What should I upgrade next?

**Proletariat** · 02-04-2006, 00:00

Originally Posted by TosaInu

I'm far from an expert, but it doesn't look like you can buy any new part to replace an old component and really gain. It's simply too good.

When I first decided I wanted a good gaming computer, I made the mistake of getting all of my hardware information from the gamespot forums. I was under the impression I was settling for a somewhat decent rig.

Thanks alot for all the input. I think I'll end up looking at the vid cards you guys mentioned.

Great forum!

**TosaInu** · 02-04-2006, 00:13

Originally Posted by Proletariat

When I first decided I wanted a good gaming computer, I made the mistake of getting all of my hardware information from the gamespot forums. I was under the impression I was settling for a somewhat decent rig.

Are you talking about your current PC or an older one?

**Proletariat** · 02-04-2006, 00:18

Originally Posted by TosaInu

Are you talking about your current PC or an older one?

The one detailed above. I posted that info over there and they sqawked on and on about what else could be added to it to make it better. I ended up thinking, "Well, I'll just use this piece of crap until March or so, and then trash it and get something nicer."

**lars573** · 02-04-2006, 01:02

My advice would be to add a creative sound blaster sound card. It pwns the on board audio that comes with most mother boards. And maybe a creative 5.1 set of speakers to go with them.

Myself I just bouth myself a new system, see.
Athlon 64 3200+
ASUS A8V-E mainboard
2x kingston 512 MB ram
sound blaster audigy sound card
ATI Radeon X1300 256 MB GFX card
WD 160 GB SATA HDD
Maxtor 60 GB IDE HDD (from my old system now a secondary back up drive)
Pioneer DVD-R drive
Aopen ES50D case

All that for $848.70 CND, the joy of working for a PC wholesaler.

**TosaInu** · 02-04-2006, 01:03

Originally Posted by Proletariat

The one detailed above. I posted that info over there and they sqawked on and on about what else could be added to it to make it better. I ended up thinking, "Well, I'll just use this piece of crap until March or so, and then trash it and get something nicer."

:) buy the latest and the hottest, go to some forums and you'll be 'advised' to upgrade.

I can't see much wrong with it. Your PC, apart from the amount of RAM, beats my PC everywhere, and I play about any game.

Only upgrade when you need to, when you listen to people you'll just bankrupt yourself.

Is your Harddisk more than 50% full? Buy a second one. Get a fancy mouse or something like that if you want to treat yourself (nothing wrong with that).

**drone** · 02-04-2006, 02:03

Looks like a decent system, the only "flaw" I see is the low memory video card.

What's your monitor setup? Maybe a new LCD screen, or a two-headed setup might be a good addition. Or you can get one of the nice Logitech cordless/optical/rechargeable mice.

**Xiahou** · 02-04-2006, 02:29

If you're thinking of upgrading your video, do what I always do.... Find some thorough benchmarks from Tomshardware or similar site and compare the listings for the card you have with newer ones that are in your price range. It'll help you get an idea of whether or not you'll get enough performance to make it worthwhile, and if so, which card can give the best bang for the buck.

**Phatose** · 02-04-2006, 06:32

The graphics card seems like the weakest link, but it's a matter of tastes - and your display. If you're running a 17" LCD that maxes at 1024x768, might not be such a big deal.