Need some recommend for my computer specs ( Upgrading )

[Jackie88]

Hi there, i want to ask if i can just upgrade my graphics card with my computer specs below to play L4D2 and latest game? I did a can you run it system check at http://cyri.systemrequirementslab.com and the result is below.


Result

CPU Minimum: Pentium 4 3.0 GHz You Have: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.80GHz PASS
CPU Speed Minimum: 3.0 GHz You Have: 2.80 GHz http://d1ylr6sba64qi3.cloudfront.net/cyri/assets/images_/red_arrow.gif Upgrade Suggested: Unfortunately, your CPU Speed does not meet this requirement. Click here to see some recommendations. (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/category/category_tlc.asp?CatId=114&SRCCODE=SRL&CMP-BAC=SRL)
RAM Minimum: 1 GB for XP or 2GB for Vista/7 You Have: 1022.7 MB http://d1ylr6sba64qi3.cloudfront.net/cyri/assets/images_/green_arrow.gif PASS
OS Minimum: Windows® 7 / Vista / Vista64 / XP You Have: Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 3 (build 2600) http://d1ylr6sba64qi3.cloudfront.net/cyri/assets/images_/green_arrow.gif PASS

Video Card Minimum: DirectX 9 compatible video card with 128 MB, Shader model 2.0. ATI Radeon X800, NVIDIA GeForce 6600 or better You Have: RADEON 9250 AGP (0x5960) http://d1ylr6sba64qi3.cloudfront.net/cyri/assets/images_/red_arrow.gif Upgrade Suggested: Unfortunately, your Video Card does not meet this requirement. Click here to see some recommendations. (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/campaigns/campaigntemplate.asp?CampaignID=705&name=NVIDIA-Store&SRCCODE=SRL&CMP-BAC=SRL) Features: Minimum attributes of your Video Card

Required You Have http://d1ylr6sba64qi3.cloudfront.net/cyri/assets/images_/green_checkmark_small.gif Video RAM 128 MB 128.0 MB http://d1ylr6sba64qi3.cloudfront.net/cyri/assets/images_/green_checkmark_small.gif Hardware T&L Yes Yes http://d1ylr6sba64qi3.cloudfront.net/cyri/assets/images_/red_x_small.gif Pixel Shader version 2.0 1.4 http://d1ylr6sba64qi3.cloudfront.net/cyri/assets/images_/red_x_small.gif Vertex Shader version 2.0 1.1

[nevius]

You're close enough to the minimum specs (which will result in a bad gaming experience) that you should probably think of replacing the mobo, ram, and processor. If you choose your parts strategically, you can easily do it for under $200 (if you go the AMD route and choose a mobo with integrated nvidia graphics).

[LowSky]

Good luck finding a AGP video card... you might find one used on Ebay, but it wont be really worth it.

If you want to play brand new games, you need a brand newmid level system.

[Dustin2128]

unfortunatley, the only AGP card I could think of that's good enough would be the geforce 7800, maybe some radeon cards. But that's just delaying the inevitable; if you've got PCIe slots, get a geforce 210 512Mb. If you don't, get a new mobo. All parts added together, its just cheaper to get a refurbished 360 (120$).

[NCLI]

Sorry to say this, but a new video card isn't going to do it. Especially because your motherboard only supports ancient video cards.

New motherboard, CPU, GPU, & RAM, in other words: a new PC.

You're probably better off buying a PS3 though, it's cheap, and will last you for a quite a few years to come with no upgrades.

[Brent0]

Your system cannot handle newer games even with an upgrade. Buy a new PC or a 360.
I was in your same situation a few months ago. I had Celeron D, 512MB of RAM, crappy-beyond-belief Intel GPU, etc. I tried to find the best upgrades but found that building a new PC is easier AND cheaper by a long shot.

[Warpnow]

As has been said, your system likely only support AGP video cards. You can buy good AGP video cards, but the price you will pay might be more than a whole new mid-level system.

[Dustin2128]

As has been said, your system likely only support AGP video cards. You can buy good AGP video cards, but the price you will pay might be more than a whole new mid-level system.
does ATI still make new ones? I was wanting a middle range card as a stopgap measure until I can afford a new motherboard.

[NCLI]

does ATI still make new ones? I was wanting a middle range card as a stopgap measure until I can afford a new motherboard.
If you can't afford a new motherboard, you certainly can't afford a decent AGP card. They're ridiculously expensive.

[Dustin2128]

If you can't afford a new motherboard, you certainly can't afford a decent AGP card. They're ridiculously expensive.
why? Any gamers would have upgraded to PCIe circa 2004. The only market for AGP cards I could think of is in entry level systems.

[Warpnow]

They produce lower numbers. Lower numbers means higher costs. OEMs never use AGP anymore, and OEMS are the major purchasers, not system builders.

A Radeon HD 4650 on newegg is $79.99. The PCI-e equilvalent is $48.99. Plus the 4650 isn't that good of a card. There are better cards in PCI-e for $20-$30.

[NCLI]

why? Any gamers would have upgraded to PCIe circa 2004. The only market for AGP cards I could think of is in entry level systems.
Because there's very low demand for them, so they don't benefit from the price reduction the PCIe cards get through being mass-produced on a huge scale. Even entry-level systems use PCIe cards now.

EDIT: Two minds, one thought.

[ubunterooster]

You can make a very decent $600 PC by carefully picking parts. Looking at your PC, it is not that good for gaming

[nevius]

I recently took apart my old P4 machine and installed the following parts

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211066
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103252
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131318

The motherboard and CPU are sold out, but it gives an idea of the sorts of deals that can be had for less than $200. Reusing a case/PSU/DVD drive can save a decent amount of money on a budget build (assuming that you don't have a BTX case). Since you're thinking about gaming you would also probably have to add a pcie graphics card.