PC Upgrading Discussion

[nab2488]

this processor will run cool and is still capable of handling it
if you are worried about overall hotness, maybe it is good to point out what kind of case are you going to use or planning to buy a new one...

I was looking at this case

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16811156165

but now after talking to you guys I am leaning towards this case

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16811121004

I just wonder if a mini case is a good idea? I have very limited space but seeing as I am a little worried about heat wouldn't a larger case with more fans be better.

 

[Christopher Aponte]

nah avoid mini case for 2 reason
1 the motherboard you want to put in is a ATX motherboard
the second link to the case is a mATX case...
so in all it won't fit
2 for it you get more heat in the case concetrated (unless it has a great airflow)

the first link looks a nice pc...but it seems to have 3 80mm fans that i.m.o. will generate to much noise....go with a case that can handle 120mm or bigger case fans....those generates less noise

looking at you price range why don't go for a cooler master...they have some now that are pretty good
like this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119115

or an Antec case like this one
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042

those I know are right now good cases with a good airflow

 

[Lee Madden]

* AMD Phenom II X4 955 3.2 Black Edition
* 4GB DDR3 OCZ
* ASUS M4A79-T Deluxe Board
* ASUS 2GB Radeon HD 4870X2 TRI
* SAMSUNG 1TB HDD
* SAMSUNG Sata DVD drive x 2
* 700W True Hi end PSU
* 64 bit Vista
* Coolmaster Case

:jaw: LOST FOR WORDS.

 

[Danny Clarke]

Hi everyone.

The system i'm currently using is about 12 years old, with 256mb of ram. Which of course means i can't play hardly any games on it.

However, soon my parents are going to buy me a laptop for college, and i was wondering whether it would be able to run rFactor.

Here are the specs.

Dell Studio 15 Laptop
Intel® Pentium® Dual-Core Processor T4200 (2.0GHz, 800MHz, 1MB cache)
4GB of ram.
512MB ATI Mobility RADEON HD 4570
320gb hard drive

I've seen the system requirements on the rFactor website, and it seems to match them. It even beats the "runs best with" specifications too.

So would i be able to play rFactor on it?

Any help will be gratefully recieved.
Many Thanks, Danny.

 

[Christopher Aponte]

Hi Danny
3 words

yes and no
yes it will run, a bit minimum to medium most likely
no to full graphics setting
if I was you I think I would go for a bit faster processor
a T6xxx series or higher or something same performance of AMD

 

[Damian Henderson]

The cpu is not to bad really, the HD4570 will let you down more, the minimum you want really is a Nvidia 8600M.

 

[Danny Clarke]

Ok, thanks for your help.

 

[nab2488]

My new computer is on its way! I am wanting to get on it and start driving soon. Thanks for all the help in choosing parts. Here is what I finally got.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...&cm_mmc=TEMC-RMA-Approvel-_-Content-_-text-_-

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...&cm_mmc=TEMC-RMA-Approvel-_-Content-_-text-_-

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...&cm_mmc=TEMC-RMA-Approvel-_-Content-_-text-_-

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...&cm_mmc=TEMC-RMA-Approvel-_-Content-_-text-_-

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...&cm_mmc=TEMC-RMA-Approvel-_-Content-_-text-_-

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...&cm_mmc=TEMC-RMA-Approvel-_-Content-_-text-_-

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...&cm_mmc=TEMC-RMA-Approvel-_-Content-_-text-_-

 

[Damian Henderson]

It all looks fine, will be good.

 

[Will Marquez]

A few months ago got a new pc and now looking to do a few upgrades but not sure where to start. Here are the specs:

Manufacturer: MICRO-STAR INTERNATIONAL CO.,LTD
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU E7300 @ 2.66GHz (2 CPUs)
Memory: 3072MB RAM
Hard Drive: 250 GB
Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GT
Monitor: Acer 20" LCD
Sound Card: Realtek HD Audio output
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.090206-1234)
Motherboard: Microstar G31M3-F mATX
Computer Case: Ultra X-Blaster ATX

Mostly used for GTR-Evolution. Any recommendations?

 

[Damian Henderson]

The only upgrade you need for your system currently is a new Video Card, if your after more gaming performance.

Depending on your budget any of the following will be a good upgrade, obviously the more you spend the more performance you will get.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133270

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161276

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125279

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130427

 

[Will Marquez]

Damian,
Thanks for the reply back to my upgrade question. Will look into getting a new video card soon. Would that also explain freezing while playing games such as Mass Effect and Crysis Warhead due to overheating?

 

[Damian Henderson]

Have you checked your FPS (Frames Per Second) while playing the games?

Could be freezing cause of low FPS or possible hardware / software problem.

 

[Will Marquez]

Yeah, FPS for Crysis Warhead ranges from 30-35fps. Mass Effect slightly higher at around 45-60fps. With Mass Effect after about maybe an hour or so of gameplay screen turns black but can still hear sound effects. From there have to reboot system. With GTR Evolution, I'm at a constant 60fps with mostly high settings and a full field.

Would the upgraded video card like you suggested, solve the problem?

 

[Damian Henderson]

Can't say for certain but it could be a Video Card or Power Supply problem.

Do you know what Power Supply is in your system?

 

[Will Marquez]

Just checked it now, power supply is 500 watts.

 

[Damian Henderson]

Can you get who it's made by , name / model etc?

 

[Will Marquez]

It's a Raptor R500.

 

[Damian Henderson]

That could be your problem if theres a fault with it as it's not a trusted brand PSU.

Did you buy the system pre-built or build it your self? And how good are you at taking out components / putting them back in?

Am asking because it would be good to test the PSU out to see if it's faulty or not.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16899705002

 

[Will Marquez]

Yes bought the system pre-built here's the link to it.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicat...-details.asp?EdpNo=4138011&Sku=SYXS-DG-038800

And yes pretty good at taking out components and putting back together.

So steps to take would be to test out the PSU first, then look into the new video card?