Curse

kurtas · Feb 24, 2007, 03:18 AM // 03:18

Im getting a new computer and i essentially know nothing about specs or anything, so was wondering if this will run GW:

DimensionTM C521
Versatile Multimedia

Powered by AMD Athlon™ 64 processors with enough power for photos, music, movies and more.
Processor
AMD Athlon™ 64 processor 3500+

Operating system
Genuine Windows Vista™ Home Basic

Memory
512MB(2*256) 533MHz DDR2 SDRAM Shared with Graphics

Harddrive
80GB SATA 3.0Gb/s with NCQ

Monitor
17" LCD Flat Panel

Graphic Card
Integrated NVIDIA® GeForce® 6150 LE

Optical Device
48X Max CD-RW/DVD Combo Drive (Burn/play CDs and watch DVDs)

Dex · Feb 24, 2007, 03:29 AM // 03:29

It should run fine. The video hardware is a little underpowered for gaming, but it should be playable.

Eldin · Feb 24, 2007, 03:36 AM // 03:36

I highly reccomend you upgrade to 1GB of RAM if possible. Although 1GB RAM = 512MB of RAM x2, the performance difference between 512MB and 1GB, I'd say, is more than double.

Tachyon · Feb 24, 2007, 03:40 AM // 03:40

Sorry, but it's a Dell and it's crap.

Just take a look at it again. It comes with Vista and only has 512MB of RAM, some of which is shared with the onboard graphics solution.

kurtas · Feb 24, 2007, 03:54 AM // 03:54

Quote:

The video hardware is a little underpowered for gaming, but it should be playable.

Sorry, but how underpowered and how playable do you mean?

Quote:

Sorry, but it's a Dell and it's crap.

Just take a look at it again. It comes with Vista and only has 512MB of RAM, some of which is shared with the onboard graphics solution.

Sorry, i was under the impression that Dells were good. Could you recomend a better brand?
And i think your under estimating just how bad i am understanding computer specs. Could someone elaborate the second sentance in simpler terms?

Eldin · Feb 24, 2007, 04:19 AM // 04:19

RAM is short for Random Access Memory. It's like short term memory. When you, say, save a picture on your computer, it takes up hard drive space, and is in there permanently until you delete it. RAM is memory used when the computer needs to memorize things temporarily. It's hard to explain.

Basically, more RAM = faster speed.

On average most people have 1-2GB of RAM. If you are getting Vista, I'd say get 2GB of RAM at the least.

What he means by "some of which is shared with the onboard graphics solution" is that some of that RAM will be wasted on the graphics, which is further reason you need more RAM.

kurtas · Feb 24, 2007, 04:27 AM // 04:27

Ok, so more RAM. How much is a good amount?

Also anything else strike out as particularly bad? Like the processor or memory or Video Card or anything?

Kyuuba · Feb 24, 2007, 04:35 AM // 04:35

dells are alright, they aren't exactly the greatest for gaming other than their XPS line which practically requires at least a $2000 investment.
if your looking for a decent computer to play games and are on a budget look for something prebuilt with:

CPU: AMD X2 3800+ and hopefully a 7300LE at least

Memory: 1024MB bare minimum now a days, probably need it allow the dual core to make more use of its power anyways.

Graphic Card: nVidia 7300LE or ATi X1300 at least (but the on board 6150 LE is still bearable so long as you run GW with relatively low-medium settings, i think GW auto detect does a pretty good job at determining the quality, you could always drop down 1 or 2 settings even lower if you find it too choppy).

I don't know what your budget is or what store you have locally
but here are 2 examples in the $550 range ($564.99 to be exact)
and they come with a lovely windows vista home PREMIUM
but no monitor is included.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1166840115553
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1166840115751

tijo · Feb 24, 2007, 04:42 AM // 04:42

Your video card should run GW just fine, just don't expect any anisotropic filtering or anti-aliasing. For comparison, an intel GMA 900 can handle GW just fine under windows xp with 1Gb ram but the graphic quality is somewhat poor. If you got vista and shared video, upgrading to 1.5-2Gb ram would be a very good idea. If you have more money to spend getting a physical memory video card would help a,lot. If you only intend to play GW, then some older video card like a GeForce 6600GT if you can find one is fine (they're pretty cheap if you're on a tight budget), if you want to play more recent game then a GeForce 7600 is a better choice. There are also some pretty good ATI video cards.

kurtas · Feb 24, 2007, 04:51 AM // 04:51

Quote:

I don't know what your budget is or what store you have locally

Im in Australia so those Best Buy links provide me a good comparison but thats pretty much it, and my budget is probablly around the 1k mark. Keep in mind im only after a new harddrive, ive got a fine moniter and keyboard and everything.

Kyuuba · Feb 24, 2007, 05:01 AM // 05:01

$1000, thats is lovely i can recommend much better choices!
i'll get back to you on that.

p.s. you dont mean to say "a new harddrive" because the harddrive is actually only what store your permanent data on the computer (your operating system/programs). you mean to say "a new desktop, PC or System"

xiv · Feb 24, 2007, 05:11 AM // 05:11

that will work but a bigger question is what type of internet r u running. if ur on slow dial up then its not really worth it takes to long to load. if u got broadband ull do fine.