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Upgrade or buy new PC?

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  • 02-06-2010 9:20pm
    #1
    Trevor451
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,463 ✭✭✭


    Hey guys I am wondering should I upgrade this 5 year old PC or just buy a new desktop altogether? I probably just want to upgrade the gfx card and the ram since upgrading the CPU might be difficult. Any suggestions would be appreciated thanks :-).

    Specs are in txt file


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    #2
    Solitaire
    Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 18,377 Mod ✭✭✭✭Solitaire


    Depends on what you want to do with it. But 99% of your possible responses are going to yield a response of "new build time" :o

    Ancient CPU, ancient mobo, archaic RAM... even the HDD and optical drive may be fairly dated by now and the PSU and case are probably for the high jump too :o


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    #3
    hare05
    Registered Users Posts: 1,041 ✭✭✭hare05


    Tossing a modern graphics card in there would be pointless as it would be choked by the rest of the system. You'd get the best framerates possible for a P4 computer, but any card you buy now can do a helluva lot better.

    Also, new card would mean new PSU, so you're doubling the cost of a useful card simply to be able to use it.

    New build methinks!

    Go for an i3-350, a Radeon HD5770 and 4GB of ddr3 and you'll be sorted for the next 4 years of basic computing, and at least a year and a half of high end gaming.


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    #4
    cherryghost
    Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 17,134 Mod ✭✭✭✭cherryghost


    Agree with Soli and hare05

    If you're very tight for cash, shop around adverts.ie and see if you can spot yourself a cheap AGP card. Most go for around 30 max.


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    #5
    Trevor451
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,463 ✭✭✭Trevor451


    Thanks for the fast reply s guys It looks like I have to build a new PC :o
    hare05 wrote: »
    Tossing a modern graphics card in there would be pointless as it would be choked by the rest of the system. You'd get the best framerates possible for a P4 computer, but any card you buy now can do a helluva lot better.

    Also, new card would mean new PSU, so you're doubling the cost of a useful card simply to be able to use it.

    New build methinks!

    Go for an i3-350, a Radeon HD5770 and 4GB of ddr3 and you'll be sorted for the next 4 years of basic computing, and at least a year and a half of high end gaming.

    How much would it cost to build one of those machines? It sucks that I cant get a job until I am 16 :rolleyes:
    At least it can run San Andreas on very high settings lol


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    #6
    Solitaire
    Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 18,377 Mod ✭✭✭✭Solitaire


    What kind of games do you play? And what's the resolution of your monitor? If that's ancient too... :(

    If you need a monitor on top you'd be better off getting a basic system from Currys/PC World then throwing a cheapo graphics card in. Even if you're lucky you'll be paying over €500 for the privelige :o

    Or you could assemble a build from second-hand stuff on Adverts. If you luck out on a decent base unit going cheap and get a second-hand monitor to go with it you'll still be paying €400-600 but will probably get a better spec.

    Or you could put together your own build for the craic, although it starts getting very pricey in comparison if you need a new monitor and/or operating system :o You could build a pretty spiffy macine for <€500 but add a monitor and OS and you can top €700 for a mid-range build :(


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    #7
    Trevor451
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,463 ✭✭✭Trevor451


    The monitor that came with the desktop is good enough I guess. I am currently running it at a resolution of 1152X864. Max resolution it supports I think is 1280X1024. I also have a windows 7 DVD I bought ages ago but my laptop broke so I could use it on my new build I guess :) I am mainly a console gamer since I own a xbox 360 and a wii but I love PC games such as the sims and simcity 4 and grand theft auto SA for its mods.


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    #8
    Solitaire
    Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 18,377 Mod ✭✭✭✭Solitaire


    A very basic rig based around a cheap E5300 or X2-250 etc. a cheapish mobo and 2 or 4GB DDR2 would do fine. See massy's old HD4830 languishing on Adverts for €50? Get it. That kind of setup will run anything fine at 1280*1024 - I speak from experience on that count ;)


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    #9
    hare05
    Registered Users Posts: 1,041 ✭✭✭hare05


    Pretty good idea in general Solitaire, but what about combining that x2-250 with a 5750 just so he has the DX11 box ticked once it starts getting heavily used? They won't be as easy to find second hand but I think in terms of longevity he might as well go for one. If he buys an AM3 mobo, he could always upgrade to a 6 core in a few years when they're cheeeep!

    And also, ddr3. Spend a little more now, have it run well in 5 years, that's my way of doing things.


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