Is it possible to run games in this confined setting?

GuyWithGlasses

GuyWithGlasses

New Member
Hey guys.
I'm wondering if there is any possible way to have this computer run modern games (Minecraft, etc.) but spending under $200. I know this is going to be tough.

Current OS: I am actually running Windows XP, SP3, Professional. I prefer not to change over from XP, since it runs very well on most systems, being designed to run on a mere 218MB of RAM. :gun:

Current RAM: My computer, lamely, can only run up to 1GB of RAM, which is what I have.

Graphics: Intel 82845G/GL/GE/PE/GV Graphics Controller.

Processor: This is the main thing I know I need to upgrade. It's an Intel Pentium 4 running @1.8GHz.

HDD: 40GB (I have an 82 GB that I can also install if needed)

I can very smoothly already run games like GTA SA, X Wing vs Tie Fighter, Quake, etc. Any games from the early 2000's and older.
The downside to all of this is I am also using a Dell Optiplex GX240 Small Form Factor PC. That is the catch, since being SFF, I cannot fit standard size peripherals inside of it. :mad:

Here are some pictures of my PC (exterior, interior)
389638_285226751557219_100002096905942_667063_2068215051_n.jpg
531004_285226941557200_100002096905942_667064_1699923395_n.jpg


So the final question is, is it possible to build a small form factor gaming PC? I at least want to run games at a smooth frame rate, around at least 25-30 Frames minimum. Right now on Minecraft with lowest settings, I get 2-10.
 
Don't want to run a logisys power supply, even on a budget. I'd go with this case and power supply:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139026
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146075
$75 total, with rebate, so bringing the total to $244.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820313102
That'll save $6

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151244
DVD/CD burner instead of drive, saving $4 with shipping

So down to $234. Not gonna be the greatest machine ever, but way better than what you got going.

But yeah, that is basically un-upgradable, due to the bad power supply and no room inside the case. If you would go the build route, save your hard drive, because prices are skyhigh right now.
 
Des_Zac said:
That computer is very out of date and not really up-gradable, I'd suggest just starting from scratch. With Windows 8 being free for a year if you don't the XP disc you can use that, and you can build an okay computer for 200, here's an example. I'd like input from other users first though.

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=14832074
Click to expand...

Thanks a lot. I can probably find a decent laptop with a broken screen and/or no OS, then just hook it up to an external monitor. And that's good to know, didn't realize Windows 8 was free as of now.
~Thanks!
 
claptonman said:
Don't want to run a logisys power supply, even on a budget. I'd go with this case and power supply:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139026
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146075
$75 total, with rebate, so bringing the total to $244.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820313102
That'll save $6

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151244
DVD/CD burner instead of drive, saving $4 with shipping

So down to $234. Not gonna be the greatest machine ever, but way better than what you got going.

But yeah, that is basically un-upgradable, due to the bad power supply and no room inside the case. If you would go the build route, save your hard drive, because prices are skyhigh right now.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info. Good to know, since I have a ton of HDD just laying around my house. I'll look into it.
~Thanks!
 
While minecraft is a "newer" game, I wouldnt classify it as a "modern" game. A modern game would be something like Battlefield 3 or Crysis 2. You have to find out what the motherboard can take before you decide what to upgrade. If it can take a faster cpu and a pci video card then you could upgrade those 2 for $50, but then your dealing with the 1 gb of ram being just barely enough to run the game. Being such an old system you don't really know how much more life the other components still have.
 
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