Upgrade or Just Buy a New one

[Maines]

Ok now I have one of These Computers that my parents bought me. This is my DoD:S Computer

The difference is completely different specs:

No 1TB HDD - Mine is 320GB

No 3GB DDR3 RAM - Mine is 2GB DDR2 RAM

No AMD Athlon II X2 250 - Mine is AMD Athlon 2850e...I have no idea what that is

Now, my question is: with a slim computer like this, could I just open the bitch up and just upgrade everything, or is this computer sooo bad that I should just buy a new one? I am thinking of which would be cheaper. BTW, I don't play CoD, or BF3, or any of that highly extensive CPU draining stuff, just DoD:S and L4D/2.

[Dillon 1st MRB]

Neither.

Build a new one. Low profile computers are great... for what they are designed for. But finding a slimline video card worth putting into a gaming computer is chasing a chimera.

If you can plug in an electrical socket and RTFM, you can build a computer.

Check out this build, and tell me this doesn't get you worked up.

Tech Report - Fall builders guide

This is the lowest priced, entry level gaming system. For under $600, its kick ass.

The sad truth of the matter is that in many games and tasks, a Core i3 Sandy Bridge cpu is faster than a Phenom II. The best part of this build, is that when you want to upgrade, you can do it forever. New motherboard, cpu, ram, gpu... all can be swapped in and out.

You will need to buy a new copy of Windows 7, but that isn't a huge hurdle. OEM prices on that are ~$100.

[Goodwin 1st MRB]

Neither.

Build a new one. Low profile computers are great... for what they are designed for. But finding a slimline video card worth putting into a gaming computer is chasing a chimera.

If you can plug in an electrical socket and RTFM, you can build a computer.

Check out this build, and tell me this doesn't get you worked up.

Tech Report - Fall builders guide

This is the lowest priced, entry level gaming system. For under $600, its kick ass.

The sad truth of the matter is that in many games and tasks, a Core i3 Sandy Bridge cpu is faster than a Phenom II. The best part of this build, is that when you want to upgrade, you can do it forever. New motherboard, cpu, ram, gpu... all can be swapped in and out.

You will need to buy a new copy of Windows 7, but that isn't a huge hurdle. OEM prices on that are ~$100.

BAM!

that just happened - solid advice; perfectly put Dillon.

[Maines]

Neither.

Build a new one. Low profile computers are great... for what they are designed for. But finding a slimline video card worth putting into a gaming computer is chasing a chimera.

If you can plug in an electrical socket and RTFM, you can build a computer.

Check out this build, and tell me this doesn't get you worked up.

Tech Report - Fall builders guide

This is the lowest priced, entry level gaming system. For under $600, its kick ass.

The sad truth of the matter is that in many games and tasks, a Core i3 Sandy Bridge cpu is faster than a Phenom II. The best part of this build, is that when you want to upgrade, you can do it forever. New motherboard, cpu, ram, gpu... all can be swapped in and out.

You will need to buy a new copy of Windows 7, but that isn't a huge hurdle. OEM prices on that are ~$100.

I like this a lot, it looks like a really informative guide, it may take me until next February to get the money, but it looks good. Also, I already have a Windows 7 disk ready to go, so that's a save for money. Whats even better is that I would only need a 380W power supply, As you said, Kick Ass

Also, I see a Radeon 6850 for $150, but could I also go with the 5450 I found online for $22? If it can play Assasin's Creed Brotherhood at high settings with 3GB Ram, it should be able to play DoD:S right?

[Dillon 1st MRB]

Also, I see a Radeon 6850 for $150, but could I also go with the 5450 I found online for $22? If it can play Assasin's Creed Brotherhood at high settings with 3GB Ram, it should be able to play DoD:S right?

umm... no. Ram doesn't matter. look at the model number, for either nvidia or AMD/ATI (often called DAAMIT!!!!!!)

For a Radeon, x850... x tells you the generation. Higher the better, because its more recent.

6x50 tells you the version of chip. Again, higher is better, because its more powerful.

68x0 tells you which model of that version. Higher is usually better, again for power.

If you compare 5450 vs 6850.... its a Series behind, ~4 chip versions behind on top of that.

For nvidia, they have only 3 digits. The same applies:

I run a 460 GTX.

Current generation is 5xx series.

the x60 is their mid-range product. And I'm a generation behind. But, its solid for my 1680x1050 monitor.

Trust me on this, you will find tons of gpu reviews. But not many will include the 5450. For reference, Gooderham is looking at upgrading a 5770 because it is struggling on BF3. That means its the going to be at least 2 models behind Gooderham's which is going to be drastically slower.

For reference, the 5450 is often called a perfect HTPC card, because its great for 1080p TV broadcasts and Blu-ray decoding. But it is NOT a gaming chip.

[Gooderham 1st MRB]

Yeah man, mine 5770 runs DOD:S perfectly, and runs nearly all other games (1 year or older) on high settings usually. I wouldn't go with the 5450, as good as it will be now, it will not last.

I don't know much about computers and tend to really on advice and expertise of others but I would suggest getting a decent card and consider crossfiring in the future. The other option is get a higher end card and use it until you need to upgrade then sell it.

[Pangilinan 1st MRB]

Jumping on here but...what if you've never built a computer before and the only computer part you've touched was installing a brand new memory stick to a laptop?

Sorry for hijacking but I have a Toshibal Satellite L505D (the AFFES only model I believe) and uh...I kinda want to be able to play Borderlands without it crashing.

[Janke 1st MRB]

Generally the way it goes for gaming is you don't get an ATI/AMD less than x750, and you don't get a NVidia less than x60. These are the points where gaming-level hardware starts for both companies, below are cards, like Dillon said, for HD video; they'll struggle in games.

[Maines]

Mm, good advice guys, thanks a lot!

[Janke 1st MRB]

Jumping on here but...what if you've never built a computer before and the only computer part you've touched was installing a brand new memory stick to a laptop?

Sorry for hijacking but I have a Toshibal Satellite L505D (the AFFES only model I believe) and uh...I kinda want to be able to play Borderlands without it crashing.

There's a video tutorial I did a while back that should be stickied on how to build a computer. You can watch that to get an idea, but look around for other tutorials and, if you can, find an older computer and take it apart then put it back together before attempting to build your own. When I went by to teach my friends how to build a computer, I brought my old computer around and had them tear it down and put it all back before touching their own parts. The best way to learn is a practical experience with an old rig.

[Dillon 1st MRB]

Janke is spot on. If you can be patient and plug things in and turn a screwdriver, you can do it.