Upgrading my computer

EliteMew · 07-15-2009, 03:08 PM

I want to upgrade my computer so it can run most current games like GTA 4. Can someone help me build my new computer from the DxDiag provided? I don't want to spend a lot of money, but am willing to so I can play GTA 4.

Mcninjaguy · 07-15-2009, 04:00 PM

Thanks for the PM.

How much are you willing to a spend?

Upgrading a HP computer isn't worth it and you'll probably need to get new motherboard anyways.

A decent computer that is definitely capable of playing GTA 4 is probably in the range of close to $600. I will make a build (list of parts) for you later on tonight because its Potter mania tonight and I'm going to see the movie soon.

EliteMew · 07-15-2009, 04:05 PM

I don't need a new computer. Just some new parts. I actually noticed that the video card isn't enough because I use ATI Radeon X300. Any good deals for a good video card? Anything that can support GTA 4.

**Tyree** · 07-15-2009, 04:12 PM

What Mcninjaguy is saying, IF your HP is even capable of upgrading to what you want it to do it would NOT be cost effective. A quality gaming graphics card and a quality PSU to run it can put you, conservatively, in the $300 range.

Mcninjaguy · 07-15-2009, 09:59 PM

Your motherboard is not upgradable, so you need a new one. You need a new CPU because GTA 4 relies heavily on a CPU power. You'll need a new PSU since you don't want the new computer to not be powered sufficiently and break down taking all of the components with it. You also need a new GPU too since, as you know this yours is far from decent enough to run it a nice playable rate. I wouldn't be using the case you have since its probably is horrible for cooling things.

This is what I'll recommend here. Reuse your old HDD , speakers, monitor, and get WIndows 7 RC for free as it is good til June 2010 and you can save up to buy a OS later on.

Windows 7 RC
https://profile.microsoft.com/RegSys...ww%26Lcid=1033

Case
NZXT TEMPEST Crafted Series CS-NT-TEM-B Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
$100
after rebate $80
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811146047

Motherboard
GIGABYTE GA-MA785G-UD3H AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 785G HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard
$95
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128395

CPU
AMD Phenom II X4 810 2.6GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 4MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Processor
$140
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103650

RAM
Patriot Extreme Performance 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model PDC24G6400ELK - Retail
$48
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820220227

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

Graphics card
SAPPHIRE Vapor-X 100273L Radeon HD 4850 1GB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
$130
after rebate $120
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102834

Total $613
after rebates $563

That CPu is overclockable to around 3ghz and more if you buy a aftermarket CPU cooler.

You can play GTA 4 on high settings with no lag on this setup.

**linderman** · 07-16-2009, 05:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mcninjaguy

Your motherboard is not upgradable, so you need a new one. You need a new CPU because GTA 4 relies heavily on a CPU power. You'll need a new PSU since you don't want the new computer to not be powered sufficiently and break down taking all of the components with it. You also need a new GPU too since, as you know this yours is far from decent enough to run it a nice playable rate. I wouldn't be using the case you have since its probably is horrible for cooling things.

This is what I'll recommend here. Reuse your old HDD , speakers, monitor, and get WIndows 7 RC for free as it is good til June 2010 and you can save up to buy a OS later on.

Windows 7 RC
https://profile.microsoft.com/RegSys...ww%26Lcid=1033

Case
NZXT TEMPEST Crafted Series CS-NT-TEM-B Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
$100
after rebate $80
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811146047

Motherboard
GIGABYTE GA-MA785G-UD3H AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 785G HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard
$95
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128395

CPU
AMD Phenom II X4 810 2.6GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 4MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Processor
$140
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103650

RAM
Patriot Extreme Performance 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model PDC24G6400ELK - Retail
$48
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820220227

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

Graphics card
SAPPHIRE Vapor-X 100273L Radeon HD 4850 1GB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
$130
after rebate $120
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102834

Total $613
after rebates $563

That CPu is overclockable to around 3ghz and more if you buy a aftermarket CPU cooler.

You can play GTA 4 on high settings with no lag on this setup.

the spec above would be a VERY wise choice for you ...........anything less would be wasting your time and $$$

EliteMew · 07-16-2009, 02:51 PM

Looks like I'll have to save up all my money then. I don't really need to play on high settings, just need to be able to play it. If theres something that will at least let me play on low settings no log and its cheaper, I'll take that. If not it'll take a while before I can play GTA 4.

Mcninjaguy · 07-16-2009, 03:29 PM

I don't see why you would want to buy something that will only be good for a year or so. When you buy a computer you buy it so it will last a while. That build will be good for a while and it can still be upgraded.

EliteMew · 07-17-2009, 11:53 AM

Looks like I have to save up money then. Thanks for the help

. I won't leave the forum solved until I can buy all the stuff that I need since technically its not solved until then.

Mcninjaguy · 07-17-2009, 11:58 AM

My position on you upgrading is I just want you to have a decent computer that will be good for at least a couple years. I don't you thinking your computer is really expendable and just something there for the short term.

I am sorry if I got angry with you EliteMew, that was my bad there.

07-15-2009, 04:00 PM	#2 (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 Thanks for the PM. How much are you willing to a spend? Upgrading a HP computer isn't worth it and you'll probably need to get new motherboard anyways. A decent computer that is definitely capable of playing GTA 4 is probably in the range of close to $600. I will make a build (list of parts) for you later on tonight because its Potter mania tonight and I'm going to see the movie soon.

07-15-2009, 04:05 PM	#3 (permalink)
EliteMew Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: The midlle ob nowhere Posts: 25 OS: Windows XP Media Center Edition Service Pack 3 My System	Re: Upgrading my computer I don't need a new computer. Just some new parts. I actually noticed that the video card isn't enough because I use ATI Radeon X300. Any good deals for a good video card? Anything that can support GTA 4. __________________ Where danger lurks, I own the place. So GTF Away from Danger!

07-15-2009, 04:12 PM	#4 (permalink)
Tyree Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 5,746 OS: XP Pro-7RC-Mandriva My System	Re: Upgrading my computer What Mcninjaguy is saying, IF your HP is even capable of upgrading to what you want it to do it would NOT be cost effective. A quality gaming graphics card and a quality PSU to run it can put you, conservatively, in the $300 range. __________________ Posting your PC specs will help us to help you quicker and more efficiently.

07-15-2009, 09:59 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 Your motherboard is not upgradable, so you need a new one. You need a new CPU because GTA 4 relies heavily on a CPU power. You'll need a new PSU since you don't want the new computer to not be powered sufficiently and break down taking all of the components with it. You also need a new GPU too since, as you know this yours is far from decent enough to run it a nice playable rate. I wouldn't be using the case you have since its probably is horrible for cooling things. This is what I'll recommend here. Reuse your old HDD , speakers, monitor, and get WIndows 7 RC for free as it is good til June 2010 and you can save up to buy a OS later on. Windows 7 RC https://profile.microsoft.com/RegSys...ww%26Lcid=1033 Case NZXT TEMPEST Crafted Series CS-NT-TEM-B Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case $100 after rebate $80 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811146047 Motherboard GIGABYTE GA-MA785G-UD3H AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 785G HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard $95 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128395 CPU AMD Phenom II X4 810 2.6GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 4MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Processor $140 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103650 RAM Patriot Extreme Performance 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model PDC24G6400ELK - Retail $48 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820220227 PSU Corsair 650w $100 after rebate $80 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139005 Graphics card SAPPHIRE Vapor-X 100273L Radeon HD 4850 1GB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail $130 after rebate $120 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102834 Total $613 after rebates $563 That CPu is overclockable to around 3ghz and more if you buy a aftermarket CPU cooler. You can play GTA 4 on high settings with no lag on this setup. Last edited by Mcninjaguy; 07-15-2009 at 10:01 PM.

07-16-2009, 02:51 PM	#7 (permalink)
EliteMew Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: The midlle ob nowhere Posts: 25 OS: Windows XP Media Center Edition Service Pack 3 My System	Re: Upgrading my computer Looks like I'll have to save up all my money then. I don't really need to play on high settings, just need to be able to play it. If theres something that will at least let me play on low settings no log and its cheaper, I'll take that. If not it'll take a while before I can play GTA 4. __________________ Where danger lurks, I own the place. So GTF Away from Danger!

07-16-2009, 03:29 PM	#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 I don't see why you would want to buy something that will only be good for a year or so. When you buy a computer you buy it so it will last a while. That build will be good for a while and it can still be upgraded.

07-17-2009, 11:53 AM	#9 (permalink)
EliteMew Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: The midlle ob nowhere Posts: 25 OS: Windows XP Media Center Edition Service Pack 3 My System	Re: Upgrading my computer Looks like I have to save up money then. Thanks for the help . I won't leave the forum solved until I can buy all the stuff that I need since technically its not solved until then. __________________ Where danger lurks, I own the place. So GTF Away from Danger!

07-17-2009, 11:58 AM	#10 (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 My position on you upgrading is I just want you to have a decent computer that will be good for at least a couple years. I don't you thinking your computer is really expendable and just something there for the short term. I am sorry if I got angry with you EliteMew, that was my bad there.