What pc games should i get

[Sparks]

I think my cpu is about 1.8... or there-abouts.
How would i know if i have to get a new power supply? would it say on the box? or would it just not do anything.
My tower at the moment is pretty chunky, so i don't think i'd have to change it.

[Frisky_Biscuits]

the newer graphics cards usually need a 400 watt power supply. u can open up ur computer and look at ur power box and it will say what u have, and on the box of the graphics card it will tell you what u need. the newer ones might even need a 500 watt i dont know.

but yea ur cpu shoulddddd be ok, dont quote me on that, the games may run slower cause of it.

[Pilot_51]

You'll definitely want at least 1GB of RAM, maybe 2GB, and depending on what RAM slots your motherboard has you'll want at least DDR400 (if you can't go at least that high, get a new motherboard).
For video card, get at least 256MB DDR2, and I've found it very useful to have VIVO. You can get a good card at about the worth of $150, which is around the price that the prices of top-of-the-line cards from a year or two ago drop to. I got my 256MB FX5700LE w/VIVO for $125 about 3 years ago.
If you're trying to play it safe with your money, hold off on the power supply, you should know when you need a new one, usually when your PC reboots randomly or when you do something that requires more power (like plugging in a USB powered device). I'm using a dual-fan 550W power supply that was about $20 a year ago, which was an incredibly good deal and I'm surprised it's still running.

[Yoshi]

I've got a gig...and the video cards like 256mb...but can't run bf2 demo =(

[Frisky_Biscuits]

Originally Posted by Pilot_51

If you're trying to play it safe with your money, hold off on the power supply, you should know when you need a new one

that is not good advice, because im guessing with the system he has he probably ahs like i did before i upgraded maybe like around a 300 watt. i HAD to upgrade mine because the minimun allowed was 400 watt, unless i wanted to fry the graphics card.

and 550w is freakin plenty of course its lasted awhile

[zimma]

im pretty sure my old cyrix has like a 300 or 350w PSU in it... and in my case i was allways gonna build a pc in i have a 400w PSU... but yeah my parents are talking bout upgrading the family pc so if they do i may have a gaming pc yet... its a p4 1.5ghz but i can work it :D

[Pilot_51]

Originally Posted by Frisky_Biscuits

that is not good advice, because im guessing with the system he has he probably ahs like i did before i upgraded maybe like around a 300 watt. i HAD to upgrade mine because the minimun allowed was 400 watt, unless i wanted to fry the graphics card.

and 550w is freakin plenty of course its lasted awhile

In the case of a heavy upgrade, that's true, a PSU won't put much of a dent on the already high purchase of a video card, RAM, and possibly motherboard.
In my case, I've always had a very limited budget, so I gradually upgraded one vital part at a time and waited until I started experiencing reboots before I got a new PSU. I think I did that with my 230W PSU, but after I got 350W I've had the opportunity to swap with newer unused PSU's (failed projects that my dad paid for you might say) before I had problems.
It's rare for a PSU to fry a video card in any case.
550W lasts through plenty of upgrades, but for the price I was afraid it was of low quality and would fail after a year or two, which fortunately hasn't happened yet.

[Yoshi]

I should delete this thread...

[Frisky_Biscuits]

Well Pilot I guess that is true, i updated from a ATI 9600xt to the x850 Pro so I guess you can say that was a major upgrade. But to play it safe and not spend ur money only to fry ur graphics card id buy the minimum recommended power supply u need, they are not too expensive

[Yoshi]

Yup everyone prepare to lose posts...