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*MAFIA* => Help => Topic started by: *MAFIA* Beatlejuice on June 05, 2010, 03:49:42 PM

Title: Weak Computer Upgrade
Post by: *MAFIA* Beatlejuice on June 05, 2010, 03:49:42 PM
A lady from work gave me an emachines T3958 for free and I'm looking to upgrade it.  Yes, I know it is not a great computer, it'll be my secondary/guest computer, and hopefully I can run BF1942 on it.  Please post help or don't post anything at all.

Here are the specs:
- http://www.emachines.com/support/product_support.html?cat=Desktops&subcat=TSeries&model=T3958


It has a D845GVSR Motherboard, and as far as I am able to tell, does NOT support AGP or PCI express video cards.  So, what is one of the best PCI video cards available?  I don't care if it's ATI or NVIDIA.  Here are some I've found:

1) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814187083

2) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814139046

3) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814103167

4) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814129085



The current power supply is either 180w or 280w, it says both on the sticker.  
I’m thinking of getting this one:
- http://www.cputopia.com/emachine-480w-t-series-t3958.html



I’ll be upgrading to 2GB of ram.  Here are some choices:

1) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231036

2) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820141198

Title: Re: Weak Computer Upgrade
Post by: Loaded on June 05, 2010, 05:45:35 PM
Your MB info (don't pay attention to the missing fonts, just click by them and start page flipping)
http://www.mafiaowns.com/mfs/files/file_info/download.php?file=Intel_PRO_6_4_14_0_readme_en.rar

I think you will need that info, if for anything to make sure you don't have to go into the bios to turn of the on board video and to check ram timing/ram setup.

GPU, that will work http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814103167

If PSU is needed, that will work http://www.cputopia.com/emachine-480w-t-series-t3958.html (I assume you are going with the e-machine, just in case it is needed from the same company?, no problem its only $20)

Sure if you want to have 2g of ram, but get a matched set http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820178101 or pick what you wish from this list http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010170147%201052107965%201052308477&bop=And&Order=PRICE&PageSize=20

Will it run run, BF42? Yes, I have a computer here that only has a intel 1.8 with 1g of ram with a ATI 9000 GPU and it run BF42 just fine, BUT it isn't to happy with extra video settings, Higher AA and AF, anything over 4x AA and AF, means bad FPS.

But really, I know money is money, but by the time you are done, you can buy a new "cheep" computer...

Same cost of your parts... http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883103228 (more a less a lap top, maybe a netbook? turned into a desktop)
$100 more then your parts... http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883109039
$200 more then your parts... http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883114083
I am not saying the above is the greatest, but I think I good match (if not much better) to your plans of buying new parts.

Just my thoughts on it all, others thoughts I am sure will differ from mine.
Title: Re: Weak Computer Upgrade
Post by: *MAFIA* Beatlejuice on June 05, 2010, 06:17:26 PM
Yeah I know if I REALLY wanted a second computer, I can just build or buy a cheap one and it'll be much better than the eMachine.  It's just that I have this computer now, it's in pretty good shape, and it'd be nice if it could run an old game.  But I think I might hold off on spending over $200 to upgrade it and just use it to run the internet or burn CDs or something.
Title: Re: Weak Computer Upgrade
Post by: Loaded on June 06, 2010, 07:57:30 AM
It goes without saying, but try it out with BF42 and see how it dose before putting any money into it. There is a good chance it will play BF just fine if it isn't older then 5 years.
Title: Re: Weak Computer Upgrade
Post by: *MAFIA* Bonehead on June 07, 2010, 05:43:43 PM
i had an hp with the same specs except it had a 1.6ghz p4 and a pny mx440 64MB pci graphics card. it ran bf1942 just fine :)
Title: Re: Weak Computer Upgrade
Post by: *MAFIA* BassSlappa on June 07, 2010, 07:08:58 PM
I'm taking an ROP computer class at my high school, i'm going to learn how to build a computer  :)
Title: Re: Weak Computer Upgrade
Post by: offline on June 07, 2010, 07:21:17 PM
I'm taking an ROP computer class at my high school, i'm going to learn how to build a computer  :)
They have classes on how to build a computer? Wish my school had one, but it's not difficult(to me, at least) to make one.
Title: Re: Weak Computer Upgrade
Post by: *MAFIA* BassSlappa on June 07, 2010, 07:29:01 PM
Yup, they arent on campus though. They're more hands on so students ride buses to where they're offered. Kinda like a technical school, only its just one class.

And its not specifically building computers, its building and running networks as well.