Fun Stuff > CLIKC

Help people with their computers

(1/4) > >>

Rizzo:
Good afternoon folks.
I'm looking for some assistance from the more technically able among us to give me some advice on my computer.
My current setup is:
AMD Athlon 64 processor 3000+, 1024 ram, Windows XP, Geforce 6200 Turbo Cache integrated Ramdac, Realtek Audio AC97.
I can run HL2 without antialiasing currently. I'd also like to run FarCry but I know that's beyond my system. I'm also unsure about Quake IV.
I was hoping firstly you people could tell me what the hell most of that crap I just wrote means. What's ramdac? Is my processor good? I know my graphics card is pretty budget. I have no idea what my motherboard is(in terms of make and model).
I've gotten all this info from DXDIAG in the run bar.  
Secondly; What do you recommend I upgrade to make my computer better? I'd really like something that will run all the current gen of games on max if possible but I'd also like to do so cheaply.
Thanks in advance.

Bunnyman:
Actually, an A64 3000+ and a gig of RAM is a pretty decent setup.  And, hell, I got FarCry running on  a 1.4GHz Athlon T-Bird and a GeForce2, so no sweat there.  Quake4 will be a bit of a stretch, but I would hope that it will run on low settings at least.

The only blatant weakness in your system is the Graphics card, and that isn't *awful.*  I would try to upgrade to a 6600 ($), a 6800GT ($$$), or a 7800 (!!!).  Probably an AGP slot, so the latter is out of the question.

To be honest, I'd get a PCIe mainboard along wiht a 6800 or 7800.  Since you are running an A64 already, any Socket 939 board will do.  Just get an ABIT or ASUS brand board to save yourself the hassle or motherboard replacement...most other brands aren't worth the bother.  A8N series from ASUS is the best in field.

If you're talking serious money, get the A8N SLi, which gives you a pair of PCIe slots, allowing you to expand to a pair of graphics cards in an SLi configuration (in the good old days, it was called Scan Line Interleave...not sure what it means these days).

I'd actually wait on the graphics card, watch prices.  The ATI X1000 series just came out, and hopefully that'll drive down NVidia's prices.

In the future, another gig of ram (These days, arond $100 or so) wouldn't hurt.  I assume you have some open slots for RAM still.

Rizzo:
I didn't understand a whole lot of what you were saying but sounds good.
So I should go for a better GFX card, eg 6800?
I don't think RAM'll be an issue for a while yet. I believe I've got space for it. I didn't build my computer, my dad did (lovely bloke).
I'm planning to buy any extra components in Singapore. Components aren't area specific so they'll work in my Kiwi computer (right? they must).
I feel such a n00b. I know my software pretty well but hardware defeats me.

Bunnyman:
As I understand, there's no computer "region code" or somesuch, so have fun in Singapore.

Yes, seek out a motherboard with a 16x PCI-e slot (or two) and a GeForce 6800GT.  More or less.

[H]ardOCP is always a good resource, even if it's somewhat precipitously geeky.  And there are other sites as well.

Inanimate Object:
I agree that upgrading to a PCI-e board would be the best option, but if you don't want to spend the money or don't know how to install one, you could just get a new AGP video card and be in pretty good shape.

If you do upgrade to a new AGP card, I wouldn't go with anything under a GeForce 6800 though.

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page

Go to full version