Hardware

[dale_8888]

Hey guys,

I have a 3.2GHz P4, with only 512MB RAM and a pathetic graphics card. Can someone give me some advice as to what to get, bearing in mind that it is a HP PC, so some equipment is specifically made for it, where as other stuff wouldn't work. I was looking at getting 4GB RAM and maybe like 2 7950GT cards. I have 4 RAM slots and 4 extra slots for like g/c, sound, etc. It is also PCI X-16 equipped.

Cheers, Kendall

[richardd43]

Unless you have 2 pci-e slots you cannot install 2 7950s and the HP computers use a very weak PSU that cannot be replaced unless you are willing to cut a hole in the back of your case and make some brackets to make it fit.

If you are willing to do all of that then save some money and but a single 8800. I have two 7950 GX2s and wish I had a single 8800GTX instead.

Also, if you are running XP it will not see 4G of ram.

(I previously owned 2 HP computers and am making an assumption that they are still manufactured the same way)

[dale_8888]

Hey Cheers for ALL of the info guys!!! MUCH APPRECIATED!!!

As for the last comment, If I got a single 7950, 2GB RAM, would I still need a new PSU Do you think?

I realised getting 2 Graphics Cards would require new motherboard, which requires new CPU, PSU, RAM, HDD, etc. which = money I don't have. Now while I am a very keen simmer, I want to try and keep with in my budget. So I was thinking 2x 1GB RAM sticks, and 1x 7950GT.

That's still about $900, which in my pocket is really expensive!!! What do you guys think?

Do you just think I should save and get a gaming computer, or slowly acquire new parts? Although the thing with slowly acquiring new parts is that technology is RAPIDLY outdated.

Cheers for EVERYTHING!!!

[dale_8888]

Hey guys,

Just had a bit of a rethink...I still want to get the 2GB RAM, but I want to know what is a relatively good and cheap graphics card that I can get? I want to get a full-on gaming PC, but not now, now I need to be a bit conservative with my money, so any advice would be much appreciated, cheers!

[ATI_7500]

A 3,2Ghz P4 doesn't play well with a 7950, meaning you can't expect much from the CPU-demanding FSX.

I don't know the current prices, but something in the terms of a GeForce 7600 might be good enough for you.

[ctjoyce]

Grab 2GB of Corsair XMS PC3200, should be able to grab some of the looser timing stuff for about $190 and a 7600GT, or a X850XT (if you can still find them). That should do something decent for you, but don't expect to have some super computer. Thats not going to come remotely close to what you need to max out FSX, it will just make mid range settings playable.

Until your next build, you may want to stay away from FSX.

Cheers
Cameron

[richardd43]

As for the last comment, If I got a single 7950, 2GB RAM, would I still need a new PSU Do you think?

HP is very stingy with their PSUs. I would guess there is just enough juice in it to run what come with the computer.

Someone suggested an 7600. I have these in my work computers and they work great. They will not set any speed records but they will do an admirable job for their price.

[congo]

7600GT or 7900GS if you are watching the budget. The 7900GS's overclock reasonably well, I bought a gigabyte 7900GS with a big zalman cooler fitted stock to it, and it flies

[dale_8888]

Thanks for all the help guys.

Yeah I have been looking at some 7600GT and 7800GT's and also 2GB of RAM...I figure when I do want to drastically upgrade....I will just build a new computer, as I would have to replace EVERYTHING in mine anyway, except for maybe the DVD drive

Cheers

[congo]

On your present rig you'd be better off with 1gb ram and spend the savings on the best video card you can buy with the leftover budget.

You'll need 2gb of new ram on your next PC so save the $ for then.

If you buy ram, you'll want to buy it in a configuration that will maintain dual channel ram functionality. So if you have 1x512mb stick, you should get a matching one for the second channel.

If you have an AGP slot instead of PCIe graphics slot on your mainboard, you need to buy an AGP card, this limits the card you could buy for it to 7600GT, 7800GS , or ATI equivalents.

I just went from 1gb to 2gb and I can't see any difference despite everyone else saying how great 2gb is  This was no real surprise to me, but I was hopeful for some noticeable improvement. I intend on keeping this old rig a while longer so the 2gb may come in handy when I start using more ram hungry apps.

[dale_8888]

thanks again for all the advice...

My computer is PCI X-16 equipped, so I don't need to get an AGP card.

I reckon I have decided on a 7800 or 7600GT, which ever comes up at the time (in 1 week on pay day), and maybe 1GB RAM, as the card will hopefully have 512MB, and my current RAM is 512MB, so I will end up with 2GB anyway.

Cheers

[congo]

Do yourself a favour and look for a cheap 7900GS if you can find one, it will perform at a reasonable standard and they are good bang for buck.

[ctjoyce]

If you're a eBay person you can pick up 7900GTs for about $150 a piece. I just bought a second one for $66

Cheers
Cameron

[congo]

Lot's of 7900GT's had problems though.

[ctjoyce]

Lot's of 7900GT's had problems though.

True that, but most have been weeded out. The one currently in my rig was one with faulty RAM chips. Sent back to eVGA, to have the chips replaced, now everything runs fine.

Cheers
Cameron