Topic: Input on updating my computer

[sandiegojon]

I received a link to this board off of the C&C: Generals message board, and was hoping I could get some advice. The game runs very slowly on my computer, due to the poor video card and scant amount of memory I have (when I purchased my computer a year ago, I didn't really play computer games, thus I didn't really have a need for a ton of memory or a great video card). here are the specs for my computer:

Model: Dell Dimension 4500 Series
Pentium 4 2.0 GHz
80 GB HD
256 MB DDR SDRAM
32 MB ATI Rage Ultra 4X AGP Video Card
16X DVD-ROM
24x/10x/40x CD-RW

I was wondering...

1) how much memory I should add, and what type of memory I should buy (I am fairly knowledgeable with computers, but am pretty unfamiliar with much of the technical information about hardware)

2) Any recommendations about what type of video card I should get? A worker at Best Buy recommended a GeForce 128 MB 5200. I would like to spend around $150 if possible, but am willing to spend more if it would be a big difference in quality. Any input on either of these questions would be greatly appreciated.

[Doc Nyar]

As memory expansion you could add 256 extra. Today, memory isn't that expensive. What type of ram you should buy depends on what's currently in there (DDR266, DDR333). You can contact Dell and ask them that question, they'll know.

As far as video card goes, I will provide you with a link, so that you can make up your own mind. If you still need help let me know

All video cards

[number6]

Here is a nice page with the layout of the motherboard for your PC:

http://docs.us.dell.com/docs/systems/dim4500/techov.htm#1101668

It looks like there are only 2 slots for memory (dimm 0 and dimm 1). I wonder if both are being used now, (2) X 128MB modules? If so, you will have to replace both with larger modules, (2) X 256MB modules = 512MB.

Here is the tech spec sheet for the 4500:

http://docs.us.dell.com/docs/systems/dim4500/specs.htm#1101572


It does not specify what type of DDR memory. I am often confused by what type of memory a board will accept myself. Here is a good description of what type of memory your motherboard should accept:

http://www.tomshardware.com/motherboard/20020520/i846eg-03.html

Here is the index to the whole article:

http://www.tomshardware.com/motherboard/20020520/i846eg-01.html

I have no idea what speed of memory is actually in your system and I guess a call to Dell is in order to be sure.

[RotteVis]

2 things will be best for u to do;

First and most important is a better graphics card, think indeed of a GF-FX5200 with 128mb of RAM, its price/value is very good.

Second add 256mb of DDR, Generals needs at leest ±300 mb of free ram to play without swapping. If u got a Dell then they only have used 1 memory bank so u can put another one next to it. (buy PC333, its not more expensive then PC266, faster memory is always backwards compatible with slower speeds)