How to Appropriately Upgrade Computer for Gaming

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SlaveOfTerror

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#1 SlaveOfTerror
Member since 2012 • 25 Posts
Hey guys. I wanna upgrade the things inside of my PC for gaming. Here's the specs. I want to be able to play more newer games, but I want to be able to play stuff like CS Source, TF2 and L4D (etc.) with literally no lag. Please help? OS: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) System Manufacturer: HP Pavilion 061 BIOS: Pheonix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 Processor 3800+, MMX, 3DNow, ~2.4GHz RAM: 958 MB DirectX Version: 9.0c I should also add that my PC is running slow in general. If you guys could actually tell me a good desktop computer for my needs, that would work better. Building the PC would be a last resort for me. Please help a fellow gamer. Thanks.
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SlaveOfTerror

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#2 SlaveOfTerror
Member since 2012 • 25 Posts
Or if maybe there were some things I should tweak in my settings?
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keiblerfan69

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#3 keiblerfan69
Member since 2004 • 15237 Posts
Buy or build a new one. Its a waste of money to invest in that old machine.
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demi0227_basic

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#4 demi0227_basic
Member since 2002 • 1940 Posts
Agreed. That computer isn't really worth investing in at this point. Are you even supporting a pci-e spot on your mb? Or is it agp? If you want a newer computer, we can help you build one. Don't be intimidated...it's MUCH easier than you are thinking, if that is a concern. If you can get a new computer, shoot me a budget and I'll put together a parts list off newegg that you can get, and then we can help out with your' build if you have issues/concerns while building it.
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SlaveOfTerror

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#5 SlaveOfTerror
Member since 2012 • 25 Posts
How does $200-600 sound? Or is that too cheap? Too much?
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Zevante101

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#6 Zevante101
Member since 2009 • 565 Posts

$600 for a new PC?

CPU: AMD Phenom II x4 955 OEM $100

CPU COOLER: COOLER MASTER HYPER 212+ $30 (no cpu fan with the oem 955)

Motherboard: ASRock 970 EXTREME ATX AM3+ $80

PSU: Antec Modular 550w $60

RAM: G.SKILL 4GB DDR3 1333 $20

GPU: XFX HD-6770 $120

Case: Rosewill Challenger $50

HDD: WDCB 500GB 7200RPM $70

DVD Burner: Asus 24X DVD Burner $20

Windows 7 $100

Around $640.

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godzillavskong

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#7 godzillavskong
Member since 2007 • 7904 Posts
[QUOTE="SlaveOfTerror"]Hey guys. I wanna upgrade the things inside of my PC for gaming. Here's the specs. I want to be able to play more newer games, but I want to be able to play stuff like CS Source, TF2 and L4D (etc.) with literally no lag. Please help? OS: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) System Manufacturer: HP Pavilion 061 BIOS: Pheonix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 Processor 3800+, MMX, 3DNow, ~2.4GHz RAM: 958 MB DirectX Version: 9.0c I should also add that my PC is running slow in general. If you guys could actually tell me a good desktop computer for my needs, that would work better. Building the PC would be a last resort for me. Please help a fellow gamer. Thanks.

Have you tried a general system restore, to wipe your PC back to factory settings? I think with HP, or at least XP on HP, it is F10 @ boot. I'd replace the power supply and video card first. Nothing too fancy. Maybe a 6850 or gtx460. See how that goes. What processors can you upgrade on that mobo? You'd be suprised how easy it is to upgrade your cpu. Just some thermal paste, and maybe a better cooler, but not actually needed.
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godzillavskong

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#8 godzillavskong
Member since 2007 • 7904 Posts
[QUOTE="SlaveOfTerror"]Hey guys. I wanna upgrade the things inside of my PC for gaming. Here's the specs. I want to be able to play more newer games, but I want to be able to play stuff like CS Source, TF2 and L4D (etc.) with literally no lag. Please help? OS: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) System Manufacturer: HP Pavilion 061 BIOS: Pheonix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 Processor 3800+, MMX, 3DNow, ~2.4GHz RAM: 958 MB DirectX Version: 9.0c I should also add that my PC is running slow in general. If you guys could actually tell me a good desktop computer for my needs, that would work better. Building the PC would be a last resort for me. Please help a fellow gamer. Thanks.

Looking it HP's website it appears that you may not be able to upgrade the processor, on that mobo anyways. Like a lot of people said up here though, you could probably pick up a good deal on a processor/mobo bundle, and if you don't know how to install it you could probably get a computer repair shop to do it for under 100.00. Isn't the max that your mobo currenlty supports 1gb or ram? That would be a bit harsh with today's games.
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kraken2109

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#9 kraken2109
Member since 2009 • 13271 Posts

[QUOTE="SlaveOfTerror"]Hey guys. I wanna upgrade the things inside of my PC for gaming. Here's the specs. I want to be able to play more newer games, but I want to be able to play stuff like CS Source, TF2 and L4D (etc.) with literally no lag. Please help? OS: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) System Manufacturer: HP Pavilion 061 BIOS: Pheonix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 Processor 3800+, MMX, 3DNow, ~2.4GHz RAM: 958 MB DirectX Version: 9.0c I should also add that my PC is running slow in general. If you guys could actually tell me a good desktop computer for my needs, that would work better. Building the PC would be a last resort for me. Please help a fellow gamer. Thanks.  godzillavskong
Looking it HP's website it appears that you may not be able to upgrade the processor, on that mobo anyways. Like a lot of people said up here though, you could probably pick up a good deal on a processor/mobo bundle, and if you don't know how to install it you could probably get a computer repair shop to do it for under 100.00. Isn't the max that your mobo currenlty supports 1gb or ram? That would be a bit harsh with today's games.

There is no point trying to upgrade that PC. Single core CPU, 1GB ram and an out of date motherboard.

TC: $600 can get you a good machine if you don't need a monitor.

$600 for a new PC?

CPU: AMD Phenom II x4 955 OEM $100

CPU COOLER: COOLER MASTER HYPER 212+ $30 (no cpu fan with the oem 955)

Motherboard: ASRock 970 EXTREME ATX AM3+ $80

PSU: Antec Modular 550w $60

RAM: G.SKILL 4GB DDR3 1333 $20

GPU: XFX HD-6770 $120

Case: Rosewill Challenger $50

HDD: WDCB 500GB 7200RPM $70

DVD Burner: Asus 24X DVD Burner $20

Windows 7 $100

Around $640.

Zevante101

That is a good build.
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ionusX

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#10 ionusX
Member since 2009 • 25778 Posts

[QUOTE="godzillavskong"][QUOTE="SlaveOfTerror"] Looking it HP's website it appears that you may not be able to upgrade the processor, on that mobo anyways. Like a lot of people said up here though, you could probably pick up a good deal on a processor/mobo bundle, and if you don't know how to install it you could probably get a computer repair shop to do it for under 100.00. Isn't the max that your mobo currenlty supports 1gb or ram? That would be a bit harsh with today's games. kraken2109

There is no point trying to upgrade that PC. Single core CPU, 1GB ram and an out of date motherboard.

TC: $600 can get you a good machine if you don't need a monitor.

$600 for a new PC?

CPU: AMD Phenom II x4 955 OEM $100

CPU COOLER: COOLER MASTER HYPER 212+ $30 (no cpu fan with the oem 955)

Motherboard: ASRock 970 EXTREME ATX AM3+ $80

PSU: Antec Modular 550w $60

RAM: G.SKILL 4GB DDR3 1333 $20

GPU: XFX HD-6770 $120

Case: Rosewill Challenger $50

HDD: WDCB 500GB 7200RPM $70

DVD Burner: Asus 24X DVD Burner $20

Windows 7 $100

Around $640.

Zevante101


That is a good build.

for 10 bucks less you can get an in-box fx-4100 you loose the custom coolings lower temps but the overclocking results will be the same :S but this is more of a case of user preference than argueable difference

anyway build isnt bad for some money though after MiR tc could get an hd 7750 or hd 6790

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demi0227_basic

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#11 demi0227_basic
Member since 2002 • 1940 Posts
I'd go with a 6850, rather than the 6770. As well as rocking 8gb of memory, as it's very cheap. Those two options will give you more flexability and responsiveness, and better frames in games by a decent enough margin (I've seen 6850's near the $120 mark, if a little above)
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Zevante101

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#12 Zevante101
Member since 2009 • 565 Posts

I didn't think about the 6850 only being ~$10 more. I only gave 4GB RAM because 8GB would be $20 more and for gaming 4GB is plenty. I went with a 955 and hyper 212+ because well, it seems uninimous the FX 4100 is trash, even for gaming, and this gives you a custom cooler also for only $10 more. I appreciate the criticism though.

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ionusX

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#13 ionusX
Member since 2009 • 25778 Posts

I didn't think about the 6850 only being ~$10 more. I only gave 4GB RAM because 8GB would be $20 more and for gaming 4GB is plenty. I went with a 955 and hyper 212+ because well, it seems uninimous the FX 4100 is trash, even for gaming, and this gives you a custom cooler also for only $10 more. I appreciate the criticism though.

Zevante101

tfu zelevante the 955BE vs fx-4100 is an outright draw assuming stock clocks

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Zevante101

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#14 Zevante101
Member since 2009 • 565 Posts

tfu zelevante the 955BE vs fx-4100 is an outright draw assuming stock clocks

ionusX

Why are you raging at me? If you've been listening to these forums most anyone will agree it's better to go with a phenom II over an FX. Even if it's not any better for gaming, it's faster at stock clocks and comes with a CPU cooler for only $10 more.

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godzillavskong

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#15 godzillavskong
Member since 2007 • 7904 Posts

[QUOTE="godzillavskong"][QUOTE="SlaveOfTerror"] Looking it HP's website it appears that you may not be able to upgrade the processor, on that mobo anyways. Like a lot of people said up here though, you could probably pick up a good deal on a processor/mobo bundle, and if you don't know how to install it you could probably get a computer repair shop to do it for under 100.00. Isn't the max that your mobo currenlty supports 1gb or ram? That would be a bit harsh with today's games. kraken2109

There is no point trying to upgrade that PC. Single core CPU, 1GB ram and an out of date motherboard.

TC: $600 can get you a good machine if you don't need a monitor.

$600 for a new PC?

CPU: AMD Phenom II x4 955 OEM $100

CPU COOLER: COOLER MASTER HYPER 212+ $30 (no cpu fan with the oem 955)

Motherboard: ASRock 970 EXTREME ATX AM3+ $80

PSU: Antec Modular 550w $60

RAM: G.SKILL 4GB DDR3 1333 $20

GPU: XFX HD-6770 $120

Case: Rosewill Challenger $50

HDD: WDCB 500GB 7200RPM $70

DVD Burner: Asus 24X DVD Burner $20

Windows 7 $100

Around $640.

Zevante101

That is a good build.

True. He'd be better off scrapping the mobo/cpu , and starting from there. Keep the case, cd/dvdrw, and start with mobo/cpu, then video card and power supply. I think he has a micro atx case. He could probably get a good mobo and cpu for under 300.00. That's where I would start anyways.