Want to buy a cheap gaming pc

[IcyChill]

hey guys i wanted to buy a cheap gaming pc that can play up to date games. I need some help. I already have a Dell dimension 2400 and i was wondering if i can take any parts from it to reduce the cost. Any help help would be appreciated.

 

[LinkedKube]

do you know the specs in that thing?

 

[IcyChill]

Processor:
2.20 gigahertz Intel Pentium 4
8 kilobyte primary memory cache
512 kilobyte secondary memory cache

Operating System
Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 2 (build 2600)

Bus Clock: 400 megahertz

Drives
79.96 Gigabytes Usable Hard Drive Capacity
384 Megabytes Hard Drive Free Space

PIONEER DVD-RW DVR-111D [CD-ROM drive]
3.5" format removeable media [Floppy drive]

ST380011A [Hard drive] (80.00 GB) -- drive 0, s/n 3JV5ERB6, rev 3.16, SMART Status: Healthy

Memory Modules c,d
254 Megabytes Installed Memory

Slot 'DIMM_1' has 256 MB
Slot 'DIMM_2' is Empty

Display
Intel(R) 82845G/GL/GE/PE/GV Graphics Controller [Display adapter]
DELL E773c [Monitor] (15.7"vis, s/n 6418038T32T4, August 2003)

Controllers
Standard floppy disk controller
Intel(R) 82801DB Ultra ATA Storage Controller - 24CB
Primary IDE Channel [Controller]
Secondary IDE Channel [Controller



got all this info from a scanner. hope its alll you need

 

[LinkedKube]

the cd rom drive looks ok, floopy is ok, more than likely you wont need it though. If you wanted to you could use your p4, depends on what you want to do. hard drives can be reused,

So looks like you need a mobo, ram, decent power supply, and a video card.

 

[IcyChill]

i pretty much know whats good to get but the motherboard. can you point me in the right direction for that

http://www.cesell.com/product.php?productid=130218

does this look like a good mobo

 

[LinkedKube]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157106

your processor isnt even sold many places anymore. This board will leave you a little headroom just incase you want to spend 60 bucks on a 2.8p4 or something. Has a pcix16 slot as well. some others may have some experience with p4's as I only owned one, but if you need anymore help just post here.

that board you picked out is amd based, processor that you have wont fit, although its not a bad board

 

[ColdFusion1990]

My old computer is pretty much the same thing you have. I added as much as I could to it, and made it the best it could be... and it still can't play Battlefield 2 well.
So I'd suggest getting everything new except the hard drive. You may want to keep the CD-Drive too, but all you need is one DVD drive.
Make sure you get a dual core processor, preferably Core 2 Duo,
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115015
That may be too expensive, but its really nice.
You need a cheap motherboard thats compatible with C2D, and has a PCI-Express slot. Doesn't really matter the type of memory, just make sure you get the right type for the motherboard.
Most important for games is the video card... I'd suggest this...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150230
Also, if too expensive just make sure its DX10, otherwise its probably a waste of $$$.
Well, good luck, hope it helped.

 

[LinkedKube]

very nice, lol. went to the same place I did. I think he may be shopping on a bit of a budget.

Edited by Moderator: Removed quote. There`s no need to quote the post directly above your own, unless you`re only replying to a specific section, in which case you would only quote that section.

 

[ColdFusion1990]

yeah, but I don't want him to buy something worthless like a single core or DX9. But his decision

 

[IcyChill]

is there a good up to date video card for under 100 bucks. thanks for your help so far.

 

[ColdFusion1990]

yeah, any Nvidia 8500's are great

try http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127285

 

[IcyChill]

k that looks likea good one

so if i got those all i need is RAM and a power supply? whats the recommended ram for games? If i buy a case will it come with a power supply?

 

[LinkedKube]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150231

here's a dx10 card for under 100

450 watt psu should do you well. and most games you could do fine with 1gb of ram, but I prefer 2 gigs if you have things running in the back.

 

[IcyChill]

if i buy the power supply will i still need a new case?

 

[ColdFusion1990]

Yeah, you can find some nice cases with a power supply. A Gig of ram is recommended. Thats not too expensive these days.

Dell cases don't have good ventellation. But there are cheap cases w/ power supplies.

 

[IcyChill]

ok looks like i got all the info i need. BIG thanks to both you guys!

 

[ColdFusion1990]

no problem

 

[howard_hopkinso]

Thread tidied.

Please don`t double post, use the edit button instead. Thanks guys.

Regards Howard

 

[IcyChill]

o one lat question. Can i just use any kind of 1gb ram card or does it need to be a specific one?

 

[howard_hopkinso]

Hello and welcome to Techspot.

The best thing is to check with your mobo manual or mobo manufacturers website for what brands/sizes/speeds of ram are supported by your mobo.

Using incompatible ram can cause you lots of stability problems.

Regards Howard :wave: :wave:

 

[IcyChill]

i dont mean to be lazy but i dont think il be able to find out something like that without buying it. do you know if i used this mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157106
which 1gb ram will be compatible? sorry for the trouble

 

[howard_hopkinso]

No problem, you can find your mobo manual HERE.

Regards Howard

 

[IcyChill]

wow all those words really confused me. i did find this : http://www.memory-up.com/memory_fin...stem=1&utm_source=Froogle&utm_medium=referral
will that work?

 

[howard_hopkinso]

That definitely looks like it`ll be compatible.

Regards Howard

 

[IcyChill]

alright well looks like thats it thanks!