RAM Upgrade?

[XJ Dreamin']

Quick question on PCs. Our 10yo's 11th birthday is coming up. He wants a couple of video games: WarCraft Warchest Pack, and Black and White 2.
Looking at our PC (a cheapa$$ E-machine), we've got a 1.8GHz Celeron, and integrated 3D Intel Extreme Graphics AGP with 32MB UMA, but only 128MB DDR RAM. The obvious problem (aside from the fact that I'm a cheapa$$ SOB) is the RAM. I've looked around a bit, and it looks like I could get 1GB DDR (2x512MB) for ~$100. Question is, should I grab a video card as well (~$100) or is the Intel AGP good enough (given my cheapa$$ ways)?

Thanks.

[Starscream]

That integrated graphics is going to kill your framerates ingame, almost to the point of not being playable unless you really, really turn the settings down to stick figure level. Go ahead and upgrade both. Also, if you get the same style RAM you can get a total of 1128MBs, but if you are running under PC2700, go ahead and scrap the 128 stick and just use the 2x512s.

[XJ Dreamin']

Thanks. I was afraid of that. That's what I get for going cheap. $100 ought to be enough graphics card, don't you think?

[Starscream]

Thanks. I was afraid of that. That's what I get for going cheap. $100 ought to be enough graphics card, don't you think?
If he's just 11 and not really into hardcore gaming, then ya, $100 will do fine. I'd go for a GeForce type card with 256MBs, but you could probably get by with a 128 until he decides to run things like Oblivion or F.E.A.R.

[Gnat5680]

Thanks. I was afraid of that. That's what I get for going cheap. $100 ought to be enough graphics card, don't you think?

Nope. this is what i would get...

http://reviews.cnet.com/ATI_Radeon_X800_XT_Platinum_Edition/4505-8902_7-30871661.html
kick ass graphics. one of the best i have seen.

i might be able to work out something with my brother for a lower price. he has his own computer business and can get things for cost.

ill let you know

[5-90]

Before you get those sticks, find the docs on your flat piece and make sure that it can handle addressing large DIMMs. Some motherboards top out at addressing 128Mb, or 256Mb, and if it's an "e-Machine" running a celery, it's suspect.

Also, take a few minutes to go through your BIOS setup and make sure you can actually disable the onboard video before you select a video card... I've seen boards that won't allow you to do that...

5-90

[Starscream]

Nope. this is what i would get...

http://reviews.cnet.com/ATI_Radeon_X800_XT_Platinum_Edition/4505-8902_7-30871661.html
kick ass graphics. one of the best i have seen.

i might be able to work out something with my brother for a lower price. he has his own computer business and can get things for cost.

ill let you know
Nope, for an eMachine that isn't built for gaming and AGP being a thing of the past, I'd say forget it. That's too much of an investment. In fact, XJ Dreamin', check your PMs. I will have a Radeon 9600 for sale very soon that runs great - Battlefield 2 with little trouble, F.E.A.R. and Doom 3 to name a few...

[XJ Dreamin']

Before you get those sticks, find the docs on your flat piece and make sure that it can handle addressing large DIMMs. Some motherboards top out at addressing 128Mb, or 256Mb, and if it's an "e-Machine" running a celery, it's suspect.

That would suck. For sure, I was going to open it up before I go shopping. I'll check the mother board manual as well.

Also, take a few minutes to go through your BIOS setup and make sure you can actually disable the onboard video before you select a video card... I've seen boards that won't allow you to do that...
5-90

That would also suck. Hadn't thought it wouldn't just switch over to the card. I'll check the BIOS. Thanks for the heads up.

[XJ Dreamin']

Nope, for an eMachine that isn't built for gaming and AGP being a thing of the past, I'd say forget it. That's too much of an investment. In fact, XJ Dreamin', check your PMs. I will have a Radeon 9600 for sale very soon that runs great - Battlefield 2 with little trouble, F.E.A.R. and Doom 3 to name a few...

yeah. If he wants a $200 card, he's gonna need a job.

Replied to your PM. Still gotta put all this to the financial manager. Given 5-90's warnings, we might be into total replacement instead. I'm at the front end of this, tonight. I'll update when I've complied with 5-90's check list.

Goodnight, and thanks, again.

[RedHeep]

Before you get those sticks, find the docs on your flat piece and make sure that it can handle addressing large DIMMs. Some motherboards top out at addressing 128Mb, or 256Mb, and if it's an "e-Machine" running a celery, it's suspect.

Also, take a few minutes to go through your BIOS setup and make sure you can actually disable the onboard video before you select a video card... I've seen boards that won't allow you to do that...

5-90

x2

E-machines are the most basic of pc's. They're made with components that may not be upgradeable. You need to get into the motherboard specs and in the case to see if you can do anything with it.

[XJ Dreamin']

x2

E-machines are the most basic of pc's. They're made with components that may not be upgradeable. You need to get into the motherboard specs and in the case to see if you can do anything with it.

I'll update when I've complied with 5-90's check list.


Our daughter's day care is closed today, so she's hangin' with me (Mom don't get paid if she takes off). Maybe Missy Toot-toot and I will tear into it today.

[Gnat5680]

yeah. If he wants a $200 card, he's gonna need a job.

if you are talking about me i have a job. it just sucks for pay....and i don't like it.....and i get injured at it.......and we can't take tips.


I hate Byerlys!!!!!!!!!

the managers are complete bi^chs!
and i get paid less than my old job. (coffee pusher at caribou)

[RichP]

All I can say is don't invest anything in that E machine, by the time you get done spending $150 to $200 bucks on it you could have had a lower end [god I hate saying this] Dell with a real processor. But like E machines their low end boxes don't have video slots, only onboard Intel and shared memory.
I had a customer, catholic school, that got about 20 of those puppies, running ME, luckily they were not celerons and had AGP slots with the ability to disable the onboard video. Shoot me a pm with the model number and serial number, I'll look it up. I have a bunch of AGP video cards with between 64 and 128 meg that are just gathering dust...I think I even have a few pc100 sticks laying around in the 128meg range...if I can match it up you can have them for shipping...

[XJ Dreamin']

if you are talking about me i have a job.

No. LOL. My son.

But, answer me this:

Is this irony or just luck? Our baby girl and I were at home yesterday. Following 5-90's advice, I thought I would take a look at the BIOS on the E-Machine. I'll put what happened in list format

- push power button: nothing
- push power button: nothing
- unplug computer: check outlet: 120VAC
- plug-in computer: speakers produce crackling sound: unplug computer: disconnect speakers
- plug-in computer
- push power button: nothing
- unplug power cord from back of tower: check cord: 120VAC
- plug power cord into back of tower
- push power button: computer comes on and boots: very slow (even for an E-machine)
- after boot complete warning flashes of Power Surge On Hub - a USB device has requested more power than allowed (or something to that effect)
- disconnect printer (only USB device connected)
- warning reapears: click on warning: click on reset
- warning reapears: click on warning: click on reset
- warning reapears - you get the idea
- computer is very slow so hit CNTR-ALT-DEL to check performance: CPU at 100%
- hold power button 8 seconds: monitor goes black: light around power button goes off: HDD activity light stays on
- unplug computer
- plug-in computer
- push power button: computer cycles on then immediately off
- push power button: computer cycles on then immediately off
- push power button: computer cycles on then immediately off
- push power button: computer cycles on then immediately off
- push power button: computer cycles on then immediately off
- etc.

So ends the saga of the inadequate E-Machine. The timing is uncanny. Son finds computer is too slow for new games - computer dies. What do you think? He says he is innocent.

[XJ Dreamin']

All I can say is don't invest anything in that E machine, by the time you get done spending $150 to $200 bucks on it you could have had a lower end [god I hate saying this] Dell with a real processor. But like E machines their low end boxes don't have video slots, only onboard Intel and shared memory.
I had a customer, catholic school, that got about 20 of those puppies, running ME, luckily they were not celerons and had AGP slots with the ability to disable the onboard video. Shoot me a pm with the model number and serial number, I'll look it up. I have a bunch of AGP video cards with between 64 and 128 meg that are just gathering dust...I think I even have a few pc100 sticks laying around in the 128meg range...if I can match it up you can have them for shipping...

Read post #14. Once you drag your ass back up off the floor, we can talk. Seriously, the boss is paranoid about on-line finances. Highly unlikely we'll do any on-line purchasing.

We're looking at an ad for a $400 bundle with nVidia graphics. Good enough for Warcraft and Black and White 2? That's all we need.

edit: the ad says nVidia GeForce with 128MB. The system has 512MB.

[RichP]

Read post #14. Once you drag your ass back up off the floor, we can talk. Seriously, the boss is paranoid about on-line finances. Highly unlikely we'll do any on-line purchasing.

We're looking at an ad for a $400 bundle with nVidia graphics. Good enough for Warcraft and Black and White 2? That's all we need.

edit: the ad says nVidia GeForce with 128MB. The system has 512MB.

Usually it happens AFTER you buy the upgrades. Other than online I have no idea what to recommend. Best buy, Sams, Circuit city if you need to put your eyeballs on it and walk out of the store..
I could build the parts list, but then again you need to get the parts online or pay thru the nose for them at a shop..

[lilredwagn]

If you are considering Dell, check
http://www.techbargains.com/catsearch.cfm/0_3_1

Can get some decent bargains sometimes - I wouldn't buy a Dell that wasn't heavily discounted, however, and you may still have to purchase a vid card.

The above should have any links to great deals at box stores too, but you can also search through http://www.fatwallet.com/c/18/ as well.

[XJ Dreamin']

Usually it happens AFTER you buy the upgrades. Other than online I have no idea what to recommend. Best buy, Sams, Circuit city if you need to put your eyeballs on it and walk out of the store..
I could build the parts list, but then again you need to get the parts online or pay thru the nose for them at a shop..

She still forces the bank to send her the cancelled checks. Nothing on-line. Then again, if I ran the finances we'd have been chapter 11 ten years ago. With her in charge we're doing good. I'll take the markup if that's what she wants to do. I'm going to try to talk her into going up to $500. Really, we just need to run Warcraft and B/W2. We won't be doing any MMP on-line gaming due to our 3MB/s dial-up, so bare minimun.

I'm taking the 5th on the brand in the ad, else I'll end up in my own Idiot Watch Thread :D :D :dunce:

[RedHeep]

Support your local mom and pop computer shop. Get the specs on the components and put something together that works for you without all the bs that the national brands sell you.

[99xjache]

I have a vid card and some spare ram you can have. I'll PM you.

Aaron

[XJ Dreamin']

I have a vid card and some spare ram you can have. I'll PM you.

Aaron

Replied to your PM.

Ironically, the original e-machine is dead - see post #14 :dunno: spooky :shiver: so as of now there is nothing to put any RAM or video cards into, and we haven't been shopping yet.

It'll probably be imbarrassing, but I'll let everybody know what we bought, when we get around to it.

[Kittrell]

Replied to your PM.

Ironically, the original e-machine is dead - see post #14 :dunno: spooky :shiver: so as of now there is nothing to put any RAM or video cards into, and we haven't been shopping yet.

It'll probably be imbarrassing, but I'll let everybody know what we bought, when we get around to it.

Get something WITHOUT a Celeron, that is all.

[XJ Dreamin']

Get something WITHOUT a Celeron, that is all.

Yeah. That's the feeling I've been getting from this thread. That might delay the purchase a bit. Life's a B ain't it?

Better to buy good this time, instead of dirt poor cheap :D

[Bent]

...DDR RAM....I've looked around a bit, and it looks like I could get 1GB DDR (2x512MB) for ~$100.
Thanks.

1G RAM for $100? Don't I wish; try 1 Gig of RD RAM. :gee:

I will have a Radeon 9600 for sale very soon that runs great

I just swapped one in, it's better than my old GForce, but I wish I'd spent a little more, you know how cheep skates are. :D

[Starscream]

1G RAM for $100? Don't I wish; try 1 Gig of RD RAM. :gee:

I just swapped one in, it's better than my old GForce, but I wish I'd spent a little more, you know how cheep skates are. :D
That quote about the Radeon was from me, not Gnat (unless I really missed something :D ). I loved that card, but now it won't hold a candle to my new setup:

AMD Athlon 3700+ San Diego core with fan
Asus A8N32-SLi Deluxe running a full x16 to each (yes, there's two - SLi, hell ya!) of my
XFX 6800XT GeForce GPUs @ 256MB with GDDR3 all in an
Ultra Wizard black ATX mid tower with an
Ultra X-Finity 500 Watt SLi ready power supply with flex force cables

Oh man, just 5 more days...

[XJ Dreamin']

Alright - In the realm of cheapa$$ PC bundles, what's your opinion of the Sempron 3200+? Still shopping.

[Starscream]

Is that the Sempron 64 or just the Sempron?

[XJ Dreamin']

It's the 32. best info I can read is that, while it doesn't support 64-bit apps, it is based on Athlon64 architecture and thereby offers better bargin basement performance than what we had, which is what we're looking for. I read a little on the Sempron64 and people seem to like it, but I'm not going to see it at the price we're going for and I'm pretty sure it should run what we need. I've got a line on a sempron 3100+ with NVIDIA GeForce 6150 LE. It's integrated, but it stills kicks the old e-machines butt all over the place. If the birthday boy wants more than that, he (as I said) can get a job. There's plenty of yards on this street and the old Craftsman 6hp push mower is running just fine.

Thanks everybody for the advice. I think we'll go with the Sempron for now.