My bro's birthday it coming up and I need to get that idiot something decent so he'll get me a good present on my 18th.

 

I was thinking something along the lines of RAM or hardrive space but I want your guys opinions because I'm not entirely sure what I'm doing.

 

I know some of you hate on people who don't know what they're doing but this is not for me, it's for my computer literate brother.

 

 

 

But first things first. Computer specs.

 

So I'm going to use 'dxdiag' to get them.

 

Do I need to elaborate furthur and get really specific for you guys to give accurate suggestions?

 

 

 

EDIT: Dxdiag done.

 

If you don't really know, get a Newegg gift card. It's a great online parts retailer.

 

 

 

Buying computer parts for other is really hard unless you ask them what they want.

Hmmmm, well a cool upgrade to anyones computer is a new LCD Monitor.

 

 

 

You could look at the specials at TigerDirect.com

 

 

 

also

 

 

 

If he does not have a great graphics card, they are really cheap not. 256 Mb NVIDA 8600's are like 50 bucks now, and they are actually really good. It's what i am running.

Post your stats and if you can the make and model of your PC (eg Dell dimension 5100).

 

That way we can look at the stuff which is near impossible to tell simply by software (mainly the psu).

+1. Get the specs off Dxdiag, make sure the PSU gives enough watts (You'll need about 500W to a modern card on a decent setup), and check to make sure the mobo has PCIe.

That gift card idea sound really good. Is it a strictly American thing though?

 

 

 

Computer stuff:

 

 

 

 

Hmm, he already as a 19inch LCD.

 

It's handbuilt so I can't give the model.

 

I'll have to ask him subtly about the PSU and PCIe.

 

I'll go raid his computer to see if he has saved the specs.

2048MB of RAM is plenty, I'd get him a better graphics card. Like a 8800GT or a 9800GT (better but more expensive)

I'd say a new graphics card or new processor. A core 2 duo is pretty cheap now, and it's a big upgrade from the pentium d.

2048MB of RAM is plenty, I'd get him a better graphics card. Like a 8800GT or a 9800GT (better but more expensive)

 

I'd say a new graphics card or new processor. A core 2 duo is pretty cheap now, and it's a big upgrade from the pentium d.

 

 

 

Graphics card, wait and see what slots it has first as the 7600GS was available in both AGP and PCI-Express formats.

 

 

 

Processor, some motherboards won't support C2D even if there 775 socket.

 

 

 

Wait for more info.

The graphics card idea sounds good.

 

It's PCI-Express.

Budget, amps on the 12v rail(s) and if there are pci-e connector(s) on the psu and how many empty molex cables there are, also brand would be good to know.