Should I buy this computer for guild wars? - Guild Wars Guru archive powered by Guild Wars Legacy

ty3c

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jun 2005

22 Apr 2008 at 06:39 - 1

HP slimline

AMD AthlonTM 64 X2 Dual-Core Processor 4800+

Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium with Service Pack 1

2GB memory for powerful PC performance

500GB hard drive
HP W2007 20.1" diagonal Widescreen LCD flat panel monitor

SuperMulti DVD Burner with LightScribe Technology

NVIDIA GeForce 6150 SE Graphics

Front-panel 15-in-1 memory card reader

24 x 7 toll-free phone support and one-year HP limited warranty

this is the link:

http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/nav...832&pCatg=5816

I'm not into building one yet, and I can spend only about $700.

I need advice, input, thanks

Brianna

Insane & Inhumane

Join Date: Feb 2006

22 Apr 2008 at 07:11 - 2

Well, it will work fine, but the video card will not get you super performance really.

That looks to be an integrated video card, my motherboard has the 7050 integrated but I don't use that, I use an 8800. However since your computer is pre-built by HP there is no guarantee that they will leave room for upgrading (e.g AGP/PCI-E video card bus). I heard that sometimes they cut features off.

But yeah all in all it will work for the game.

- Hmm, it seems that the spec sheet states that it does indeed have a PCI-Express slot, so you can upgrade your video card to something better like an 8600GT for 80$ or so and play Guild Wars with 60 FPS like a dream.

Go for it I suppose, but I'd only do it if I was planning to upgrade the graphics on it. I guess with the screen it isn't too bad (If you don't have one) but you could build your own tower that is more powerful for cheaper over all.

gone

Guest

Join Date: Jan 2007

22 Apr 2008 at 07:14 - 3

if I were you I'd go:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16883229024
or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16883227060

way more bang for that kinda buck. (until you learn/can build your own)

Brianna

Insane & Inhumane

Join Date: Feb 2006

22 Apr 2008 at 07:16 - 4

Quote:

Originally Posted by flubber

if I were you I'd go:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16883229024
or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16883227060

way more bang for that kinda buck. (until you learn/can build your own)

Agreed that these are better bang for the buck, however they do not come with a screen.. so maybe that's a drawback for the OP? Who knows.

gone

Guest

Join Date: Jan 2007

22 Apr 2008 at 07:20 - 5

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brianna

Agreed that these are better bang for the buck, however they do not come with a screen.. so maybe that's a drawback for the OP? Who knows.

yeah only drawback ;-p

KZaske

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Jun 2006

Boise Idaho

Druids Of Old (DOO)

R/Mo

22 Apr 2008 at 07:23 - 6

The specs say there is a PCI-E X16 slot available, an 8800 would fit nicely in it.

Blackhearted

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jan 2007

Ohio, usa

none

Mo/

22 Apr 2008 at 09:47 - 7

Quote:

Originally Posted by KZaske

The specs say there is a PCI-E X16 slot available, an 8800 would fit nicely in it.

The OPs link is a slim model and uses a much smaller than normal case. I doubt that would even fit into the thing. Even if it did it most likely wouldn't have the PSU capable of that kind of card.

astro reaping

Academy Page

Join Date: Apr 2008

22 Apr 2008 at 10:03 - 8

figure this i have 2 computers
1 is 6 yrs old..specs
ecs k7s5a mother board
amd xp 2000 processor 1.666 ghz
1 gig ddr 2700 memory
gforce fx 5700 graphics card
very old 5200 speed hardrive....

i gave that pc to my wife as she
wanted a pc to play guild wars and
apart from the odd lag spike has no
problems...

i bought another pc about 2 months ago
nothing special but better than what i had

msi mother board amd athlon 64 2.2 ghz processor
1 gig ddr 667 memory
gforce 8400 512
80 gig sata hard drive 7200

and the lag and freeze and lock ups are harendous..
i can stop free for anything upto 5-10 sec before
moving again...just goes to shoe best isnt always better
lol

Tachyon

Forge Runner

Join Date: Nov 2005

Stoke, England

The Godless [GOD]

W/

22 Apr 2008 at 10:56 - 9

My stance on pre-built mass produced computers is well known, so I'll say no!

Build your own, not only is it cheaper but you get more bang for your buck and it also lets you get some knowledge of how a computer is put together for troubleshooting later on.

Yes, I know you said you're not building one yet but you've got to do it sometime and why put it off?

Elder III

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Jan 2007

Ohio

I Will Never Join Your Guild (NTY)

R/

22 Apr 2008 at 12:14 - 10

That computer will handle GW all right, but to get optimal performance you will need a dedicated graphics card. Something like an 8600GT is actually a little overkill for GW, but they aren't that expensive now, and (imo) it's worth the investment in case you want to play any of the more recent games or GW2 when it comes.

Instead of Sam's Club; try having it custom made for you.... both HP and Dell do that for fairly cheap and you can get what you want and not pay for what you don't want. There are other companies that build specifically for gaming, but you most likely would pass you $700 budget if you went that way. Another option is www.tigerdirect.net and www.newegg.com both are computer hardware (and more) sites that I can vouch for personally.

good luck and be sure to shop around

Tamuril elansar

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jul 2007

N/

22 Apr 2008 at 13:03 - 11

its much better and cheaper if you build your own computer, you'll see that 99% computers prebuild have nearly NO way of upgrading.

my brother had a HP computer and wanted to replace the onboard graphics with something better, he bought a 8600 and it didnt fit in the case, nice waste of money ><

arual

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Aug 2006

22 Apr 2008 at 14:09 - 12

I'm an advocate of buidling your own PC. The hardest bit I always find was figuring out what sockets/slot you need for this this and that.

Actually putting it together is usually quite simple since most of the connectors will only ever fit into the relavant part (and mobos generally have pretty comprehensive manuals to help with what goes where). The rest is just messing around with cables that like to get in your way and that screw which dropped on the floor that you can't find.

Trinity Blade

Academy Page

Join Date: Apr 2008

Netherlands

The Guild With No [NAM???]

E/Mo

22 Apr 2008 at 14:41 - 13

I got a Nvidea 6800LE, and I think its worthless; so you might be better of with the computer the guy's above me advertise!

Trinity Blade

Academy Page

Join Date: Apr 2008

Netherlands

The Guild With No [NAM???]

E/Mo

22 Apr 2008 at 14:45 - 14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tamuril elansar

my brother had a HP computer and wanted to replace the onboard graphics with something better, he bought a 8600 and it didnt fit in the case, nice waste of money ><

You can return it right? If not, what a nice customers service -_-

Tamuril elansar

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jul 2007

N/

22 Apr 2008 at 16:19 - 15

well, the store where we buy our hardware is 20 mins driving, so returning still takes you like 1 hour

Tachyon

Forge Runner

Join Date: Nov 2005

Stoke, England

The Godless [GOD]

W/

22 Apr 2008 at 18:50 - 16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tamuril elansar

well, the store where we buy our hardware is 20 mins driving, so returning still takes you like 1 hour

An average speed of 30mph makes the store no more than 10 miles away! Are you taking the piss?

Age

Hall Hero

Join Date: Jul 2005

California Canada/BC

STG Administrator

Mo/

22 Apr 2008 at 18:58 - 17

How many watts is the power supply best to be at 500w?

ty3c

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jun 2005

22 Apr 2008 at 20:57 - 18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Age

How many watts is the power supply best to be at 500w?

500W is good, but 800W to 1000W is AWESOME

Tamuril elansar

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jul 2007

N/

23 Apr 2008 at 07:05 - 19

800 to 1000w is really not needed unless you use quad sli/quad core's or a whole lot of hard drives (around 15)