My computer sucks......

Brad906

Brad906

CAGiversary!
My computer sucks. I bought GTA3 at release and it couldn't run cause my video card's sh1t. I dont have enough RAM, my comp basically sucks. It was some piece of junk sale super-discount thing at walmart i picked up last year. I know I need more RAM, but what is a good amount of RAM for a comp and games to run smoothly? Also, what is a good video card that doesnt cost a fortune. I just want to be able to plan new comp games and have them run very smoothly. Please include a price when you suggest video cards. Thanks so much!

Brad
 
Pre-assembled PC? What brand is it?

As for RAM, nowadays 1 GB is usually the standard to play most of the newer-end PC games, but 512 MB should be able to handle most games.

As for a graphics card, I'm wondering if your PC has an AGP slot at all. If it does, and you want something cheap, try the nVidia 6600GT comes at around $200. If you want a little lower, the ATi 9600XT or 9800 Pro comes in around $150 to $170.

If you're stuck with PCI-only, the highest you can go is the nVidia 5500 I think, which isn't too great, but easy on the wallet.
 
[quote name='screwkick']PCs are cheap, just get a new one.[/quote]

Yea but like that 500 dollar dell that I see in like every weekly ad, the 3000 model.
 
[quote name='Nirvanaguy777'][quote name='screwkick']PCs are cheap, just get a new one.[/quote]

Yea but like that 500 dollar dell that I see in like every weekly ad, the 3000 model.[/quote]

Haha, I saw 500 bucks, and I thought you were talking about my Dell.
 
I just upgraded to a Sapphire Radeon 9600xt running 512 mb of ram and i can run newer games just fine. The 9600xt is a great card for cheapasses too!
 
i was suckered into buying an 800 dollar dell and I open the thing up to drop a radeon 96ooxt in it. NO AGP SLOT GIMME A BREAK. THIS is 2004 WHERE THE HELL IS MY AGP SLOT!@!!!!!!
 
Low-end Dell's aren't made to be upgraded, they're "disposable" PCs. One of the many reasons I always build my own. ;)

Anyway, I just dropped a new mb/cpu/vid card & an extra 512mb RAM (bringing me to a gig) in my box last night. The card I went with was the 6600 gt agp, and so far it rocks. WoW and HL2 both run like butta. :D
 
[quote name='thingsfallnapart']i was suckered into buying an 800 dollar dell and I open the thing up to drop a radeon 96ooxt in it. NO AGP SLOT GIMME A BREAK. THIS is 2004 WHERE THE HELL IS MY AGP SLOT!@!!!!!![/quote]

But dude, you got a dell!
 
I know most people seem to slam Dell all the time, but I have been buying from their refurbished site for several years now, usually buy a new PC about every year. If you are patient you can get some really good deals. Watch for coupons on deal sites that work on Dell refurbs to save even more. Just make sure the model you buy has either an AGP slot (Dimension 4600 or 8300) or a PCIe slot (4700 or 8400). I don't usually buy one with a video card myself as I frequantly upgrade anyway and the ones with good video cards tend to not be good deals. One time I got a 17" LCD with the refurb for $89 and the computer (P4 2.6 with 512 RAM 80Gig HD) for $350. I sold the LCD on Ebay for $250, my old computer (1 yr old) for $300 to someone I work with. Leaving me with the computer and $111.
 
I've got a GeForce 4 with 512mb ram and a 2.24 Ghz processor and it runs HL 2 well, it only gets sllightly shitty when there are 5+ enemies attacking.

Geforce 4's are damn cheap now so if you want a cheap pretty good video card thats my choice.
 
[quote name='argyle']Low-end Dell's aren't made to be upgraded, they're "disposable" PCs. One of the many reasons I always build my own. ;)

Anyway, I just dropped a new mb/cpu/vid card & an extra 512mb RAM (bringing me to a gig) in my box last night. The card I went with was the 6600 gt agp, and so far it rocks. WoW and HL2 both run like butta. :D[/quote]

ya well some of us work 45 hours a week and take a girlfreind to work too on top of that. Can't say i have any time to build my own computer. Haven't even had any time for games either.
 
[quote name='bmsdaddy']I know most people seem to slam Dell all the time, but I have been buying from their refurbished site for several years now, usually buy a new PC about every year. If you are patient you can get some really good deals. Watch for coupons on deal sites that work on Dell refurbs to save even more. Just make sure the model you buy has either an AGP slot (Dimension 4600 or 8300) or a PCIe slot (4700 or 8400). I don't usually buy one with a video card myself as I frequantly upgrade anyway and the ones with good video cards tend to not be good deals. One time I got a 17" LCD with the refurb for $89 and the computer (P4 2.6 with 512 RAM 80Gig HD) for $350. I sold the LCD on Ebay for $250, my old computer (1 yr old) for $300 to someone I work with. Leaving me with the computer and $111.[/quote]

Yes, Dell's refurb site is really great. I snagged an extra lcd for one of the computers in the house and got a cheap deal on a refurbed 4550 Dimension Desktop. Everything in it was up to the times except for my Geforce 420mx which is now replaced with the 9600xt. Thankfully there's still some room to expand in there considering that everyother Dell, like you said, is disposable after a few years
 
[quote name='thingsfallnapart'][quote name='argyle']Low-end Dell's aren't made to be upgraded, they're "disposable" PCs. One of the many reasons I always build my own. ;)

Anyway, I just dropped a new mb/cpu/vid card & an extra 512mb RAM (bringing me to a gig) in my box last night. The card I went with was the 6600 gt agp, and so far it rocks. WoW and HL2 both run like butta. :D[/quote]

ya well some of us work 45 hours a week and take a girlfreind to work too on top of that. Can't say i have any time to build my own computer. Haven't even had any time for games either.[/quote]

you can do it in 4 hours. Thats building it and installing windows
 
[quote name='whiteboy']I've got a GeForce 4 with 512mb ram and a 2.24 Ghz processor and it runs HL 2 well, it only gets sllightly shitty when there are 5+ enemies attacking.

Geforce 4's are damn cheap now so if you want a cheap pretty good video card thats my choice.[/quote]

No don't get a geforce 4, it is outdated and not made in quantities anymore, therefore would not be incredibly cheap, unless off of ebay used.

My computer is terrible, P3 550 192 mb ram and a geforce 2. Going to build a new one soon, can't wait.
 
[quote name='thingsfallnapart']i was suckered into buying an 800 dollar dell and I open the thing up to drop a radeon 96ooxt in it. NO AGP SLOT GIMME A BREAK. THIS is 2004 WHERE THE HELL IS MY AGP SLOT!@!!!!!![/quote]
You bought a cheap PC that had integrated video. Sorry, dude, but that was what you ordered. Another $50-$100 would have gotten you that AGP slot, plus a better video card. Always, always know what you're getting.
 
[quote name='jetsetradio21'][quote name='bmsdaddy']I know most people seem to slam Dell all the time, but I have been buying from their refurbished site for several years now, usually buy a new PC about every year. If you are patient you can get some really good deals. Watch for coupons on deal sites that work on Dell refurbs to save even more. Just make sure the model you buy has either an AGP slot (Dimension 4600 or 8300) or a PCIe slot (4700 or 8400). I don't usually buy one with a video card myself as I frequantly upgrade anyway and the ones with good video cards tend to not be good deals. One time I got a 17" LCD with the refurb for $89 and the computer (P4 2.6 with 512 RAM 80Gig HD) for $350. I sold the LCD on Ebay for $250, my old computer (1 yr old) for $300 to someone I work with. Leaving me with the computer and $111.[/quote]

Yes, Dell's refurb site is really great. I snagged an extra lcd for one of the computers in the house and got a cheap deal on a refurbed 4550 Dimension Desktop. Everything in it was up to the times except for my Geforce 420mx which is now replaced with the 9600xt. Thankfully there's still some room to expand in there considering that everyother Dell, like you said, is disposable after a few years[/quote]

What's dell's refurb site?
 
[quote name='PenguinMaster'][quote name='jetsetradio21'][quote name='bmsdaddy']I know most people seem to slam Dell all the time, but I have been buying from their refurbished site for several years now, usually buy a new PC about every year. If you are patient you can get some really good deals. Watch for coupons on deal sites that work on Dell refurbs to save even more. Just make sure the model you buy has either an AGP slot (Dimension 4600 or 8300) or a PCIe slot (4700 or 8400). I don't usually buy one with a video card myself as I frequantly upgrade anyway and the ones with good video cards tend to not be good deals. One time I got a 17" LCD with the refurb for $89 and the computer (P4 2.6 with 512 RAM 80Gig HD) for $350. I sold the LCD on Ebay for $250, my old computer (1 yr old) for $300 to someone I work with. Leaving me with the computer and $111.[/quote]

Yes, Dell's refurb site is really great. I snagged an extra lcd for one of the computers in the house and got a cheap deal on a refurbed 4550 Dimension Desktop. Everything in it was up to the times except for my Geforce 420mx which is now replaced with the 9600xt. Thankfully there's still some room to expand in there considering that everyother Dell, like you said, is disposable after a few years[/quote]

What's dell's refurb site?[/quote]

i think it's this site
Dell Outlet
 
[quote name='bignick'][quote name='thingsfallnapart'][quote name='argyle']Low-end Dell's aren't made to be upgraded, they're "disposable" PCs. One of the many reasons I always build my own. ;)

Anyway, I just dropped a new mb/cpu/vid card & an extra 512mb RAM (bringing me to a gig) in my box last night. The card I went with was the 6600 gt agp, and so far it rocks. WoW and HL2 both run like butta. :D[/quote]

ya well some of us work 45 hours a week and take a girlfreind to work too on top of that. Can't say i have any time to build my own computer. Haven't even had any time for games either.[/quote]

you can do it in 4 hours. Thats building it and installing windows[/quote]
Its not all that hard to build a computer and its worth it. Just set aside a Saturday or Sunday sometime and build it then.
It took me only a few hours to build my PC, but I had problems getting Windows installed because I was trying to use the wrong SATA driver. D'oh.
 
[quote name='Kaijufan'][quote name='bignick'][quote name='thingsfallnapart'][quote name='argyle']Low-end Dell's aren't made to be upgraded, they're "disposable" PCs. One of the many reasons I always build my own. ;)

Anyway, I just dropped a new mb/cpu/vid card & an extra 512mb RAM (bringing me to a gig) in my box last night. The card I went with was the 6600 gt agp, and so far it rocks. WoW and HL2 both run like butta. :D[/quote]

ya well some of us work 45 hours a week and take a girlfreind to work too on top of that. Can't say i have any time to build my own computer. Haven't even had any time for games either.[/quote]

you can do it in 4 hours. Thats building it and installing windows[/quote]
Its not all that hard to build a computer and its worth it. Just set aside a Saturday or Sunday sometime and build it then.
It took me only a few hours to build my PC, but I had problems getting Windows installed because I was trying to use the wrong SATA driver. D'oh.[/quote]

Win XP with SP2 has the SATA drivers built in now. If you dont have Win XP with SP2 integrated, just google, Windows XP slipstream SP2.
 
[quote name='bignick'][quote name='Kaijufan'][quote name='bignick'][quote name='thingsfallnapart'][quote name='argyle']Low-end Dell's aren't made to be upgraded, they're "disposable" PCs. One of the many reasons I always build my own. ;)

Anyway, I just dropped a new mb/cpu/vid card & an extra 512mb RAM (bringing me to a gig) in my box last night. The card I went with was the 6600 gt agp, and so far it rocks. WoW and HL2 both run like butta. :D[/quote]

ya well some of us work 45 hours a week and take a girlfreind to work too on top of that. Can't say i have any time to build my own computer. Haven't even had any time for games either.[/quote]

you can do it in 4 hours. Thats building it and installing windows[/quote]
Its not all that hard to build a computer and its worth it. Just set aside a Saturday or Sunday sometime and build it then.
It took me only a few hours to build my PC, but I had problems getting Windows installed because I was trying to use the wrong SATA driver. D'oh.[/quote]

Win XP with SP2 has the SATA drivers built in now. If you dont have Win XP with SP2 integrated, just google, Windows XP slipstream SP2.[/quote]
I have SP2 downloaded but Im afraid to install it because Ive heard that it sometimes has problems with games.
 
I have a good amount of lag during Halflife 2 when saving games, loading games, and when there are a lot of characters on screen. Would this have more to do with my :

(A) Processor (1.8 ghz P4)

(B) RAM (512mb)

or

(C) Graphics card (Geforce 4 Ti4600)
 
I'd guess your CPU.

Have you looked at HL2's system requirements? It pretty much demands the extreme high end of the computer spectrum. I doubt I'll buy it for a few years.

I recommend buying bargain bin games and trailing edge computers. If it was the best game of 2000, but you haven't played it yet, it's still a really good game -- but you're paying $10 instead of $60 for a game. Likewise for computer hardware.

Don't get caught up in the hype.
 
[quote name='FoolishOwl']I'd guess your CPU.

Have you looked at HL2's system requirements? It pretty much demands the extreme high end of the computer spectrum. I doubt I'll buy it for a few years.


Don't get caught up in the hype.[/quote]


The minimum requirements are well below what I have but I would think that it would automatically calculate the settings.

I'm just about done with the game and most of the problems have appeared during the later levels.....
 
[quote name='Jaxcomet']I have a good amount of lag during Halflife 2 when saving games, loading games, and when there are a lot of characters on screen. Would this have more to do with my :

(A) Processor (1.8 ghz P4)

(B) RAM (512mb)

or

(C) Graphics card (Geforce 4 Ti4600)[/quote]


Does your ti4600 register as a 4200? I have a ti4680 turbo and it registers as a 4200.
 
As for cheap PC's I was looking in the Best Buy ad I think and I saw a PC by some company called "Insignia", anybody ever head of that company before? How crappy are their PC's?
 
I second that about the CPU bottleneck, jaxcomet. From what I've read, HL2 is CPU-intensive. If you don't have a fast CPU, you're not going to benefit much from a fast vid card.

I have a P4 2.4, and I upgraded from a TI4200, which gave me about 40-50 fps (without much smoke, gunfire, etc. going on) on counter-strike source, to a Geforce 6600. Now it gives me about 60 fps (again, without much going on). It wasn't the huge improvement I thought I'd get. Plus, the frame rate doesn't change much between resolutions and AA settings, a sign that the game is limited by the CPU, at least on my system.
 
[quote name='Kaijufan'][quote name='bignick'][quote name='Kaijufan'][quote name='bignick'][quote name='thingsfallnapart'][quote name='argyle']Low-end Dell's aren't made to be upgraded, they're "disposable" PCs. One of the many reasons I always build my own. ;)

Anyway, I just dropped a new mb/cpu/vid card & an extra 512mb RAM (bringing me to a gig) in my box last night. The card I went with was the 6600 gt agp, and so far it rocks. WoW and HL2 both run like butta. :D[/quote]

ya well some of us work 45 hours a week and take a girlfreind to work too on top of that. Can't say i have any time to build my own computer. Haven't even had any time for games either.[/quote]

you can do it in 4 hours. Thats building it and installing windows[/quote]
Its not all that hard to build a computer and its worth it. Just set aside a Saturday or Sunday sometime and build it then.
It took me only a few hours to build my PC, but I had problems getting Windows installed because I was trying to use the wrong SATA driver. D'oh.[/quote]

Win XP with SP2 has the SATA drivers built in now. If you dont have Win XP with SP2 integrated, just google, Windows XP slipstream SP2.[/quote]
I have SP2 downloaded but Im afraid to install it because Ive heard that it sometimes has problems with games.[/quote]

That may be true, but I don't have any problems with games I've installed.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
bread's done
Back
Top