Some tech questions and what not

[KimJongLulz]

So, of course this is my first post here hurrah.

I was wondering what exactly do they mean by low end computers can run it...I might just be the defintion of low end....

OS: Vista 64bit SP1 (I cant get SP2...at all...)
Mobo: MSI MS-7309 (K9N6PGM2-V)
CPU: Athlon II X2 250 (3.01ghz Dual Core)
Video Card/GPU/Whatever: 9800gt 1gb
RAM: DDR2 4gb
PSU: 750w

NOW thats not exactly the best computer in the world...matter of fact it was a pre built computer...the only thing I changed was the PSU and Video Card (They tried to call a 9600gt a "gaming computer card")...yeah. NOW I am wondering will my computer run PS2 "Decently", im not looking to completely destroy the graphics just enough so its playable (comfortably playable)

I am also trying to figure what to upgrade. I am looking to get a Phenom II X4 945, its AM3 and is 95w (mostly the only quad core I feel comfortable putting into my mobo...that would even work.)...then again I am VERY MUCH READY TO UPGRADE TO WINDOWS 7....problem is I have been through hell and back with MS support to try and get SP2 installed but no avail...I cant even repair my OS with a "back up installer" they taught me to make... I am scared to spend 100 bucks on Window 7 only to learn I cant even upgrade to it. (which I find HIGHLY disputable.) AND then there is the GPU...I don't know the 9800gt has been faithful so far, of course I have to use beta drivers from like 2011 because most if not all the drivers on 2012 crash NVDDLKM.sys or whatever and of course gives me a green youtube video. I might get a upgrade some day, once again I am concerned about the mobo and bottlenecking. RAM is good...its the max the mobo uses DDR2 and 4 gb.

Budget is very limited so...yeah. One thing at a time is good enough for me.

[Mutant]

You are looking at running PS2 in rock bottom settings.
Defining what you consider decent would help a little with what upgrade you really require


Athlon II X2 250 is about in par with an E8300 (one of the better C2D)

Phenom II X4 9xx would be a reasonable upgrade for you but still only going to move you into the acceptable range, just ensure your mobo supports any model you look at. (a quick look tells me a 95w X4 should be ok)


Your GPU is also going to be close to the minimum but I think your CPU required more attention, you can always turn down the graphics settings until you can improve that too.

[Goku]

KimJungLulz (love the name btw) your board doesn't seem to support anything higher then a Phenom II X4 @ 65W. Seems the board doesn't like anything over that rating for Phenom II. No idea why, but not sure if I would risk it. I don't really see any worthwhile CPUs under that list worth looking into as they are either out of production or too much $$$ ebay. I would probably just start saving up for a new rig altogether at this point. You maybe able to play the game at lower settings while you do.

[KimJongLulz]

Originally Posted by Goku

KimJungLulz (love the name btw) your board doesn't seem to support anything higher then a Phenom II X4 @ 65W. Seems the board doesn't like anything over that rating for Phenom II. No idea why, but not sure if I would risk it. I don't really see any worthwhile CPUs under that list worth looking into as they are either out of production or too much $$$ ebay. I would probably just start saving up for a new rig altogether at this point. You maybe able to play the game at lower settings while you do.

http://www.cpu-upgrade.com/mb-MSI/K9...S-7309%29.html

It would work, and apparently has...basically as long as its under 125 it should be fine and AM3 CPUs work on it as well.

Plus this if you wish to take a look.

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/34...stion#t2601096

[Goku]

I tend to just go off what is said under the official CPU support list. I don't want to be responsible in case something goes bad from the CPU not working to the mobo dying and taking the CPU with it. Anything outside of the official CPU list is totally at your own risk is all. There has to be a reason why MSI did not list support for it. Glad you found that of course.

[KimJongLulz]

Eh i'll take the risk...i've seen reviews for the 945 on tiger direct with a guy saying "it works fine in my AM2+ socket."

Im just wondering if my DDR2 RAM will bottleneck or effect it any way.

[Goku]

AM3 does work with AM2+ boards as it has both a DDR2 and DDR3 memory controller. However some lower end boards like yours lacked certain functions to support the processors properly that are higher end I have read over the years. I was running a high end 790FX AM2+ board with a 955 BE for over a year.

The DDR2 will not bottleneck you at all also. Nothing to worry about there at least.

[KimJongLulz]

Well thats good...looks like I might wait for a 945 to go on sale or get it sooner or later, I will probably have to upgrade BIOS some time before hand.

AS for Video card...the 9800gt has served me faithfully but I think it (and I) could use a rest some day. I'm not exactly looking for the best of the best...just a budget card that isn't too amazing. I might hunt down a GTX 280 or some GTX card that will work with the slot.

[Goku]

I would probably get this GTX 460. GTX 280 is old and power hungry. The card has been operating so long it may start to kick the bucket soon. I hear Nvidia will be bringing out its full line up comes August, so you maybe able to grab a GTX 650 or something like that around $150. No idea what we are looking at for performance numbers currently.

[KimJongLulz]

Well im sure there are other viable options for cards but i'll be sure to watch for a GTX 460.

So, so far I am waiting for a 945 to go on sale and GTX 460.

PSU is 750w,more than enough. 4gb of DDR2 ram is the max I can have...

All that is left is getting Windows 7, im sure with Windows 8 on the horizon they'll bump down the price (even if Win8 is apparently awful)

[Goku]

I believe the 945 is not in production any longer. Even if it is there is likely not many order being placed on the CPU. If anything I would just get it while its still around verse waiting till its to late. I don't think thats worth loosing $20 over.

Hmm don't think so. Never saw a official price drop on Win 7, instead it will be phased out.

[KimJongLulz]

Yeah ...I doubt they'll drop the price on the Win7....of course hopefully glorious masters of Microsoft will be merciful...

[Goku]

You could "upgrade" to Windows 8 at release for $40 if you don't want to spend the $100 on an OEM copy.

http://windowsteamblog.com/windows/b...for-39-99.aspx

[KimJongLulz]

Hmm for 40 bucks.

Well...I have heard Win8 does have problems, but Im sure Win8 is much better than Vista and is a cheaper route that getting Windows 7.

[Goku]

Well consider we are still a few months from release still. Any potential issues should be settled by then. Only big thing with Win 8 is the switch to Metro UI from the old start button. I don't see any kind of compatibility issues happening like with Vista launched back all those years ago.