Help me decide: Upgrade? Or not?

Tagaziel

Tagaziel

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I've ran into a bit of a problem. I'm not the greatest person when it comes to putting computers together (my brother is), but currently I'm pondering whether to switch to a laptop from a tower or upgrade the tower.

The Tower:

Machine name: TAGZTHINKBOX

Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Dodatek Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.101209-1647)

Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 CPU 6300 @ 1.86GHz (2 CPUs)

Memory: 2048MB RAM

DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)

Card name: NVIDIA GeForce 7900 GS

Manufacturer: NVIDIA

Chip type: GeForce 7900 GS

DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC

Display Memory: 256.0 MB

Current Mode: 1280 x 1024 (32 bit) (60Hz)

http://www.gpureview.com/GeForce-7900-GS-PCI-E-card-443.html

This card basically.

Now, the laptop is an eMachines G640-N974G32Mnks. A no-name it seems, and that doesn't inspore confidence:

Processor: AMD Phenom II N970 (stated as mobile quad, whatever that is.)

4 GB DDR3

Integrated ATI Mobility Radeon 4250 with 256 mb of dedicated system memory.

Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit

I'm looking for an upgrade in videogame performance from my tower (I'm using EVGA Precision to overclock the GPU a bit). The laptop isn't cheap (1700 zł/400 Euro) and I'm on the fence. On the one side, the processor seems nice and it has a good amount of RAM (for an XP user, at least, yes, I know, we get at best 3.5 gigs), but the Radeon Mobility 4250 is a massive turn-off.

I might get a GPU upgrade for my tower instead. If so, any suggestions?
 
I'd say upgrade. Mainly because I really don't like laptops, but also because you'll get a much better performance with your tower for the same price.
A GPU upgrade would definitely be a good thing.
Geforce 8800s and 9800s are dirt cheap used now, but they soak up a lot of power and buying used electronics is kinda risky.
If you can find a trustworthy seller, you can get a pretty nice rig from used parts for very little money, that's how I did it last year.
As for GPU upgrades, I'm not exactly up to date about the market, but pretty much everything is better than the 7900GS.
The Geforce GTX 550 might be something for you.
But then you'll probably get a bottleneck from your CPU at some point.
 
Is there any particular reason you are considering a laptop? Towers are going to be cheaper and more reliable for the same amount of money but will they meet any other requirements you might have?
 
If your current motherboard allows you to install a quad core processor, more RAM and a better GPU (a 460 or 560ti card for example) you could give your pc a second life.

Don't buy that laptop for gaming, the 4250 card is not suited for gaming above the lowest settings and the lowest possible resolution.
 
Tagaziel said:
Integrated ATI Mobility Radeon 4250 with 256 mb of dedicated system memory.
Click to expand...

I have a Ati Mobility Radeon 5470 on my laptop and I can tell you that it is not really meant for gaming. Imagine how it would look like if you wanted to play any games with the 4250. The only games you will be able to play with that laptop are some old games like Quake 4 or Serious Sam 2 for example.

IMO the laptop is a big waste of money.

Put that 400 euros on some new CPU/Mobo/GPU.

My 2 cents.
 
I agree with the others. Don't bother with a laptop unless you absolutely need portability. Other than RAM, your upgrade options with a laptop are next to zero. You will use it until it becomes obsolete, then either stick it in a closet or toss it. Most of them don't perform at the level of a tower because laptop components are designed for compactness rather than performance. Also, laptops are much easier for other people to steal.

You can upgrade your tower gradually without spending a boatload of money all at once. You can spread the cost out over time, which will make it easier to afford. Your upgrade options in your tower depends largely on your motherboard. You should be able to get a pretty good new motherboard for about 150 euros/200 dollars. If you did that though, you would have to get a CPU and RAM before you could install it. But, you don't have to install right away. Then you can gradually build up an entirely new system.

When I built my PC, I had to build it entirely new. I was a Mac user before. I collected parts for a few months before I was able to put it together. By the way, if you can plug stuff in carefully and turn a few screws, you can probably assemble a PC. The hard part is where you are now; deciding what you want to get.
 
Finance a monster rig and pay it off within 2 years for no interest. If you have anything like BestBuy over there, thats a pretty easy on the wallet way to go. Sure you end up paying a little more, but stretching it over 2 years helps at least.
If you're good with computers parting it out piece by piece is the best way to go, as others have said. More initial shock to the wallet, but better value than my suggestion above.
Let us know how you go.
 
Here's the thing: a tower will always be cheaper, and likely better, than a laptop. Unless you travel a lot or something, just get a tower; a laptop with comparable iron will cost 1,5~2 times more.

Also, for a video card, if you're planning to run any new games, try to get one with at least 1Gb dedicated memory.
 
I might be a little bit late, but go with the upgrade. First of all, that laptop sucks big ass. The video card's not worth anything. Besides, it's an ATi card. You'll have particle effect lag.

The tower, on the other hand, is better. I can't go with suggesting you a video card because I don't know your budget; I plan on getting a GTX 580, but that's, at least in Russian prices, is far over 400 euros alone. Only thing I'll tell you is go with an EVGA and an Nvidia, as ATi cards (at least some of the more recent ones - this is a personal expirience) get particle lag. Hell, you could go for Nvidia because of PhysX :)

Besides. I remember being a laptop guy. But then again, think about it. If you have a gaming laptop, the battery sucks. What's the point of having an expensive toy that you'll carry around your house anyways? A tower does the same job, except that it provides a much bigger punch for a much smaller price. That's why towers are just outright good, even if you're a millionare that can afford twenty Alienwares.
 
If there's dust, steam, smoke, fire on the screen (particles), the framerate drops like shit. I remember I thought something was wrong with my laptop (although I used it for gaming, so I was very dissapointed), but it turned out I wasn't the only one.

One solution - buy an Nvidia card next time. Which is exactly what I'm planning to do.
 
Sub-Human said:
If there's dust, steam, smoke, fire on the screen (particles), the framerate drops like shit. I remember I thought something was wrong with my laptop (although I used it for gaming, so I was very dissapointed), but it turned out I wasn't the only one.

One solution - buy an Nvidia card next time. Which is exactly what I'm planning to do.
Click to expand...

So my Nvidia card must be an ATI card then? :shock:
 
iii said:
Sub-Human said:
If there's dust, steam, smoke, fire on the screen (particles), the framerate drops like shit. I remember I thought something was wrong with my laptop (although I used it for gaming, so I was very dissapointed), but it turned out I wasn't the only one.

One solution - buy an Nvidia card next time. Which is exactly what I'm planning to do.
Click to expand...

So my Nvidia card must be an ATI card then? :shock:
Click to expand...
Hmm. First time I've heard an Nvidia user complain about that.

Obviously something wrong with your card (and not Nvidia). Maybe it overheated. Maybe it was manufactured in this way already (depends on when you first encountered this problem). Possibly your little brother came in and decided to check it out. Maybe it's just not strong enough.

You never know.
 
Really do not wont to derail this topic, but blaming just one manufacturer is just outrageous. Especially since it's ATI (or now AMD), which better manages power and stability issues now (much better Performance/Watt ratio, lower operating T) beginning from HD 5*** or even 4*** series. It was NVidia, who had problems (overheating of fermi architecture, low production yields from wafer etc.) lately. I'm not a fanboy, I owe cards of both brands, the next generation is just around the corner (Dec for AMD, Q1 2012 for Nvidia) which could turn the situation upside-down once more. So why don't we all act like gentleman and stop arguing, as it seems Mikael is scared by it and hasn't replied in his own thread yet :)
 
Xellos said:
Really do not wont to derail this topic, but blaming just one manufacturer is just outrageous. Especially since it's ATI (or now AMD), which better manages power and stability issues now (much better Performance/Watt ratio, lower operating T) beginning from HD 5*** or even 4*** series. It was NVidia, who had problems (overheating of fermi architecture, low production yields from wafer etc.) lately. I'm not a fanboy, I owe cards of both brands, the next generation is just around the corner (Dec for AMD, Q1 2012 for Nvidia) which could turn the situation upside-down once more. So why don't we all act like gentleman and stop arguing, as it seems Mikael is scared by it and hasn't replied in his own thread yet :)
Click to expand...
Hah lol, I've never been an Nvidia user before, but I own exactly a 5650 and another 4*** card and they both show these signs. I liked ATi because they generally gave cheaper, yet sometimes beast cards, but then this just made me switch to Nvidia. But then again, yes, they could change the situation as ATi reads some feedback and actually fixes that problem.

On a side note, I even switched from AMD (and now as a whole) to Intel because the former seem to have their own issues. You can never find something nice and cheap nowdays...
 
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