Upgrade My Computer - Please help =)

Ok so I first have to say, my knowledge about computers and whats good for gaming is very limited (I basically am an idiot with these things).

So I need you guys to help me out figuring what I need to get for my PC to be able to handle gaming efficiently.

Here is what I think is important from my dxdiag:

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System Information
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Time of this report: 8/13/2011, 17:02:22
Machine name: GLEN-COMP
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.101209-1647)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
System Model: M56S-S3
BIOS: Award Modular BIOS v6.00PG
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 6000+, MMX, 3DNow (2 CPUs), ~3.0GHz
Memory: 3070MB RAM
Page File: 920MB used, 4035MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.5512 32bit Unicode

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Display Devices
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Card name: NVIDIA GeForce 9600 GT
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce 9600 GT
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0622&SUBSYS_00000000&REV_A1
Display Memory: 1024.0 MB
Current Mode: 1600 x 900 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0012.8026 (English)
DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 8/3/2011 21:49:00, 4210816 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
VDD: n/a
Mini VDD: nv4_mini.sys
Mini VDD Date: 8/3/2011 21:49:00, 12542592 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B71E3E-4562-11CF-EA7C-0C2000C2CB35}
Vendor ID: 0x10DE
Device ID: 0x0622
SubSys ID: 0x00000000
Revision ID: 0x00A1
Revision ID: 0x00A1
Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_C ModeMPEG2_D
Deinterlace Caps: {6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
Registry: OK
DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Enabled
DDraw Test Result: Not run
D3D7 Test Result: Not run
D3D8 Test Result: Not run
D3D9 Test Result: Not run


Please and Thank You =)

I would strongly recommend moving up to Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit. As for hardware I recommend G.Skill RAM and atleast 4GB. For a GPU I recommend EVGA and atleast a GTX 560... just examples that will help and won't cost you too much.

Your CPU is still okay, I'm running an Intel E8400 dual core chip and its still a beast that'll play anything. But if you can afford it and love AMD, I recommend moving up to a nice cheap Quad-Core from them.

"

diablofan wrote:

I would strongly recommend moving up to Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit. As for hardware I recommend G.Skill RAM and atleast 4GB. For a GPU I recommend EVGA and atleast a GTX 560... just examples that will help and won't cost you too much.

Your CPU is still okay, I'm running an Intel E8400 dual core chip and its still a beast that'll play anything. But if you can afford it and love AMD, I recommend moving up to a nice cheap Quad-Core from them.

Cool Thank You. =)

I'd say you are better off buying a new prebuild rig if what you said is true and you arent that familiar with computer components.
Mainly because replacing a motherboard isnt simple even for someone who has done it before and you are going to want a new motherboard so you can have DDR3 RAM.
And if you want a fast system you oughta get a SSD harddrive for your operating system. For software a normal harddrive should be fine unless you have a lot of money to spend on expensive SSDs.


tl;dr
Buy a new prebuild or start from a scratch and build a computer or have someone build it for you. Because your motherboard is old and replacing it isnt a simple task for a beginner.

/endrant


If you have any questions regarding the matter send me a PM.

Ok so what I need new is a Motherboard, CPU, Graphics card and RAM.

So my new question is, what do you guys suggest for each of these. I want them good enough to be able to run Skyrim on max settings when it comes out. =)

Please and Thank You.

Athlon 64 X2 processors are still really good, however, what I would do is look into upgrading your system into something that will last a little longer.

Depending on the route you want to go, there's a variety of options.

If money is a concern, I'd look for an AMD based unit as they run a bit cheaper then Intel processors.

You could try newegg for a ready to assemble pc as they have some that would cost you around $350.00.

Other options that you have is preassembled units.

Upgrading your current system to Windows 7 64 bit would be a bit bothersome as it's not a direct upgrade from XP and would still require a clean install.

Just some things to think about.

If you're going to upgrade just replace the RAM and gpu.

If you have the money I would suggest buying/building a completely new computer. If you give me an amount you'd be willing to spend I would gladly link you suggestions from newegg.

"

dahbagel wrote:

If you're going to upgrade just replace the RAM and gpu.

If you have the money I would suggest buying/building a completely new computer. If you give me an amount you'd be willing to spend I would gladly link you suggestions from newegg.

Well my current build costed me $900. Could you find a good build that would cost me no more than $100 above that?

Note that I don't need a new pc case, power supply, I have fans as a cooling system, Hard drive, and I don't think i need new CD/DVD trays.

[EDIT] I've seen some pretty good builds on youtube for around $650 (In one of the comments - not the actual video).

Quote: "This build sucks, for $100 more u can get a 32 nm AMD A8-3850 APU with Asus F1A75M Pro Motherboard, 8GB DDR3, Radeon 6770 DX11, 1TB HDD, for about $600 - $650, so for slightly more than $500 you can get a PC several times better"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMAZXmitySQ

Thanks. =)

BTW: How do I tell what my motherboard is so I can compare it to others?

google belarc advisor. then run it and post that.