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    #1

    Help me configure a computer ...

    To start off - I just acquired a computer from trading a self repaired 42 Inch Vizio LCD TV. The computer I got is a HP ProLiant ML330 G6 Server. I am looking to make this into a gaming PC. I used to build computers about 10 years ago so my knowledge of PC's is of older stuff.

    So far this computer has:

    Quad-Core Intel® Xeon® Processor E5606 (2.13GHz, 4M L3 Cache, 80 Watts)
    4GB RAM (PC3-10600E 2x2GB 2Rank Memory)
    4 Port SATA Controller
    Embedded NC326i Dual Port Network Adapter
    SATA DVD-ROM Optical Drive
    HP Storage RDX Internal Removable Disk Backup System
    460W Non-Hot Plug Power Supply


    There is no hard drive installed and the video card is the onboard video. It says that is supports PCI E 2. I'm not sure how to judge these cards anymore since the AGP days.

    Any help is appreciated!!!
    The strong-minded rise to the challenge of their goals,the weak-minded BECOME HATERS

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    #2
    Re: Help me configure a computer ...

    The strong-minded rise to the challenge of their goals,the weak-minded BECOME HATERS

    Comment

      #3
      Re: Help me configure a computer ...

      so ya will need a sata hard drive. http://internetgames.about.com/od/ha...videocards.htm has a list of the top gaming cards. an nothing other then specs an couple new slots as far as hardware goes!

      Comment

        #4
        Re: Help me configure a computer ...

        Say your budget.

        Download the manual for your motherboard and make sure the PCI Express slot will support a video card.

        Some motherboards will have the BIOS made in such a way that they won't turn off the on-board video card and won't switch to a video card on the PCI Express slot. On these motherboards, the slot is dedicated to network cards or SCSI controllers and stuff like that.

        It's also possible the slot is PCI Express x8 - check and see if it's physical x8, or physical x16 but with only 8 lanes.
        If it's the later, you're fine. All video cards will run on x8 mode with no problems or glitches. But if the slot is physically x8, you might need an x8 to x16 adapter (like a riser card) to use a video card.

        That is, if there are capacitors or things after the slot which would block the card, because if there aren't, you can just cut the end of the connector on the motherboard and the majority of video cards will run in x8 mode with the rest of the pins just hanging in the air.

        later edit: i didn't see the part where you mention it's a "HP ProLiant ML330 G6". If it's like it says on the site, you scored a nice server. It should have 4 pci express slots :

        http://h18004.www1.hp.com/products/q.../13361_na.html

        Expansion
        Slot # Technology Bus Width** Connector Width Bus Number* Form Factor Notes
        6 PCI Express Gen2 x4 x8 4 Standard Height/ Half Length
        5 PCI Express Gen2 x4 x8 10 Standard Height/ Half Length
        4 PCI Express Gen2 x16 x16 13 Standard Height/Length
        3 PCI Express Gen1 x1 x8 7 Standard Height/Length

        So you can use any video card in that third slot.

        Again, say your budget and I'll suggest video cards. Basically, a 560ti or Radeon 7750 would be the base level video cards I'd recommend.
        Last edited by mariushm; 11-04-2012, 08:09 PM.

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          #5
          Re: Help me configure a computer ...

          First... thanks guys for chiming in.

          I'll be trying to play some of the newer games like Halo 4 if it comes out on PC and some others. As far as my budget goes, wouldn't mind a 1 TB SATA hard drive - which suprisingly is very cheap nowadays. For a video card, as long as I dont have to upgrade it within the next 3 years, I'd be fine. If I can get both of these and not spend more than $200 to $250 combined, I'm great.
          The strong-minded rise to the challenge of their goals,the weak-minded BECOME HATERS

          Comment

            #6
            Re: Help me configure a computer ...

            I would recommend selling the server. And then putting that money into a real computer

            Comment

              #7
              Re: Help me configure a computer ...

              What games do you want to play? Plenty of CPU power, what GPU is in it? That system would be a workhorse.
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                #8
                Re: Help me configure a computer ...

                I would get something like HD7850: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...CE&PageSize=20

                http://www.anandtech.com/show/5625/a...ern-islands/19

                Comment

                  #9
                  Re: Help me configure a computer ...

                  Well.... According to the site below, I cannot get even the lowest card with the worse graphics for less than $150. Is this really where computers have gone? I was looking at the prices for the AMD Radeon hd 4870. If I have to spend $300 to make this computer relavent, I'd just wait for the newest game system that comes out. I'm confused.

                  http://www.anandtech.com/show/5625/a...ern-islands/19
                  The strong-minded rise to the challenge of their goals,the weak-minded BECOME HATERS

                  Comment

                    #10
                    Re: Help me configure a computer ...

                    Have a look here to get the current picture: Uncle Tom's Best Graphics Cards For The Money: October 2012

                    Comment

                      #11
                      Re: Help me configure a computer ...

                      nVidia cards are usually the best bang for the buck, and the bonus is they have good Linux drivers. And because of Win8, game developers are now taking Linux seriously as a gaming OS.

                      http://steamforlinux.com/?q=en/node/127

                      Comment

                        #12
                        Re: Help me configure a computer ...

                        it has (1) pci-e 16x slot. Before investing any money find a cheap nvidia pci-e card lying around and make sure this chipset likes it. I've seen server chipsets act funny with certain hardware

                        but the chip rates more than high enough
                        http://www.cpubenchmark.net/high_end_cpus.html

                        the only SOLD proliants of that model on ebay went for about $400, all others have an asking price of around $1500, which do not sell. Go ahead and make a gaming rig out of it cause you can't get as much out of it as you think, and the hardware is solid
                        Cap Datasheet Depot: http://www.paullinebarger.net/DS/
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                          #13
                          Re: Help me configure a computer ...

                          Thanks for all of your help.

                          I bought a Radeon R6670 2GB card and a 1TB Western Digital SATA HD.

                          Both were reasonable and together only cost about $160. I got some headphones for the gaming too.
                          The strong-minded rise to the challenge of their goals,the weak-minded BECOME HATERS

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