My Hardware Problems and Inquiries in one topic (Gaming PC related)

vernon_v · 02-08-2009, 01:02 PM

This is gonna be a long post so I’ll try to sum up the points.

Current PC:
- AMD Athlon 64 Processor 3000+
- 2.01 GHz
- 1.00 GB of RAM
- RADEON X850 XT AGP
- 150GB Hard Drive
- Bought in 2004 (5 years old)
Current Problems:
- Recent ticking noise heard from computer (sign of Hard Drive failure)
- Fan and/or Power Supply Unit makes noise when playing games

Steps I’m considering:
- Replace Hard Drive w/ 350 GB+ ($100+)
- Buy a New Computer

If I am to buy a new computer I’m looking for something that would be able to run current generation games (Crysis, GTAIV, Dead Space) on medium-high settings. The main problem is I’m pretty much computer illiterate and it’s hard for me to determine which computer is good.

My Ideal Specs:
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo 2.2 GHz/Athlon X2 4400+
Speed: 3.0 GHz
RAM: 2.5 GB
HD: 300+ GB
OS: Windows XP or Vista
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTS
ATI 3870 +
RAM: 640 MB
Other: Video Card compatible 64-bit
DVD DL-Burner
Power Supply 500 Watts
Sound Blaster

The one I saw right in a store;
CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 Processor
RAM: 4GB
HD: 640GB SATA
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce 9500 GS 532MB (Is this any good?)
Super-Multi DVD Burner w/ Lightsribe

Questions:
1. Should I invest in a new computer or should I just replace the Hard Drive?
2. Can the ticking sound be something else than the Hard Drive?
3. Are my ideal specs actually any good? How much will it cost?
4. Is the computer I saw in a store good?

Thanks in advance! I REALLY appreciate it!

**pharoah** · 02-08-2009, 01:53 PM

the one in the store would be nice.take a look at this thread about the video card.

We really understimate the Geforce 8500GT and Geforce 9400GT

Tiber Septim · 02-08-2009, 06:15 PM

If I were you, I would go for the whole system upgrade.
Though I probably wouldn't buy the one you saw in the store. The 9500GS isn't that great so you would be looking at med-low settings for most new games. Also, they will probably overcharge.

Best bet is to buy the components and build it yourself.
We can help pick out the parts for you but first thing we need to know is what you budget is.

Mcninjaguy · 02-09-2009, 05:36 AM

you can go much higher than your original thought for upgrading probably

whats your budget?

the 9500 is not what you want if you want to run crysis on high

some thing like the ATI 4850 or the Nvidia GTX 260

please tell me your budget and I'll try to recommend bst system for your money. Everytime I recommend I do it like I'm shopping for myself

02-08-2009, 01:02 PM	#1 (permalink)
vernon_v Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 1 OS: Windows XP	My Hardware Problems and Inquiries in one topic (Gaming PC related) This is gonna be a long post so I’ll try to sum up the points. Current PC: - AMD Athlon 64 Processor 3000+ - 2.01 GHz - 1.00 GB of RAM - RADEON X850 XT AGP - 150GB Hard Drive - Bought in 2004 (5 years old) Current Problems: - Recent ticking noise heard from computer (sign of Hard Drive failure) - Fan and/or Power Supply Unit makes noise when playing games Steps I’m considering: - Replace Hard Drive w/ 350 GB+ ($100+) - Buy a New Computer If I am to buy a new computer I’m looking for something that would be able to run current generation games (Crysis, GTAIV, Dead Space) on medium-high settings. The main problem is I’m pretty much computer illiterate and it’s hard for me to determine which computer is good. My Ideal Specs: CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo 2.2 GHz/Athlon X2 4400+ Speed: 3.0 GHz RAM: 2.5 GB HD: 300+ GB OS: Windows XP or Vista GPU: NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTS ATI 3870 + RAM: 640 MB Other: Video Card compatible 64-bit DVD DL-Burner Power Supply 500 Watts Sound Blaster The one I saw right in a store; CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 Processor RAM: 4GB HD: 640GB SATA GPU: NVIDIA GeForce 9500 GS 532MB (Is this any good?) Super-Multi DVD Burner w/ Lightsribe Questions: 1. Should I invest in a new computer or should I just replace the Hard Drive? 2. Can the ticking sound be something else than the Hard Drive? 3. Are my ideal specs actually any good? How much will it cost? 4. Is the computer I saw in a store good? Thanks in advance! I REALLY appreciate it!

02-08-2009, 01:53 PM	#2 (permalink)
pharoah TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 5,188 OS: vista business edition My System	Re: My Hardware Problems and Inquiries in one topic (Gaming PC related) the one in the store would be nice.take a look at this thread about the video card. We really understimate the Geforce 8500GT and Geforce 9400GT __________________ Follow These Steps First Power Supply Selection Posting System Specs Oblivion Tweak Guide Video Drivers& Information TSF folding at home team 85015

02-08-2009, 06:15 PM	#3 (permalink)
Tiber Septim Asst Manager, Games Team Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Queensland, Australia Posts: 2,866 OS: Fedora 11 / Windows 7 My System Blog Entries: 5	Re: My Hardware Problems and Inquiries in one topic (Gaming PC related) If I were you, I would go for the whole system upgrade. Though I probably wouldn't buy the one you saw in the store. The 9500GS isn't that great so you would be looking at med-low settings for most new games. Also, they will probably overcharge. Best bet is to buy the components and build it yourself. We can help pick out the parts for you but first thing we need to know is what you budget is. __________________ First Steps - System Specs - SIW Help TSF beat Cancer and other serious Illness. Last edited by Tiber Septim; 02-08-2009 at 06:16 PM.

02-09-2009, 05:36 AM	#4 (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: My Hardware Problems and Inquiries in one topic (Gaming PC related) you can go much higher than your original thought for upgrading probably whats your budget? the 9500 is not what you want if you want to run crysis on high some thing like the ATI 4850 or the Nvidia GTX 260 please tell me your budget and I'll try to recommend bst system for your money. Everytime I recommend I do it like I'm shopping for myself