Old Computer Help

[Mefoga]

My friend has an old computer and would like to be able to run some more modern games better, even if at low settings. He can run Killing Floor at about 15 FPS on average, on all low settings.

 

Specs:

CPU: Athlon 64 x2 3800+ Dual Core @ 2.4 GHz

Motherboard: Foxconn AM2 MCP61S

RAM: 1+.5 GB DDR2 @ 800 MHz

Graphics: GeForce 6100 on-board graphics

PSU: 250 Watt -> Not sure what else. It's part of pre-built: http://www.cnet.com/products/acer-aspire-t180-ua381b-athlon-64-x2-3800-plus-2-4-ghz-1-gb-160-gb/specs/

Storage: Two 80GB HDD

Display: Acer P205h

Random Keyboard and Mouse

 

I was thinking that maybe changing out the .5GB RAM Module for three 1GB Modules, as well as switching out one of the 80GB HDDs for a 250GB. I also have a spare Nvidia Geforce GT 640 graphics card laying around I was thinking of sending him. Do you guys think this would let him be able to run some modern games like Borderlands 2 at low settings without feeling like he's watching a slideshow? He can't even start the game with his current set up.

[harrynowl]

I think so, wouldn't be perfect but better than what he's got now.

[Deletive]

yeah you could probably do that.

[SkilledRebuilds]

I did run the latest harry potter games @ monitors native 1280x1024 with that same CPU, 3GB of DDR and a ATI-3850

Was for my mates kid, built it in a day, but yeah, it can play games okay with a decent GPU behind it.

But it probably is more worthwhile to start with a better machine.

[Mefoga]

The thing is he only has about 100 dollars, with no income really except for Christmas money and the like, so I decided to help him out with the GT 640. DDR2 is fairly cheap(10USD/GB) on Amazon. His monitor is 1600x900 natively, so do think the 640 will be fine in it with some extra RAM?