Buy a new one or upgrade?

Hi, I have a computer that I got a year ago, and it can't even run starcraft 1 properly. It freezes when I'm playing, and I just felt like I needed to build a new computer, or either buy one unless I can replace some parts to make it better. It's a slimeline so I dont know if its possible to add a videocard, and I was just not sure about what to do.

Would it be better to just build one ? or upgrade the one I have, and what would I need to replace?

http://www.frys.com/product/624251 [...] IN_RSLT_PG


HP Pavilion Slimline s5302f PC with AMD Athlon II 240 Dual-Core Processor, 4GB Memory and 750GB Hard Drive


It's this one right here.

Thanks!

Ouch that Slimline not only restricts GPUs to low profile ones it screws peeps over with a pathetic 220W PSU @@

The good news is SC2 high (not ultra) no AA is actually a tame beast so maybe

EVGA GT 240 $35AR Free Ship
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] -_-Product

$25 Free Ship mATX case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811154094

$30AR Free Ship Antec ECO 400W/80+
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817371029

$90AR total and transplant over to new case? This upgrade would also allow you to play WOW Cataclysm under "Good Quality" (again not ultra) settings i reckon ^^

HP Pavilion Slimline s5302f Desktop PC
http://www.hphardware.com/page/mod [...] 44AA&part=

The problem with your system is simply that it doesn't have a GPU. I find it -very- odd that it would freeze during starcraft one,that can't possibly be due to it being too weak, my pentium MMX 166mhz ran starcraft 1 perfectly. This is not normal, this is not due to your processer or video card being too weak or anything, something in the system isn't functioning properly.

I would suggest following the advice in this thread and transplanting your build, you really sound like you're new to PC gaming, so I wouldn't recommend spending $800 on a computer right off the bat. I've been PC gaming for seven years now and I only have a modest $450 build. If you spent a mere $165, getting a GTS450 instead of the card batchuka suggested, you could have pretty much the same build as this experienced PC gamer .

If you still want to make your own system - not reusing the hard drive, memory, and dvd drive (if possible) is just silly. Replacing the motherboard and processer is indeed a good idea if you want to spend a good chunk of money, at microcenter you can get a phenom x4 and a motherboard for $170. Pair that with a $250ish 6870, a nice power supply and a case and you can get a substantially better system for around $500.

Personally I wouldn't go for such a build though, it's $165 vs $500, and what I suggested will net you pretty darn high settings.