I have an hp pavilion a404x with no extra features added (not my choice, its a handmedown). It has an Intel Celeron 2.80 GHz processor, 504 mb. of RAM, a single DVD drive, and a 80 Gig. hard drive with XP already installed. I am looking to build a gaming PC that can play Half Life 2, Battlefield 2, and if possibly Elder Scrolls Oblivion. I am happy with the proccesor and the hard drive so I plan to keep those along with the DVD drive and the RAM. My big problem with the PC is 1. no PCIe or AGP slots just PCI 2. Case not compatible with many mother boards and has bad ventalation(I have to leave the case open). I want to put in a card from the geforce 6800 series. What type of mobo should I get and what type of case should I get and will geforce 6800 run Oblivion? PLEASE HELP
forgot to add that im on a budget and am looking to spend no more than 350 (hopefully less than 250) date:3/24/06
The 6800 will run Oblivion, but you've nowhere near enough RAM to run the game. Realistically that system isn't capable enough to give you good performance. The celeron 2800 is barely above the minimum system requirements (it will act like about a 2.4Ghz P4, and the absolute minimum is 2Ghz). To be honest, I'd recommend a rethink. I'm not here to force money out of people but this would serve you better: Athlon64 3200+ Venice CPU Abit KN8 Ultra Motherboard Radeon X850XT Graphics Card (PCIe) 1GB Kingston RAM Gaming style case. This lot will be by no means cheap, you're probably looking at twice your budget, but on the budget you've specified there are too many weak links left, whatever you upgrade. ESO is a VERY power hungry game.
Hi fungus89, No old computers with Celerons have PCI Express video. You have 8MB integrated (onboard) video, and no AGP slot. This is not a gaming PC. Check in your hardware setup (BIOS) and see if your onboard video can be adjusted to 32MB or even 64MB memory. This will help (but not much) and it is 'stealing' this memory from your system RAM anyway... If you can get more video memory allocated, you may be able to play Half-Life2 @ 640x480 or something - but many new games require hardware shaders (and this you definitely don't have). New motherboard and case? Basically that's a new computer, LoL... You would need to get Socket478 to use the Celeron, and most have only AGP 8x. I say just use the old rig; and if you want buy a new rig! But try to keep everything together - don't pull the old PC apart short-sightedly. It is what it is (and will get a student through University). Regards
The_OGS he did mention it not having an AGP or PCIE slot, since it's an old ce478, hence why i suggested the CPU. Realistically, whilst that PC will run office software fine, it is just not up to playing ES Oblivion unless you replace pretty much most of the components. To get a decent GPU (1 part) you'd need to change the mobo (2 parts) and therefore change the processor really (3 parts). You'd also need more RAM (4 parts) and may even need to increase the rating of the power supply (5 parts). Not forgetting he mentioned poor ventilation of a case, so one of those would be needed (6 parts) not to mention a couple of fans (7 parts).
what if I get the card, MOBO, Processor and just add to the RAM(1 Gig) By the way I can already run Half Life 2 but the frame rate is very unsteady. I dont want to by a new computer because it would cost more than upgading because I would also be rebuying Windows XP. I see no point in that.
Nobody said anything about buying a new computer, you just may need to do a bit more work. Adding more RAM may steady the frame rate slightly, but it's still going to be very low with integrated graphics. You will HAVE to get a new GPU to play oblivion full stop. If you get a new GPU it means new mobo, and while you're at it you might as well get a new CPU, if you're playing games as high-brow as Oblivion, that celeron won't have a great life expectancy.
Well, you can't reinstall System built OSes, but if the hard disk is being kept, you can replace every single component bar the hard disk and you're install is intact!
Once he gets a new Mobo, he wont be able to preload Hps recovery software. Hmm ask your friends for a xp cd, or ask around if any of them have a version of windows called corperate edition if there computer savvy.
Traditionally, you try to keep a nice old PC together. If you want a new PC, build one - you can build a whole new PC for coupla hundred bucks. But you would try to not 'rob' parts from the older PC, thereby incapacitating it. You would then have that computer sitting there non-functional (95% functional but not working). However, you guys are throwing this tried & true wisdom out - because of Windows! You have your one Windows copy, LoL, and so can run only one PC...? Ridiculous! I have Win3.1, Win95, Win98SE, Win2K, Win2K Advanced Server, WinXP Professional (volume license) and it shocks me to see how things look through your eyes - you are disrespecting the hardware because you have only one WinXP Home OS. I'm sure this never occurred to Micro$oft (or to me), that perfectly good hardware would be picked-over and then abandoned because the OS is moving on to a new rig! Fungus89 you are gonna change your motherboard, and your CPU, memory, case, powersupply, GPU... but LoL :^) That's funny. Just put Win2K on the old rig and sell it, keeping your WinXP CD if you require; and go ahead and buy your new stuff. Your definition of 'buying a new PC' and mine are not the same...
thanks for the tips. the deal with the software is it came with a disk but since it was a hand me down I didn't get any of the paper work or soft ware. the previouse owner was an idiot who thought there PC was dead because some one was fideling with the internal wirering and they didnt realize it so I took it off there hands as they were getting ready to throw it out. I rewired it and got a free PC. thank you I got exactly what I wanted from this thread and I plan to make this PC a long term project. great input people.
