Name: ToolPunk Date: November 30, 2006 at 01:18:14 Pacific Subject: Old PC or Give it a Shine? OS: Windows XP SP2 CPU/Ram: 512MB Model/Manufacturer: Dell 8100
Comment:
Model: Dell Dimension 8100 CPU: Pentium 4 1.8GHZ w/HT RAM: 512MB PC800 (RDRAM, 2 x 256MB) GPU: 128 MB PNY GeForce 6200 (AGP) PSU: 250W Sound Card: Turtle Beach Santa Cruz (5.1 Output) OS: Windows XP (SP2)
This PC was given to me and after upgrading the Graphics Card (above) and installing Windows XP the PC runs great.
The issue I am having is with some games. The PC runs crisp and clean outside of games and after upgrading the Graphics Card it can handle Unreal 2K4 on nice settings. The main game I experience the problems with is World of Warcraft. As soon as I start the game the game is extremely sluggish and jerky. The weird thing is, after moving around a bit the game kind of settles down and I don’t really experience it again until there is a lot of movement or action happening. I hope that explains it well if it does not let me know.
So, what do you think? Is there upgrades that could be done that actually would remedy the issue? Or is the PC just not up to par to run this game? (I am sure the RAM and the PSU are probably on the low side. I am just trying to figure out why the PC runs so great outside of the games but then on and off sluggish in game)
On a side note, I am not too familiar with RDRAM. Since this PC uses RDRAM does that mean I can use only RDRAM? If so, that sucks. I would like to upgrade the memory to at least 1GB but with the cost of 512MB of RDRAM I could just buy a new MOBO and CPU and transfer all the hardware I have in this PC.
To start with, the 6200 is NOT a good gaming card. And if you wanted to get into a reasonably good card, you'd need to upgrade the PSU because higher end AGP cards are power hungry & need an additional PSU plug-in. Plus you need at least 1GB RAM for decent gaming.
The P4 1.8 doesn't have HT. In fact, it's based on the old Willamette core and is easily outperformed by a Athlon/P3 running at lower clockspeeds. The 8100 has a Socket 423, so it's limited to 2.0GHz.
I would definitely get a new board instead of trying to "upgrade the un-upgradeable." :) I haven't checked the prices, but a board+A64 3000 combo would probably be nearly as cheap as 1GB of rambus, and a LOT faster than that first-gen P4.
My Super P3: Pentium III-S 1.4GHz @ 1.5GHz, 512K L2 X800XT All-in-wonder, overclocked to 580/600. 250GB HD 2 gigs of PC2100 RAM QDI Advance 12 mobo, this baby rocks! SB Audigy 2
If it is not HT then it is something because when I go to the PC properties it says Pentium 4 CPU 1.8GHZ, 1.79GHZ.
I threw in the 6200 as a get me by card, I didn't want to go all out untill I knew if it was worth it. Anyways though, you confirmed as I thought, thanks everyone.
Oh, thanks to WHaW's comment, I get what you mean. The 1.80 figure is your processor's specification--it's a P4-1800. The 1.79 figure is your processor's actual clockspeed, probably around 1794mhz. It does NOT mean that you've got a 1.8GHz CPU and a virtual 1.79 CPU. While some versions of the 2.4GHz+ CPUs had HT, the 1.8 simply does not.
For example, I've got an old P2-300 computer, and it shows this in processor ID programs: Intel Pentium II Processor 300MHz, 299MHz.
Same with my overclocked 1.4GHz P3: Intel Pentium III Processor 1.4GHz, 1.58GHz
Both of the above processors definitely do not feature HT, though sometimes I wish they did. :)
My Super P3: Pentium III-S 1.4GHz @ 1.5GHz, 512K L2 X800XT All-in-wonder, overclocked to 580/600. 250GB HD 2 gigs of PC2100 RAM QDI Advance 12 mobo, this baby rocks! SB Audigy 2
The information on Computing.Net is the opinions of its users. Such
opinions may not be accurate and they are to be used at your own risk.
Computing.Net cannot verify the validity of the statements made on this site. Computing.Net and Computing.Net, LLC hereby disclaim all responsibility and liability for the content of Computing.Net and its accuracy.
PLEASE READ THE FULL DISCLAIMER AND LEGAL TERMS BY CLICKING HERE
