a350n: Upgrade, Or NEED New Comp?

[remedy]

I am looking to have a better gaming experience. Here are the specs on my PC: HP Pavilion a350n Specs - DealTime
But instead of having 512mb of RAM I purchased an extra 512mb to set it to 1GB. My processor isn't too bad (I think...) but my graphics (sometimes I throw up when I think about it) is terrible. I think if I just get a new graphics card I'll be good. I am looking to spend around $300 if i can upgrade, but for a new comp then I'll spend around $800.

 

[zedman3d]

You need a new pc, your running a Pentium 4 with DDR Ram and only an AGP slot for graphics. No good. Good Luck though.

I made you a rig:

Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 Conroe 2.66GHz ------ 190
Cooler Master HyperTX 2 -------------------- 25
Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L ----------------------- 88
CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) ----------------- 70
EVGA 9600GT 512mb -------------------------- 149
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 250GB ------------ 53
Antec NSK4480B ----------------------------- 66
CORSAIR CMPSU-520HX ------------------------ 125
Phillips SPD2513BM/17 ---------------------- 25

That will run you under $800 depending on where you get your stuff. Newegg is best.

 

[NightSurge]

Yes, you really need a new computer. You wouldn't be able to upgrade hardly at all with that old a machine, not to mention you would end up spending a lot more since the parts are older and harder to find. Go with a build such as the one Zedman reccommended. Also, you can look into buying a new computer from Dell, because they tend to have pretty good value for their new machines. Most likely you can find a decent machine for 500-600 and then just upgrade the video card if even needed.

 

[remedy]

Thank you, with a new monitor though it's going to be almost $1000 ... I don't have that kind of money to spend. I think I'll have to downgrade some of those parts lol...

 

[NightSurge]

If you need a good setup with a monitor, it will be about $900 to build your own with Newegg parts.

 

[remedy]

I need to be able to play COD4 on medium settings preferably, and basically need it to be able to last at leat 3-4 yrs..

 

[Dakaggo]

I need to be able to play COD4 on medium settings preferably, and basically need it to be able to last at leat 3-4 yrs..

Sorry but that kind of contradicts itself. In 4 years something that can at max run COD4 at medium settings will be ancient. Now if you want a computer that will be fine in 4 years with the exception of the graphics card that can probably be done.

 

[remedy]

I dont necesarily mean only COD, i just want it to be able to play some of the newer games for a couple yrs to come ya know?

 

[Drizzt]

You need a new pc, your running a Pentium 4 with DDR Ram and only an AGP slot for graphics. No good. Good Luck though.

I made you a rig:

Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 Conroe 2.66GHz ------ 190
Cooler Master HyperTX 2 -------------------- 25
Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L ----------------------- 88
CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) ----------------- 70
EVGA 9600GT 512mb -------------------------- 149
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 250GB ------------ 53
Antec NSK4480B ----------------------------- 66
CORSAIR CMPSU-520HX ------------------------ 125
Phillips SPD2513BM/17 ---------------------- 25

That will run you under $800 depending on where you get your stuff. Newegg is best.

Possibly change that proc to this
Newegg.com - Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - CPUs / Processors
Change that gpu to this
Newegg.com - ZOGIS ZO96GT-E GeForce 9600GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics
To get a few bucks off of the cost.

 

[Puddle Jumper]

If you can, go with what Drizzt5 suggested but if you need to get the cost lower you could get this processor and then overclock it.

Newegg.com - Intel Pentium E2180 Allendale 2.0GHz 1MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - CPUs / Processors