Help!

[MjTalon]

Long time no see everyone. I hope all is well.

My girlfriend's cpu just completely crapped out. Thought it was a video card failing then the psu went completely out. Wanted to get some advice before I get gf ack'd to hell.


She has a pretty crap cpu ( insert dell mb here ). Its a  inspirition (typo) with decent ram and mhz speed but since I began running WoT's on it the problems slowly started occuring.

Anyone mind pitching their 2 cents? Also, is TillDeath still around? Helped me build my rig a couple years ago and i haven't frequented AH 2 boards in forever.

Thanks gents!
 

[Zoney]

You should immediately change girlfriends to one with a better computer.  Hope this helps 

[MrRiplEy[H]]

Long time no see everyone. I hope all is well.

My girlfriend's cpu just completely crapped out. Thought it was a video card failing then the psu went completely out. Wanted to get some advice before I get gf ack'd to hell.


She has a pretty crap cpu ( insert dell mb here ). Its a  inspirition (typo) with decent ram and mhz speed but since I began running WoT's on it the problems slowly started occuring.

Anyone mind pitching their 2 cents? Also, is TillDeath still around? Helped me build my rig a couple years ago and i haven't frequented AH 2 boards in forever.

Thanks gents!
 

If it's a dell it most likely has a crap graphics card instead of a crap cpu. Of course it may have both. Is the cpu a Pentium 840, Celeron or something? Usually the quality of your graphics card will pretty much determine your game performance unless your cpu is really so weak it can't even handle the gpu.

Unfortunately with a branded ready built computer you're usually fresh out of luck in upgrading it. Dells may have proprietary parts making it unfeasible or even dangerous to swap regular components to the computer. They also usually have power supplys so limited in size that they will bend down immediately if you try to install and run a gaming graphics card on it. Their upgrading and tweaking options are extremely limited so you're left with the option to buy a new computer instead of trying to make something from the box.

You should find a local computer parts reseller and ask them if they're willing to set up a computer for you according to your specs. They can suggest some price efficient parts for you and assemble it ready. Usually they take only a few bucks extra for the job.

[Bizman]

Sounds like you've exhausted it to death. What MrRipley said is the sad truth about branded ready builds, although there are some AH'ers who'd get a reasonable Dell and immediately change both the PSU and video card for a decent gameplay for the next couple of years. I believe there'd still be a risk, I have a feeling that those rigs have been balanced to cope "as is" until the warranty ends, every upgrade causing a potential bottleneck somewhere you'd never believe one would occur.

[Rich46yo]

I had one Dell and swore never again. They are just crap for gaming. Im sorry but thats the truth. Its a company that makes its money selling cheap office rebuilds.

Wow Talon, its been years. I still remember our B26 flights and other bomber runs. Hope your well. 

[mbailey]

Well hey there stranger.... Hope your doing well.  Stop by and say hello from time to time.
Glad to see that your at least alive. Lol
(Sorry can't help with the computer)  

[Plazus]

If you have the time and patience to replace the hardware on the Dell, go for it. Since this is likely a store-bought machine, and if you have the funds, might as well buy a new computer instead.

If you can reply back with a motherboard make/model number, we could provide more detailed feedback as to which CPU you should buy. Motherboards have certain CPU socket compatibility and this is important to know when shopping for a new CPU.

As for the power supply, this will vary depending on what video card is on the computer and what extra peripheral devices you may have attached to the computer (sound cards, joystick, controllers, etc). You might want to look at PSU requirements for the devices you are using on that computer to get a base requirement as a start.

400/550W power supply would probably be the average PSU that is installed on the basic store-built computers at places like Best Buy, Office Depot, Staples, etc. Make note of the size of the tower. If the tower is a slim, make sure the PSU you are looking at is able to fit in the PSU compartment in the tower.

Hope this helps!

[MrRiplEy[H]]

If you have the time and patience to replace the hardware on the Dell, go for it. Since this is likely a store-bought machine, and if you have the funds, might as well buy a new computer instead.

If you can reply back with a motherboard make/model number, we could provide more detailed feedback as to which CPU you should buy. Motherboards have certain CPU socket compatibility and this is important to know when shopping for a new CPU.

As for the power supply, this will vary depending on what video card is on the computer and what extra peripheral devices you may have attached to the computer (sound cards, joystick, controllers, etc). You might want to look at PSU requirements for the devices you are using on that computer to get a base requirement as a start.

400/550W power supply would probably be the average PSU that is installed on the basic store-built computers at places like Best Buy, Office Depot, Staples, etc. Make note of the size of the tower. If the tower is a slim, make sure the PSU you are looking at is able to fit in the PSU compartment in the tower.

Hope this helps!

The only down side is that the motherboard will still have an extremely limited bios and nobody knows if it even has support for a new cpu. And if it does, for sure you can't overclock it.

[hotcoffe]

You should immediately change girlfriends to one with a better computer.  Hope this helps