Should I use my laptop or my desktop?

[wazplm123]

I am currently using a hp touchsmart tx2z-1000 laptop and the temperature is crazy high when I start playing games, reaching around 90c, so I was wondering if I should get thermal paste for it, or play my desktop?

My desktop(dell dimension 3100) is a lot better, its more quieter and more stable, but I can't play games in it, I have 16 fps, so I bought a Ati Radeon hd4550, but the sad part is that I don't have the compatibility for it(PCIe x16), I only have a 230watt PSU, and 2 PCI slots and 1 PCIe x1 slot.

So, with these 2 circumstances, I was wondering if this community can help me decide on what I should do, I don't want to get a new computer, and I don't want to make a whole new computer, unless the budget is around 200~300$ at the most not including the graphics card.

 

[David 617]

if you are up to building a new pc, you can get some pretty sweet deals from newegg. ~300 for quad core w/ 4gb ram & a TB Hdd. add a 150 gpu and you'll have a good gaming machine.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.719542

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102950

310 + 105

 

[wazplm123]

if you are up to building a new pc, you can get some pretty sweet deals from newegg. ~300 for quad core w/ 4gb ram & a TB Hdd. add a 150 gpu and you'll have a good gaming machine.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.719542

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102950

310 + 105

woah, that looks like a sweet deal, I already have a graphics card though, so it would only cost 310+tax, not bad, I'll see if I can get this, thanks.

 

[HansVonOhain]

Do not forget about PSU.

 

[Archean]

If you can:

1. Return that 4550 and
2. Spend a little extra on better graphics

I would suggest to consider to buy that 6670 david proposed, or this 6750 which is slightly better value for roughly the same price.

However, if you want a slightly cheaper solution, have a look at this guide for budget system. The APU in this system comes with Radeon HD 6650D core on it, which is a decent graphic core but don't expect anything stellar from it.

 

[wazplm123]

I'm not planning on using my computer for any hardcore gaming, The only game that I will be playing is SC2 and League of Legends, the 4550 should be able to handle those games right?

 

[Archean]

I'm not planning on using my computer for any hardcore gaming, The only game that I will be playing is SC2 and League of Legends, the 4550 should be able to handle those games right?

Have a look at this SC2 review, I think 4550 will barely give you playable frames at medium graphics.

 

[wazplm123]

looks like I need to get 400$ to build this new pc.

 

[Archean]

But that extra money spent on a decent graphic card will serve you well in the longer run.

 

[David 617]

btw the kit includes everything except the os.

and i would future proof the gpu by putting ~150 into it. i'd go with a 6 series possibly a 6670 or 6770

(the 6670 above is only 105 and itll be head and shoulders above the 4550. http://www.hwcompare.com/10623/radeon-hd-4550-256mb-vs-radeon-hd-6570-oem-2gb/ )

 

[Archean]

Nope, the link I gave you in my previous post was from newgg and it would cost you about 80$.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102952&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=xnd5hkjc6gkj

Edit:
Windows 7 HP x64 OEM will cost you 92$.

 

[David 617]

Nope, the link I gave you in my previous post was from newgg and it would cost you about 80$.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102952&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=xnd5hkjc6gkj

i was referring to the one in my post - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102950 which had 1gb of ddr5 compared to yours w/ 1gb of ddr3. in a budget card this will make a big difference. it definitely worth the extra 20


this is w/ ddr3 - http://www.hwcompare.com/10194/radeon-hd-4550-256mb-vs-radeon-hd-6570-oem-1gb/

ddr5 - http://www.hwcompare.com/10623/radeon-hd-4550-256mb-vs-radeon-hd-6570-oem-2gb/


edit:
preferably, i'd go with a 6770. (i have a 5770 and am very happy with it.) your be able to game on highest gfx settings for another year or two.
here's a comparison - http://www.hwcompare.com/5736/radeon-hd-4550-256mb-vs-radeon-hd-6770-1gb/

newegg has it for 120 w/ 20 rebate -http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102940

 

[Archean]

Ah ok my bad.

Definitely HD 6770 is much better option, incidentally I too have a HD 5770 in my desktop, and it has been kept up with what little gaming I do.