| Forum Home | ||||
| Press F1 | ||||
| Thread ID: 96010 | 2008-12-25 05:35:00 | PC Upgrade | darthcarnate (14113) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 732373 | 2008-12-25 05:35:00 | Hi, I have just received an HP Compaq d530 series PC for Christmas, and am looking for the best-value $500 budget upgrades ($70 of which has gone for a DVD-writer). The specs of the PC are here: h18000.www1.hp.com and I believe I need a new Motherboard, Graphics Card (able to run Empire: Total War on Medium settings:clap), another GB of RAM, and a 320GB Hard Drive. Plus, I'll be adding a LCD 22" screen at some point. I really need help with the Motherboard and the GPU (graphics card), as I'm not sure where to go, the market is HUGE! Any recommendations for a 200-350 combination (of Motherboard and graphics card)? Any general advice appreciated as well. Thanks |
darthcarnate (14113) | ||
| 732374 | 2008-12-25 05:47:00 | To be honest I wouldn't bother spending money on upgrading that machine. If you replace the mainboard you will need a new CPU and RAM as well as the graphics card. You will also need a new PSU to drive the new setup as the standard HP ones are pretty low wattage normally. If you are going to be getting a new HDD and screen as well it would be best to start from scratch. |
CYaBro (73) | ||
| 732375 | 2008-12-25 06:23:00 | I agree with CYaBro. Keep the case if possible and maybe the RAM if its the right type and start from scratch from there. Oh and $500 might be a bit too little if you want a new screen and a HDD plus all the other stuff. | beeswax34 (63) | ||
| 732376 | 2008-12-25 06:28:00 | A 22 ' will probably cost 300-400 by itself So, you wont get a mobo / card / monitor / hdd / ram / PSU for under $500 |
Speedy Gonzales (78) | ||
| 732377 | 2008-12-25 07:03:00 | I can stretch that budget to $700 in 3 months. The machine was a gift: my first PC :). I only want it to be capable of mid-range gaming, nothing too hard-core. | darthcarnate (14113) | ||
| 732378 | 2008-12-25 07:30:00 | I want to keep the CPU for time being (budget constraints), and upgrade the mobo / graphics card, followed by the HDD, RAM, and screen. The CPU is pretty much last in the list. I'm looking for advice on what model of mobo, graphics card and PSU to get. | darthcarnate (14113) | ||
| 732379 | 2008-12-25 07:33:00 | I can stretch that budget to $700 in 3 months. The machine was a gift: my first PC :). I only want it to be capable of mid-range gaming, nothing too hard-core. i want to upgrade my pc , but for a new psu, gfx card and an extra 2gig ram im looking at roughly $500, so it's gonna be tough on your budget. |
GameJunkie (72) | ||
| 732380 | 2008-12-25 07:43:00 | If the system, you've got now is a P4 / 478 pin system, theyre pretty much obsolete now If you do decide to get either a 775 / AMD system. You wont be doing much else (If this is the only computer you've got there). As the CPU on the system you've got now, wont fit on the new mobo (if you get one of the above). It looks like the requirements are 2.4 GHZ, 1-2 GB ram, and a 256 mb videocard Ram is pretty cheap (depending on where are you are / live). A hdd is pretty cheap for a reasonable size hdd. A 2.4 ghz CPU, may cost about $170 or less (again depending on where you are) You've got 3 mths. Since this game isnt even out yet |
Speedy Gonzales (78) | ||
| 732381 | 2008-12-25 23:34:00 | Hey thanks for the help. I've had a browse online, and revised my priorities. I'm going to do this in stages: 1) Motherboard, PSU, Graphics Card 2) RAM, screen But, Speedy Gonzales, you say Pentium IV won't fit on those motherboards. Why not? Aren't there other options (I want to go the Intel-only route)? Thanks |
darthcarnate (14113) | ||
| 732382 | 2008-12-25 23:46:00 | Hey thanks for the help. I've had a browse online, and revised my priorities. I'm going to do this in stages: 1) Motherboard, PSU, Graphics Card 2) RAM, screen But, Speedy Gonzales, you say Pentium IV won't fit on those motherboards. Why not? Aren't there other options (I want to go the Intel-only route)? Thanks The D530 uses socket 478 motherboards, and so only socket 478 CPUs can be used, and they are today almost obsolete and most are useless for today's gaming. New motherboards are socket 775, which are used by Intel Core 2 Duo/Quad CPUs. The best option is to go for a P45 chipset socket 775 motherboards, such as ASUS P5Q or Gigabyte's P45 series. And since you're upgrading your motherboard, you'll have to buy a new CPU as well, so motherboard and CPU has to be on top of the list. |
qazwsxokmijn (102) | ||
| 1 2 3 4 | |||||