Desktop upgrade
19 replies · 7 participants
Jun 24, 2011, 03:38 PM#1
Hellu, everyone.
So, as of about a year and a half ago I've been running off of the laptop I got for Christmas, and I've been mostly gaming on the xbox (for some reason :p). Now I'm beginning to switch to PC, I'm playing TF2 a lot more, I got games like Minecraft, you know, stuff like that. I'm starting to do more 3d stuff and game design. The kind gentlemen on IRC and I agreed that I should get a desktop. I figured that I need more power, which I guess means more ramz, a better graphics card and cpu, but I don't really know where to start.
But, the main question is: Would I be better off upgrading this deskop or just getting a new one? Keep in mind that I already have a functioning keyboard, speakers, mouse, and monitor.
I have commandeered a semi-old desktop that nobody else in my family uses, about 4 or 5 years old I think (not totally sure). It's a Dell Dimension E510.
Specs:
Processor: Intel Pentium 4 3.00 GHZ
0.99GB RAM
Max 4GB
Video: Integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 (GMA950)
Two internal 1-inch high serial ATA hard drives
So, as of about a year and a half ago I've been running off of the laptop I got for Christmas, and I've been mostly gaming on the xbox (for some reason :p). Now I'm beginning to switch to PC, I'm playing TF2 a lot more, I got games like Minecraft, you know, stuff like that. I'm starting to do more 3d stuff and game design. The kind gentlemen on IRC and I agreed that I should get a desktop. I figured that I need more power, which I guess means more ramz, a better graphics card and cpu, but I don't really know where to start.
But, the main question is: Would I be better off upgrading this deskop or just getting a new one? Keep in mind that I already have a functioning keyboard, speakers, mouse, and monitor.
I have commandeered a semi-old desktop that nobody else in my family uses, about 4 or 5 years old I think (not totally sure). It's a Dell Dimension E510.
Specs:
Processor: Intel Pentium 4 3.00 GHZ
0.99GB RAM
Max 4GB
Video: Integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 (GMA950)
Two internal 1-inch high serial ATA hard drives
Jun 24, 2011, 04:31 PM#2
Let me redirect u to this thread:
help with buying new computer!
Some usefull replys there, and some HP jokes
help with buying new computer!
Some usefull replys there, and some HP jokes
Jun 24, 2011, 04:34 PM#3
Chances are if its built in true dell fashion it has minimal upgrade options at all so best bet is start again, does that computer even have PCI-express?
Even if it can be partially upgraded you'll have little to no future upgrade options, you can do a DIY jobby that will last you a while for pretty cheap
And i'm sure there are enough people willing to offer advice
Even if it can be partially upgraded you'll have little to no future upgrade options, you can do a DIY jobby that will last you a while for pretty cheap
And i'm sure there are enough people willing to offer advice
Jun 24, 2011, 06:17 PM#4
No way u can upgrade that PC with new hardware.. But u can install on that motherboard a core 2 duo, and it got a x16 PCI Express. U can survive with that chip and maybe pretty old grapich card, such a GForce 8xxx or 9xxx series, or ATI 4xxx or 5xxx. But u wont find that on many stores. Also u can install up to 4GB of RAM, but not in double channel.. (remember u need a x64 operating system for that). Also u cant use RAID 0 :s
Imo, better go for another one entirely new, with some of the configs mentioned on the other topictopic i mentioned. Buy it @ internet and u can save lot of money
Imo, better go for another one entirely new, with some of the configs mentioned on the other topictopic i mentioned. Buy it @ internet and u can save lot of money
Jun 24, 2011, 11:01 PM#5
'nuff said?
Jun 24, 2011, 11:02 PM#6
'nuff said?
Don't bother, this crowd are too mainstream.
Jun 24, 2011, 11:04 PM#7
'nuff said?
Don't bother, this crowd are too mainstream.
Install Windows on the iMac? It's like 3x faster and it's prooved. =)
Jun 25, 2011, 03:28 AM#8
this crowd are too mainstream.
Collective noun fail
Opaulhus sappin mah profile pic!
Jun 25, 2011, 01:04 PM#9
[This post has been redacted in the archive]
Jun 25, 2011, 03:12 PM#10
Conor, I'm sure at 90% that the Mac in your school weren't the model "iMac" because the iMac NEVER crash and when I say NEVER, it's NEVER. When I went buy a new computer, they said the rate of return of the iMac was like 0.5 % and they were NEVER getting problem so....
Your school had probably this model :
Nahhh, jkinnn, probably this one :
Your school had probably this model :
Nahhh, jkinnn, probably this one :
Jun 25, 2011, 03:26 PM#11
His school actually use unibody iMac's running Windows XP, being serious.
I think people here know how I feel towards apple products, so I shall just sit this one out
I think people here know how I feel towards apple products, so I shall just sit this one out
Jun 25, 2011, 03:36 PM#12
Lmao, kk xD
Jun 25, 2011, 04:06 PM#13
because the iMac NEVER crash and when I say NEVER, it's NEVER.
sure, totally
everything can crash, even macs
its just like that, they might not crash so often but they do
Jun 25, 2011, 04:10 PM#14
Give me an Imac for 1 hour and i will make it rage quit :p
Jun 25, 2011, 05:04 PM#15
Give me an Imac for 1 hour and i will make it rage quit :p
LOLLLL
@Patchouli : Everything crash but It crash less often...
Jun 25, 2011, 05:29 PM#16
thats exactly what i said
Jun 25, 2011, 06:44 PM#17
Oh sorry I read your post wrong xD
Jun 26, 2011, 06:34 PM#18
So, as I understand it's build or GTFO.
Are you sure I can do this, I've never even upgraded a computer before better yet built one...
Are you sure I can do this, I've never even upgraded a computer before better yet built one...
Jun 26, 2011, 06:43 PM#19
I recommend u to buy a new one, if u are going to use to play. The upgrades u can make on that desktop are quite limited and u probably u will have problems finding the stuff.
If u want to, buy it piece by piece on the internet (cheaper). U can build it urself or take all the pieces to a guy who knows how to xD. Or buy a closed config, there are some good configs there with nice specs and low price.
Also,
If u want to, buy it piece by piece on the internet (cheaper). U can build it urself or take all the pieces to a guy who knows how to xD. Or buy a closed config, there are some good configs there with nice specs and low price.
Also,
Complete computer
Pro
- dont worry about wrong components
- ready to play
- you have every part from one shop
- goodies like pick-up and return service for 0€
- longer warranty then normal (not always and sometimes you have to pay for it)
Contra
- you cant modify much (upgrade, exchange)
- you have to send the whole computer to the shop
- warranty is only available when you use the original hardware
- higher price
- sometimes long waittime til you get the computer
DIY computer
Pro
- you know what you get
- cheaper
- you can upgrade/exchange any part
- you dont have to send the whole pc if some hardware is broken
- much place for creativity (case modding, overclock, waterpump)
Contra
- not ready to play if something needs some time to arrive
- same warranty as like complete computer (i think 2 years right?)
- sometimes you need to buy from 2-3 different shops to hold the price down
(can be a pain when the hardware isnt available)
- you can damage the hardware if you are a newbie
(srsly read FAQ and tutorials xD)