Looking to get into PC gaming...

843 Views 5 Replies 3 Participants Last post by Tyree, Jul 2, 2010

indestructible

Discussion Starter · Jul 2, 2010

I'd like to get into PC gaming, but to be honest, my comp's graphics card is just under the minimum requirements for most modern games. I know, though, that I'll also need to get a new power supply, as my current one is only 250w, and I know you need more than that for better graphics cards.

There's two issues, though; for one, I'm really not tech-savvy enough to know what to look for, in a graphics card/ power supply. Secondly, I'd prefer to spend as little as possible on both items (I don't necessarily need something that'll let me play the best looking games at max settings, for example).

So, can anyone rec me good, cheap power supplies and graphics cards? Links would be much appreciated. If at all possible, I'd prefer things that are sold via Amazon.com, just because they don't charge me sales tax on my orders; this isn't necessarily a deal-breaker by any means, but if possible, it'd be appreciated.

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Zealex

· #2 · Jul 2, 2010

Hey indestructible :wave:!

Firstly can we get your system specs? Download system spec and run it. Open it up and go to 'file' and then hit 'Save to CSV'. Save the text file to your desktop, open it up and copy the content inside and post it back here. Seeing is you have a 250w PSU, there is doubt we will need to change it. How old is your computer? Is it prebuilt? Can we get a make and model?

What is your budget?

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indestructible

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jul 2, 2010 (Edited)

It's an HP p6110t, I bought it right from HP late last summer (it was pretty new, at the time, though affordable; I wasn't looking for anything fancy, so I didn't go for anything major). As for a budget, like I said, as cheap as possible, really. I don't want to put any specific numbers on anything, just because I don't want to say something "outrageously" low.

This is what I got after running that program you directed me to:

Windows: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Edition, Version 6.1.7600
Internet Explorer: 8.0.7600.16385
Memory (RAM): 3063 MB
CPU Info: Pentium(R) Dual-Core CPU E5200 @ 2.50GHz
CPU Speed: 2497.2 MHz
Sound Card: Speakers (Realtek High Definiti
Display Adapters: Intel(R) G33/G31 Express Chipset Family | RDPDD Chained DD | RDP Encoder Mirror Driver | RDP Reflector Display Driver
Monitors: 1x; Generic PnP Monitor |
Screen Resolution: 1366 X 768 - 32 bit
Network: Network Present
Network Adapters: Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller
CD / DVD Drives: E: HL-DT-STDVD-RAM GH40L | F: WD Virtual CD 1110 | H: MagicISOVirtual DVD-ROM
COM Ports: NOT Present
LPT Ports: NOT Present
Mouse: 3 Button Wheel Mouse Present
Hard Disks: C: 285.6GB | D: 12.5GB | G: 1396.6GB
Hard Disks - Free: C: 112.3GB | D: 1.8GB | G: 1269.0GB
USB Controllers: 8 host controllers.
Firewire (1394): Not Detected
PCMCIA (Laptops): Not Installed
Manufacturer: American Megatrends Inc.
Product Make: NY802AV-ABA p6110t
AC Power Status: OnLine
BIOS Info: | |
Time Zone: Eastern Standard Time
Battery: No Battery
Motherboard: PEGATRON CORPORATION Benicia
Modem: Not detected
:

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Zealex

· #4 · Jul 2, 2010

Well I'm going to do some searching for you

.

In the mean time, would you like me to move this thread to the building forum?

Also, do you have a limit of how much you want to spend?

What games do you intend to play?

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indestructible

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jul 2, 2010

If ya want to move it, that's fine; wasn't sure what the best place to post would be, heh.

As for specific games, hm. Well, for sure Borderlands and Left 4 Dead 2, considering I decided to take advantage of Steam's sales lately. Stuff like that, really.

Again, I'm still hesitant to give out a specific number, just because I don't know what's "too low". Basically, the cheapest I can get, while still being able to decently run modern games.

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Tyree

· #6 · Jul 2, 2010

You need a dedicated GPU to play games. Your Mobo has a PCI- GPU slot. You will also have to upgrade the OEM PSU. The size of the PSU required will depend on the GPU you select.

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