GPU Help

Worth Upgading This?

  • Yes

    Votes: 1 7.1%
  • No

    Votes: 9 64.3%
  • No Way, Toss This Dinosaur

    Votes: 4 28.6%

  • Total voters
    14
  • Poll closed .

Coco15

Banned
Local time
5:42 AM
Messages
99
Location
Tamworth Australia
Not to long a go a freind phoned wanting to have some upgrades done. He just brought it around to hav a look at. It has.

Windows 2000
pentium 4 2.5GHz
512 MB RAM
40GB Hard Drive
350w PSU
Nvidia 5600
Asus A7N266-VM Mobo

He want's windows 7 and a few upgrades including a Nvidia 8800GT.

Personaly I would toss this computer and get another. But I know it's old and uderpowered What chance would you have putting windows 7 on this? has any one ran windows 7 under recommended specs and is this PC worth upgrading? again if it was mine I would toss this.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Mercury Eclipse 2000M Multifunction (Custom Built)
OS
Windows 7 Professional 64 Bit OEM
CPU
AMD Athlon(TM) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 5000+
Motherboard
JW-RX780X-AM2+ (SC)
Memory
4 GB Corsair DDR2
Graphics Card(s)
NVIDIA Geforce 6600
Sound Card
Realtek HD Audio 888
Monitor(s) Displays
DELL S2209W 23" HD 1820X1920
Screen Resolution
1820X1920
Hard Drives
250GB Hitachi Deskstar 7200 RPM
PSU
CoolerMaster 500W Watt
Case
Mercury 2000M Elipse Multifunction
Cooling
AMD Stock Cooler, PSU Fan and Graphics Card Fan + Heat Sinks
Keyboard
HP Generic USB
Mouse
HP USB Optical
Internet Speed
1gbps Ethernet & 54 Mbps (B/G) Wireless
You would not be able to run windows 7 with that specification. Rather than tossing the computer away, he could use it to mess around on and experiment with. Maybe try linux on it.

What are the specs for the new hardware?
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
self built
OS
Windows 7 Professional 64-bit
CPU
Intel E8400 3GHz
Motherboard
Intel DX48BT2
Memory
Kingston PC3-10700H 4Gb
Graphics Card(s)
XFX Radeon HD 5850 BlackEd.
Sound Card
Asus Xonar DG
Monitor(s) Displays
2x Samsung SM-T220HD 22"
Screen Resolution
1680x1050 on two monitors
Hard Drives
OCZ Vertex 2 120gb 3.5" (OS)
Seagate Momentus XT 500gb
Samsung F3 1Tb (games)
2x Samsung F1 1Tb
PSU
Thermaltake ToughPower 850w
Case
Thermaltake Armor
Cooling
Scythe Mugen II
Keyboard
Microsoft Comfort Curve USB
Mouse
Razer Diamondback 3G
Internet Speed
8128/443
You would not be able to run windows 7 with that specification. Rather than tossing the computer away, he could use it to mess around on and experiment with. Maybe try linux on it.

What are the specs for the new hardware?

He want's
Windows 7 Professional 64 bit
AMD 64 X2 dual core processor 4800+
2GB Ram DDR2
160GB Hard drive
Asus AM2 Mobo DDR2 (to be dicided)
Nvidia 8800GT
550w PSU

He has been wanting to do this for months.

I Would still go higher but Windows 7 would work. but he wan't to play games. I keep telling him he needs somthing like mine.

I just offered him a copy of ubuntu, Kubuntu, and linux mint but wants windows 7
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Mercury Eclipse 2000M Multifunction (Custom Built)
OS
Windows 7 Professional 64 Bit OEM
CPU
AMD Athlon(TM) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 5000+
Motherboard
JW-RX780X-AM2+ (SC)
Memory
4 GB Corsair DDR2
Graphics Card(s)
NVIDIA Geforce 6600
Sound Card
Realtek HD Audio 888
Monitor(s) Displays
DELL S2209W 23" HD 1820X1920
Screen Resolution
1820X1920
Hard Drives
250GB Hitachi Deskstar 7200 RPM
PSU
CoolerMaster 500W Watt
Case
Mercury 2000M Elipse Multifunction
Cooling
AMD Stock Cooler, PSU Fan and Graphics Card Fan + Heat Sinks
Keyboard
HP Generic USB
Mouse
HP USB Optical
Internet Speed
1gbps Ethernet & 54 Mbps (B/G) Wireless
Id go with 4gb ram to make the most of 64-bit. While its not a requirement as such, 64-bit win7 does run smoother.
You should also get a larger hard drive if he can afford it. 1Tb drives are not that expensive.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
self built
OS
Windows 7 Professional 64-bit
CPU
Intel E8400 3GHz
Motherboard
Intel DX48BT2
Memory
Kingston PC3-10700H 4Gb
Graphics Card(s)
XFX Radeon HD 5850 BlackEd.
Sound Card
Asus Xonar DG
Monitor(s) Displays
2x Samsung SM-T220HD 22"
Screen Resolution
1680x1050 on two monitors
Hard Drives
OCZ Vertex 2 120gb 3.5" (OS)
Seagate Momentus XT 500gb
Samsung F3 1Tb (games)
2x Samsung F1 1Tb
PSU
Thermaltake ToughPower 850w
Case
Thermaltake Armor
Cooling
Scythe Mugen II
Keyboard
Microsoft Comfort Curve USB
Mouse
Razer Diamondback 3G
Internet Speed
8128/443
Id go with 4gb ram to make the most of 64-bit. While its not a requirement as such, 64-bit win7 does run smoother.
You should also get a larger hard drive if he can afford it. 1Tb drives are not that expensive.
He's sitting with me now and he won't budge with his system specs.

I want to atleast do a good job with this and aiming at least

Windows 7 Professional 64 Bit
AMD 64 X2 Dual core processor 5000+ 2.60GHz
4GB DDR2
250GB Hard Drive
550W Corsair PSU
Nvidia 9600GT
Asus AM2+ Mobo
DVD R+RW Drive
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Mercury Eclipse 2000M Multifunction (Custom Built)
OS
Windows 7 Professional 64 Bit OEM
CPU
AMD Athlon(TM) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 5000+
Motherboard
JW-RX780X-AM2+ (SC)
Memory
4 GB Corsair DDR2
Graphics Card(s)
NVIDIA Geforce 6600
Sound Card
Realtek HD Audio 888
Monitor(s) Displays
DELL S2209W 23" HD 1820X1920
Screen Resolution
1820X1920
Hard Drives
250GB Hitachi Deskstar 7200 RPM
PSU
CoolerMaster 500W Watt
Case
Mercury 2000M Elipse Multifunction
Cooling
AMD Stock Cooler, PSU Fan and Graphics Card Fan + Heat Sinks
Keyboard
HP Generic USB
Mouse
HP USB Optical
Internet Speed
1gbps Ethernet & 54 Mbps (B/G) Wireless
At least you got it to change from an AM2 to an AM2+. As far as the CPU goes look at at least the Athlon II x2 (if not the x4) or the Phenom II x2, either of which will be faster clock for clock than the older Athlon 64.

Also for a motherboard look at the 785G based boards. And with the way ram prices are now (DDR2 and DDR3 pretty much equal in price), look at the boards that support DDR3.

P.S. Not that it matter much but there is a small conflict in those specs you listed for his old computer. Either it isn't the CPU listed, or the motherboard is wrong. You can't have an Intel CPU on an AMD/Nvidia (old Socket A from the model number) motherboard.
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Me
OS
Win 7 Ultimate x64
CPU
FX-8350 @ 4.6 GHz so far
Motherboard
Asus M5A97 EVO
Memory
ADATA XPG V1 Series Black 8GB DDR3 1600
Graphics Card(s)
Sapphire R9 270x Dual-X
Sound Card
Xonar DGX w/ Corsair Vengence 1300
Monitor(s) Displays
Acer S232HL Abid
Screen Resolution
1920x1080
Hard Drives
120 GB OCZ Vertex 3
500 GB Seagate 7200.12
PSU
Antec Earthwatts 650W Green
Case
Antec Three Hundred
Cooling
Cooler Master 212 EVO
Keyboard
Logitech G510
Mouse
Logitech G500s
Internet Speed
35000/3000
He's limited to $600.00
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Mercury Eclipse 2000M Multifunction (Custom Built)
OS
Windows 7 Professional 64 Bit OEM
CPU
AMD Athlon(TM) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 5000+
Motherboard
JW-RX780X-AM2+ (SC)
Memory
4 GB Corsair DDR2
Graphics Card(s)
NVIDIA Geforce 6600
Sound Card
Realtek HD Audio 888
Monitor(s) Displays
DELL S2209W 23" HD 1820X1920
Screen Resolution
1820X1920
Hard Drives
250GB Hitachi Deskstar 7200 RPM
PSU
CoolerMaster 500W Watt
Case
Mercury 2000M Elipse Multifunction
Cooling
AMD Stock Cooler, PSU Fan and Graphics Card Fan + Heat Sinks
Keyboard
HP Generic USB
Mouse
HP USB Optical
Internet Speed
1gbps Ethernet & 54 Mbps (B/G) Wireless
Have a link to the site(s) you're looking at? I have a few, but no idea which are the better places in Australia.
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Me
OS
Win 7 Ultimate x64
CPU
FX-8350 @ 4.6 GHz so far
Motherboard
Asus M5A97 EVO
Memory
ADATA XPG V1 Series Black 8GB DDR3 1600
Graphics Card(s)
Sapphire R9 270x Dual-X
Sound Card
Xonar DGX w/ Corsair Vengence 1300
Monitor(s) Displays
Acer S232HL Abid
Screen Resolution
1920x1080
Hard Drives
120 GB OCZ Vertex 3
500 GB Seagate 7200.12
PSU
Antec Earthwatts 650W Green
Case
Antec Three Hundred
Cooling
Cooler Master 212 EVO
Keyboard
Logitech G510
Mouse
Logitech G500s
Internet Speed
35000/3000
Go 4GB RAM and do DDR3 instead if you want to save money. DDR2s are actually not budging anymore on lowering prices, while manufacturers are discounting DDR3 kits/modules. No sense in going 2GB in 2010 for a 64-bit OS.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
custom build
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit RTM
CPU
Intel Core i7 920 (D0), overclocked @ 3.6GHz (4.2GHz stable)
Motherboard
EVGA X58 A1
Memory
6GB of OCZ DDR3-1600 triple channel @ 7-7-7-20
Graphics Card(s)
EVGA GTX 295 Co-Op
Sound Card
Auzentech X Meridian 7.1
Monitor(s) Displays
(3x) Samsung 943BX, (1x) Samsung 2333HD, (1x) BenQ FP202W
Screen Resolution
3840x1024 + 1920x1080 + 1680x1050
Hard Drives
(4x) OCZ Vertex 30GB SATA2 SSDs on RAID 0 for 120GB total
(2x) Western Digital Black 1TB SATA2 on RAID 0
(1x) Lite-on DVD Burner and Blu-Ray player
PSU
PC Power & Cooling Super-quiet Silencer 910
Case
(modified) Tagan Black Pearl full tower, WCR edition
Cooling
Scythe Mugen2 CPU cooler, (5x) Scythe SFF21F, Zalaman cntrl.
Keyboard
Logitech G19
Mouse
Logitech G9x
Internet Speed
Comcast Cable, 22Mbps down and 5Mbps up
Other Info
Logitech Z-5500 Digital speaker system
He's sitting with me now and he won't budge with his system specs.

I want to atleast do a good job with this and aiming at least

Then what's the point of trying to help him; us or you? What he wants won't turn out to be a decent gaming rig: slow dual core, less than 4GB on a 64-bit OS, tiny hard drive and an outdated video card... if that's what he wants, fine... but he can't say he wasn't warned.

Seems to me the fellas have lead the horse to water... only to find he's a mule who won't drink.
 

My Computer

OS
7 Ultimate x64
CPU
i5-2500k
Motherboard
Asus P8P67 Pro
Memory
8GB G.Skill Ripjaws X F3-12800CL7D-8GBXH 1866MHz 8-9-8-24
Graphics Card(s)
EVGA GTX 570 SC
Sound Card
X-Fi Titanium Fatality
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung S27A550H 27" LED
Screen Resolution
1920x1080
Hard Drives
OCZ Vertex 3 120GB.
1TB Samsung F3.
2TB Samsung F4.
PSU
PC Power & Cooling Silencer 760
Case
Lian Li Lancool K62
Cooling
Thermalright Venomous X Black/Scythe S-Flex/Shin-Etsu X23
Keyboard
MS Natural Elite 4000 Ergonomic
Mouse
Logitech G500
Internet Speed
6MB/768
Other Info
Logitech Z-5500 505 watts.
D-Link DGL-4500.
Tripp-Lite Smart Pro 1500.
I sent him away to think things for a while.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Mercury Eclipse 2000M Multifunction (Custom Built)
OS
Windows 7 Professional 64 Bit OEM
CPU
AMD Athlon(TM) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 5000+
Motherboard
JW-RX780X-AM2+ (SC)
Memory
4 GB Corsair DDR2
Graphics Card(s)
NVIDIA Geforce 6600
Sound Card
Realtek HD Audio 888
Monitor(s) Displays
DELL S2209W 23" HD 1820X1920
Screen Resolution
1820X1920
Hard Drives
250GB Hitachi Deskstar 7200 RPM
PSU
CoolerMaster 500W Watt
Case
Mercury 2000M Elipse Multifunction
Cooling
AMD Stock Cooler, PSU Fan and Graphics Card Fan + Heat Sinks
Keyboard
HP Generic USB
Mouse
HP USB Optical
Internet Speed
1gbps Ethernet & 54 Mbps (B/G) Wireless
His dinosaur is basically the same computer I started with except he has a better motherboard and processor. I also had a 40 GB hard drive and 512 MB of RAM.

Because I am on a limited budget, I opted for a 32 bit installation and an 80 GB hard drive with 2.5 MB of RAM. I installed an Nvidia GE Force 7600 GS video card. I opted for a 32 bit installation because (1) my processor is slow and (2) I decided to save the money it would have cost to upgrade to 4 MB of Ram and put that aside to build a whole new computer. To me, to make my computer run a 64 bit installation would be like putting a Ferrari body on a VW bug - wasted money and limited performance.

If I were he, I would go with a larger capacity HD, install at least 2 MB of RAM and go with a 32 bit installation and a better graphics card. I'd put the other money aside and put it towards a new computer. Then I would go with a 64 bit installation with 8 MB of RAM/

Just my humble opinion.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Home built
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate 32 bit
CPU
Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.00GHz
Motherboard
ASUS P4P800-VM Motherboard Chipset: Intel 865G + ICH5
Memory
2.50 GB RAM
Graphics Card(s)
NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GS
Sound Card
SoundMax Integrated Digital Audio (Chip)
Monitor(s) Displays
ViewSonic VX 1962 wm
Screen Resolution
1680 X 1050
Hard Drives
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 80 GB
ST380215A ATA Device 18.6 GB
Western Digital "My Book" external hard drive 750 GB
Cooling
Fan based
Keyboard
Microsoft Comfort Curve Keyboard 2000 v10 USB
Mouse
Logitec optic USB
Internet Speed
3.01 Mb/s download 0.64 Mb/s upload
Sorry but he needs to be patient and save a bit more and get a better system.
 

My Computer

OS
Windows 7 home premium 64
CPU
E8500
Motherboard
XFX780i SLI
Memory
4Gb
Graphics Card(s)
Gigabyte GTX280
Sound Card
Creative SB Audigy
Monitor(s) Displays
LG Flatron W2343T
Hard Drives
WD 640Gb
PSU
1000 W Antec
Case
Antec P182
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