073 WD 500Gig $69.99

$717.32 $58.00

$659.32

He said on medium settings, I'm sure if he went with a AMD setup it would save some cash as well.

**wrench97** · 09-22-2008, 02:46 PM

He could add a PSU and a good video card to the Dell and achieve the same results as a AMD set up.

FadeToBright · 09-22-2008, 02:49 PM

FadeToBright · 09-22-2008, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrench97

He could add a PSU and a good video card to the Dell and achieve the same results as a AMD set up.

Hardly.

**wrench97** · 09-22-2008, 03:05 PM

Fade you better read the Power Supply Sticky the only recommended Coolermasters are Real Power Pros
Looks to me for $90 more he could have a first class system.

Toucan Sam · 09-22-2008, 04:13 PM

I have to agree with wrench on this one. Intel>AMD. Corsair>all but one coolermaster model. the 9600gt is a great card for a budget, and Fade's link is bad so I don't know what she suggested. Spend more now and you'll be buying longevity.

09-21-2008, 06:31 PM	#1 (permalink)
mandom Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 3 OS: XP	Need help from smart people! Hey, so basically i have a mid range 3 year old dell computer and im interested in turning it into an adequate gaming rig. Don't need to be running Crysis at 80fps.. just want to be able to play CoD4 and Warhammer Online comfortably on medium settings. My specs are as follows: OS: Xp Model: Dimension 4700 BIOS: Phoenix ROM BIOS PLUS Version 1.10 A03 Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.80GHz (2 CPUs) Memory: 510 mb ram Video card: RADEON X300 Series 128 mb I think the rest of the stuff in the case is acceptable.. but i'm not sure. I also already have a keyboard/LCD screen/Mouse etc.. What would your advice be on the cheapest and most efficient way of boosting this crapbox up to a reasonable standard. AND I EMPHASISE; CHEAPEST lol

09-21-2008, 07:20 PM	#2 (permalink)
FadeToBright Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 53 OS: Vista Ultimate x64	Re: Need help from smart people! In all honesty. You could build a decent system for $400ish. I believe those Dell's only have PCI/AGP slots available. __________________ http://i37.tinypic.com/o7sj90.gif

09-21-2008, 07:23 PM	#3 (permalink)
videogamephreak Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 37 OS: XP Pro SP 2	Re: Need help from smart people! Yeah. Your best bet is to build one.

09-21-2008, 10:27 PM	#4 (permalink)
mandom Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 3 OS: XP	Re: Need help from smart people! ok cool; im not the most tech savvy person and i certainly wouldn't be able to rock into a store and choose a list of good parts would anyone be able to give me some suggestions for specs of a system around the 400-500 dollar mark which i could build myself? remember im only talking the actual computer; got a screen, mouse, OS, speakers, etc also can i use my dell case or is it worth picking up a new one? for that matter can i take anything out of my old comp and use it? thanks in advance; these forums rock

09-22-2008, 01:26 PM	#6 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,659 OS: Win7	Re: Need help from smart people! What size hard drive do you have in the Dell? You could use the DVD/CD drive and of course the monitor, keyboard, mouse, you will need a case, Power Supply, Motherboard, CPU, Memory, And a new copy of Windows. For a mid range rig your looking in the neighborhood of $600-$800 __________________ Power Supply and Selection

09-22-2008, 01:57 PM	#7 (permalink)
FadeToBright Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 53 OS: Vista Ultimate x64	Re: Need help from smart people! I'll try to part out a nice build for you when I return from class tonight. (My Windows Server 2003 class, ) __________________ http://i37.tinypic.com/o7sj90.gif

09-22-2008, 02:02 PM	#8 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,659 OS: Win7	Re: Need help from smart people! Look this collection of components over the video card is a decent mid range card the power supply is large enough to upgrade it to a 8800GT, 9800GTS, or a HD4850 card, it includes a hard drive and Vista Home Premium. Link........................................ Disc. .................................Cost .............Rebate http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...cription=E8400 E8400 $169.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128337 GA-EP35-DS3L $89.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145590 2 x 1Gig $41.00 $13.00 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130393 9600GT $109.99 $25.00 http://www.provantage.com/corsair-cm...x~7CSMC05F.htm 650tx $86.38 $20.00 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119106 case $49.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116485 Vista HP $99.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136073 WD 500Gig $69.99 $717.32 $58.00 $659.32 __________________ Power Supply and Selection

09-22-2008, 02:46 PM	#10 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,659 OS: Win7	Re: Need help from smart people! He could add a PSU and a good video card to the Dell and achieve the same results as a AMD set up. __________________ Power Supply and Selection

09-22-2008, 02:49 PM	#11 (permalink)
FadeToBright Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 53 OS: Vista Ultimate x64	Re: Need help from smart people! Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128328- $64.90 Processor: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103234 - $87.99 RAM:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820134031- $29.99 HDD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136040 -$99.99 Case & PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119106 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171013 $104.98 Video Card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130393 -$84.99 after rebate OS: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116488 -$99.99 Total.... $572.84 __________________ http://i37.tinypic.com/o7sj90.gif

09-22-2008, 03:05 PM	#13 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,659 OS: Win7	Re: Need help from smart people! Fade you better read the Power Supply Sticky the only recommended Coolermasters are Real Power Pros Looks to me for $90 more he could have a first class system. __________________ Power Supply and Selection

09-22-2008, 04:13 PM	#14 (permalink)
Toucan Sam Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: charlotte, nc Posts: 153 OS: vista 64-bit SP1 My System	Re: Need help from smart people! I have to agree with wrench on this one. Intel>AMD. Corsair>all but one coolermaster model. the 9600gt is a great card for a budget, and Fade's link is bad so I don't know what she suggested. Spend more now and you'll be buying longevity.