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Hey, i was wondering if anyone has any ideas how how i can improve a PC with $150
(was thinking about new graphics card and RAM)here are the specs:
Processor
Model : AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 4200+
Speed : 2.21GHz
Cores per Processor : 2 Unit(s)
Threads per Core : 1 Unit(s)
Type : Low Power, Dual-Core
Internal Data Cache : 2x 64kB, Synchronous, Write-Back, 2-way, Exclusive, 64 byte line size
L2 On-board Cache : 2x 512kB, ECC, Synchronous, Write-Back, 16-way, Exclusive, 64 byte line sizeSystem
System : Compaq-Presario KT526AA-ABA SR5505F
Platform Compliance : AMD LIVE!
Mainboard : OEM_MB IVY8
Bus(es) : PCI PCIe IMB USB i2c/SMBus
Multi-Processor (MP) Support : No
Multi-Processor Advanced PIC (APIC) : Yes
System BIOS : Phoenix Technologies, LTD 5.14
Total Memory : 896MB DIMM DDR2Chipset
Model : AMD Athlon 64 / Opteron HyperTransport Technology Configuration
Front Side Bus Speed : 2x 1.00GHz (2.01GHz)
Total Memory : 1GB DIMM DDR2
Memory Bus Speed : 2x 368MHz (736MHz)Memory Module(s)
Memory Module : Samsung M3 78T2953EZ3-CF7 1GB DIMM DDR2 PC2-6400U DDR2-800 (5.0-6-6-18 3-24-6-3)Video System
Adapter : NVIDIA GeForce 6150SE nForce 430 (128MB, PCI, SM4.0)Storage Devices
ST3160815AS 160GB (Fibre Channel, 3.5", NCQ) : 149GB (C:) (D:)
ATAPI DVD A DH16A6L (Fibre Channel, DVD+-RW, CD-RW, 2MB Cache) : N/A (E:)
Disk : 6GB (F:)Logical Storage Devices
COMPAQ (C:) : 139GB (NTFS) @ ST3160815AS 160GB (Fibre Channel, 3.5", NCQ)
FACTORY_IMAGE (D:) : 10GB (NTFS) @ ST3160815AS 160GB (Fibre Channel, 3.5", NCQ)
CD-ROM/DVD (E:) : N/A @ ATAPI DVD A DH16A6L (Fibre Channel, DVD+-RW, CD-RW, 2MB Cache)
Fallout 3 (F:) : 6GB (UDF) @ DiskPeripherals
LPC Hub Controller 1 : HP MCP61 LPC Bridge
Audio Device : HP MCP61 High Definition Audio
Audio Codec : Realtek Semiconductor 888 High Definition Audio
Serial Port(s) : 1
Disk Controller : HP MCP61 IDE
Disk Controller : HP MCP61 SATA Controller
USB Controller 1 : HP MCP61 USB Controller
USB Controller 2 : HP MCP61 USB Controller
System SMBus Controller 1 : nVidia MCP5+ SMBus 1
System SMBus Controller 2 : nVidia MCP5+ SMBus 2Network Services
Network Adapter : NVIDIA nForce 10/100 Mbps Networking Controller (Ethernet, 100Mbps)Power Management
Mains (AC) Line Status : On-LineOperating System(s)
Windows System : Microsoft Windows Vista Home 6.00.6001 (Service Pack 1)
Platform Compliance : x86Windows Experience Index
Current System : 3.0
Do you think by adding more RAM and maybe a 8600 gt it would be possible to play newest games at fair resolutions and fps on this PC?
If not can someone give me some suggestions on what to buy to make it possible
Your power supply will be the deciding factor. If it has adequate amperage on the +12v rail, you should have no problem installing a decent video card. Does it have a 6-pin PCI-e plug?
Here's a Radeon HD 3850 for $55 (after rebate) w/free shipping:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...
Here's a Radeon HD 4670 for $65 (after rebate) plus shipping. It's a newer design & doesn't require the 6-pin plug. Performance-wise, the cards are about equal, but he lower power requirement of the 4670 *may* make it the better choice:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...
2GB DDR2-800 can be had for $20 (after rebate) w/free shipping:
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thanks for the cards but i was thinking more gaming, from nvda and i found those two
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...
and this one but will i b able to plug it into that motherboard?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...power supply is 350w or less not sure exaclly gotta check today
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Out of the two you've listed, the 9800GT is easily the best choice. The nVidia 8/9 cards have poor memory management; cards with less than 512MB run out of VRAM pretty quickly, especially in DX10 mode.
That's a pretty hefty card, and Compaqs are pretty small. Make sure that there aren't any used SATA ports, capacitors, or hard drives/drive bays in the way.
EVGA's power supply requirement:
Minimum of a 400 Watt power supply.
Minimum recommended power supply with +12 Volt current rating of 26 Amps.Make sure you have at least 26A on your +12v rail. Your PSU specs will be on a sticker attached to the PSU.
jackbomb
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omg, just found out it has 250w psu :X
umm do you know how long the card is?
and maybe a good cheap psu that would be supported by the mobo?
or mabe a good gaming card that would work with the 250w psu lol
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on the psu sticker i found this info
output +12v
250w max +5v
+3.3vatx 250 12z rev d7r
bestecanyone know of a decent gaming v card that can run on that psu? :P
or mabe i should just buy 500W psu like this
http://cgi.ebay.com/XION-ATX-12V-50...
but will it work with my mobo?
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i think that 500w psu should do it. I just recently bought these:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...
and they seem to be running fine. I'd go with the vid card i bought, yours looks like it takes up 2 slots. I think we have similar motherboards and my card just barely fit. I'd also get some more ram, just make sure you get the right speed. I looked up your model and this is your motherboard:http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/...
-CG
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"thanks for the cards but i was thinking more gaming, from nvda and i found those two"
Well, you originally mentioned the 8600GT & the two ATI cards that I posted links to will blow it away. The two cards you posted links to (8800GTS & 9800GT) are fairly power hungry, they're long, plus they take up two slots in the rear of the case. If those are what you want, make sure they will fit & also make sure to invest in a decent PSU.
There are plenty of better PSUs than the ones you picked. I wouldn't recommend XION or XCLIO to anyone. Stick with well know brand names, get a unit that has a single +12v rail with high amperage & plan on spending more. Read this:
http://www.pcpower.com/technology/m...
Here's a couple of Corsair models that should work well:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...
You should also read this:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews...
And have a look at the graphics chart. I'm sure you'll be surprised to know the ATI HD3850 512MB beats the 8800GTS 320MB in many of the tests:
Tom's Hardware - Benchmark Mass Effect
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I added more to my last response.
"will they fit into the case?"
I have no idea what type of case you have. Is it a true mATX case? If it is, then NO, those PSUs won't fit. But if it's simply a mini tower case designed for mATX boards but uses a standard ATX PSU, then you'll have no problem. But then you'll have to be concerned about those oversize video cards.
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ok, this is the pc:
Compaq Presario SR5450Fcan you check for me if the psu will fit i cant find the case info anywhere :C
also about fitting the cards in umm this is the mother board:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/...i think this card will fit in there dont you?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...
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"i think this card will fit in there dont you?"
Well, at least it's not a double slot card like you posted in response #2. Notice the mboard's dimensions...9.6" x 9.6". The video card's length is given as "9in - 266.7mm". I have a problem with that because 266.7mm is actually 10.5in. I don't know which dimension is correct though...if it is 10.5in, my guess is it won't fit.
http://www.evga.com/products/pdf/51...
Considering the rest of your system specs, I think you're overdoing it with the video card choice.
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mabe over duing a little but i love the card + it will fit! :)
as for the power supply, will that fit you think?
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"i love the card + it will fit!"
It's your money. Have you opened the case & had a look? Play it safe & assume the card is 10.5in long...that means it will overhang the board by about 1 inch.
As for the power supply, I have no idea. Open the case & measure it. A standard ATX PSU is 6" x 5.5" x 3.5". A microATX PSU is 5" x 4" x 3".
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i need the upgrade so its possible to play new games on it if you know a cheaper card that would do that please suggest :)
the 9800gt will fit i opened the case and measured about 3 times :Pand if the psu dont fit can it be outside of the case? :P
bought 4gb ram now i need the card and psu :O
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just face it... when you start doing upgrades to 4 year old systems it's always better to just buy a COMPLETELY new set. how big is your current case? mid tower? do you have adequite cooling? does your mobo have dual-channeling? do you need 4 gigs of ram? does your mobo have a PCI-E slot?
more questions would be: what new games do you want to play? how large is your monitor/what resolution will you be playing at?
one more thing will be the PSU. if you're going to get an 8800 or newer you will be spending more than $100 for a brand new nice power supply. you could get the cheaper brands but they're typically not build as nice and have more fluctuating currents which if you buy a lower powered PSU and the currents start going wacky it could damage your stuffs.
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