Game/Music computer project

EWC88

Member
Well some of you may have seen my other posts in other sections on here, I figured instead of having all different threads in every spot I'll ask it all here minus the help I already got.

First I have to say so far a big thanks to johnb35 for helping me out mostly.

But ok computer time now. The objective for this computer is basically for gaming, so far I know I want to have on the computer counter strike and call of duty there is possibilites of other games later down, and downloading music off the interent for listening and iphone.

The computer I am planning on making it do all this is a HP Pavilion a1600n. I got this computer from my mom since it was her's and the harddrive failed on her.

To figure everything all about this computer I googled it and found out this information about it:
HP Pavilion a1600n Media Center (AMD Athlon 64 X2 2GHz, 1GB RAM, 200GB HDD) specifications
General Type Media center Windows Vista Certification Windows Vista Capable Product Form Factor Tower Localization English / United States Processor Type AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ / 2.0 GHz 64-bit processor Yes Installed Qty 1.0 Max processors supported 1.0 Mainboard Chipset type NVIDIA GeForce 6150 LE Data bus speed 1000.0 MHz RAM Installed Size 1.0 GB / 4.0 GB (max) Technology DDR2 SDRAM Memory speed 533.0 MHz Memory specification compliance PC2-4200 RAM form factor DIMM 240-pin Storage Controller Type 1.0 x Serial ATA - Integrated Storage Controller (2nd) Type 1 x IDE - Integrated Storage Floppy drive type None Hard Drive 1.0 x 200.0 GB - Standard - Serial ATA-150 - 7200.0 rpm Hard Drive (2nd) None Optical Storage Type DVD±RW (±R DL) / DVD-RAM - IDE CD / DVD read speed 40x (CD) / 16x (DVD) CD / DVD write speed 40x (CD) / 16x (DVD±R) / 4x (DVD-R DL) / 8x (DVD+R DL) CD / DVD rewrite speed 32x (CD) / 6x (DVD-RW) / 8x (DVD+RW) / 5x (DVD-RAM) Disc Labeling Technology LightScribe Technology Optical Storage (2nd) Type None Storage Removable Type None Monitor Monitor Type None. Graphics Controller Type Integrated Graphics Processor / Vendor NVIDIA GeForce 6150 LE Audio Output Type Sound card - Integrated Sound output mode 7.1 channel surround Audio output compliant standards High Definition Audio , Dolby Pro Logic II Input Device Type Keyboard , Mouse Mouse Mouse interface PS/2 Mouse features Scroll Audio Input Type None Telecom Modem Fax / modem - PCI - Plug-in card Max transfer rate 56.0 Kbps Networking Networking Network adapter - Integrated Data Link Protocol Fast Ethernet , Ethernet Printer Type None Expansion / Connectivity Expansion Bays Total (Free) 1.0 ( 0.0 ) x Front accessible - 3.5" x 1/3H , 2.0 ( 0.0 ) x Front accessible - 3.5" x 1/3H , 2.0 ( 1.0 ) x Internal - 5.25" x 1/2H Expansion Slots Total (Free) 4.0 ( 0.0 ) x PCI - DIMM 240-pin , 1.0 ( 2.0 ) x Memory - Socket AM2 , 3.0 ( 1.0 ) x Processor , 1.0 PCI Express x16 Interfaces 2.0 x Audio - VGA - 15 pin HD D-Sub (HD-15) ( 1 in front ) , 1.0 x IEEE 1394 (FireWire) - Ethernet 10Base-T/100Base-TX - Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm ( 1 in front ) , 1.0 x Audio - Generic - Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm ( 1 in front ) , 7.0 x Audio - Input - Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm ( 1 in front ) , 1.0 x Network - Line-out - 6 pin mini-DIN (PS/2 style) ( 3 in front ) , 1.0 x Modem - Line-out (side surround) - RJ-45 , 1.0 x Audio - Line-out (center/subwoofer) - RJ-11 , 2.0 x Microphone - SPDIF output - Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm , 2.0 x Headphones - Line-in - Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm , 1.0 x Audio - Phone line - RCA , 1.0 x Keyboard - Line-out (rear) - 4 pin USB Type A , 1.0 x Mouse - Generic - 6 pin mini-DIN (PS/2 style) , 1.0 x Hi-Speed USB - Output - Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm , 1.0 x Display / video - Mini-phone 3.5 mm , 1.0 x Audio Power Power device type Power supply Operating System / Software OS Provided Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 Software Netscape Navigator , Muvee autoProducer 5 , Microsoft Money 2006 , Sonic MyDVD Plus 6.2 , Quicken 2006 New User Edition , Norton Internet Security 2006 (60 days subscription) , Microsoft Office 2003 Student and Teacher Edition (Trial) , Sonic DigitalMedia Plus 7.04 , MSN Encarta Standard , Microsoft Internet Explorer , PC-Doctor 5 for Windows , RealPlayer , Microsoft Works 8.0 , HP Photosmart Premier 6.5 , Adobe Reader Manufacturer Warranty Service & Support 1 year warranty Service & Support Details Limited warranty - Phone consulting - 1 year , Technical support - Parts and labor - 1 year Card Reader Card reader 9 in 1 card reader Supported flash memory cards SmartMedia Card , CompactFlash Card type II , MultiMediaCard , Microdrive , Memory Stick Pro , CompactFlash Card type I , xD-Picture Card , Memory Stick , SD Memory Card

I know that we haven't added anything to this computer at all. So basically its all stock.

I'm going be getting a 500gb HD either a Seagate or WD, haven't made up my mind yet. I also have a Acer x163 LCD monitor. I'm sure I'm going need some other things, and this is were I come for help.

So if there is any input you guys have on what I would need please list.
 
To make it for gaming - you need more RAM and a video card
Video card - Get ATI 4670 as it don't use much power...

RAM - Stick another 2 x 1GB

HDD - not necessary, unless you don't get enough HDD space.
 
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I hate the price range thing yet I know its the only way to get the right idea on what to get lol. I would have to say then maybe $300? Or what all do I need so then I can give a budget.
 
$300 I'm sure I can work something out. The only thing that is probably still good is the motherboard and CPU which isn't great for gaming. Your going to need a new case, power supply, RAM, and graphics card, and you are already getting a hard drive. To tell you the truth I would scrap this whole idea. Sell the computer you can probably get about $75 on craigs list. Probably $200 if you add a working hard drive something like a 80GB to get the computer running. Take the money from that and put it towards your new computer. For about $400 you can get a very decent gaming computer for about $500 you can have something that will play anything out there with ease.
 
Yea I know I needed a graphic card and more memory to do the gaming but the harddrive needed replacement due to the original one failed.
 
Lol its all ok.

IF anyone has any advise on weather I should just buy what I need for the HP or do a build but around the $500ish range for gaming and music please inform me on what I need.

If you pick HP, I already know I have to get a hard drive like stated and it will be a 500GB either Seagate or WD, I know I will need more RAM and a video card I just don't know if I would need some other things.
 
Case - use old, add rear case fan if you could
Optical drive - use old

AMD Phenom II X2 545 + GIGABYTE GA-MA785GM-US2H
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.254105

ASUS EAH4670/DI/512MD3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121329

OCZ Blade Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227465

OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ500MXSP 500W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341016

Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST3500418AS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148395

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116677
 
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Man your old computer(maybe?!) or soon to be upgraded lol is freaky close to my Compaq xD yes I know HP bought them :) (I upgraded GPU and RAM)
 
Well right now me and my mom are figuring out if she just wants to buy the HD and get the HP back and I build me a game/music computer or if she is going try to find a dock for her laptop and I can use the HP for the music/game computer.

I will update though.
 
Mom is just going be getting a new computer now (don't know if anyone saw my other thread). So I still get the HP if I want. If I go the route of just building a computer I would probably have to buy things here and there because I don't have all the money.

Otherwise I will have to mod the HP. But I am going see if I can sell it.
 
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