Computer Related Questions

[MarcFirewing]

Just looking for advice in this post, nothing more. Kindly quote this post so I can be notified that there's a response. The aim for this computer is gaming things such as Diablo II and WoW, nothing hardcore like Assassin's Creed Revelations or Mass Effect 3 and such.

I'm looking into purchasing and then upping the performance on this computer (As it's all I have the budget for in the near future):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883114098

For those who don't want to or are unable to reach the site, it's an eMachines computer package. The Tower has the specs as followed:

Intel Celeron E3400 2.60GHz 64-bit Dual Core Processor
Integrated Video: Intel GMA X4500HD
Two Memory Slots with 2 GB Memory included (Expandable to 4GB according to the site)
320 GB Hard Disk SATA Interface 7200 RPM
3 (1 occupied, 2 available) 3.5 HDD Bays
3 (1 occupied, 2 available) PCI Express x1 Slots
1 (available) PCI Express x16 Slots

My computer knowledge is limited but this is what I want to do to the computer.

1. Replace the Hard Disk with two or three 1 TB Hard Disks.
2. Add in a GeForce GTX 550TI to 'replace' the Integrated graphics card in the PCI Express x16
3. Replace the two 1GB memory for two 2GB memory

I have a few questions regarding this:

What games would this machine be capable of playing if I made the modifications?

If I, instead of two 2GB memory, installed a 4GB memory into the two slots, would it even recognize that there's a total of 8GB memory or just clock it down to 4GB, or do nothing at all?

Also if you have any recommended changes, feel free to tell me. Please, no warring over what graphics card is better here, I'd like an intellectual discussion about this.

 

[cookyy2k]

Just looking for advice in this post, nothing more. Kindly quote this post so I can be notified that there's a response.

I'm looking into purchasing and then upping the performance on this computer (As it's all I have the budget for in the near future):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883114098

For those who don't want to or are unable to reach the site, it's an eMachines computer package. The Tower has the specs as followed:

Intel Celeron E3400 2.60GHz 64-bit Dual Core Processor
Integrated Video: Intel GMA X4500HD
Two Memory Slots with 2 GB Memory included (Expandable to 4GB according to the site)
320 GB Hard Disk SATA Interface 7200 RPM
3 (1 occupied, 2 available) 3.5 HDD Bays
3 (1 occupied, 2 available) PCI Express x1 Slots
1 (available) PCI Express x16 Slots

My computer knowledge is limited but this is what I want to do to the computer.

1. Replace the Hard Disk with two or three 1 TB Hard Disks.
2. Add in a GeForce GTX 550TI to 'replace' the Integrated graphics card in the PCI Express x16
3. Replace the two 1GB memory for two 2GB memory

I have a few questions regarding this:

What games would this machine be capable of playing if I made the modifications?

If I, instead of two 2GB memory, installed a 4GB memory into the two slots, would it even recognize that there's a total of 8GB memory or just clock it down to 4GB, or do nothing at all?

Also if you have any recommended changes, feel free to tell me. Please, no warring over what graphics card is better here, I'd like an intellectual discussion about this.

Far too little RAm here, Expandible to 4Gb means just that, you can expand to 4 no more. This means not a very good motherboard. Also in my experience emachines are to be avoided.

Also looking at the case size you may struggle to fit any good graphics card in there as they're rather large.

Also a 220w power supply ill not be good enough for any major upgrades so that'll need changing.

 

[William Fleming]

Probably want to try and get a computer with a quad core processor, they are in some of the newer games recommended specs. (eg Shogun 2)

 

[MarcFirewing]

Far too little RAm here, Expandible to 4Gb means just that, you can expand to 4 no more. This means not a very good motherboard. Also in my experience emachines are to be avoided.

It's not going to be primarily used for hardcore gaming the latest games, mainly something like Diablo II or WoW, or something along those lines. I'm just simply looking for something to get by. Should have included that in my first post. -.goes to edit.-

 

[Worgen]

well if the motherboard cant read over 4gigs then putting more then that in it is pointless and it looks like that motherboard cant handle more then 4 gigs of ram

really I would avoid that machine, but Im a builder so I do my own, I would suggest you do a search for any computer shops near your house and see what they can build you in your price range, Im just really suspicious of the brand name emachine

but... I guess with your mods it should be able to run most games fine, really all you should need to do is turn down some settings for a few games if they dont run that well

edit: I didnt notice the power supply, yeah avoid that machine, it is a trap

 

[cookyy2k]

Far too little RAm here, Expandible to 4Gb means just that, you can expand to 4 no more. This means not a very good motherboard. Also in my experience emachines are to be avoided.

It's not going to be primarily used for hardcore gaming the latest games, mainly something like Diablo II or WoW, or something along those lines. I'm just simply looking for something to get by. Should have included that in my first post. -.goes to edit.-

I doubt the onboard graphics would cope (I know you plan to change it but stick with me here) so you'd need the new card but as said earlier I doubt it'd fit, I've had graphics cards that wont fit in a standard tower. Also the power supply is just terrible.

I agree with above, go to your local independant computer shop and see if they can build one of the specs you'd like for your budget, you can get much better computers for your money than buying off the shelf.

 

[MarcFirewing]

Hm... I guess it'd be wise to wait and see my budget then and see what I can get built for me.

I'm still more than willing to accept any other recommendations.

 

[cookyy2k]

If not going to your local shop might I reccomend Dell, I've always had grat service and you can choose your specs fr your budget.

 

[evilneko]

Far too little RAm here, Expandible to 4Gb means just that, you can expand to 4 no more. This means not a very good motherboard. Also in my experience emachines are to be avoided.

It's not going to be primarily used for hardcore gaming the latest games, mainly something like Diablo II or WoW, or something along those lines. I'm just simply looking for something to get by. Should have included that in my first post. -.goes to edit.-

Well it would definitely be enough for just that. If that's all you ask of it it should be fine. Should be able to run the Fallout games and Oblivion too if you want

Still you could probably build yourself a better one for 400-500.

 

[MarcFirewing]

Far too little RAm here, Expandible to 4Gb means just that, you can expand to 4 no more. This means not a very good motherboard. Also in my experience emachines are to be avoided.

It's not going to be primarily used for hardcore gaming the latest games, mainly something like Diablo II or WoW, or something along those lines. I'm just simply looking for something to get by. Should have included that in my first post. -.goes to edit.-

Well it would definitely be enough for just that. If that's all you ask of it it should be fine. Should be able to run the Fallout games and Oblivion too if you want

Still you could probably build yourself a better one for 400-500.

Yeah, it's just motherboard selection that's always been a royal pain in my ass. I can probably select everything else just fine. Motherboards I've just never been to fond of because I haven't learned enough about them yet.

If someone could give me a general idea of what kind of motherboards I should be looking for please let me know.

 

[cookyy2k]

Far too little RAm here, Expandible to 4Gb means just that, you can expand to 4 no more. This means not a very good motherboard. Also in my experience emachines are to be avoided.

It's not going to be primarily used for hardcore gaming the latest games, mainly something like Diablo II or WoW, or something along those lines. I'm just simply looking for something to get by. Should have included that in my first post. -.goes to edit.-

Well it would definitely be enough for just that. If that's all you ask of it it should be fine. Should be able to run the Fallout games and Oblivion too if you want

Still you could probably build yourself a better one for 400-500.

Yeah, it's just motherboard selection that's always been a royal pain in my ass. I can probably select everything else just fine. Motherboards I've just never been to fond of because I haven't learned enough about them yet.

If someone could give me a general idea of what kind of motherboards I should be looking for please let me know.

Companies often offer bundl deals where you get the processor/motherbord and RAM so you can be sure they all match up.

e.g http://www.dabs.com/products/asus-intel-value-bundle--includes-p7h55-m-si-motherboard---core-i3-530-2-93ghz-processor--7401.html?q=asus%20motherboards

EDIT: this one doesn't actually come with the RAM but some do from here, depends on budget and what processor you want.

 

[Steven Schuhly]

Warning!

What you've got there is a low profile system, you're going to pay a premium for a half-sized video card, it also won't perform as well or cope with as much heat, AND power supplies are a B$@#$ to find for these things.

Check out http://woot.com for great computer deals, they often have HP package deals for not much more than what you linked there. (The last one in memory was an HP Pavilion Dual Core with a 20" monitor, only $450 with $5 shipping, this was on Jul 14th)

Find a full desktop system, with a decent amount of DDR3 memory, and a PCI Express x16 port.

Again, HDD space isn't all it's cracked up to be, most come with a 500GB anymore. And if you do buy a 1TB drive, make sure it's at least 7200RPM, those 5400RPM drives are crap.

Sincerely,
Steven Schuhly
CCNA
A+
MCSE

 

[evilneko]

The main thing is select your CPU first, that will narrow down the field for motherboards. You'll need a mobo that supports CPU wattage equal to or greater than the wattage of the CPU you chose. This spec is sometimes listed as Thermal Design Power, sometimes as just plain Wattage. Your mobo will also naturally have to have the right socket for your CPU.

After that the rest is comparing features vs price. Want a mobo with onboard gigabit? How about support for the fastest RAM (consider first whether you will be purchasing bleeding-edge RAM, of course)? Speaking of RAM another thing to consider is how many slots you need or want. There's also extras like ExpressGate, onboard RAID and other things to consider. I know some of these go way beyond the scope of the type of system you're wanting, but you may want to consider them in the future.

My goal has pretty much always been to hit the price vs performance sweetspot. Basically I look for something that meets the requirements of the CPU I want (always an AMD, since they generally have the best priceerformance ratio), and then look for the best deal. My current desktop has served me well for almost three years now and initially cost about 400 to build, with a ~100$ video card upgrade about a year and a half ago. I haven't encountered a game yet I couldn't play on it at the full resolution for my monitor. But then I also don't play any CoD games or Crysis.