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So I bought a fairly basic desktop about a year ago... processor is okay but the RAM and graphics are shit. I only have a gig of ram, despite running Vista, and the graphics card is a Nvidia Gforce E6150.

I want to be able to give Darkfall a decent crack so I'm faced with either buying a new P.C or sorting out this one to offer me a little more gas - preferably the latter as it's bound to be cheaper.

I've had a look around and it seems like I can pick up a couple gigs of RAM fairly cheap. Unfortunately I know dick-all about computers, so if someone can recommend a decent graphics card for me, that would be appreciated.

As a side note, are there any potential pitfalls to this course of action, and will somebody with no computer knowledge be able to figure out fairly easily how to install the RAM/GFX without completely destroying my computer?

If answers to the above are negative, please point me in the direction of a decent new PC - preferably a laptop built for gaming costing no more than 7-800 quid. I will consider desktops.

Thanks

If you're buying a new PC, why a laptop?

I get the whole travel/compact thing, but truthfully? A desktop will serve you better.

At least thats my opinion.

As for PC specs, ive no idea man sorry.

Post your motherboard model number sonebest

If your PC is only a year old, then you will likely be better off with a RAM and GFX update for sure.
Can probably get a geforce 9800 series for a little over a hundred quid.
Will be straight forward swapping out the old for new.

I'm assuming you will have at least a 375w PSU (preferably 400w or more) to be able to handle the additional power consumption of the new card.

This is my current PC http://support.packardbell.com/uk/item/ ... 801&g=1400

Motherboard is MCP61PM-AM

Thx for feedback thus far.

RE: Laptop thing, I am thinking of it as I'll be going back to Uni to do a masters in September. I think the ability to take it to the library to work on will be an asset, and it will take up less space in a room that is likely to be cramped.

That said, I am open to the possibility of just getting another desktop, if upgrading this is not viable.

Not sure how to find out what the PSU in wattage is, it says 230V on the back..

Upgrading will be easy mate. As you said it's just RAM and Graphics you need to change.

You can throw in some more RAM sticks np - depends if you want to keep the 1gig stick you have in there now.

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/130429

Is perfect to completely replace the current RAM you have.
Only problem being that using XP means it can only recognise 3 and a half of your 4 gigs of ram..

If you want to keep your current 1gig stick, do a search for cpu-z in google, dl and run it and post the info from the SPD tab here, specifically the 'max bandwidth' which will say something like "PC2-6400" Then we can tell what RAM will match it. Oh post the 'module size' tab as well, you might have 2x 512meg sticks rather than single 1gig ram stick, didn't even think of that. If so you'll have to get 2 more 512meg sticks if you're going to keep current ram. Can't mix different size modules on the same board.


Regarding graphics card:

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/146705/sh ... ct_reviews

Is the cheapest version of the card quite a few of us have and are happy with, although if you've got another 10-20 quid it's worth going up to one of these which have some extra cooling on them(which we've all done):

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/148468
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/155205

Just make sure you get some info on your PSU beforehand and post it here - changing your RAM won't matter but it might not be powerful enough to handle those graphics cards.

If your upgrading your graphics card, you'll almost certainly need to upgrade your PSU, 230w won't be enough.

As calix says, its worth spending the extra ££ to get the extra cooling.

230 is the voltage not the wattage, you might need to take the side of the case off to see the PSU specs Sonez. Anything like an 8800 or 9800gt needs at least 400W preferably 450. Also don't know if anyone checked your mobo but you need to know if you interface for GFX is PIC-E or AGP.

edit: I just looked and you have PCI-E which is good, means you can choose any modern GFX card subject to PSU/space.

Thanks a lot dudez, will look to upgrade.