I would like to begin by saying that I cannot find diddly squat on anyone doing anything with this mini desktop on the internet. Everyone seems to let its size interfere with doing anything with it. I would like to think on the contrary. I think there's a number of upgrades little or not to optimize this little beast. Though I feel I need to reach out for help. So here I am and so here are the original specs:
(Without opening the case)
Acer Aspire X3200 U3600A
Windows Vista 64 Home Premium
MOBO MB.SAT01.002 (what im led to believe, not much info anywhere on this)
AMD Phenom x3 @ 2.1
Integrated Nvidia Geforce 8200 (update leads you to believe it transforms into a 9200 magically)
PSU 220 W (Again what I'm led to believe)
Here is a review from CNET:
http://reviews.cnet.com/desktops/acer-aspire-ax3200-u36...
Now some things I believe can be improved...
CPU: The Phenom x3 8400 is ..eh.. @2.1 ghz for each core I really want to upgrade. What can I upgrade to? AM2 socket, though the mobo had support for phenom processors.. so I guess I got that much to work with.
Athlon x2 6000+? Would need a better PSU I believe.
A better Phenom? Quad core? At what frequency? Is there a black edition first series Phenom? Could I buy that?
Im continually led in the direction of a better PSU.
GPU: Integrated Nvidia Geforce 8200... *sigh* Well its got an empty PCIex16 slot
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Though I am again brought down buy the low PSU. What I have found so far that I heard works with this Acer garbage is a Radeon HD 5570. Its low pro and low power which is good. Though I'm not sure if its a bit too much that I'd fry this beastie.
Now I'm not asking for much, just some Dragon Age, Fallout3, Oblivion. Is it possible I can do something to run those games smoothly without having to buy a new computer? Those three big parts CPU, GPU, and PSU seems to be my objective. I want to say I can leave my processor as I have seem some youtube videos of people playing Crysis using the Phenom x3 8400 on medium/high settings. So that leaves a GPU and/or PSU to buy. I would also like to keep this upgrading on the cheap side. Think ebay prices.
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Ive also considered transfering the MOBO to another mini itx case/power supply bundle for cheap. That would give me a large increase in GPU browsing. Any help whatsoever would be fantastic, thanks.