Please Help need to upgrade my PC badly XD

plankermaxx · 25 Mar 2006 at 17:01

Hi new to forums,
Basically I want/need to upgrade my PC so i can play current gen games I really want to play Elder Scrolls:Oblivion on med-high settings on 1078x768(?) res. These are my specs
Dell dimension 8400
3Ghz P4
512mb Ram
X300 128mb
I know i need to upgrade my Graphics Card I was thinking either a x1800xt for £170,7800gt xfx for £150 or 7900gt for £200. Please tell me if a RAM upgrade is necessary for one of these cards to perform well as i really have a tight budget. If it is could you guys advise me on which type of ram to buy? As its Dell i cannot overclock it please guys any help GREATLY APPRECIATED. I think those prices will rise next week please reply asap thx.

PS. A 480w TrueBlue PSU should suffice?? thx.

Trifid · 25 Mar 2006 at 17:28

You will need more than 512 of ram for these types of games unless you want really choppy gameplay, as I found out, having to pay for postage again to get more ram.

This will help you decide on a card:

(please note the res and AA that it was ran at.)

cleanbluesky · 25 Mar 2006 at 17:29

okay, lets upgrade your PC badly... swap to an older socket, use a pentium three

FrankJH · 25 Mar 2006 at 17:29

I would seriously think about getting a gig of ram - I am sure some kind soul who is an expert on p4's willl tell you exactly what type - or even better two gig if you can afford it.

As to graphics card, I would seriously consider a 7900GT or an X1900 to enjoy the most recent games at good speeds - you may get away with 7800/1800 but I would save up a little more if i were you

plankermaxx · 25 Mar 2006 at 17:36

Thanks Frank greatly appreciated Im thinking of 7900gt

but still need help with the ram seeing as i cannot overclock would i find much difference between value ram and expensive ones?

Also would any ram be compatible with my mobo?

plankermaxx · 25 Mar 2006 at 18:22

Please anyone help me? have to order ram in an hour :confused:

would any ram work in my dell system?? plz help

ACESHIGH · 26 Mar 2006 at 08:37

That pc does actually use DDR2.

OcUK have ..
Samsung Original 512MB DDR2 PC5300 667MHz (MY-015-SA)
£41.07*

As for graphics the X1800XT is faster than the 7900GT. the extra ram will also help so get this card to save a bit of money & everything should run fine -

PowerColor ATI Radeon X1800 XT 512MB GDDR3 AVIVO TV-Out/Dual DVI (PCI-Express) - Retail (GX-048-PC)
** Available This Week Only for just £199.95 +VAT. **

edited to add:
As stated below though, you may need new PSU for such a powerfull card.

plankermaxx · 26 Mar 2006 at 17:09

Thanks a lot mate!

:bowdown:

Great Forums Thanks!

Raikiri · 26 Mar 2006 at 17:16

When you upgrade your graphics, you will probably need a new PSU. Which won't work because you have a dell so you will need a new motherboard, which won't fit because you have a dell so you will need a new case. The heatsink will be dell only most likely so there will that as well...

yeah don't buy a dell

Emlyn_Dewar · 26 Mar 2006 at 17:29

That Dell uses DDR2 doesn't it?

maddness · 26 Mar 2006 at 17:44

the dell 8700 (or 4700) cant quite remember, took standard atx psu's

besides the dell psu's tend to be quite good, can remember using a 6800 ultra in the days.