Gaming Computer Questions URGENT

[sillycrown]

Ok i have yet another question to ask. The more feedback i get the better.

I can buy this computer right here:

2.4 ghz 800mhz fsb with hyperthreading
fic mobo
52x24x52x cdrw drive
2 80 gig western digital hard drives with 8mb cache (both still under a 2 year warranty)
geforce 4 ti 4200 128 mb video card
512 ddr memory
sound blaster audigy

This computer i believe has Windows XP. And not sure what kind of case it comes with.

Id like to have this computer for a gaming computer, downloading alot of movies and mp3's and surfing the net. I would be hooking up dsl or cable whatever is cheaper in my area.

My few questions are?

1. What would you upgrade if you had this computer?

I was thinking to upgrade the 512 Ram DDR Memory to 1 GB in time.
The video card not sure i hear this is a pretty good video card. Im not a true gamer but id like to get into gaming so this might be a great start for me.
The other upgrade id like to do is put a cdr/dvd RW burner in it.

What could i do to this comp to make it better or is it already pretty good? Would this computer be good for gaming and downloading on the net???

Also i can buy this coputer for $350.00 shipped for just the case and everything inside the case. Is that a good deal for this computer with what it comes with???

Please give me all the info you could or advice about this computer you can. Is it better than a dell in its current state???

Cause i would need to decide and purchase this comp in the net couple days

thanks very much

sillycrown

[John Prophet]

the computer would be pretty good...for modern games the only thing that is sketchy is the video card....its a good video card but I dont think it supports the newer directx9 games....

I am not a gamer though but I think what i am telling you is correct.


Other than that it looks pretty good.

[nunyadam]

^ like he said
the vid card is getting old, other than that more memory

[The_Shooter]

The Question Sillycrown, How much more are you willing to spend?
If you want to spend more money such as $300 more. I would upgrade your video card, sell the old card (ie: here would be a good place :P). And get more RAM.
Now about the RAM, what speed is it? You say its 512... You could go with faster RAM rather that just more. For gaming, 512 is just fine. 1GB is rather overkill for games, but its just what you prefer. Myself, I have 1GB, but thats what I prefer.
About the vid card: Depends on what you really want, you could go with either Nvidia or Radeon. Radeon supports DirectX 9, but Nvidia cannot really do that. I purchased a Radeon 9600Pro 256MB DDR. I like it.

All in all, it just depends on what you would like to spend money on... What about your keyboard and mouse? Monitor? Maybe a 19inch would work? Just depends on what you currently have. The machine you listed is perfect for gaming right now, no major need to upgrade. But if you have the money burnning in your pocket, I say go for it.

Hope that helps!

-The_Shooter

[someone16]

IMO, this should be fine for a while. Wait for the new games to come out and then decide if you need a new video card or not.

[Bizkitkid2001]

Originally posted by The_Shooter
The Question Sillycrown, How much more are you willing to spend?
If you want to spend more money such as $300 more. I would upgrade your video card, sell the old card (ie: here would be a good place :P). And get more RAM.
Now about the RAM, what speed is it? You say its 512... You could go with faster RAM rather that just more. For gaming, 512 is just fine. 1GB is rather overkill for games, but its just what you prefer. Myself, I have 1GB, but thats what I prefer.
About the vid card: Depends on what you really want, you could go with either Nvidia or Radeon. Radeon supports DirectX 9, but Nvidia cannot really do that. I purchased a Radeon 9600Pro 256MB DDR. I like it.

-The_Shooter

1gig of ram isn't becoming overkill these days much anymore. Look at Vietnam, when I play this game I feel like my hard drive is going to die because of how many times it accesses my hard drive swap file becasue I am low on memory, and I have 512mb. Same goes for farcry, 1 gig really helps a lot.

As for the nvidia not supporting DX9 is false. All of the nvidia FX cards support DX9. Silly crown, if your on a budget, but want a fast graphics card, I would go nvidia. If you hav ethe money, and want the best of the best go ATI, like a 9800xt.

[The_Shooter]

Bizkitkid2001,

Your right about the RAM, but 512 is sufficient.

About Nvidia supporting DirectX9, I believe Radeon better utilizes it. But I may be wrong?

[Bizkitkid2001]

thats what people say, but I havn't noticed a slow down on my 5900FX that other ATI fan boys have been reporting.

Yes 512mb is sufficient, it will get you through most game at highest settings.

[cysus]

You'd be set for a while if you upgraded the vid card.

[tecy]

I think a HIS Excalibur 9800Pro Ice-Q 128MB is a great card and is very close to the 9800XT. My brother has a leadtek FX 5900 and runs quite slow to the 9800Pro on DX9 based games.

Just got my 9800xt and did have a TI4200, I cant grumble at that card because it run everythink that I through at it inc Max payne 2, 1280 x 1024 32bit e.c.t. DX9 games are on there way now if it means saving a little longer I would.

Thing to remember is that even cards like mine are still not running current dx9 games on full eye candy with fps to spear.