Which PC Components to Upgrade? [Help!]

[Iced_Bullet]

Hey,

 

I can play TDU on 4xAA and HDR Full settings when there is about 3/4 people in a session, then when it gets above that, I start getting some visual lag. I think this is because of my CPU, not sure. My GFX Card is obviously able to handle the graphics etc, as others have the same card and are fine. The CPU is getting on for nearly 5/6 years old!

 

I'm wanting to buy Race Driver: GRID with these settings and to get FRPAS better in TDU:

 

OS: Windows XP/Vista

CPU: Intel Core Duo 2,66GHz / Athlon X2 3800+

RAM: 2 GB

Video card memory: nVidia GeForce 8800 / Ati Radeon X1950

Disk space required : 12,5 Go

DirectX®: 9.0c

 

I know I need some RAM. But to get a better FRAPS recording for instance, I need a new CPU, do I not? Which will probably mean a new Mobo :(

 

If I do need a new Mobo, then I need one with an AGP 8x GFX Card slot, but can hold a decent new CPU.

 

Atm, I'm thinking of £150 as a max price for Mobo, RAM and CPU. But could be up'ed to £200, maybe more at a very very very hard push! If I really cannot get a decent collection for £150.

 

Also, I may need a better PSU, as I just have the default which is I think about "250W or 305W". This will enevitably further the price and isn't included in the £150.

 

I suck at choosing the correct hardware ... so need your help!!!

 

 

Please! x :)

 

- Iced

[iBilo]

Just buy a quad core processor at 3.5Ghz and you should be fine. And get about 2 or 3Gb of RAM. =]

[Iced_Bullet]

I doubt my Mobo will support it ;) Which is why I'm asking ... as I'm a slight n00b in this area :)

 

Thanks for help though!

[Camel]

I take it you want intel. So what RAM have you got and what speed is it?

 

EDIT:And do you know what socket the CPU is?

[Iced_Bullet]

Memory

Type - DDR 333 or 400 (non-ECC)

Connectors - four

Capacities - 128-, 256-, 512-MB, and 1-GB non-ECC

BIOS address F8000h

Any help?

[Camel]

Any help?

 

Did you buy your PC ready made? or is that the manual for just the mobo? and do you know what socket CPU it is?

 

EDIT: Is it a DELL because last I heard you cant upgrade them yourself

[Iced_Bullet]

Yes, it is a Dell.

 

What can't I upgrade? CPU?

[Camel]

I know there are websites that tell you what RAM you can get but i dont think its the same for CPU unless you buy direct from DELL and that would cost a lot more

[Iced_Bullet]

Hmm, that sucks. I shall look into it.

[Camel]

The best thing to do would be to save up some more money over time and build your own or go to an independent shop, but if you build you own there is no warranty so if something breaks like on mine yesterday you have to fork out more money to fix it

[Speedtouch]

One thing that will help, don't use Fraps. Its terrible when it comes to using up processor power. Use Growler Guncam - I do on TDU, and it works very smoothly.

[Iced_Bullet]

Thanks Mellors and Speedtouch. I might try XFire's recording too. It did record a dark video for me which is why I went back to FRAPS. I'll try Growler now and get back to you! :D

[Guest RB26DETT]

mate. it's time to get a new mobo, cpu, gpu and ram, and have a decent psu to power all those components.

 

cause srsly (lol), AGP is gonna be obsolete soon. but in the meantime, what processor and motherboard do you have right now? from there i can tell you what processor to get and gpu. the newer cards you'll be able to buy with a AGP slot would be the Radeon HD3650, and HD3850.

[Camel]

mate. it's time to get a new mobo, cpu, gpu and ram, and have a decent psu to power all those components.

 

cause srsly (lol), AGP is gonna be obsolete soon. but in the meantime, what processor and motherboard do you have right now? from there i can tell you what processor to get and gpu. the newer cards you'll be able to buy with a AGP slot would be the Radeon HD3650, and HD3850.

 

Did you read the above? He cant upgrade his PC apart from the RAM

[The Queen]

Yes I agree with RB. Just get a decent Motherboard which supports a Quad Core Processor. Your better with 3GB instead of 2GB of RAM and you will definitly need a new PSU too ;)

 

Why not just get a whole new PC with the specifications you want and take from the Dell what you need for the new PC? Thats the best idea imo.

[Guest RB26DETT]

oh okay.

 

could you post your motherboard brand and model please. oh yeah, since it's a dell, you could also tell us what the name of the system is (i.e. XPS blah blah blah).

[Iced_Bullet]

Yeah I know AGP was a bad choice. But TDU was my first PC proper retail game. Not that I d'loaded them illegally, I mean I played PS2 or PC freebies like GunZ. Therefore, for TDU, I needed a new GPU. My PC wouldn't handle an upgrade as it was crap. So I asked dad to use his and he said yes, I could use his PC. Which is why I had to buy AGP GPU. I don't want to have to fork out another £80 or 90 or even 100 for a PCIE GPU, when my AGP one works fine and if I can get a mobo which work with it, whats the point anyway :p ?!

 

As for the model of mobo I have, I don't know ... Eek, how'd I find out!

 

hehe, yes you can shout n00b ;)

 

E: The PC Model no. is 8300. Hehe 5 year old boys! and it's all well and good you and TSS saying buy this buy that ... I'm no die hard PC player like MadMax or you lot, TDU and maybe RD:GRID are the only games I really play! I do have NFS:BS, but I went off it.

[Guest RB26DETT]

download everest corporate edition. there's a free trial. it displays your entire system information.

 

http://www.lavalys.com

[Guest RB26DETT]

dude. i researched on your Dell machine. your motherboard has the 875 intel chipset which supports DDR 400 (PC 3200) memory.

 

i don't know what site you can look it up, but here's what i got on newegg.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010170147+1052407862&name=DDR+400+(PC+3200)

[eleKtro]

Yes, it is a Dell.

 

What can't I upgrade? CPU?

FAIL! for this I will not help.

 

 

Dell are fail, like ubér fail. They build their Computers where everything is wedled to the computer sometimes or have plastic crap to make sure you can't change any hardware with in the PC.

 

But if you can change your mobo then I'll help if not well..

[Iced_Bullet]

E: thanks for the link to RAM :)

 

Full report is attached.

 

http://s149.photobucket.com/albums/s79/IcedBullet/th_Everest_1.jpg

 

http://s149.photobucket.com/albums/s79/IcedBullet/th_Everest_2.jpg

 

http://s149.photobucket.com/albums/s79/IcedBullet/th_Everest_3.jpg

 

Dell are fail, like ubér fail. They build their Computers where everything is wedled to the computer sometimes or have plastic crap to make sure you can't change any hardware with in the PC.

But if you can change your mobo then I'll help if not well..

That's what I'm tryign to do ;)

[Guest RB26DETT]

yup. saw it on your second attachment. your mobo supports up to DDR 400, the same as the one's i linked you to.

[Iced_Bullet]

OK. So that RAM will work with my current Mobo.

 

However I think I'm going to need to change my mobo for the new CPU, if I can find a decent mobo which supports AGP GPUs

 

How much would it cost to start afresh (to get decent stuff) taking into account I do not need a GPU, Monitor or anything like speakers or mice ...

[Guest RB26DETT]

your mobo has a socket 775. so the core 2 duo's will work if you'll be planning upgrade the cpu since intel is still using the 775.

[Iced_Bullet]

Not QuodeCore then? :(

 

OK, so I am starting to get some options here :)

 

Thanks so far.