Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => Hardware and Software => Topic started by: jetb123 on April 26, 2005, 07:13:33 PM
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Eh I have been looking around, and not sure where to go. Okay ive got around $300 to fix up my computer to play Ah2, I dont want superb graphics, just maybe something that will play smooth. Here are my specs now:
- dell dimension 2400
- intel celeron 2.4 ghz
- 128mb of ram
- intergrated graphics card
- only pci slots on mobo
I know that im going to be buying atleast $100, worth of ram, and a good pci
G force 5200 would do me good to, that leaves me with $100 left, what should I do with that? And are my choices for upgrades good?
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Now I'm no expert by a long shot - but I really wouldn't chuck any money at that machine whatsoever!
Keep the AH savings account going, I'm sure the guys will post some links for decent, cheap machines. You might be looking at doubling your bankroll though.
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Thats the problem. I'm not going to have to much money. Also my friends comp is a intel celeron 2.8 512mb 64mb intergrated card, and ah2 runs fine on it.
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Jet dont wast your $300
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O.o not getting very detailed replys, what can I do then. some people tell me that they have lowered the requierments, but it still seems it takes a beast to run this game.
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Im in the h2h arena right now on my friends comp getting frames from 30-75
his specs: intel celeron 2.8ghz
intergrated 64mb graphics card
Ram: 700+ dont know exact
Surely my
Intel celeron 2.4
pci 128mb nivda g force 5200
Ram: 700+
should be able to run it. Dont you think?
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Okay ive made some adjustments.
im going to buy a 512stick of ram
pci nivda 5200 128mb graphics card
and a 520watt PS.
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Jetb, I'm running an emachine.
Intel celeron 2.6Ghz processor
768MB ram
Geforce FX 5200 128MB (PCI )
Am getting decent Frame rates. The only time I see low 20's is when I am in a low furball surrounded by smoke and flame.
Not sure why you are buying a 520 watt PS. I never upgraded mine and it seems to work fine so far. However, others here can advise you better about a pwr supply(just saying).
If it turns out that you don't need to get a bigger PS, think about getting more ram.
RTR
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2 reasons why to not buy another power supply.
First, you probably don't need it.
Second, Dell sometimes uses custom wired power supplies so if you drop in a standard one, you could destroy your computer.
I think you're held back on cpu, memory, and vid card. Get the cheapest 512 meg stick you can possibly find for that computer, and see if you can also get away from that celeron cpu.
If you approach $500 though, consider this:
http://www.hardocp.com/article.html?art=NzU4LDU=
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Originally posted by eagl
2 reasons why to not buy another power supply.
First, you probably don't need it.
Second, Dell sometimes uses custom wired power supplies so if you drop in a standard one, you could destroy your computer.
http://www.hardocp.com/article.html?art=NzU4LDU=
Actually it wont destroy your computer. All it needs is a harness the matches the dell plug. The alternate power supplies to fit dell are customized here http://www.pcpowerandcooling.com/products/power_supplies/selector/dell.htm
You can do it yourself cheaper if you so desire.
The power supply recommended is
Turbo-Cool 425 Deluxe $149.00
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Applause for pc power and cooling for making a dell replacement, but those are very expensive premium parts, not something for someone trying to upgrade a dell on a budget.
A wiring harness adaptor would be cool. Again though, I'm not sure he needs a replacement power supply. Nothing he's proposed would need more than probably 200-250 watts total.
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Originally posted by RTR
Jetb, I'm running an emachine.
Intel celeron 2.6Ghz processor
768MB ram
Geforce FX 5200 128MB (PCI )
Am getting decent Frame rates. The only time I see low 20's is when I am in a low furball surrounded by smoke and flame.
Not sure why you are buying a 520 watt PS. I never upgraded mine and it seems to work fine so far. However, others here can advise you better about a pwr supply(just saying).
If it turns out that you don't need to get a bigger PS, think about getting more ram.
RTR
Ahh some dude in the h2h arena said my going to fry my comp with a 250 watt. So He said get a 520. Know that I dont need it, I will probally by a good joystick or something in that area. Thanks for the help guys!
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Personally I'd look for a good sempron combo
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1178260&CatId=0
~$90
1 gig PC3200 memory
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1352324&Sku=TC3A-1000
~$50
GeForce 6600
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1240195&CatId=0
~170
Thats $310 + shipping...you also need a fan for CPU I think so about $325 total.
or do a 9600XT for $110 if you have a "hard cap"
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=699286&CatId=0
Options are there to get you a nice bandaid....
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Okay for now guys all I can afford is to stick with this grimy celeron :(, but! Maybe at a later time of the year I can slowly upgrade my computer. I just want something that will run ah2, nothing more. This summer im going to get a job, and that should bring in alot of revnue. Then hopefully I can upgrade to a pentium.
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http://graphics.tomshardware.com/graphic/20041004/vga_charts-04.html
Toms recent benchmarks....5200 is near bottom...so not good
350W PS
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1227666&CatId=1077
400W PS
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1272460&CatId=1078
with new MB no issues with "dell' PS harness...
you can do whole thing for ~$300
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or
bare bones systems
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1359517&Sku=A458-2010%20E
~$300
This is sweet deal for $150
You could get 1 gig above and decent VC and be good to go....
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1359517&Sku=A458-2010%20E
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one last one...
~$255 with HD and VC (5200...yuk but what the heck:).
Basically is turn key...just load your OS and go. Only has 256 of PC3200 but still not bad route to go....alot of other combos. I used to buy alot of stuff from tiger and never had a problem. I didnt see any combos at newegg but they may have them as well.
For $300 you can make a pretty quantum leap from what you've got as long as you have a OS to port over.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1282816&Sku=A458-2104%20F
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Hmm nice, I would go this way, but that deal ends the 30th of april. I wont have my money till the 6th of may. Maybe there will be another like that around that time?
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there will always be specials...never ever rush a computer decision unless your looking for closeout specials like the intel chipset skuzzy likes (prescott?)...as a general rule prices go down and next months specials are as good or better.
The real key is deciding what you need to do to accomplish your goal. Bookmark tigerdirect and also do a search looking for other similiar sites and when your ready look for the best deal. Sometimes Fry's electronics has killer deals as well.