[ElfBane]

@OP,
You're wasting your time. If you aren't a hobbyist in PCs, then doing this big an upgrade will almost certainly end in disaster. I'm tellin' ya, you need to get a new PC... and use the old one as backup.

[coastie65]

ElfBane, on 19 January 2012 - 01:16 AM, said:

@OP,
You're wasting your time. If you aren't a hobbyist in PCs, then doing this big an upgrade will almost certainly end in disaster. I'm tellin' ya, you need to get a new PC... and use the old one as backup.

C'mon, lighten up. Everybody that has done a build, has built their FIRST computer at some point. I didn't get around to my first build until this past Sept. and it went well. Got tired of Prebuilts with decent or better than decent specs and a locked down BiOS. I did a lot of upgrades before I did my first build which in some respects laid the ground work.

This post has been edited by coastie65: 19 January 2012 - 01:38 PM

[BLuRR]

ElfBane, on 19 January 2012 - 01:16 AM, said:

@OP,
You're wasting your time. If you aren't a hobbyist in PCs, then doing this big an upgrade will almost certainly end in disaster. I'm tellin' ya, you need to get a new PC... and use the old one as backup.

Hello Elfbane. I knew nothing about computers and in 3 months I learned to build one. If I can learn anyone can. Peace and love man. Smell the roses and all that stuff.

Also, Alfonso you probably might not have a lot of time, but if you are on these forums to learn it would behest you to post your questions here instead of running off and buying things (I know you are probably not doing that) and I would ask before you do anything one way or another. These guys really know their stuff.

Unless you know a IT person or Computer Nerd then you are all good! My $00.02 is to just talk on here and be as active as possible.

This post has been edited by BLuRR: 19 January 2012 - 10:35 AM

[LiveBrianD]

coastie65, on 19 January 2012 - 06:30 AM, said:

ElfBane, on 19 January 2012 - 01:16 AM, said:

@OP,
You're wasting your time. If you aren't a hobbyist in PCs, then doing this big an upgrade will almost certainly end in disaster. I'm tellin' ya, you need to get a new PC... and use the old one as backup.

C'mon, lighten up. Everybody that has done a build, has built their first computer. I didn't get around to my first build until this past Sept. and it went well. Got tired of Prebuilts with decent or better than decent specs and a locked down BiOS. I did a lot of upgrades before I did my first build which in some respects laid the ground work.

I built my own computer 2 years ago (and rebuilt it yesterday, because I got a new case) and it hasn't blown up yet. It's not all that hard to learn how to do it, because things are modular. You just have to plug in some connectors, tighten a bunch of screws, and put a few things in the right slots. It's really not hard once you learn how to do it.

Edit: "Action failed: You have reached your quota of positive votes for the day". Darn... otherwise, I would upvote coastie's post.

This post has been edited by LiveBrianD: 19 January 2012 - 01:27 PM

[ElfBane]

1. I know how to fix computers. Retired Navy AT (aviation electronics tech) and A+ certified PC and laptop repair tech.
2. It is my opinion that getting this rig to run Skyrim, WITHOUT HAVING TO DUMB-DOWN THE GRAPHICS, is putting good money after bad. If it was only a video card install, then go for it. But you guys are suggesting 3 major components are needed... all to someone who has never done this. If the OP wants to go that way, then have at it, but I think a new PC is the way to go.

Pleased to meet you, too.

[coastie65]

ElfBane, on 20 January 2012 - 01:15 AM, said:

1. I know how to fix computers. Retired Navy AT (aviation electronics tech) and A+ certified PC and laptop repair tech.
2. It is my opinion that getting this rig to run Skyrim, WITHOUT HAVING TO DUMB-DOWN THE GRAPHICS, is putting good money after bad. If it was only a video card install, then go for it. But you guys are suggesting 3 major components are needed... all to someone who has never done this. If the OP wants to go that way, then have at it, but I think a new PC is the way to go.

Pleased to meet you, too.

Point 1 - Thank you for your service ( My immediate family, Dad and two Bothers, were all ADs in the Navy.

Point 2 - I don't think anyone was suggesting to "dumb" down the graphics, just looking for something that would run the game.

Point 3 - Everybody who goes into a computer has had a "first time" ( everybody was NOOB once ). If someone is ready and willing to attempt an upgrade and he or she has questions or is unsure of something, there are plenty of members around here with experience and willing to offer guidance.

[LiveBrianD]

coastie65, on 20 January 2012 - 05:23 AM, said:

ElfBane, on 20 January 2012 - 01:15 AM, said:

1. I know how to fix computers. Retired Navy AT (aviation electronics tech) and A+ certified PC and laptop repair tech.
2. It is my opinion that getting this rig to run Skyrim, WITHOUT HAVING TO DUMB-DOWN THE GRAPHICS, is putting good money after bad. If it was only a video card install, then go for it. But you guys are suggesting 3 major components are needed... all to someone who has never done this. If the OP wants to go that way, then have at it, but I think a new PC is the way to go.

Pleased to meet you, too.

Point 1 - Thank you for your service ( My immediate family, Dad and two Bothers, were all ADs in the Navy.

Point 2 - I don't think anyone was suggesting to "dumb" down the graphics, just looking for something that would run the game.

Point 3 - Everybody who goes into a computer has had a "first time" ( everybody was NOOB once ). If someone is ready and willing to attempt an upgrade and he or she has questions or is unsure of something, there are plenty of members around here with experience and willing to offer guidance.

You have to start somewhere. Besides, the $300 or so it would cost to upgrade his existing machine won't get you much of a new machine anyway.

[AlfonsoThaddeusCorrelo]

BLuRR, on 18 January 2012 - 04:58 PM, said:

OK haha. All I meant is look at the manufacturing date of the models (simple google search) and make sure the graphics card was released to the public after 2007 if you want to play Diablo IMO. I would say any graphics card from about 2009 should do Skyrim as well. The simplification was posted by Waldo:

"If you go 550Ti or better from Nvidia, or AMD 6770 or better, you can play at 1080P with most quality options turned on. TO get the most out of your system, I would still recommend the 6870 or better, or the 560Ti or better." <---This is what I was trying to convey.

Also, the list of graphics cards I posted was pretty big and if you went looking through there I didn't want you to end up picking an older card and being dis-satisfied just because it can run Diablo 3. You will need a mid range card (Price point of $120-$200 - depending on your budget) For Skyrim.

You don't want to go with an older graphics card if you are going to be playing games from 2011-12. Especially Skyrim. Also you might also wanna future proof yourself if you want other games that release this year...there are a TON coming out. I am sure we all will!

Coastie Suggested the AMD 955 and I would say that is a great idea along with the 975 as well. Those were my general choices for AMD as I was looking into an AMD build myself. Links to those:

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819103923
^975

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819103808
^955

"Black Edition" means Unlocked, if you plan on overclocking.

Basically, AMD and Intel compete and the "newest" AMD model CPU is called "Bulldozer." They were just released last year...continuing on...

You might want to look at the new AM3+ "Bulldozer" Processors if they ever got their BIOS fixed I know they were not performing well when they first came out last fall, not sure if there is any improvement there. Links:

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819103996

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819103962

i was thinking about buying "future proof" graphics card, CPU, and power supply. i was hesitant to ask because of the lack of a better term. thats why ive been unable to decide if i should buy the suggested upgrades.

This post has been edited by AlfonsoThaddeusCorrelo: 22 January 2012 - 02:22 AM

[coastie65]

With a new graphices crad, you do need a PSU that will assure enough power, but you also have to make sure your Processor wil support it. There is no point in installing a new card , and then have it bottlenecked by the CPU.

[waldojim]

Hey BLURR, the AM3+ chips weren't being neutered by the BIOS. Not really. Most of that stems from poor planing regarding the core design, and how Windows handles the core load.

[LiveBrianD]

AlfonsoThaddeusCorrelo, on 22 January 2012 - 02:16 AM, said:

i was thinking about buying "future proof" graphics card, CPU, and power supply. i was hesitant to ask because of the lack of a better term. thats why ive been unable to decide if i should buy the suggested upgrades.

That's why I was thinking that the 520W seasonic might be better than the 380W antec, just in case. Granted, maybe the seasonic is a little overkill, but that never hurts. (coastie65 on the other hand REALLY goes overkill...)

[AlfonsoThaddeusCorrelo]

LiveBrianD, on 22 January 2012 - 11:26 AM, said:

AlfonsoThaddeusCorrelo, on 22 January 2012 - 02:16 AM, said:

i was thinking about buying "future proof" graphics card, CPU, and power supply. i was hesitant to ask because of the lack of a better term. thats why ive been unable to decide if i should buy the suggested upgrades.

That's why I was thinking that the 520W seasonic might be better than the 380W antec, just in case. Granted, maybe the seasonic is a little overkill, but that never hurts. (coastie65 on the other hand REALLY goes overkill...)

can i buy any power supply as long as it is 500+W?

[AlfonsoThaddeusCorrelo]

coastie65, on 22 January 2012 - 05:08 AM, said:

With a new graphices crad, you do need a PSU that will assure enough power, but you also have to make sure your Processor wil support it. There is no point in installing a new card , and then have it bottlenecked by the CPU.

about the CPU, im thinking of buying the phenom x4 for sure, will that CPU be enough to support the 550Ti(or better) graphics card?

[LiveBrianD]

I wouldn't buy just ANY power supply - ones like Raidmax and Cooler Master are crap and probably can't provide their rated load. Most Antec, Corsair, Seasonic, PC Power & Cooling, and Silverstone PSUs are fine. Since you aren't overclocking (OEM machines have locked bioses anyway), you don't need a higher-end unit. It seems that the seasonic is a fairly good deal for a 500W PSU among those brands. As I said, I'm running one in here and it's pretty good. That Phenom x4 should be fine.

[AlfonsoThaddeusCorrelo]

*BUMP*
i upgraded it yesterday. decided to get the AMD FX 4100 instead. but the problem now is that when i turn it on i only see black screen....