Because my boyfriend is finding it harder to resist buying a Mac computer that he can't afford, we decided to spruce up his desktop so he doesn't feel such a strong need to replace it.
We've cleaned all the dust out of the interior and picked out new memory cards (2x1GB) which he'll getting next week after he gets paid.
We also want to get a new video card so he can play some games. Guitar Hero, Lego Star Wars, and maybe a few others.
He needs a card for a PCI-slot but since I have a laptop, upgrading hasn't been anything I've bothered with. So I have no idea where to begin. I don't know what the most reliable brands are or what other compatibility issues we should be looking at. He doesn't need the most expensive card. Preferably something mid-level that won't be obsolete next year.
Any suggestions?
Posted by erosomniac (Member # 6834) on :
A regular PCI, PCI Express x16, PCI Express x1 or PCI Express 2.0 slot?
Posted by Shanna (Member # 7900) on :
Just PCI. Its a Dell Dimension 3000. Sorry I forgot to mention that.
Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
How old is his computer? Guitar Hero for the PC requires surprisingly sophisticated hardware.
Posted by erosomniac (Member # 6834) on :
If it's regular PCI, a mid-range card isn't actually possible. The only cards available for a PCI slot anymore are 4-5 year old technology.
Posted by Shanna (Member # 7900) on :
He can't remember exactly but our guess is three years old.
Posted by Mucus (Member # 9735) on :
link Looks like it really actually is an honest to god PCI slot and not even an AGP slot.
Posted by erosomniac (Member # 6834) on :
You're sure the computer doesn't have an AGP slot?
Edit: oh, sheesh. Yeah, you're pretty much out of luck on a decent video card.
Posted by Shanna (Member # 7900) on :
So do we just chuck it out the window?
I read online that getting a new motherboard is an option but that its near impossible to fit one in the case we already have? I don't think we want to get too complicated.
Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
Yes. Chuck it out the window. It's old enough that the only things you'd be able to reuse -- floppy drives, CD-ROM drives, etc. -- are either no longer useful or have themselves been improved immeasurably.
I'd actually consider an XBox360.
Posted by Mucus (Member # 9735) on :
I would be careful and take a very good look at the power connector from the PSU to the motherboard. I'm not 100% sure, but sometimes these pre-built machines use non-standard power connectors which may prevent you from installing a new standard motherboard.
Another problem that may come up is that the PSU unit that comes with that case is only 250W. That may prevent you from being able to support a modern video card anyways.
So .... it may be worth just getting a new case and PSU combination if you're getting a new motherboard... which pretty much means a new computer.
At this juncture, I would suggest actually just getting a Wii or an X-Box 360. Those will play the two games that you want with a lot less hassle.
Posted by Jon Boy (Member # 4284) on :
What are the rest of the specs on the machine? If it's that old and obsolete, then 2 GB of RAM will probably be a waste.