I currently have a Dell Dimension 4500 and here are the current specs of it:

Processor: Intel(R)Intel Pentium 4 2.0GHz
System RAM: 512MB DDR RAM
Video Card: ATi Radeon 9200 128MB AGP 8x/4x

I was looking to upgrade the RAM and Graphics Gard to play cs source, here they are:

- XFX PVT42EUDE3 Geforce 6800 XTreme 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card
- pqi POWER Series 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 266 (PC 2100)

Is this a good setup? Is my processor a little outdated to hadle the upgrades?

I was doing a search and I found out that It costs about $214 on upgrading to these components, is it worth it? Or should I wait a while and get a new computer?


Thanks guys for your help!

 

First of all, does your pc even have a pci express x16 slot? I think it might not.

 

I don't know, but can you tell from the specs on this page?:

http://support.dell.com/support/edoc...cs.htm#1101572

Thanks!

 

no sir it doesn't, but you can probably find a 6600gt agp or 1600 pro agp card hanging around.

That 2ghz p4 is a bit behind the times though

 

So I guess the first x1600PRO on this page is the best in terms of value and performance:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...SubCategory=48

And the first 6600GT on this page:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...SubCategory=48

Help me pick.

So these 2 cards are the best for my system? They seem to be priced really good.

 

well i have the 6600 gt agp variant, and I can play cs source fiarly well, But my p4 is about 1.5 ghz faster and has the hyper threading junk.

My old athlon played it fine in the lower quality modes though, that processor was only a bit better at games, and the card i had was quite a bit below the 6600.

So how about a definate mabee?

I just wouldn't spent to much. Right now i'm waiting to upgrade myself. DX10 cards and other fancy things are comming, though you can't always wait till the next thing dropp. As something is always ready to make whatever you have look like a toy.

 

gawd with that new crysis game coming out, ima need to trash my 5 year old computer (2.0ghz, amd athlon xp 2400+)

 

Might as well ditch the motherboard IMO.

 

I read some of the reviews for the x1600PRO and some said it doesnt work on their Dimension 4550. I have a 4500, do you think it wouldnt work on mine either?

 

Anymore opinions? Should I upgrade to 1 GB ram and either 6600gt agp or 1600 pro agp card, with the processor I have now, or should i wait a yr or two so i can replace my computer?

 

I'm running a P4 2.4 ghz, and a 9800 Pro 128 mb

 

cs-source isnt exactly a cutting edge game these days, you'll do fine with either card although the 6600gt is probably slight bit better
http://anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=2552&p=9

the extra ram would probably make your system feel more responsive even when not playing games, but make sure you have an open dimm slot to plug more memory into before you purchase some

 

Nice! Thanks for the link Davediego!! This cleared up my confusion on todays graphics cards.

I am planning to put x2 512MB DDR into my system, that is the max it can take, 1 GB of RAM and no more than 512MB in each (There are only 2 slots).

 

I want to get the 6600GT but there are the requirements:

Intel Pentium III, AMD Athlon or compatible CPU
64MB System Memory or above
CD-ROM
Requires AGP 8x slot compliant motherboard
350W power supply <--I only have a 250W power supplu, would this vid card still work if I bought it?