Wanting to upgrade computer need advice! !!

[redrocket]

Ok so after playing starcraft 2 beta I would like to make my computer run it a little better. Now im wanting to put say less then $200 into it, and am not sure the best way to spend it or what to upgrade. So if anyone could tell me what I should upgrade It would be much appreciated!

Now heres my comps specs

It is a HP Pavilion
-AMD Athlon 64x2 dual core processor 4200+991MHz
-3.00 GB of ram
-Radeon x1300pro video card

First thing im sure i need to get is a new video card which i figure i can get a 1gb one for around 80?? and im not sure what else to upgrade and still not put a pile of money into the computer. Thanks alot for any advice!

[DeeK]

The only thing you can really upgrade for $200 or less is the video card.

To go up any worthwhile difference in processor, you'll need a different chipset/board. The Nvidia 260's are just under $200 with the sales at memory express right now... that's a huge improvment over a 1300.

[redrocket]

Oh ok thanks and maybe another gig of ram and I should be ok?

[DeeK]

No really any point in adding another gig of ram, you're being limited by the rest of your system anyways. I bet looking at your performance tab you rarely ever get above 2 gigs used.

Not to mention that it's a waste of money as you'll need an upgrade soon and that RAM will not be usable with the next motherboard.

I suggested a video card because it will make a huge difference, but also when you do go to upgrade it can be transferred to the next board just fine without being reliant on a chipset like a processor or RAM.

If you were to have a budget of about $400 I'd say go with a new board, processor, and RAM.

[msommers]

I don't know a hell of a lot about computers, but remember to check your power supply can handle the new video card you're throwing at it.

[stealth1313]

Just get a decent video card like a gtx260 or something with a gig or more of memory

[scat330]

Originally posted by DeeK
No really any point in adding another gig of ram, you're being limited by the rest of your system anyways. I bet looking at your performance tab you rarely ever get above 2 gigs used.

Not to mention that it's a waste of money as you'll need an upgrade soon and that RAM will not be usable with the next motherboard.

I suggested a video card because it will make a huge difference, but also when you do go to upgrade it can be transferred to the next board just fine without being reliant on a chipset like a processor or RAM.

If you were to have a budget of about $400 I'd say go with a new board, processor, and RAM.

Bingo. Save your 200. Not going to do much.

[redrocket]

Thanks a lot everyone and only reason I'm wanting to keep it under 200 is I can justify keeping the same comp but if I'm gona spend the 400 I'd rather just go all out and spend 1000 plus for a all new system thanks again everyone !

[redrocket]

http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-s...AdIdZ210390337

for $550 this computer is looking like a great deal what do you guys think??

im going to try to price it out with similar things on memory express website just seeing what anyone who knows a thing about comps has to say

[HiTempguy1]

There is a person on the 780tuners forum that builds and sells computer systems. You will not be able to price out a system and build it yourself cheaper than he can. Username "EvilColt" I believe. ~$700 will get you a really, really nice comp from him.

[redrocket]

thanks alot will msg him

[-relk-]

a 5770 is a better choice over a 260 and is usually priced at $199

[beyondpinoy]

i just recently upgraded my buddies computer for Starcraft 2

he had AMD X2- 4600+ ... and i upgraded the following:

- RAM: 6gigs of ram (added 4 gigs to his already current 2 gig setup)
- Video card: eVGA e-GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 896MB 55nm PCI-E
- setup windows 7-64bit on his system

and it works like a dream!!! plays SC2 beta at highest settings with no lag at all

try picking up the GTX 260 from memoryexpress for like $180 and your set man...

[stealth1313]

Just what I said

[dragonone]

wouldn't u need to upgrade the PSU as well in that pavilion box