Currently im saving up for a good computer. I'm not sure what is good and what isn't so i need your help to suggest some things i should get. What I'm planning on doing is buying a new case and then salvage some of the parts from these computer and combine them with some new peices to create a computer which can run Starcraft 2 on full setting with great FPS. These are my current computer specs: (Don't laugh) Operating System: Windows 2.6.0.6000 CPU Type: Intel® Core™2 Duo CPU E6550 @ 2.33GHz CPU Speed (GHz): 2.35 System Memory (GB): 2 Video Card Model: Radeon X1300/X1550 Series Video Card Driver: atiumdag.dll Desktop Resolution: 1680x1050 I'm planning on keeping the moniter but needing a new video card, processor and motherboard. The rest i think i can take from this PC unless you guys think there's anything i should change. Also is it worth buying Windows 7 and dropping Vista? http://www.xcase.co.uk/X-Case-Venus-Midi-Tower-Case-with-2-x-Blue-LED-Fan-p/case-cit-venus.htm This is the case I'm thinking of getting, i mainly judged it on looks so if it looks good but is actually crap i'd like if somone could point that out, I'm not very good with computers. Anything else you need to know to help me just ask. Thanks very much! Parker
Hm....some problems: Vista needs 4gb of Memory to really run smooth with games. Vista itself is very memory expansive (even with optics minimized) so i'd consider upgrading the ram. First thing to update would be the graphiccard. Go for something like a Radeon HD5770 (near highend - but only $159.99). Best CPUs at the moment are Intel i7's if i'm right, a i5 would be good enough, though. You can also go for a AMD Phenom II x3/x4, they are only a bit lower then the Intels. Problem would be if you'd be able to keep the ram. Modern Mainboards offer DDR3 Support, while older ones (like yours) probably only have DDR2 Support. DDR2 is still great to go with, but you need to make sure which ram you have to keep an eye which mainboard to buy. And upgrade the Ram to 4gb! No need to update to win7, though it saves some resources and is running a bit better right now than vista.....but keep the money for now and upgrade the ram!
I was looking at the Nvidia GeFroce GTX-460 whilst waiting for a reply, as there's a video review on youtube about it. It's marked around $200, do you think the extra $40 between the one you suggest and the Nvidia one is worth it? My budget isn't crazy high, it's about £500 so rough guess that thats like $700? Also abit confused about that mainboard thing. I think it's what everything slots into in the case and what your saying is i need to make sure i get one that holds enough RAM? I might be wrong, i am a complete PC noob! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4E-yR2Xb6Pw That is the review on the Nvidia GeForce GTX-460 if anyone else is interested.
Apparently not for StarCraft 2 according to benchmarks done by TechSpot (at least comparing Nehalem to Phenom II). The GTX460 is excellent. Until we get crazy fast processors, it'll perform the same as higher end GPU's such as GTX 480 and HD 5870. Well, even if we do get faster processors, it's unlikely that the increase in FPS will be noticeable. ASUS/Gigabyte P55 Motherboard: $100~150 Intel Core i5-750: $200 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 1333/1600: $90~120 GTX 460 1GB: $230~250 TOTAL: $620~720
Would those compenents fit into a http://www.xcase.co.uk/X-Case-Venus-Midi-Tower-Case-with-2-x-Blue-LED-Fan-p/case-cit-venus.htm? If not could you suggest some good looking and reliable cases that aren't super expensive?
The case looks like a regular ATX case so yeah it should, quite easily. Question, though, what power supply do you have on your PC right now?
Nearly all components will fit in to any case. Just have to keep an eye out for the size of the case and the mainboard. Normally you'll buy an ATX-sized mainboard (no need for microATX) which fits in all the common cases....
I'm not sure and i don't know how to check. It is what ever comes with the Inspiron 530S, so i'm not sure if it's very good. If its crap, shall i buy a new one to run the video card?
Newer Dells actually seem to have decent quality power supplies. Problem here is they usually have lower wattage which, while plenty for their computers, won't be able to keep up with high end graphics cards. Another issue, is that a slim computer? If so, the power supply likely doesn't have a regular form factor. A good quality 400W should suffice. My go to power supply when building on a budget is the Corsair 400CX.
Yes it is a slim one. If i need to buy a powersupply then shall i get the X-Case 620 Watt Cost Cutter Psu - 2 x SATA 4 x Molex 20/24 for £20 with my case?
No! Again, good quality trumps wattage. Lots of the cheapie models inflate their power supply ratings by outright lying. That 620W PSU with just 2x SATA and 4x Molex seems like one of those. I wouldn't be surprised if it could only deliver 300W max.
Ok i'll look at the one you suggested then. If i were to buy the Full Version of Win7 do i only get 1 use on the disc? Or maybe i get 3? Thanks you been big help.
The regular retail or OEM, 1 use only. I do remember seeing a $150 family pack, though, that you can install on up to 3 computers.
