SEARCH

The How-To Geek Forums Have Migrated to Discourse



Join the Discussion at discuss.howtogeek.com

How-To Geek Forums / Build Your Own PC

Should I just upgrade with what I already have or build from scratch

(10 posts)
  • Started 4 years ago by jaw62901
  • Latest reply from jaw62901
  • Topic Viewed 856 times

jaw62901
Posts: 7

Hi,

I currently have a gateway computer that I am having issues with the graphics card not playing games well. Here are the specs:

Operating System: Windows Vista™ Home Premium (6.0, Build 6001) Service Pack 1 (6001.vistasp1_gdr.080917-1612)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Gateway
System Model: GT5662
BIOS: )Phoenix - Award WorkstationBIOS v6.00PG
Processor: AMD Phenom(tm) 9500 Quad-Core Processor (4 CPUs), ~2.2GHz
Memory: 3070MB RAM DDR2 upgradable to 4 GB.
Page File: 1204MB used, 5145MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 10
Card name: ATI Radeon HD 2400 XT
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip type: ATI Radeon Graphics Processor (0x94C1)
DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_94C1&SUBSYS_11101462&REV_00
Display Memory: 1523 MB
Dedicated Memory: 244 MB
Shared Memory: 1279 MB
Motherboard: Systemboard with NVIDIA GeForce 6150SE Chipset
Hard Drive: 337 GB free out of 454 GB

Is it possible to use what I already have and turn this into a pretty good gaming PC or would it be better to start from scratch and maybe use some of the parts (i.e. DVD drive, hard drive, etc) in building a better gaming PC.

Posted 4 years ago #
Top
 
Aleeve
Aleeve
Posts: 2818

Sorry to interrupt, but how are you getting such a complete list of specs? Would come in really useful to know how

Posted 4 years ago #
Top
 
jaw62901
Posts: 7

type DxDiag into your run box and pulls up the information. I also went to gateway and found my sytem model on there and it gave me the rest of the information.

Posted 4 years ago #
Top
 
0zSpitt
0zSpitt
Posts: 1037

good post jaw

Posted 4 years ago #
Top
 
whs
whs
Posts: 17584

Aleeve, You can also use Belarc. Gives you even more information - like all the software on your system too.

jaw62901, I think this is a good system. The graphics you may want to upgrade with an ATI from the 4800 series.

Posted 4 years ago #
Top
 
jaw62901
Posts: 7

Hi,

I went ahead and upgraded to the geforce 9800 GTX Plus along with a new 650 watt power supply.

Posted 4 years ago #
Top
 
whs
whs
Posts: 17584

Hmm, that is a good "winter" upgrade - it warms the room - LOL. Now you need some good fans.

Posted 4 years ago #
Top
 
jaw62901
Posts: 7

There is one fan on the video card, one fan on the back wall of the pc case, and one fan on the motherboard. When I checked how cool the card was it's was at 42 deg C. Plus it is very quite and the tower it self doesn't seem warm at all.

Posted 4 years ago #
Top
 
whs
whs
Posts: 17584

That sounds very good. At 42C you can't even fry an egg.

Posted 4 years ago #
Top
 
jaw62901
Posts: 7

I was surprised on how quite it was because I had heard that some of the nicer and more powerful graphics cards were loud and ran very warm. I actually bought a slot fan to put next to the card, but it doesn't seem like I will need it. That is good because the graphics card is two slots wide. The temp on the card does seem to vary from a low of 38 to a high between 40 and 42.

Posted 4 years ago #
Top
 



Topic Closed

This topic has been closed to new replies. Please create a new topic instead.


Create New Topic Return to Forum