Upgrading HP comp for gaming purposes

[dartgande]

Hey everyone,

I have a Hewlett Packard Computer that I am considering upgrading for gaming purposes. Either that or I may consider purchasing an Alienware comp, but that is to expensive, and I want to get out as cheap as possible; so I'll list the specs and I hope for some help regarding what I should do!

1.8 GHz Pentium 4

512 MB DDR SDRAM

120 GB Ultra DMA hard drive (7200 RPM)

64 MB nVidia GeForce2 MX 400 Graphics Card

DVD+RW capabilities

[sechs]

The big things that I would suggest is another 512MB of system memory, and the best video card that you can afford (and your power supply can support).

Generally speaking, buying a new computer would be better choice; but you can bring this one along for a year or two longer without too much effort.

[Jawadali]

The first thing you should upgrade would be your graphics card.

After that, you PC should handle most new games fairly well.

[maxiderm]

Originally posted by dartgande
Hey everyone,

I have a Hewlett Packard Computer that I am considering upgrading for gaming purposes. Either that or I may consider purchasing an Alienware comp, but that is to expensive, and I want to get out as cheap as possible; so I'll list the specs and I hope for some help regarding what I should do!

1.8 GHz Pentium 4

512 MB DDR SDRAM

120 GB Ultra DMA hard drive (7200 RPM)

64 MB nVidia GeForce2 MX 400 Graphics Card

DVD+RW capabilities

first off, your video card. whatever fits your budget but plan on spending like $200+ for a good one. i suggest getting an Albatron FX5900XT you can get for like $186 shipped. next power supply. i suggest getting a Thermaltake Silent PurePower 420watt. you can get this for $42 shipped. next the motherboard. i suggest a Abit IS7-V for $63 shipped. then you can be sure that you can support the 800 FSB Processors. you can then get a P4 2.8Ghz with 800 FSB and 1Mb cache. that would be $177 shipped. last thing would be another stick of RAM. find out what kind of RAM you have now. if its PC2100 or PC2700, then you might want to upgrade to PC3200. get 2 sticks of 512 RAM and dual channel it. i suggest getting a dual channel kit, like Corsair Value Select Dual Channel Kit of 1Gb (2x512) PC3200. that will be $169 shipped.

if you go with what i suggested you will spend $637, and you will have an awesome gaming rig. all these prices were taken from Newegg and trust me, you wont find better. hope this helps you out a bit.

[bombledmonk]

Originally posted by dartgande
Hey everyone,

I have a Hewlett Packard Computer that I am considering upgrading for gaming purposes. Either that or I may consider purchasing an Alienware comp, but that is to expensive, and I want to get out as cheap as possible; so I'll list the specs and I hope for some help regarding what I should do!

If you are thinking about getting Alienware, build your own computer for less than half the price. Alienware is a pure and simple rippoff, plus there is a great amount of self satisfaction and accomplishment with building your own.

Maxiderm's recommendations were good, but you will probably need a new case with that too. You can cannibalize the HD DVD and whatever else, but otherwise you'd probably be starting from scratch.

Depending on budget(what is your budget by the way?) I could recomend different things. Look at www.newegg.com for the best prices. Since max gave you one end of the spectrum I'll give you another.


AMD Athlon 64 3000+, 512KB L2 Cache 64-bit Processor - Retail @
$175
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...103-486&depa=1

CHAINTECH "VNF3-250" nForce3 250 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket 754 CPU -RETAIL @$88
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...152-043&depa=1


XFX nVIDIA GeForce 6800 Video Card, 128MB GDDR3, 256-Bit, TV-Out/Dual DVI, 8X AGP, Model"PVT40KND" -RETAIL @ $289
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...150-068&depa=1

or the best bang for the buck right now

SAPPHIRE ATI RADEON 9800 PRO Video Card, 128MB DDR, 256-bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP -BULK
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...102-268&depa=1

Other components could be suggested too, just giving you more choices.

[dartgande]

Thanks sechs, jawadali, maxiderm, and bombledmonk for your help! I believe I can do this with the help I've received, and as far as my budget goes, I have a $1,000 dollar budget.

[bombledmonk]

Does that include accesories, like monitor, OS, keyboard etc...

I would assume not, but its always better to ask.

[dartgande]

I don't need any new or more accesories. I'm set there, including monitor.

[bombledmonk]

ABIT "AV8" K8T800 Pro Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket 939 CPU -RETAIL @$120
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...127-181&depa=1

AMD Socket 939 Athlon 64 3500+, 2.2 GHz, 512KB L2 Cache 64-bit Processor - Retail @$350
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...103-463&depa=1

XFX nVIDIA GeForce 6800 Video Card, 128MB GDDR3, 256-Bit, TV-Out/Dual DVI, 8X AGP, Model"PVT40KND" -RETAIL @$287
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...150-068&depa=1

Corsair Value Select Dual Channel Kit 184 Pin 1G(512MBx2) DDR PC-3200 - OEM @ $179
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...145-480&depa=1

That total comes to $936 shipped, and that is one smoking machine. If you already have a standard ATX case ( I don't know anything about HP, ATX mobos might not fit) all you will need to add is a power supply unit. Some cases come with them, but don't trust the PSUs that come with super cheap cases. Look at getting a 400+Watt PSU from Enermax, Antec, or Thermaltake.

Take a look and see what you like out of this. Depending on what you choose this could break the $1000 budget by a bit, but not very much.

If there is anything I forgot, feel free to correct me, and of course offer this guy some more choices.
http://www.newegg.com/app/manufact.asp?catalog=7&DEPA=1

[dartgande]

Thanks a lot, monk. You're help is greatly appreciated, and thanks for your time and the very nice suggestions that I'll probably go with.