Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => Hardware and Software => Topic started by: Postman on December 09, 2011, 07:47:59 PM
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OK, I have a basic Dell Dimension 1100 Desktop with XP under a fresh reboot(only have AH and Sim City 4 installed). I'm looking at upgrading it so I get better Frame Rates(right now between 3-20 depending on area of battle). In game my "display info" says i have visual memory of 64.xx MB and am using anywhere between 30-55 of it depending on if I'm near the battle or some wheres else. I have another computer that I believe the video cards are good in(HD or MB died) and was wondering if I could just plug those in an use them or is there something else I need to do? I'm computer savvy but when it comes to hardware and what not I'm not so good.
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Wow Looking at the tech spec's of your system I am surprised you can get on AH
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim1100/en/SM/specs.htm#wp1076752
Best thing to do is post a dxdiag here and we can help you out as to what you may need.
LawnDart
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Would you need the whole thing or just parts of it Ebfd11? Oh and its dimension 2400 not 1100, sorry
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The first third of the Dxdiag, up to and including the <Sound devices> is best
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Looking at the specs http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim2400/en/sm_en/specs.htm I'd say it's a pretty weak machine with not a lot of room to upgrade.
What settings are you using in the game, texture size, eye candy and so on.
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Yeah, its a pretty weak machine, but you have to start some wheres right? Right now the basic minimum, When I'm in a large battle I lag pretty bag just from the graphics aspect. I have a friend who has a NVidia card he might let me have since he owes me some money. But anyways here's the DXdiag
System Information
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Time of this report: 12/9/2011, 22:55:30
Machine name: G-D79FFD267A7C4
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.101209-1647)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Dell Computer Corporation
System Model: Dimension 2400
BIOS: Phoenix ROM BIOS PLUS Version 1.10 A05
Processor: Intel(R) Celeron(R) CPU 2.40GHz
Memory: 510MB RAM
Page File: 253MB used, 995MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.5512 32bit Unicode
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DxDiag Notes
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DirectX Files Tab: No problems found.
Display Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
Music Tab: No problems found.
Input Tab: No problems found.
Network Tab: No problems found.
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DirectX Debug Levels
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Direct3D: 0/4 (n/a)
DirectDraw: 0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectPlay: 0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow: 0/6 (retail)
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Display Devices
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Card name: Intel(R) 82845G/GL/GE/PE/GV Graphics Controller
Manufacturer: Intel Corporation
Chip type: Intel(R) 82845G Graphics Controller
DAC type: Internal
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2562&SUBSYS_01601028&REV_01
Display Memory: 64.0 MB
Current Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
Driver Name: ialmrnt5.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.4342 (English)
DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 10/19/2005 08:59:12, 38016 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
VDD: n/a
Mini VDD: ialmnt5.sys
Mini VDD Date: 10/19/2005 08:59:12, 807998 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B78E66-6622-11CF-6E63-6A21A0C2CB35}
Vendor ID: 0x8086
Device ID: 0x2562
SubSys ID: 0x01601028
Revision ID: 0x0001
Revision ID: 0x0001
Video Accel:
Deinterlace Caps: n/a
Registry: OK
DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Not Available
DDraw Test Result: Not run
D3D7 Test Result: Not run
D3D8 Test Result: Not run
D3D9 Test Result: Not run
-------------
Sound Devices
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Description: SoundMAX Digital Audio
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_24C5&SUBSYS_01601028&REV_01
Manufacturer ID: 65535
Product ID: 65535
Type: WDM
Driver Name: smwdm.sys
Driver Version: 5.12.0001.7000 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
Date and Size: 3/22/2005 11:08:40, 260224 bytes
Other Files:
Driver Provider: Analog Devices
HW Accel Level: Full
Cap Flags: 0xF5F
Min/Max Sample Rate: 100, 192000
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 33, 32
Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 33, 32
HW Memory: 0
Voice Management: Yes
EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: Yes, Yes
I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: Yes, Yes
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): Yes
Registry: OK
Sound Test Result: Not run
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Ya, it is weak. The problem is you have to bump up almost everything to get the help you need, and if you go maxed out on everything on your computer it STILL would be a weak computer.
Your power supply is 200-250 watts. average today is 450-500, new ones are in the 700 watt range.
You have 510 MB of ram, the max your computer can take is 2 gig, the average in most is 4 gig these days.
You have onboard Intel video, I can't find anything to say which type of interface your Dell has but my guess would be an AGP if any. That old tech and most video cards are PCI express today.
The money you would throw at that computer to make it "marginal" would be more than half the money you need to get a "good" computer strait up. With Xmas around the corner their will be plenty of good deals around....if you have the money. If not, the best you could do would be to drop everything down to minimum in the game and make sure you have nothing else running on your computer. With XP you should be able to get the "processes" running down into the teens (cntrl,alt,delete, click on processes tab check number in lower left corner of window. Smaller is better)
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There's two bad bottlenecks in your computer: Only 510Mb of RAM and the Intel integrated video card. RAM can be added up to 2 gigs, but the video card isn't intended for gaming at all. The specs on Dell documentation only say it has 3 PCI expansion slots, not mentioning any PCI express or even AGP slots. In that case finding any video card would be very difficult. If you look inside the machine, is there a line of solder spots to show the place where a graphic card slot should be? If so, then any money invested for your computer gaming wise would be a waste.
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Postman,
you wont be able to upgrade that computer. That was weak, even back in 2005.
Also the platform (socket 478) is way outdated.
-DDR1 ram became very rare since it isnt in production for like 5 years.
-Pentium4 CPUs are dirt cheap, but no newer cpu can fit in your motherboard.
-AGP video cards arent in production for 5 years.
-also you need a decent PSU badly
The best you can do is to buy a new one. From 700-750 you can get a very decent, upgradable machine.
<S>
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Just began to wonder, what specs the other, broken computer has. If they are about the same age, you might be able to give the Dell some extra RAM, making it at least a better typewriter. Or, if the other one were more capable for running AH, fixing it would help you even more.
But if you are willing to spend several hundreds, Debrody's suggestion is the best.
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Yeah, its a pretty weak machine, but you have to start some wheres right?
That's the spirit. Now start by dumping that computer to your wife / kid / dumpster and get a new one. :rock For a few hundred bucks you'll get a box that will wipe the floor with that Dell. As others mentioned already, your computer has no upgrade path - it's a lost cause.
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Any money you put into that system will be a waste. Might as well be flushing money down the toilet.
Instead start saving for a new system. You can save a lot of money building one yourself. If you can use a screwdriver you can build a computer. The hardest part is selecting the components and we can definitely help you with that.
You can also save a little money by reusing some parts from your current computer. The CDROM/DVD drive and hard drive can be reused if need be and that can save you $80 or so. You can also reuse your peripherals - keyboard/mouse/monitor/etc.
Give us a budget and we'll help you out with getting the most bang for your buck!
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Ok thanks guys, I'll take suggestions. I have Best Buy near by that usually keeps a pretty good stock pile of computers, and also have a Wally World close as well that I could "Site to Store". My budget will be pretty much anything $500-1K
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Ok thanks guys, I'll take suggestions. I have Best Buy near by that usually keeps a pretty good stock pile of computers, and also have a Wally World close as well that I could "Site to Store". My budget will be pretty much anything $500-1K
For around 800 bucks you should be able to home build a decent AH computer. So you should be good.
Basically you need to slap an el-cheapo AMD motherboard, some el-cheapo (but rated to work on the motherboard, check compatability chart from mobo homepage) ram, mainstream level AMD CPU and a graphics card starting from 100 bucks upwards, check pointers from http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/fastest-graphics-card-radeon-geforce,3085-3.html and a 500-600W power supply. Reuse hard drive, keyboard, monitor etc. from the old computer unless someone wants to continue using it.
In fact you might be able to push it even below 800 if you play only AH2 mainly. Whatever you do, do _not_ plunge to any ready made brand boxes you will find at the stores. If you're afraid of building yourself, ask a friend that has experience (I hope you have someone).
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Instead of buying a pre-built computer might I suggest this one it is in your budget and fully upgradeable. Plus you will have fun knowing you built it yourself.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.770953&cm_sp=DIY_PC_Combos-_-770953-_-Combo
Then you can recycle you mouse keyboard and monitor to this and save a little. If you have any problems someone can help you out here.
LawnDart
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Please do not buy pre-built, brand computer. Others explained, why.
Now 500$, or 1k? For 500 you can get a very basic one, for 1k an almost maxed out monster.
Also would be nice to know what you would like to do with your new computer. Only surfing the web, working or playing (which games)?
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Ok Debrody will take your advice, Ebfd, I think I'll go with you suggestion. Oh and mainly a gaming computer, I have a laptop that I run my older games and surf the web with. Just gotta check the funds and if its cool with the misses
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postman there's lots of choices but i suggest you go with intel 2500k is still a pretty good buy and you will get a top within your budget.
semp
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If you wan to go with 2500k her is a good setup....
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.770956
That is a good setup too..
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I just want something I could use so the game dont have lag and low framerates. Eye candy for me would be a big plus, and would like to use the good texture files. Anyways thanks for the help. Oh and do these have an OS pre-installed?
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That setup will run AH maxed out for a couple years and has nearly the best price-performance ratio.
Possibly dont have the OS installed. You can buy the Win7 for another like 100 bucks or get a Win8 beta for free.
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Reuse hard drive, keyboard, monitor etc. from the old computer unless someone wants to continue using it.
I'd recommend not to reuse the hard drive. It's already old, highly possibly uses an IDE ribbon cable instead of SATA, runs at 5400 rpm instead of 7200 and statistically the countdown starts after three years. The prices of hard disks are high at the moment due to the floods in Thailand (http://www.channelregister.co.uk/2011/10/27/wd_flooded_factory/). For just AH needs a small capacity one might be a good choice at the moment. When the production normalizes adding another disk is easy.
In fact you might be able to push it even below 800 if you play only AH2 mainly. Whatever you do, do _not_ plunge to any ready made brand boxes you will find at the stores. If you're afraid of building yourself, ask a friend that has experience.
Absolutely so. Building a computer is not rocket science. If a part or cable fits to a slot, it most likely is going to work. The only exception is not to mix up USB and Firewire cables.
For your first build I'd recommend you to visit your local computer building shop rather than trying to find the parts in web stores. The prices may be a little higher there, but you'd get good advice for free, plus for possible defective components the service might be faster. For AH use you'd need a two core processor from the faster end (Intels work a little better with AH) and a decent video card, the rest is to choose fitting parts around those.
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Bizman, If i go the build route I can pretty much do it myself and I wont reuse anything. I think there is only one computer place around here and the guy is a "Richard" to deal with. Also if I run into trouble I have a friend that went to school for I.T. stuff so he'd be able to help me out.
Debrody, I have a Win XP disk(how I rebooted this computer) that I can use so I wont need to get another OS. However I don't see the Win8 beta on the links you provided, and I have dealt with Newegg in the past with some other controllers.
Everyone, Thanks for the help.
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Beware, a 32 bit OS only can handle 4 gigabytes of ram (video ram included). Make sure the Windows youre installing is a 64bit edition.
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Crap, I think its only a 32bit OS, oh well thanks for the help guys.
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Here is another nice DIY kit for building your own computer at Newegg called the "Core i7-2600K/Z68/8GB/60GB SSD Gaming SuperCombo"
it is a lil cheaper than the i5-2500k kit mentioned above, but doesn't have a videocard with it.....
this one is: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.787574 Combo cost = $ 636.99 ( then has an additional $75.00 worth of mail in rebates )
mid-tower gaming case ( this case has plenty of fans and does a good airflow/cooling job )
650 watt PSU
MSI z68 LGA 1155 intel MB
i7-2600K
8 gigs ( 2 x 4GB ) Corsair vengance Ram 1600 MHz
OCZ Vertex 3 60GB SATA III SSD
just need a Videocard ( around $124.00 to $200.00) depending on what you want or can afford,
the OS ( operating System ) going anywhere from $89 to $140 depending n what you want , I recommend Windows 7 Pro SP164 bit,
and a DVD Burner cost around $18.99 to $21.99
Good Luck on your new adventure into "DIY building gaming PC's" :D
TC
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Postman,
you wont be able to upgrade that computer. That was weak, even back in 2005.
Also the platform (socket 478) is way outdated.
-DDR1 ram became very rare since it isnt in production for like 5 years.
-Pentium4 CPUs are dirt cheap, but no newer cpu can fit in your motherboard.
-AGP video cards arent in production for 5 years.
-also you need a decent PSU badly
The best you can do is to buy a new one. From 700-750 you can get a very decent, upgradable machine.
<S>
Agreed with Debrody. FWIW, I had a similar rig up until recently. I did everything to max out what I had. I had a 3.4 ghz unlocked P4 on an Asus P4C800E mobo with 4GB of Mushkin PC500 ram and a 1GB AGP video card that didn't exist when the board, CPU and memory were considered the best available. That might ahve been in '05 or '06. I had everything overclocked as fast as it would go and even AH would leave it coughing and wheezing. I'd have to say don't waste any money trying to pep up an old P4 rig. I tried via EBay with a lot of the stuff. In the end it just didn't work out. Better off building your own totally new rig. TC has put you onto a good starter rig here. Build on that. Pick a quality video card as it seems to me that AH is really wanting more horsepower from that than from the CPU. And be sure and get a quality power supply that's adequate for everything you have and then some.
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Thanks for the help guys just looking at what options i have
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You mentioned you have an XP installation disk (and hopefully the license, too) at hands. Although it's true it's only 32 bit which limits RAM to 4 gigs, using it for awhile wouldn't be that bad after all: XP is the most lightweight OS which is still getting updates and is supported also by device manufacturers. And so it will be at least until April 2014. 64 bit OS can use more RAM, but that's what it also does. Look at these Windows7 system requirements by Microsoft (http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/products/system-requirements): the 64 needs at least one gig more than the 32 bit one.
If you're planning to play games which use DirectX 10 or 11, then getting a new OS is recommended. Same goes for games and other applications of very heavy RAM usage.