Upgrade to a gaming PC?

[zoozilla]

I know my comp isn't the greatest gaming PC in the world, and I really don't want to spend that much money, so what would make this rig acceptable for gaming without spending a ton of money? Note: I won't be upgrading to Vista anytime soon, so DX 10 doesn't exist for me.

-Intel Pentium 4 CPU 3.20Ghz with HT
-Radeon X800 GT 128 MB
-Creative Audigy Audio Processor
-2x 512 DIMM memory
-2x 250 GB hard drives

P.S. taken from 3DMark 06
P.P.S. my monitor's native resolution is 1280 x 1024

 

[Kromis]

How much is "a lot of money?"

 

[Stumps]

what motherboard and PSU do you have?

 

[zoozilla]

Originally posted by: Kromis
How much is "a lot of money?"

A lot of money (to me, at least) would be over 1,000 bucks.

Originally posted by: Stumps
what motherboard and PSU do you have?

Here's all the info on the motherboard:
Supported Slot Types: ISA, PCI, PCI Express
Manufacturer: Dell Inc.
Model: 0J3492
BIOS Vendor: Dell Inc.
BIOS Version: DELL - 7
BIOS Release Date: 10/01/05
BIOS Properties: Plug and Play, Flash

(Dude, I got Dell!)

and sorry, i haven't opened up my computer recently, and that's the only way to find info on your PSU, right?

 

[Stumps]

Originally posted by: zoozilla

Originally posted by: Kromis
How much is "a lot of money?"

A lot of money (to me, at least) would be over 1,000 bucks.

Originally posted by: Stumps
what motherboard and PSU do you have?

Here's all the info on the motherboard:
Supported Slot Types: ISA, PCI, PCI Express
Manufacturer: Dell Inc.
Model: 0J3492
BIOS Vendor: Dell Inc.
BIOS Version: DELL - 7
BIOS Release Date: 10/01/05
BIOS Properties: Plug and Play, Flash

(Dude, I got Dell!)

and sorry, i haven't opened up my computer recently, and that's the only way to find info on your PSU, right?

Oh....I'm so sorry

 

[DaddyRabbit]

Originally posted by: zoozilla

Originally posted by: Kromis
How much is "a lot of money?"

A lot of money (to me, at least) would be over 1,000 bucks.

Originally posted by: Stumps
what motherboard and PSU do you have?

Here's all the info on the motherboard:
Supported Slot Types: ISA, PCI, PCI Express
Manufacturer: Dell Inc.
Model: 0J3492
BIOS Vendor: Dell Inc.
BIOS Version: DELL - 7
BIOS Release Date: 10/01/05
BIOS Properties: Plug and Play, Flash

(Dude, I got Dell!)

and sorry, i haven't opened up my computer recently, and that's the only way to find info on your PSU, right?

Ok time to relegate the Dell to a second machine status or sell it I am going to assume that you aren't an overclocker and that you are used to a quiet system...

This list is a "mix n match" so you can shop around to save a few bucks. The ones I would stick with are the;

Intel BX2 - stable as a rock and an easy build, and for less than $180 you can add a second X1950pro later for Crossfire (schweetness!)

Core 2 Duo 6600 - If you can afford it it is the best "entry level" for the non-overclocker

DO NOT skimp on the PSU as you will be sorry later. The Antec is good but I'm glad I spent the extra on my Corsair...

Video - http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16814161060

PSU - http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16817371001

CPU 1 - http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16819115004

CPU 2 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819115003

RAM - http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820145590

HDD - http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16822148140

Mobo - http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications...details.asp?EdpNo=2563503&Sku=I69-2145

Case 1 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811119068

Case 2 - (love it) - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811129017

If you mix it up you can get a kickin system that will last you a few years for just under (or slightly over) $1000

 

[zoozilla]

Thanks, they all look like good deals! Don't know if I want to spend $130 on a case, but the other one seems okay. Just about $1000, too. Thanks. I've got some questions, though: Do different hard drives offer better performance? I have 2 ATA 250 GB hard drives. Is ATA different from SATA? Will I still be able to use my hard drives at all?

 

[Nightmare225]

If the motherboard supports it, you will be able to use them. They should run at the same speed they did before, which is plenty for a mid-end gaming rig.