Just got a new computer!
yeah, i just got done playing a few games of Halo on Xbox Live. The HDMI looks friggin amazing vs. the old CRT tv i was playing on with A/V cables. with the touch of a button it goes over to the DVI connector and back to my computer. now THATS multitasking.
i've managed to locate a few ideal cards that will fit, they are on the "wish list"
and I never thought this site would be so interesting in 16:9 aspect ratio
just got done doing a few tests. it runs CS:S at 100fps constant with my FS at 45-60fps. im currently installing BF: 2142 right now and see how it handles it compared to my 3-yr/old machine before it.
and blackedout, i had to set it up on the kitchen table because everything in my room is packed away and this will soon be with it for my apartment. plus i needed a wide-open area so as to not lose anything (im notorious for that when opening new things!)
i've managed to locate a few ideal cards that will fit, they are on the "wish list"
and I never thought this site would be so interesting in 16:9 aspect ratio
just got done doing a few tests. it runs CS:S at 100fps constant with my FS at 45-60fps. im currently installing BF: 2142 right now and see how it handles it compared to my 3-yr/old machine before it.and blackedout, i had to set it up on the kitchen table because everything in my room is packed away and this will soon be with it for my apartment. plus i needed a wide-open area so as to not lose anything (im notorious for that when opening new things!)
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 43,542
Likes: 819
From: Joplin MO
Good luck trying to run a video card with the power supply that thing comes with. It's not going to be strong enough. It's only 220 watts. You bought a general purpose computer, not a gamer. If the onboard video can't handle your games, oh well.
Before you tell me I'm full of crap, I've been repairing and building computers for 15 years and I run a PC forum.
Before you tell me I'm full of crap, I've been repairing and building computers for 15 years and I run a PC forum.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 633
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From: Graham TX
X2 you can't touch a quality pre-built gaming pc for 1000. However if he has the know how he can replace the power supply and then run a new graphics card, but if he knows how to do that then he should have just built his own to begin with and came out with a better performing PC for less money. It is a nice computer, its just not built to do what he wants, which makes it kinda a waste except he will be able to use it for school work just fine.
Graphics Contributor
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,367
Likes: 0
From: Buffalo NY
Good luck trying to run a video card with the power supply that thing comes with. It's not going to be strong enough. It's only 220 watts. You bought a general purpose computer, not a gamer. If the onboard video can't handle your games, oh well.
Before you tell me I'm full of crap, I've been repairing and building computers for 15 years and I run a PC forum.
Before you tell me I'm full of crap, I've been repairing and building computers for 15 years and I run a PC forum.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 43,542
Likes: 819
From: Joplin MO
Birddog - that's a proprietary form factor PSU in there and cannot be upgraded.
I ran into this same issue with my nephew. My sister bought him a Dell - but boo booed big time and got a small form factor. I couldn't do anything with it except upgrade the ram. If she had got him the same model in minitower we could have put a standard ATX power supply and a standard height video card in it.
I ran into this same issue with my nephew. My sister bought him a Dell - but boo booed big time and got a small form factor. I couldn't do anything with it except upgrade the ram. If she had got him the same model in minitower we could have put a standard ATX power supply and a standard height video card in it.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,042
Likes: 1
From: Clemson, SC
First off congrats on going to college! Trust me on this, though, you will regret not getting a laptop sooner or later. It definitely comes in handy. I'm sure your college is different but our university requires all incoming freshmen to have laptops. A few situations I can think of off the top of my head when you'd want a laptop over a pc:
--In class. There are some classes where it's soooo much easier to take notes on your laptop as opposed to on paper.
--Between classes. Most professors put assignments online, especially nowadays. It would be a pain to have to hike it to the library or a computer lab every time you wanted to use a computer on campus. With a laptop you can sit down wherever you are and pop online.
--In the library. Sure there are computers in the library, but during exam times (which is when you'll need them most) they are practically unavailable. So many students flock to the library at exam time it's impossible.
--Group projects and meetings. Same reason as the last one--most of the time group projects will be due around the same time as exams. You could do work on a laptop much easier than using a public computer, especially if the place is busy.
--Simple convenience. You can take it anywhere. The worries about toting it around are non-existent unless you leave your stuff laying around without watching it.
I can understand your argument that a laptop under a grand wouldn't be great performance-wise. This is something, though, that's definitely worth splurging on. Keep in mind.... Education > gaming.
--In class. There are some classes where it's soooo much easier to take notes on your laptop as opposed to on paper.
--Between classes. Most professors put assignments online, especially nowadays. It would be a pain to have to hike it to the library or a computer lab every time you wanted to use a computer on campus. With a laptop you can sit down wherever you are and pop online.
--In the library. Sure there are computers in the library, but during exam times (which is when you'll need them most) they are practically unavailable. So many students flock to the library at exam time it's impossible.
--Group projects and meetings. Same reason as the last one--most of the time group projects will be due around the same time as exams. You could do work on a laptop much easier than using a public computer, especially if the place is busy.
--Simple convenience. You can take it anywhere. The worries about toting it around are non-existent unless you leave your stuff laying around without watching it.
I can understand your argument that a laptop under a grand wouldn't be great performance-wise. This is something, though, that's definitely worth splurging on. Keep in mind.... Education > gaming.
Last edited by mblouir; Jul 14, 2009 at 07:20 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,869
Likes: 0
First off congrats on going to college! Trust me on this, though, you will regret not getting a laptop sooner or later. It definitely comes in handy. I'm sure your college is different but our university requires all incoming freshmen to have laptops. A few situations I can think of off the top of my head when you'd want a laptop over a pc:
--In class. There are some classes where it's soooo much easier to take notes on your laptop as opposed to on paper.
--Between classes. Most professors put assignments online, especially nowadays. It would be a pain to have to hike it to the library or a computer lab every time you wanted to use a computer on campus. With a laptop you can sit down wherever you are and pop online.
--In the library. Sure there are computers in the library, but during exam times (which is when you'll need them most) they are practically unavailable. So many students flock to the library at exam time it's impossible.
--Group projects and meetings. Same reason as the last one--most of the time group projects will be due around the same time as exams. You could do work on a laptop much easier than using a public computer, especially if the place is busy.
--Simple convenience. You can take it anywhere. The worries about toting it around are non-existent unless you leave your stuff laying around without watching it.
I can understand your argument that a laptop under a grand wouldn't be great performance-wise. This is something, though, that's definitely worth splurging on. Keep in mind.... Education > gaming.
--In class. There are some classes where it's soooo much easier to take notes on your laptop as opposed to on paper.
--Between classes. Most professors put assignments online, especially nowadays. It would be a pain to have to hike it to the library or a computer lab every time you wanted to use a computer on campus. With a laptop you can sit down wherever you are and pop online.
--In the library. Sure there are computers in the library, but during exam times (which is when you'll need them most) they are practically unavailable. So many students flock to the library at exam time it's impossible.
--Group projects and meetings. Same reason as the last one--most of the time group projects will be due around the same time as exams. You could do work on a laptop much easier than using a public computer, especially if the place is busy.
--Simple convenience. You can take it anywhere. The worries about toting it around are non-existent unless you leave your stuff laying around without watching it.
I can understand your argument that a laptop under a grand wouldn't be great performance-wise. This is something, though, that's definitely worth splurging on. Keep in mind.... Education > gaming.
Technical Article Contributor
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 6,509
Likes: 6
From: Georgia on my mind...
I ain't a student, but there's no way in hell I could be chained to a desktop when traveling and at work.
I think you'll probably end up getting a cheap laptop just for the sake of convenience, for many reasons already mentioned.
I think you'll probably end up getting a cheap laptop just for the sake of convenience, for many reasons already mentioned.