Help can you please confirm my system specs

[Alaska]

My system specs are:

OS Name Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
Version 5.1.2600 Service Pack 3 Build 2600
System Manufacturer INTEL_
System Model D865PERL
System Type X86-based PC
Processor x86 Family 15 Model 2 Stepping 9 GenuineIntel ~2991 Mhz
BIOS Version/Date Intel Corp. RL86510A.86A.0061.P09.0308281850, 28/08/2003
SMBIOS Version 2.3
Windows Directory C:\WINDOWS
System Directory C:\WINDOWS\system32

I have over time upgraded to 2 mb RAM and I initially had installed a 125MB video card.

I am concerned that these do not meet the minimum requirements of Dawn of War II which are:

Minimum Requirements

Windows XP SP2 or Windows Vista SP1
P4 3.2 GHz (single core) or any Dual Core processor
1GB RAM (XP), 1.5 GB RAM (Vista)
128MB Video Card (Shader Model 3) - Nvidia GeForce 6600 GT / ATI X1600, or equivalent
5.5 GB of Hard Drive space
Recommended Requirements

Windows XP SP2 or Windows Vista SP1
AMD Athlon 64x2 4400+ or any Intel Core 2 Duo
2 GB RAM (XP and Vista)
256MB Video Card (Shader Model 3) - Nvidia GeForce 7800 GT / ATI X1900, or equivalent
5.5 GB of Hard Drive space

Any help would be appreciated.
I have a feeling around P2 and P4 my machine was state of the art for gaming 5 years ago.

[dedja]

You have:

Intel P4 3.0 GHz CPU
Windows XP SP3

which does not meet the Intel P4 3.2GHz CPU min requirements.

I assume you mean 2Gb RAM, not 2Mb!

You haven't specified what type of 128Mb video card so can't compare to the min spec.

[Wedgie]

With games you want to have at least their "recommended" specs and can just about safely ignore the "minimum" specs.

[Alaska]

Thanks for that, yes I did mean 2Gb.

The video card is a Leadtek Winfast A340T 128MB GeForce FX5200 8x AGP

I presume also a lower spec?

I was thinking of upgrading the Video card and memory, but it would appear the CPU has come to the end of its useful life for games?

[Psyber]

Games seem to be the big driver of computer specification requirements.
Most business can be done on lower spec machines with Open Office or old versions of MS Office, unless specialist software is needed and dictates otherwise.
I'm doing fine on a couple of older AMD 64 3000+ machines and a Core2Duo laptop.

[Kahuna]

Thanks for that, yes I did mean 2Gb.

The video card is a Leadtek Winfast A340T 128MB GeForce FX5200 8x AGP

I presume also a lower spec?

I was thinking of upgrading the Video card and memory, but it would appear the CPU has come to the end of its useful life for games?

I think it is time to bite the bullet and look at an upgrade. AGP video cards are pretty passe and several generations out of date. Not much point in shelling out for something that will only just run your game. Next game you want to play you will be in the same boat.

[Alaska]

OK so I need to buy a new gaming machine.
What specs should I be looking at in today’s market?
What should I avoid?
What price should I expect to pay?
Who is the best mob to talk to/buy from?
The last PC I had made to gaming specs by Cherry and allowed for upgrades over the years. Is this still the way to go or are some internet sites now cheaper once I have settled on my minimum specs.

Any help would be appreciated.

[Wedgie]

If you know someone who can build them I'd recommend that for a gaming machine, me and a mate put mine together at work for less than $800 and its very schmick.

I virtually custom made mine to the exact specs I wanted (if not better).

I got an AMD Phenom Quad Core (810), 4gb of DDR3 Ram (expandable to up to 8gb), a NVIDIA GEForce GTS 250 Video Card (1gb), and I used an old 160gb hard drive as well as a brand new 640gb hard drive. (obviously a few other parts but that's the guts)
I run Windows XP on it and have a ADSL2+ internet connection.

[Mr Beefy]

I find these recommendations handy when considering a PC.

http://www.bleedingedge.com.au/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=6233

Most, if not all of the parts are from MSY