Upgrading my computer to improve gaming.

thaull · 07-08-2009, 08:09 PM

I'm not that computer-savvy, so I really need help in upgrading my computer.

I'm using:

Windows Vista Home Premium
3070MB RAM
DirectX10
NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GT 1523 MB
1440 X 900 (32 bit) (60 Hz) Monitor
AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 5000+

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I used the CPU-Z program to find out the motherboard. What came up was:

Manufacturer: ASUSTek Computer INC.
Model: NARRA3 3.02
Rev.: A3
LPCIO: Fintek F8000

I have no idea what this means...

Does this help with anything?
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These are some things I've been looking over:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103300

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130469

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103649

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814121308

I want to improve my computer to allow me to run games on max setting. I'm trying to keep my budget around $300, but if it's a bit more, I don't mind.

Anyone know any others that's better?

**grimx133** · 07-08-2009, 08:31 PM

Here's a link to your motherboard. http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...771890&lang=en

What specific model is the pc? And is it a normal sized case, or small form factor?

The link to the motherboard tells you what sort of cpu's can go on it. Doesn't look good for the two you linked.

Best to stick with nVidia for a video card, as you have onboard nVidia graphics. You'll need a new power supply to run a new card, the stock will be low quality with insufficient power.

edit - email hp/compaq, whoever makes your machine. Ask for a cpu support list for your exact model. They should let you know what you can put in.

Mcninjaguy · 07-08-2009, 09:44 PM

What is your budget?

When you have compaq or something like that, it's better to just get most of the parts new

New:
-Case
-Motherboard
-PSU
-RAM (depends if its still compatible)
Video Card

Keep
-DVD drive
-HDD
-Monitor
-Speakers
-Sound Card (if applicable)

Dacads · 07-09-2009, 08:30 AM

Definitely go with that AMD X3 processor instead of the X2.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103649

Graphics wise get the radeon 4630
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102827

Of course you will need decent power supply to run all this so this ocz 600w will be a good choice.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817341017

And there you have an improved PC for under $300 which will be able to run any modern day game without a problem!

Dacads

Mcninjaguy · 07-09-2009, 03:43 PM

The The triple core CPU's are not worth getting.

Considering he has a 8600GT a 4630 is about the same GPU as he has right now.

OCZ do not make that good of a PSU. It is better to go with a Corsair 650w

**grimx133** · 07-10-2009, 02:39 PM

OEM computer manufacturer's generally put in enough of a power supply to last the computer through the warranty period. Some don't make it, some barely make, and others last longer. It's a numbers game to them, maximize profits by lowering production costs, but also not increasing warranty costs. They try to find the best balance for them, not for the consumer. Look at the label on the psu and see what it is, and the output in amps. Probably around 300 watts, and they use a lot of Bestec brand, which is not a quality brand.

According to HP, you don't have a whole lot of cpu upgrade options. Things like Phenoms are not going to work, but I would email them, just in case. They are fairly good about providing cpu support lists, then you will know what will work for sure. Here's what's said in the link.

Quote:

Socket: AM2+
Supports the following processors:
Phenom with Quad Core technology (AM2+) up to 9600 (up to 95 watt)
Athlon 64 X2 with Dual Core technology X2 up to 5600+ (up to 89 watt)
Athlon 64 less than 4000+
Sempron less than 3800+

Running with 3GB ram in the 2x1GB and 2x512MB configuration will not see a big improvement by replacing the 512's with 1GB sticks. Rarely will you be able to use 3GB of ram.

The HD 4890 is physically large and powerful, I wouldn't run one with any less than a 750 watt quality psu.

edit - Wow, not only am I blind, but braindead too, should of checked again, it does support some Phenoms. You really should check with HP though, the site may not have been updated recently, and they may have put support for more processors in.

**grimx133** · 07-10-2009, 11:44 PM

There's a time and a place for PM's, but regular forum type posts are not it.

That being said, the GTX260 is a very nice card, however, you would need a power supply. I wouldn't classify the alleged 500 watt Apevia that you linked as one. So, budget for two power supplies, the second one to replace the Apevia when it proves to not be up to the task.

You have a need to read this sticky.
Power Supply Information and Selection

Mcninjaguy · 07-11-2009, 02:52 AM

You should probably just get a Corsair 850w as it is Comparable and sometimes better than PSU's at around $200

Corsair 850w
$140
after rebate $120
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139009

You might want to budget for two computers if the Apevia PSU fails and takes down the rest of the PC too.

07-08-2009, 08:09 PM	#1 (permalink)
thaull Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 1 OS: vista	Upgrading my computer to improve gaming. I'm not that computer-savvy, so I really need help in upgrading my computer. I'm using: Windows Vista Home Premium 3070MB RAM DirectX10 NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GT 1523 MB 1440 X 900 (32 bit) (60 Hz) Monitor AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 5000+ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- I used the CPU-Z program to find out the motherboard. What came up was: Manufacturer: ASUSTek Computer INC. Model: NARRA3 3.02 Rev.: A3 LPCIO: Fintek F8000 I have no idea what this means... Does this help with anything? -------------------------------------------------------------------------- These are some things I've been looking over: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103300 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130469 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103649 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814121308 I want to improve my computer to allow me to run games on max setting. I'm trying to keep my budget around $300, but if it's a bit more, I don't mind. Anyone know any others that's better? Last edited by thaull; 07-08-2009 at 08:17 PM.

07-08-2009, 08:31 PM	#2 (permalink)
grimx133 Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Canada eh Posts: 3,148 OS: xp mce sp2, xp pro sp2, windows 7 beta My System	Re: Upgrading my computer to improve gaming. Here's a link to your motherboard. http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...771890&lang=en What specific model is the pc? And is it a normal sized case, or small form factor? The link to the motherboard tells you what sort of cpu's can go on it. Doesn't look good for the two you linked. Best to stick with nVidia for a video card, as you have onboard nVidia graphics. You'll need a new power supply to run a new card, the stock will be low quality with insufficient power. edit - email hp/compaq, whoever makes your machine. Ask for a cpu support list for your exact model. They should let you know what you can put in. __________________ Last edited by grimx133; 07-08-2009 at 08:33 PM.

07-08-2009, 09:44 PM	#3 (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: Upgrading my computer to improve gaming. What is your budget? When you have compaq or something like that, it's better to just get most of the parts new New: -Case -Motherboard -PSU -RAM (depends if its still compatible) Video Card Keep -DVD drive -HDD -Monitor -Speakers -Sound Card (if applicable)

07-09-2009, 08:30 AM	#4 (permalink)
Dacads Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: UK Posts: 188 OS: XP SP2 My System	Re: Upgrading my computer to improve gaming. Definitely go with that AMD X3 processor instead of the X2. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103649 Graphics wise get the radeon 4630 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102827 Of course you will need decent power supply to run all this so this ocz 600w will be a good choice. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817341017 And there you have an improved PC for under $300 which will be able to run any modern day game without a problem! Dacads

07-09-2009, 03:43 PM	#5 (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: Upgrading my computer to improve gaming. The The triple core CPU's are not worth getting. Considering he has a 8600GT a 4630 is about the same GPU as he has right now. OCZ do not make that good of a PSU. It is better to go with a Corsair 650w

07-10-2009, 11:44 PM	#7 (permalink)
grimx133 Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Canada eh Posts: 3,148 OS: xp mce sp2, xp pro sp2, windows 7 beta My System	Re: Upgrading my computer to improve gaming. There's a time and a place for PM's, but regular forum type posts are not it. That being said, the GTX260 is a very nice card, however, you would need a power supply. I wouldn't classify the alleged 500 watt Apevia that you linked as one. So, budget for two power supplies, the second one to replace the Apevia when it proves to not be up to the task. You have a need to read this sticky. Power Supply Information and Selection __________________

07-11-2009, 02:52 AM	#8 (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: Upgrading my computer to improve gaming. You should probably just get a Corsair 850w as it is Comparable and sometimes better than PSU's at around $200 Corsair 850w $140 after rebate $120 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139009 You might want to budget for two computers if the Apevia PSU fails and takes down the rest of the PC too.