What would i need to upgrade...

from Demigod Forums

Im going to be upgrading my older than Ashley computer, and would like to get some opinions from people that are considerably smarter with computers than me.

Here are my spec:

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System Information
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Time of this report: 4/10/2009, 17:38:52
   Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_qfe.080814-1242)
           Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Dell Inc.               
       System Model: Dell DM051                  
               BIOS: Phoenix ROM BIOS PLUS Version 1.10 A05
          Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) D CPU 2.80GHz (2 CPUs)
             Memory: 510MB RAM
          Page File: 570MB used, 674MB available
        Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
    DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
     DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.2180 32bit Unicode

 

Card name: RADEON X600 256MB HyperMemory
     Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
        Chip type: RADEON X600 (0x5B62)
         DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)

 

I'll be upgrading the RAM to about 4gb.

I realise i need a better video card too :)

demigod
6,346 views 12 replies
Reply #1 from Demigod Forums Top

Really to run demi-god (i'm assuming that's why you're asking here) just the RAM and video card would be best. When selecting the video card be sure it has shader models 3.0 or higher so you can run demi-gods. The lowest Radeon is a X1600 that has 3.0 SM. Beyond knowing that can't tell you much. Not that great with computers myself just know what you're gonna need to play demi-god.

Reply #2 from Demigod Forums Top

Probably best just going with 2GB of Ram.  Does your computer uses DDR or DDR2?

 

Do you have an AGP or PCiE clot for graphics?  This is a very important question!!!

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Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top

For gaming ram and video card always give the best increases in performance. If you fork over for 4 gigs of ram (ram is very cheap these days) and get a wolfdale cpu (3.0, dual core, about $50 bucks these days and currently the hotspot for gaming) all you'll ever need is to upgrade your video card every six months or so, maybe yearly (depending on which you get). This will last you quite a few years or until a big breakthrough happens.

 

In your case, just get a better video card and at least 2 gigs of ram. Might as well fork over about 10-20$ bucks more and get 4 gigs.

Reply #5 from Demigod Forums Top

Thanks for the responses.

Quoting Trigeminal, reply 2
Probably best just going with 2GB of Ram.  Does your computer uses DDR or DDR2?

 

Do you have an AGP or PCiE clot for graphics?  This is a very important question!!!
End of Trigeminal's quote

 

My computer uses DDR2, i wasnt certain but everyone tells me so ;o

and i dont know anything about AGP or PCiE clots, could you maybe elaborate and explain? Would be so appreciated.

 

Quoting RiskbreakerRiot, reply 3
How do u tell if your video card supports sm3?
End of RiskbreakerRiot's quote

Im not ceratin but if you run dxdiag.exe i think it will have it listed somehwere.

 

I personally dont want to get a new cpu, just because im on a tight-ish budget, but thanks, will keep that in mind, i didnt know that 3.0 dual cores came that cheap :)

 

Im not very knowledgable with graphics cards, is the 1gb 4670 model good? Thats the one ive been suggested.

Reply #6 from Demigod Forums Top

It really matters if you have agp or pcie as to what we recommend in the graphicvs card department.  Also pcie has faster cards for way cheaper because agp is an old legacy tech.

Visually you can inspect (not recommended):

PCI-E slot is located apprx. 1 1/2" from the M/B edge and slot is apprx. 4" long including the locking tabs
AGP slot is located apprx. 2 3/8" from the M/B edge and slot is apprx. 3" long
PCI slot is also 1 1/2" in from the M/B edge but the length is 3 1/4"


However, I would recommend you download CPUZ and look at the mainboard tab, then to the graphic interface area.


Another thing you may need to take into consideration besides M/B slots, is will your present Power Supply handle what you want to upgrade to and does it have a spare 12v rail?

 

Also where do you live?  In the US (and the rest of the world), graphics cards have never had a better bang for buck as they do now.  I would recommend different cards based on your above answers and your budget, but would be hard pressed to suggest less than the 4830.

Reply #7 from Demigod Forums Top

Quoting RiskbreakerRiot, reply 3
How do u tell if your video card supports sm3?
End of RiskbreakerRiot's quote

 

Easiest way is to check your specific graphics card. Although for radeon X series cards anything X1600 or higher has it.

Reply #8 from Demigod Forums Top

Thanks for the info Trigeminal.

I checked, and I have PCI-E.

I never knew that i had to take the power supply into consideration, but i think its ok...and i dont know what a 12v rail is either!

Ive ordered the extra 4gb ram, it was supprisingly cheap.

My budget for a graphics card is £60 to £90 (roughly $90 to $130).I live in England if you hadnt guessed.

 

Reply #9 from Demigod Forums Top

At that budget I would look at the 4830 or the 4850.  Just depends on sales as to whether or not the 4850 makes it in you budget or not.


Take a look at this page.

 

Also realize that although you will install 4gb, until you upgrade to a 64bit OS only ~3.1 GB will show up.  This is normal and a limitation of the 32bit OS.

Reply #10 from Demigod Forums Top

Thanks so much! :)

I'll go for the Radeon HD 4850, seems like the best option. As for the 64bit OS, im avoiding vista like the plague, so i think i will upgrade to windows 7 when its out.

also, how do you give karma? pressing the thumbs up button doesnt do anything.

Reply #11 from Demigod Forums Top

The 4850 is a good choice, I have it too. It has enough power to play new games on high settings (I´ve tested the Crysis Wars trial yesterday with the highest settings, runs fine :) ).

 

The karma thing is broken.

Reply #12 from Demigod Forums Top

4850 is a killer card.  I got one for my sister/parents computer back when they where selling for 180.  I still felt like I ripped off ATI.  Now they have a computer that kills mine.  The hazards of being a medical student, I suppose.

 

As Nokthra says, the karma is broken and has been for about 2 months.  They have been working on more important thigs, but it is still dumb to not have a basic feature like that working.

 

Nokthra LOVE LOVE LOVE the new avatar. :grin: