Help with PC for my son!

warlocks1

My 11 year old is starting to get more and more into PC gaming and I would like to get him a computer for Christmas, so he stays off mine. I don't anything about gaming requirements for PC's and most of the ones he tries to load on my basic Dell P4 don't seem to work well. I have a extra P4 Dell with a broken CPU fan. Can I replace the fan and buy a video card to make this work for gaming? I think it is a 1700 ghz P4 with 512 mb ram. Or am I better off getting a new PC? If so, what do I need on the PC? I will most likely go through Dell. I can't afford a $1,000 PC. Thanks, Jeff

Sami

http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=ASE360-U-A381M-R&cpc=HPM

+

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814143049

PhantomOG

You could buy a new fan and separate video card, but more than likely the system uses AGP so I don't think that's the best route.

If I were you I would just go configure a system with dell and make sure you get an upgraded video card (not internal). Shop around, find some coupons if available, and you should be able to get him an adequate gaming system for under $500 pretty easily.

jabrax

For power games -

1700 may be approaching the minimum for new games

1 gig RAM is absolute minimum
Most powerful video card you can afford - cut other junk if you have too

Power gaming cost, especially if he playing any of the more popular online role playing games

warlocks1

Thanks for the input. I can give him my computer and take his, since I pretty only do internet and Word/excel file. My dell has 512 mb and the processor says "X86 family 15 model 3 stepping 4 genuine Intel 2992 Mhz. Is that any better for gamng? Can I out a video card inthis computer? I am confused, do I need a video card or a graphics card? Thanks, Jeff

lomic

Thanks for the input. I can give him my computer and take his, since I pretty only do internet and Word/excel file. My dell has 512 mb and the processor says "X86 family 15 model 3 stepping 4 genuine Intel 2992 Mhz. Is that any better for gamng? Can I out a video card inthis computer? I am confused, do I need a video card or a graphics card?

Your Dell has a decently fast processor, enough for general gaming. The problem with Dell is you have to check to see if there is an AGP slot on your motherboard, assuming it has either intigrated graphics, or a proprietary "small" AGP card right now. You'd also have to upgrade your memory - if you know how to do that, or you could bring it in to a store and have them charge you an obscene amount for 2 minutes work.

The problem I would advise you of, if you upgrade your current system, or buy a very inexpensive one now, you'll have no upgrade path a year or so from now when he'll want to be playing the newest games which will require Windows Vista. So you'll be buying a new computer a year or two from now anyway.

Do you know anyone that can build a system from scratch? Looking through Newegg.com, a very decent system which would be upgradable through 4+ years would run $750 for all the components.

If you decide to just up your current computer I suggest take it to a mom and pop computer store if you have one, buy 1GB and ask them if they can install it for you. Then grab one of these:

This one will run current games, but not too well on games in the near future.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814125039

This one will run new games well and will be good enough for 1-2 years.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814143046

I can email you the Newegg item list if it's of any interest to you.

Sami

lomic wrote:

The problem with Dell is you have to check to see if there is an AGP slot on your motherboard

AGP, or better yet, PCI-e.

What Dell model is it?

cmy330go

Might want to check out Alienware. They seem to be the gamer's messiah.

warlocks1

Computer is a Dell Dimension 3000.

lomic

Alienware is now owned by Dell - you basically get a Dell in a fancy case that you're paying a lot of money for, because it's "extreme"

lomic

warlocks1 wrote:

Computer is a Dell Dimension 3000.

http://compreviews.about.com/od/budgetdesk/gr/DellDimens3000.htm

Cons

* No AGP/PCI-E Expansion Slot

Oops, that's the end of that idea.

cmy330go

lomic wrote:

Alienware is now owned by Dell - you basically get a Dell in a fancy case that you're paying a lot of money for, because it's "extreme"

How long ago did that happen? I knew there was something familiar about their website layout.:rolleyes:

lomic

About 6 months ago I believe.

dudeinaroom

just go get a dell you can get one that will play games very well for around 500. You can no longer even build a computer for what dell is selling them for, besides they have a decent warranty and service. that old p4 is not worth putting the money into.

ND13

You'll likely pay less for a puter with an AMD processor and not lose any performance at all.....probably even get better performance. I've never had a single problem with an AMD processor...EVER!!!

Just another idea on how to save a little dough and get more puter for your money.

dudeinaroom

Both are great. Both have occasional problems. You can get amd's from dell now. Intel has the faster processor right now(core 2 duo,core 2 extreme)