Helping a friend out

[alanwest09872]

I am buying a friend of mine a video card for christmas and possible a power supply to help him out.

He has the
Hp Pavilion a6300f Desktop pc
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/p...&lang=en&cc=ie


1. Its proccessor states
Pentium E2180 (C) 2.0 GHz
(now is this a duel core proccessor or a single core) I cant tell it doesnt state duo or core 2 or anything on it.

2. The motherboard states (bare with I havent worked with older mb ins a while
it is a x16 not a 2.0. Now what graphics card can i get him that will give him max performance without bottelnecking.

3. The power supply is only 250w. I am pretty sure I will have to upgrade this for him

Now at first i was only looking to get him a graphics card but he kind of needs a refit a new processor (I think I will leave that up to you guys for help. he plays wow more then anything does some music ventrillo and dvd movie watching not burning) New powersupply and a new graphics card.
I am willing to spend about 250 maybe 300 bucks to help him out. So what would you suggest best bang for the buck and what will help him get the best frame rate in wow. Thats his biggest concern.

The board states it will take the following proccessors
* Socket: 775
* Supports the following processors:
o Intel Core 2 Duo (Wolfsdale core) E8xxx (65W)
o Core 2 Duo E6xxx (Conroe core) up to E6850 (65W)
o Pentium E2xxx series (Conroe core) with Dual Core technology up to E2160 (65W)
o Core 2 Duo E4xxx (Conroe core) (65W)
o Celeron 4xx series (Conroe core) up to Celeron 450 (35W)

Thanks again for all the help esp since its close to christmas and everyone is super busy


My list so far
Intel core 2 duo e7400
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115206
Video card is tough Working with
micro-ATX: 9.6 in X 8.5 in dimenstions and i cant find anything.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127469 would this fit. (hes using integrated graphics so this is a huge upgrade for him.) integrated 7100 nvidia lol
Power supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153023 430w thermaltake. I have one and I love it. (thermaltake not the 430w mines 1500w)

 

[cusideabelincoln]

1. It's dual core.

2. You probably don't want to put a video card any faster than something like an HD4850 or GTS 250 if you don't upgrade the processor.

3. It would be a good idea to upgrade the PSU, but you don't need anything expensive or high-wattage.


I would suggest taking a risk and getting a new processor like a new Pentium Dual core (E5200, E5300, E6300) or Core 2 Duo E7xxx series. Or if you could find a used Core 2 Duo E6600 or E6700, that would work too.

As for the video card, I'd say pick up a 9800GT, HD4770, HD4850, HD4830, or GTS 250.

And for the power supply, this 400W Corsair will be perfect:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139008

 

[alanwest09872]

thanks for the quick response. I already have the corsair in the shoping box. I'm trying to get this to him by tommarow need to have it out in the next about 20 min lol.

Would the gt250 fit in his case. and is that the duel one. I mean the one that takes up 2 slots or one.

the core 2 duo is better then the pentium right?

The evga 250gts is 9.5in long the case is 9.6 in X 8.5. Will it fit. if it does I will get him this one. Will It have alot of bottlenecking since its not a pcie 2.0? sorry theres like 3 questions there lol

 

[cusideabelincoln]

Yes, Core 2 Duo is faster than Pentium.

The case has to be bigger than 9.6x8.5. A microATX motherboard is 9.6"x9.6" by itself. Now if the GTS250 will fit or not... I do not know the answer. It depends on which GTS250 and what is inside the case. But at only 9.5", a GTS250 will have a very good chance of fitting fine.

Most, if nto all, GTS250s will take up two slots. If this is a problem, you'll just have to get another card.

And you won't have to worry about any bottlenecking by the motherboard not being pcie 2.0. pci-e 1.1 is more than fast enough for any of the cards I mentioned.

 

[alanwest09872]

awesome t hanks a ton. I will order it right away. I thank you and I know my bud thanks you