Should i keep or sell desktop?

Hi all,

Im trying to figure out if i should sell my several year old desktop and just use my notebook from now on.

The desktop only ever gets turned on for games and never used for anything else, but i have a samsung q310 now and just wondered if it will be able to:
a. run the games
and
b. run the games without over heating.

Heres my desktop specs,

AMD 64 X2 5200+ processor 2.6GHz
2gb 800mhz ram
Nvidia 7600gt graphics card
150gb 16mb cache 7200rpm Hard drive
asus crosshair motherboard (the original version)
windows 7 64 bit

And the samsung q310.

Intel p8600 2.4GHz
3gb ram, MHz unknown
300gb hard drive, cache unknown 5400rpm.
nvidia GeForce Go 9200M GS 256Mb graphics card.
Windows xp or windows 64 bit, depending wchich os i load.



How will the two compare for games?

The games i play are:

GTR2
Test drive unlimited
Toca race driver.
need for speed underground.

Thank you

 

The 7600 GT, although being old, is still quite a bit better than your 9200m. Either way, you will not have an optimal gaming experience on either of them, I would sell the desktop personally, sinking anymore money into it would be meaningless.

Maybe start saving up for a new budget gaming desktop? Just some thoughts..

To answer your questions,

1. It will run the games, but at the lowest graphical settings(mostly dirt 2) and it may be a bit choppy. I would be surprised if it ran Dirt 2 well at all.

2. It shouldn't overheat at all, the hardware in your laptop is not powerful enough to overheat. Although if it is a small laptop with poor cooling it may get very hot. Still I believe it won't overheat.

 

Thanks for the reply, yeah it would have to be a new computer instead of upgrading individual components, i have a nvidia gtx 260 sat next to me but havnt put it in yet as the rest of the computer isnt really fast enough to get many benifits from it and it hasnt got enough ram really.

Im thinking of selling the gtx260 and putting the money towards a playstation3, and thats also the reason for this question, if the q310 could play games ok then i could sell the computer as well, i couldnt do without a gaming pc as pc games are cheap when you compare them to ps3 games, especilly second hand.

ps. how much do you think the desktop is worth?

thanks again

 

True, you could most likely get about $300 between selling the graphics card and the desktop(at least).

Although I think you should stick in the 260m GTX and try it out at least. It will be bottlenecked by your system, but not as bad as you think. It will be leaps and bounds ahead of that 7600 GT.

But if your comfortable with low graphical settings for now selling the desktop is the best way to go. Just a caution, that laptop may not play games for too much longer, its very weak to begin with, and when more demanding games start to come out you may not be able to play them.

 

Your not going to get much for your desktop. Might as well turn it into a file or media server.

 

I dunno, for $100-$150 I dont think thats a bad deal for a very budget gaming desktop, not to mention if someone was to upgrade the graphics cards.

 

Dude your desktop needs like an $80 upgrade and you can play Crysis on ~High settings. Buy an 8800GT (or similar) and you're set. If you have a few more dollars to spend buy something better.

 

That desktop is quite in line with being easy to upgrade. Upgrades you can consider (assuming the processor is AM2+ socket) is to a quad core Phenom II, more RAM, and of course any graphics card you want if you got the power supply to handle it as well as enough room in the case.

 

I didn't even think about that, I forgot AMD made the smart choice and stuck with the same socket.

You could do as he said, and upgrade the processor, another stick of RAM, and pop in the 260m GTX and you would have a pretty spectacular gaming desktop.

 

Thanks again,

I reckon for a new processor and ram would be around £180 but will the original asus crosshair be able to keep up? The cheap Gigabyte GA-MA770-UD3 motherboard seems to look better from the very limited info i can access.

That price includes AMD Phenom II X4 (965) 3.4GHz Processor and cheap ish 2x1gb ram bringing the total up to 4gb's. I know know one knows when the playstation 4 will come out but will this last longer than a ps3 for games though? As i think i might start playing the need for speed games.

 

you problee gona need too get a better graphics card if you want too game for a long time.


the amd 965 and 4gb or ram and a better video card like 9600gt 9800gt or the 4850-4870-4890 will keep you gaming for awhile. than you can upgrade too the 5x seires cards when you need more speed.


my desktop has a amd [email protected] and 4gb of ram and a 4890 and i play every game out there maxxed settings with 1920x1200 res.

and i know it will for even couple more years but im gona upgrade too a 5870 or 5970 soon


but ya if you can upgrade too a new cpu lik ethe 965 than ya i say its well worth it too keep the desktop and upgrade it.

 

Depends how much you are offered for it. It not worth very much so if you dont have a buyer yet, I would rather upgrade it for cheap than sell it, Not worth selling imo.

 

AMD Phenom 965 is a socket AM3 processor, the best AM2+ proc is the 940 (3GHz quad).

I would say use it as a file server or put a little cash into it to make it a decent rig

 

if he has a am2+ am3 works in thoes sockets.

becuase mine is a am2+ board and have a 965 in it.


edit i could be wrong sense mine is a am2/am3 compatable but if you could look more into your board too see if it can take am3 that would be good



cause a friend i know has this board and he has a am3 945 in his working fine http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128376

 

Best to look up the MB mfg and find out if it is truly AM3 compatible. My rev. 1 mobo is AM2/AM2+ however there is a rev. 2 of my mobo that is also AM3. It is likely possible to flash my mobo with the rev 2 bios though... not sure I want to try without a backup around though, in case I brick it lol.

 

I would be interested in the desktop if you want to get rid or it...