I hate making a thread like this, because it shows how computer-illiterate I really am. But I need to make a decision soon, and I’m still in the dark, even after trying to research this online. I’m looking to play some decent video games for a change, like Oblivion and FEAR. For once, I’d like to play these kinds of games with the settings maxed out. My current system just won’t handle it. Here are the specs:
Medion M3 Composer (about 3 years old)
Pentium 4
3.0 Gig processor
800 Mhz FSB
1 MB L2 cache
512 DDR RAM
128 MB NVIDIA FX 5300 video
I’m guessing I need a much better video card, and more RAM. So, what exactly do I need to upgrade and what should they be upgraded to? And how hard will it be to install this stuff myself? I’ve helped my brother put together a computer for me many years ago, so it’s not like I’ve never cracked a case open before. But I’d be hard pressed to tell a video card from a motherboard.
Having said that, my dilemma is this: buy a whole new system or try these upgrades? I look at the new dual core processors and wonder if it’s time to just bite the bullet and get a whole new system. And then if I get a new system, what specs am I looking for? For instance, is a 2.3 Gig dual core as good as a 3.0 Pentium 4? If anyone can help answer any or all of these questions, that would be great.
Okay, you’re pretty much fine. Definitely get more RAM. You should have a manual for the motherboard or the entire system that tells you how much and what kind of RAM to get. Go to at least 1 GB and more if your motherboard and wallet can take it. (I’m up to two gigs in mine, but I could easily go to four fairly cheaply using 4 1-gig sticks.) You will want a new video card as well. I don’t really see an advantage in upgrading the CPU.
If this is your computer, you can only go to 1 gig. Depending on how your current memory is set up (is it one 512 stick or two 256 sticks?) get either this (if you have 2x256) or this (if you have 1x512). You can go even cheaper if you want. Just make sure it’s DDR 400 (PC3200) RAM. The amount of RAM is really what’s limiting you in your upgrading.
As for the video card, I assume you’ve got an AGP 8x slot. I’d get one of these. You’ve got a lot of choices, and I’d probably go with the Gigabyte or the PNY cards. My own motherboard is a Gigabyte and my video card is a PNY-built 6600, which runs Oblivion pretty high (don’t think it runs on highest settings.) If you’re willing to spend over $100, I’d probably get this PNY. Of course, if you want to go dual-monitor or something you’ll need to look around and see what matches what you are looking for.
Any other upgrades means you might as well either buy a new computer or expect to spend some time rebuilding the entire thing. You’ll need a whole new motherboard if you want more RAM, even if you keep the same CPU. If you change CPUs, you then would have to decide if you wanted Intel or AMD. And a good CPU these days will still be $200+ easy, especially if you went ahead and got a 64-bit dual or quad core to keep from having to upgrade again for a while. If you are interested, tell me so and I’ll come up with more recommendations.
Remember, with a high-power video card (no matter what particular one you get), you’ll need to power it directly from the power supply for the best results.
Quartz, this is actually my computer–the 5100 vice the 5200. Can I change the card on that? If so, am I back to what asterion said? I still have a max of 1 GB RAM.
asterion, I have no problem springing for the PNY 7600GS (why is newegg asking $160 for a 256 MB card and $140 for a 512 MB card? Wouldn’t the 512 be better?). I just want to make sure that if I’m going to spend money on a fantastic graphics card and more RAM, I’m not screwing myself by souping up an obsolete system–that there isn’t something else in the system which’ll bottleneck or limit performance somehow, or that the new dual cores aren’t making me dump my money in a worthless system.
Your problem is that all the (decent) newer systems use DDR2 ram, so if you buy more ram for your system, chances are you won’t be able to keep using it if you get a new computer. Similarly, you’ll have a bit of trouble finding a new system which uses AGP (the slot for the graphics card). Most use PCI-e nowadays, so if you buy an expensive AGP card, you won’t be able to use it again when you next upgrade.
That said, buying a new gfx card and more ram is going to be cheaper than buying a new computer. You won’t be able to run fear or oblivion with settings maxed (at least, I couldn’t with a p4 3.0ghz, geforce 6800 ultra, 2gig ram), but they’re definitely playable.
As for figuring out what’s better…try the reviews at the following sites:
If you want a new computer and don’t want to build one yourself, try ebay. You could get a very good deal for a basic system for not much more than the cost of upgrading. You already have a monitor, mouse and keyboard. You might be able to sell your system to recoup some of the cost. You could even strip out the dvd drive and hard drive and add them to your new computer.
The only other thing I would add to the advice here is, get a sound card rather than relying on the motherboard sound. That will improve performance and give you better sound.
That link says that your video output is PCI Express, not AGP. However, it doesn’t say if the video is onboard or not. This link indicates that it’s a PCI-Express add-in card. In which case I suggest you go for a Nvidia 8600GTS card as being a happy medium between price and performance.
I apologize for the bad advice on the video card, flyboy88. I’ll try to defend myself by saying that the last time I actually bought a computer the video (and sound) card were not integrated with the motherboard and I don’t think the NIC was either. And I build my own these days because I already own the OS and all the important hardware, so gradual upgrading and the occasional new motherboard and CPU is more attractive than buying an entirely new system. (Getting a MacBook doesn’t count.)
I looks like it’s an MSI motherboard although I couldn’t find it on the MSI site. For now I’d just upgrade the installed RAM to 2.5GB with a couple 1gig sticks and get a decent PCIe video card, if I was buying today I’d get this one from the egg.
Processor
Processor manufacturer - Processor type - Clock speed Intel® P4 530 3.0GHz with HT - LGA Socket 775
Chipset type Intel P915 PCIe Motherboard MS 7046
Memory
RAM installed 512 MB (2 x 256 MB) PC3200 DDR RAM - Samsung) 1 gb in each memory bank
Max supported RAM 4 GB DDR RAM (4 Memory Slots)
Cache size - Cache type 1 MB L2 cache
Storage
Hard drive 160 GB Seagate SATA 7200rpm hard drive (ST3160021AS) 2MBCach
Video
Graphics processor **NVIDIA GeForce FX 5300 PCI express **graphics card with DVI-I and S-Video out Video RAM installed 128 MB
Video output VGA/S-Video/DVI
Thanks, everyone, for the advice. (Hopefully) Last questions: I’m still toying with the idea of getting a new system (I was sort of hoping that’s what everyone would tell me, anyway). Is there a general rule of thumb you can use to equate a Pentium 4 of X.X Ghz to a dual core of Y.Y Ghz, to a quad core of Z.Z Ghz? I see plenty of games with a recommended system of, say, 3.0 Ghz P4, but most of the dual cores out there now are well below 3.0 Ghz. I’m assuming they’re still better, but maybe that only applies to games specifically designed for dual cores?
And I believe I’ve seen a couple of systems with dual graphic cards. Is that simply twice the power? Also, are there any good-value gaming systems anyone would recommend (I can spend up to around $2600)? I’m looking right now at the Dell XPS systems and Alienware. Thanks again!
Of course, that assumes you build it yourself, and doesn’t take into account the case or software. Typically the places that build computers are 10% more expensive than if you were to buy the parts and assemble it yourself. Obviously that’s a rough number, and doesn’t apply everywhere, but it’s a good rule of thumb. Cases are anywhere from $30-150, with most quality cases being between 50 and 100.
As for comparing processors…it depends on what you’re doing. Quad cores vs dual cores make a huge difference if the application is designed to work with quad cores. Most games currently are not, but that may change in the future. However, the current quad cores use the same socket type as the current dual cores (intel), so you should be able buy a dual core now, and upgrade to a quad core in a year or two, if things change.
As for single vs dual…did you look at the sites I posted?