Name: fidoprincess Date: November 28, 2006 at 16:24:30 Pacific Subject: Do I need a new computer? OS: windows media edition CPU/Ram: Intel Pentium 4 519 3.06G Model/Manufacturer: emachines t 5020
Comment:
I bought my son an emachines t5020 last year Here is the description: "Intel Pentium 4 519 3.06GHz processor. 1024MB of lightning quick DDR memory. A huge 200GB SATA hard drive with 8MB cache that will store a virtual universe of electronic data. An 8-in-1 Digital Media Manager makes transferring digital media a snap. A top-notch DVD±RW drive and with Intel GMA900 integrated graphics chipset. Now he wants to play games like Factions and oblivion that the awful intel graphics does not support.
Should I try to upgrade with a new graphics card even though it seems tricky with this limitation; "This computer comes with 1-pcix1 pci express slot. It is NOT for pci express video cards, which require the pcix16 pci express slot."
or get a new computer for him? If new, where should I start shopping for a "gaming" system that can play these RPGs he loves. Also, it all has to be a "secret" for a Christmas present so I am on my own. Thanks in advance for any help!
The severely crippled Augsburg motherboard on which that 775 system is based is the Achilles’ heel of an otherwise promising socket.
If you have the opportunity to sell the system - do it. And preferably stay away from VARs, when shopping for future gaming computers or spend money on a top of the line model & and make sure its components are from more recognizable manufacturers and also that they have a viable upgrade path.
Thanks for all of your ideas! Petit Jean, I found the list from the Oblivion Game so does the card above seem to "fit" in with the required cards?
I found a list of recommend cards printed on the box of oblivion. They are:(ATI x1900, x1800, X1300, X850-800-700 and 600 series plus ATI Radeon 9800,9700,9600 and 9500 series plus NVIDIA GeForce 7000,6000 and FX series)
It looks like a hard to find item, I am searching but everywhere says "No longer available." Still if I could find it I would gladly spend the lesser amount not to mention the trials of having to get a different motherboard! I am not sure I would be able to do that. I can snap in a card but to remove and replace all the components seems daunting. What do you think? Will this card work and do you know where to find it? Thanks again!
Goodluck with Oblivion after installing the X1300 ;-(
The X1300 is NOT a great card, no matter how you look at it. And the fact that is cost at least $99 and it is PCI card does not change that anything. Just don't say you weren't in the know.
okay, got the above card as a temp fix just to get through Christmas. Installed fine will play the one game but not Oblivion(maybe on the lowest of the low settings.
After the holidays, I will move this new card to another computer that needs it but not for games. I am going to try to replace the motherboard on the 5020, upgrade the memory and get a real graphics card. Question is: will I find that windows xp media edition is integrated on the motherboard? How hard is this switch to make? If I have to buy the os, then it won't be practical to dump any more money into this computer but $ for a motherboard and a decent graphics card is okay. Heck I might even get it done before the kids bday in March-lol!
Sabertooth, Yup, you are right. Even I do not notice any difference at all with the new card, not faster, not better picture, nothing! I didn't expect much but thought I would see something different.
