new computer questions

[Yazule]

I am thinking of picking up the gateway dx4831-01e pc and upgrading for gaming.

replace the onboard graphics with a decent 200 dollarish card, upgrade power supply from 300 to 500 watts (200 watts should cover the overhead of the grapics card).

So is this a good build in the hardware geeks opinion.

last question, what would i have to do with the pc to turn off the onboard graphics and use the new card? I heard this can be a nightmare but that intel is about 5 y ears old.

opinions please, looking to build a gaming pc for under a grand, I can get a refurb of this baby for 499, figure 75 for power supply and 200 for graphics and it looks like a good gaming machine for about 800 bucks with taxes.

opinions?

[Archangelus]

IDO loves these types of questions, so I'll try and point him this way.

1) Mobos are better now at detecting video cards in use and will typically auto-disable the on-board video.

2) While I am not against manufactured computers, beware of proprietary configurations (custom power supplies, mobo mounts, etc...) that may hinder your ability to upgrade or modify the configuration. I ran into some problems with a Compaq I had (long time ago) and more recently a couple Dells that I had.

[BadAsh]

In general I believe that if you are planning on building a gaming computer why not build it from scratch. One thing you definitely have to look out for with those refurb systems (and this affected my dad) is that the cases are usually tiny and most decent video cards will have a hard time fitting well in the cases.

Also 500 watt power supply is probably a little light for a decent video card as most of them require at least a 600 watt nowadays. Many of them will also require a 6-pin powersupply lead directly from the PS too.

You might want to look into a barebones kit. That will include the case, PS, mobo and cpu usually and all you have to add is the hd, ram and vid card. It will give you more flexibility and you should still hit under the $1000 mark.

Look into a dual-core proc instead of a quad core as in most games the extra 2 cores sit unused.

here's a good example of a decent barebones kit : http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications ... eviewStart

[z3r07w0]

I ran into a similar problem when i tried to upgrade my 420 xps from dell. All i wanted to do was put in a higher end power source and higher end video card. Since it already had a 3870 in it there was enough room for my 4870. However, they modified the 3870 to fit into the case so when i tried to install my 4870 it required some shuffling and removal of parts. The power source was a Dell so only dell can be used. After i purchased the 600 watt i installed it and there is a small gap under it. It doesnt seem to effect the cooling at all. Badash is right about the power running to the video card but that can be solved with an extension you can buy that splits into two ports giving you more options. Its only 12 volts. Not alot. If you dont care much about who the card designer is i suggest a 4870. They are low in cost and the output is awesome. I think they are around 150-170 US.

[Yazule]

i built my own computers for years, in 98 i got dual 800ghz processors with a gig of ram and and FX graphics card (when they really were all that and a bag of chips)

end of the day, it bores me to build them now, 800 bucks is great, the 600watt is a good idea though, maybe even a 750, but the case is not small, and there are all the slots I need for the graphics.

thanks for the info on auto-detect graphics card, that is my worst worry.

computers are so far ahead of software nowadays, i am comfortable that when i am looking for a new pc next time this rig will still be more than able to play whatever I am playing at the time.

thx for the inputs.

[PinkRabi]

Cant you just by a completely premade good system for under a grand?

You can get an HP E310t model with the Intel i7-860 quad-core @2.8GHz, 6GB 1333MHz DDR3 and a 1GB ATi 5770 (+ hdds etc) all for $1010.00 dollars (think that might be -tax though). Thats from like 3mins of looking so I'm sure you could find better spec as well. That way you dont have to go worrying about compatable components or anything.

Pink

[Yazule]

both dell and HP do not offer graphics cards of a caliber i want in my pc, so i would be in the same boat, replacing a graphics card

[PinkRabi]

Well the system I just suggested had a 5770 in it, and I'd like to see you get a better DX11 card with a power supply for under $200. Because new-egg prices that (even with getting the cheapest possible power supply and card) at $205 ex. tax

[I.D.O.]

I have no idea if this too late for input and I really don't have much to much to add. I still build all my systems but I have modded a couple OEM systems and it works well as long the system isn't a lowend system to start with.

All I can say is... good luck.... were all counting on you....