Jump to content

Guys, I need your help (EDIT: PROBLEM SOLVED)

GTAsoldier

By GTAsoldier
in Computer + Tech

 Share

Recommended Posts

GTAsoldier Community Regular

GTAsoldier

Posted
Posted (edited)

OK, I'm currently using my father's computer. That's because my laptop died a few months ago. So I came across this computer:

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/HP-Pavilion...roductDetail.do

Now here's the thing. Do you think this computer really, really compatible with some of these PC games (meaning that the game runs smooth, no lags, no missing textures, other incompatibility issues, etc.):

GTA San Andreas

Bioshock

Call Of Duty (any up to 4)

Tomb Raider Legend

World Of Warcraft

Crysis

In general, this computer I'm using now fails at all of these after a System Requirements Lab test. So all I'm asking you is that is the computer I found fully or greatly compatible with these PC games above? (I know it's Windows Vista, but come on). Answer in this formula:

[Game: Yes/No with full/minimum requirements]

Thanks in advance, peace. (Be kind. That way i don't waste $500 for nothing, cause I can't keep my patience. :innocent:)

Edited by GTAsoldier
Link to comment
Share on other sites
chris82 Grand Master

chris82

Posted
Posted

Processor is ok-ish, not the best, but that video should definitely be replaced, by something such as a 4850 or 9600GT. If you buy the computer, assuming it has a pci-express x16 slot on the motherboard (call HP and ask) and you upgrade the video card, you should do okay on those games, although if it were me I would just get a better barebones from Newegg and go from there.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
GTAsoldier Community Regular

GTAsoldier

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Thanks for the comments. It made me think twice about that computer I showed you. I also tried building a PC at buydirectpc.com, but it came up to about $1,700!! (My God, that's NOT in my price range). I've given up searching because I'm stressed out. So the gist is, I'm looking forward to a computer that can have these specs:

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo

CPU Speed: 3.20 GHz (at least)

System RAM: 2 to 4 GB

OS: Windows XP

Video Card: GeForce 9600GT (thanks for the tip, Chris)

Sound speakers: Yeah

(+ CD/DVD burner, CD/DVD drive, a good amount of USB ports, etc. The monitor I can look for, and the printer/scanner I have already)

Any good suggestions? (Please nothing too expensive like that $1700)

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Huckleberry Pie Grand Master

Huckleberry Pie

Posted
Posted
Processor is ok-ish, not the best, but that video should definitely be replaced, by something such as a 4850 or 9600GT. If you buy the computer, assuming it has a pci-express x16 slot on the motherboard (call HP and ask) and you upgrade the video card, you should do okay on those games, although if it were me I would just get a better barebones from Newegg and go from there.

Hmm, it seems as though that some OEM/name-brand home computers omit the AGP/PCI-express slot; we had a Pentium III-powered HP Pavilion once (built circa 2001), and to my surprise, it doesn't have an AGP slot on the board.

If that's the case with the Pavilion you're about to purchase, then maybe you should stick to what chris82 suggested...

Link to comment
Share on other sites
WRX22B1998 Grand Master

WRX22B1998

Posted
Posted

Yeah a big problem with brand name (eg HP, Acer, Compaq, Lenovo) pc's is that, some specs look good, but theres a few (usually video card) that will, once you see it, totally put you off the computer. For example the HP Some specs can be upgraded easily (like video card, ram, hard drive) but the problem there is, at least with video card, the power supply that comes with the PC is pretty much good / will work for the specs it came with. If you had a 7100 (like this has), then you put in a 4850, the computer will for one, now have a massive bottleneck (the cpu), and two, you will probably need a new power supply.

I would be going towards an option like chris82 said, buy a barebone pc from newegg, or just buy all the parts seperately.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
WRX22B1998 Grand Master

WRX22B1998

Posted
Posted (edited)

I was gonna say that, but...

Not everything is optimised for quad core yet. Maybe software that's newer than 2007/8 might be, but yeah. I would've thought quadcore optimisation is like 64bit driver support...

Generally, the only thing quad core is better is in video editing etc from what i've seen, and even then its only a tiny bit (like 0.2 sec) faster than a E8400 (3Ghz core2 duo)

Also "at least 3.2ghz dual core"...um the fastest is E8600 (3.33GHz), the next down is 8500 (3.16GHz) and then 8400 (3Ghz). The prices in the order i listed em, $429, 262, 265. So as you can see it would be sorta stupid to buy a E8600 now (its 429 just for cpu).

AMD on the other hand has a X2 6000+ for $148, considerably cheaper. But it is not as fast as the intel core 2's. They also have the Phenom X4 9550 for just $229

Q6600 is actually $5 more than the E8500, here at least. The whole market crash / economic crisis has stuffed up the exchange rate (used to be AUD = $0.90 US) but now its AUD = 0.66....so that has pushed the prices way up.

Keep in mind all these prices are australian, I dunno what prices you get over there, they might be really different...

Edited by WRX22B1998
Link to comment
Share on other sites
GTAsoldier Community Regular

GTAsoldier

Posted
  • Author
Posted

OK, here's what I just thought about.

Let's say I'm planning to get that circuit city computer I put up here. The only thing is when I order it, I can ask them just to change the processor & video card to Core 2 Duo (or so) & GeForce 9800GT (respectively)? In other words, can I ask the guys at CC to customize my order just a bit (by way of the phone, email, etc.)? If that works, then does it qualify?

Or it's impossible, and cannot be done? What I get is what I get.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
GTAsoldier Community Regular

GTAsoldier

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)

Good deal, but according to what I read someplace, I heard that anything with DDR2 doesn't perform gaming well. Is that true to you guys? You have DDR2 PCs but you play over the top PC games (like the ones I mentioned above)?

EDIT: If you're wondering where I heard that: http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.as...hreadid=2247362

EDIT #2: And does this have to matter with the video card: 4GB PC2 6400 DDR2 SDRAM. or it's unrelated to it, but can it go smooth?

Edited by GTAsoldier
Link to comment
Share on other sites
rockstarrem Grand Master

rockstarrem

Posted
Posted
Good deal, but according to what I read someplace, I heard that anything with DDR2 doesn't perform gaming well. Is that true to you guys? You have DDR2 PCs but you play over the top PC games (like the ones I mentioned above)?

EDIT: If you're wondering where I heard that: http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.as...hreadid=2247362

EDIT #2: And does this have to matter with the video card: 4GB PC2 6400 DDR2 SDRAM. or it's unrelated to it, but can it go smooth?

It says if the video card has DDR2 in it, not the memory.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
WRX22B1998 Grand Master

WRX22B1998

Posted
Posted
You can wait for Black Friday (After Thanksgiving), where you can spot some nice deals on some computers.

If you don't mind, you an get a really good PC that is refurbished/cheap, with warranty of course.

This one is good but not great:

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4 GHz

4gb Ram

Nvidia GeForce 8500 GT

750gb HD

600$

all you need to add to that is a 4850 and your set. :) they are about $200 here, probs 150 in usa...LINK <- aha. $159 for a GB 4850 :)its the 512 one, but that beats 9600, 9800, even 9800GTX+ i think.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Husky Veteran

Husky

Posted
Posted

Fuck No! Have you ever tried using a Vista? Even though those are the worst computers for corporate work. But Costco? Sam's Club has better PC's than that. *It seems that every member here uses a Vista to play GTA Sa instead of a slow ass Dell.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
GTAsoldier Community Regular

GTAsoldier

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)

Thanks for the tip Don, but I have made my decision.

After one and a 1/2 weeks on contemplating, negotiating, & rationalizing, I have chosen what Charger told me about. I haven't ordered it yet, but I am moments away from going to. Do you guys think I've made the right decision? I hope so.

EDIT: I have just placed my order. It should come within 3 to 4 bizness days We can keep this topic open for reception and it shall close within the next 2 weeks.

Edited by GTAsoldier
Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 2 weeks later...
GTAsoldier Community Regular

GTAsoldier

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)

OK here's whats up now (sorry that I double posted):

I had to order a screen with the computer. The shipment is partial so I got the screen on Thanksgiving. Regarding the computer, Buy.com recently encountered an unforeseen delay with it and it's been over a week now and I've not received it yet. I'm trying to be as patient as I can. I'm trying to give them time, but if my computer is not delivered by next Monday (Dec. 8th), I'm canclling my order and declaring my distrust for online retailers, because this sh*t is taking forever. :mellow:

UPDATE (December 5): That's it. I've had it with buy.com. According to a lot of people, buy.com has pisspoor customer service and wack-ass "unforeseen delays" with their products. I happen to be one of the victims of the fraudulence we know as buy.com. I've canceled my order and I'm waiting on my refund credit.

F*ck buy.com. <_<

Edited by GTAsoldier
Link to comment
Share on other sites
TM™ Grand Master

TM™

Posted
Posted

Wow. I never knew that happened. Sorry for whatever happened.

Unfortunately, I wish I could help, but considering I don't know many American Sites which sell good computers, I won't be able to help. But of course I know a few English sites though (Mesh, PC Specialists etc.) but I don't think you'd benefit from them.

I brought my PC from Mesh for about £577. My specs are:

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.40GHz

4GB RAM

500GB HDD

Nvidia GeForce 9500GT 512MB

Dual Layer CD/DVD Drive, dunno much about the it.

I got it at £577 (Includes VAT). Without VAT it would've costed me about £460. Plus if you think about it, the specs are pretty decent too. I think you could possibly find a PC like this at a price like that.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
GTAsoldier Community Regular

GTAsoldier

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)

I ordered a new computer from CyberPower inc. I customized it to fit my needs. Here are the FULL specs:

Mega Special III (NO MONITOR) (I got a good monitor already)

SP3Z, www.cyberpowerpc.com/system/Mega_Special_III/detail

* *BASE_PRICE: [+565]

* CAS: Sigma Gaming Orca Mid-Tower 400W Case [-20]

* CASUPGRADE: NONE

* CS_FAN: Default case fans

* CPU: (Sckt775)Intel® Core™ 2 Duo E7300 CPU @ 2.66GHz 1066FSB 3MB L2 Cache 64-bit [-56]

* CD: Sony 20X Double Layer Dual Format DVD+-R/+-RW + CD-R/RW Drive [+2] (BLACK COLOR)

* CD2: NONE

* CABLE: None

* FLASHMEDIA: INTERNAL 12in1 Flash Media Reader/Writer (BLACK COLOR)

* FREEBIE_CU: FREE! Cyberpower Unleash The Power T-Shirt ($19 Value)

* FAN: XtremeGear Ultra Heatpipe Cool Copper Heatsink CPU Cooling Fan (Extreme Silent at 20dBA & Overclock Proof) [+8]

* FREEBIE_RM: None

* FLOPPY: NONE

* FREEBIE_OS: None

* HDD: Single Hard Drive (500GB SATA-II 3.0Gb/s 16MB Cache 7200RPM HDD)

* HDD2: NONE

* IEEE_CARD: NONE

* KEYBOARD: NONE [-7] (got one already)

* MOUSE: NONE [-5] (got one already)

* MODEM: PCI 56K V.92 FAX MODEM W/ VOICE [+12]

* MONITOR: NONE (got one already)

* MONITOR2: NONE

* MOTHERBOARD: Gigabyte GA-EG31M-S2 Intel G31 Chipset LGA775 FSB1333 DDR2 Mainboard

* MEMORY: 4GB (2x2GB) PC6400 DDR2/800 Dual Channel Memory (Corsair or Major Brand)

* NETWORK: ONBOARD 10/100 NETWORK CARD

* OS: Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition w/ Service Pack 3 [+119]

* PRO_WIRING: None

* PRINTER: None (got one already)

* PRINTER_CABLE: None (got one already)

* POWERSUPPLY: (CyberPower recently called me about the STANDARD CASE POWER SUPPLY I put it. The dude said that it wasn't powerful enough to run a computer like this. He said he'll change it to a more powerful one and it cost me $64. So I agreed and he'll change it now.)

* RUSH: NO; READY TO SHIP IN 5~10 BUSINESS DAYS

* SERVICE: STANDARD WARRANTY: 3-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY PLUS LIFE-TIME TECHNICAL SUPPORT

* SOUND: HIGH DEFINITION ON-BOARD 7.1 AUDIO

* SPEAKERS: NONE [-5] (got them already)

* TEMP: NONE

* TVRC: None

* USB: Built-in USB 2.0 Ports

* USBHD: NONE

* VIDEO: NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GT 512MB 16X PCI Express [+50] (Major Brand Powered by NVIDIA)

* VIDEO2: NONE

* VIDEO3: NONE

* VIDEOCAMERA: NONE

* WNC: NONE

* _PRICE: (+663)

* _view_: detail

It should ship approximately on Dec. 18. Is should be great enough. What do you guys think? :)

Edited by GTAsoldier
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing
×
×
  • Create New...