Hey everyone,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I don't know much about computers, I'll be honest. I know what kind of computer I have, and that for RuneScape, internet, etc, it works fine. However...I'm a gamer at heart. I've been trying to play some of the newer games (WoW, San Andreas, Dawn of War, Armies of Exigo, etc..) on my computer and my graphics card just isn't cutting it at all. It's blurry, slow, and usually crashes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rather than buying some over-priced pre-set-up gaming computer from some rip-off company like Alienware, I need to know if my computer is going to be sufficient to be able to upgrade to a good graphics card and a bunch more RAM.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have $600 to spend on a card and RAM, memory is pretty cheap, I think $130 for a gig at the local shop, so that'll leave me just under $500 for a card.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have a Dell Dimension 2400, P4. Specific specs are as follows (from Dell website):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Processor: IntelÃÆââ¬Å¡Ãâî CeleronÃÆââ¬Å¡Ãâî Processors at 2.40GHz or 2.60GHz with 400MHz FSB.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Memory: 256MB to 512MB DDR SDRAM at 400MHz for superior performance3 (400MHz memory will perform at 266MHz for Celeron processors).3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Storage: Ultra ATA/100 7200RPM Hard drives up to 80GB to meet your storage needs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Drive Bay Options: Dual optical drive bays with your choice of CD-ROM, DVD-ROM and CD-RW drives to meet your multi-media needs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Video Graphics: Integrated IntelÃÆââ¬Å¡Ãâî Extreme 3D Graphics with up to 64MB shared4 main memory.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I/O Ports: Includes 6 USB 2.0 ports (2 front & 4 back ports), one serial port and one parallel port.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Modem: V.92 DataFax Modem supports up to 56Kbps5 download and 33.6Kbps upload to provide basic data and fax modem functions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Connectivity: Integrated 10/100 Ethernet Networking makes the Dimension 2400 broadband-ready for high-speed Internet access.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now, I thought it was kinda' just as easy as, you buy it, plug it in, it makes everything better. But apparently from asking around, I need to have a better computer in order to even upgrade! Something about I need to have a PCI Express compatible Motherboard or something...I don't know..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was just going to buy a gig of RAM and the best card I could afford so I wouldn't have anymore crashing issues..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What do you guys reccomend? Facts, please, not opinions like "Nvidia ownz0rz Radeon!!" because that doesn't help me. I've been told Nvidia cards are better for certain reasons, and took this into consideration.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Can I upgrade, or should I just buy a whole new darn computer? If that's the case, I'll just have to use all my next pay-check and I'll buy one of the gaming computers from Widow Computers or something...But I really didn't want to have to wait 2 months for my paycheck+order and delivery...:S

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Any other questions you need to help me, I can try to answer..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks a bunch. I'll be going into the shop today...But maybe not, maybe tomorrow.

might be a better bet to buy a new computer lol. Dells 2400 cant be upgraded that much since the mobo and cpu are pretty cheap stuff. However i would get if Geforce 6600 GT if u really wana spend ur dough. No way ur computer can use the juice of a 6800. 6600 is good bang for the buck in the PCI Express arena. If ur looking for an AGP card (doubt it cuz 2400 is express i believe) then you cant beat a ATI 9800XT overclocked.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

also i STRONGLY suggest you either shop around on ebay for a dual core machine or an old Xeon dual processor unit or build ur own. Good bang for the buck. 1 grand can get you a dual xeon 3gig processor 1 gig ram etc.