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Need help upgrading an old PC for light gaming

Tags:
  • Power Supplies
  • Hewlett Packard
  • Prebuilt Systems
  • Games
  • Systems
  • Graphics Cards
  • Memory Upgrade
Last response: in Systems
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June 21, 2014 1:20:43 AM

I posted here yesterday, but I have a few new questions now Here are the PC's specs RAM: 1GB DDR PC2-5300
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 3600+
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce 6100 nForce 430 (Microsoft Corporation - WDDM)
Graphics(2)nVidia GeForce 6150SE Both of these are listed
OS: Windows Vista 32 bit
Here's a crucial scan:http://www.crucial.com/usa/en/996F627431D926C3
The model is a Compaq Presario SR5113WM

Alright my questions are: 1.)Which upgrades will I need to play games from last generation on ~mid level settings? Since I have a PS4, I don 't need to be able to play all new games. The main games I've been craving to play are Skyrim and the Fallout games. All other games I'll just buy on my PS4. So yeah I just want to play those on decent settings so I hope to not have to spend a fuck ton of money.
2.)Will I need a new PSU for these upgrades. If so, what kind. Remember I want to save money so around the minimum would be preferred.
3.) As a bonus, what screwdriver do I need to undo for all this shit?Some of the screws look like hexagons.

*Note I am willing to upgrade anything. Just try to keep in mind the max I want to do is play Skyrim on medium settigns on the thing at 30 FPS. I would be willing to settle for low if it saves a large sum of money.

**Here's an extremely detailed spec page: http://h20565.www2.hp.com/portal/site/hpsc/template.PAG...

More about : upgrading light gaming

a b ) Power supply
a b U Graphics card
June 21, 2014 1:30:04 AM

O.K., Ypu are a bit hamstrung by that processor. However, it is not nearly as weak as that graphics card.
If you do not know what power supply you have, buy a used Nvidia 7600 gt. These are about £10 on ebay and will actually give you minimum res medium quality gaming ability for games like halflife 2 or bioshock.
Obviously it will seem poor next to a PS4, but it will work ok and not cost much.
This card only uses about 20 watts more than the one you have.
It is 'unlikely' a 3600+ can play fallout 3 and Very unlikely it will play skyrim without crashing every 5 mins.Sorry.
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June 21, 2014 1:44:27 AM

tea urchin said:
O.K., Ypu are a bit hamstrung by that processor. However, it is not nearly as weak as that graphics card.
If you do not know what power supply you have, buy a used Nvidia 7600 gt. These are about £10 on ebay and will actually give you minimum res medium quality gaming ability for games like halflife 2 or bioshock.
Obviously it will seem poor next to a PS4, but it will work ok and not cost much.
This card only uses about 20 watts more than the one you have.
It is 'unlikely' a 3600+ can play fallout 3 and Very unlikely it will play skyrim without crashing every 5 mins.Sorry.


Here: http://h20565.www2.hp.com/portal/site/hpsc/template.PAG...

Is a very detailed specs page. It's as the PSU is 250 W. I really don't know much about this tuff, so I'm not sure what that means in terms of what upgrades I can do. Just is there any upgrades I could do to run those games? At the minimum price, I'd like to be able to run Skyrim at 30 FPS on medium graphics. If I have to upgrade the PSU, I will. Just list out what I need. I will also upgrade the processor if need be. I have a friend who's very handy with computers that can likely help me put it together. He just doesn't know what I should buy.

*Are there any BIOS updates available? I'm reading that may help?
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a b ) Power supply
a b U Graphics card
June 21, 2014 1:59:53 AM

I am sorry Pal, I looked. It just isnt enough power even for a 7600 gt. your current graphics is inbuilt, not a card.
The CPU IS NOT STRONG ENOUGH to play Skyrim; ! ! ! You need a 5600+ for it to run poorly.
I HAVE PUT A 7600GT on a 400 watt cheap o.e.m power supply before and got away with it but you will not on that machine. throw it in the bin, Pal. Its a dinosaur.
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June 21, 2014 2:07:10 AM

tea urchin said:
I am sorry Pal, I looked. It just isnt enough power even for a 7600 gt. your current graphics is inbuilt, not a card.
The CPU IS NOT STRONG ENOUGH to play Skyrim; ! ! ! You need a 5600+ for it to run poorly.
I HAVE PUT A 7600GT on a 400 watt cheap o.e.m power supply before and got away with it but you will not on that machine. throw it in the bin, Pal. Its a dinosaur.


So you're saying even if I upgrade the Power supply I can't get Skyrim to run? I could easily upgrade the power supply if that is the problem. Also it supports PCI Express x16 graphics cards. So couldn't I slot one of those in their IF I upgrade the power supply? Anyway It's already running New Vegas on low with minimal frame rate issues. so I won't throw the thing out haha, If I don't get any other suggestions by tomorrow, I'll go ahead and make a new post about starting over with a whole new motherboard. Do you think I could at least reuse the case?

I'll make that post now, actually...

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a b U Graphics card
June 21, 2014 2:36:37 AM

It isn't completely about what graphics processor you have. Your CPU is very old and it will slow down whatever GPU you have. You'll have to replace everything you have. You can reuse the case if you want as that has no effect on anything unless you want USB 3.0, space for a disc drive etc.
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