Computer Replacement: "Equal or Better" part check

[ShesCrafty]

So, after a long and grueling battle over a screwed up computer, I have been promised a replacement computer of "equal or better" quality. I believe I have been given 'worse' components on several of the parts. The problem is, I purchased my computer 2 years ago so many of the parts are no longer available. This means I have to compare some completely different technologies, and make a valid case for why the parts they gave me are insufficient.

So, if anyone here is willing to help me out with the "Pros and cons" of any of these comparisons, I would greatly appreciate any input you could give me.

A little bit of background information: This is a PC desktop. The main function of this is a gaming computer which needs to be able to handle some high stress 3D graphics.

Onto the parts: (The Processor, motherboard, and video cards are what I think I have been jipped on.)

Processors:
Old computer: Intel Pentium D 930 (3.00 GHz) Processor
Replacement: Intel Core2 Duo Processor E4400 (2.00 GHz)

Now, All I know here is that 2 GHz is less than 3 GHz, and because of that I feel like I have been screwed. However, is there any reason that because it is a Core2 Duo, that would outweigh the loss of 1 GHz?

Video Card:
Old Computer: Nvidia GeForce 7300LE 64MB
Replacement: Intel G965 Express Chipset Family

Everything I have read says that the Intel G965 Express is Integrated Graphics, and I should avoid that like the PLAGUE if I want to game. I think this is a pretty clearcut case of just needing a dedicated graphic card instead of integrated, but if anyone could confirm that for me it would be great.

Motherboard:
Old Computer: ATI Xpress 200 Motherboard with 10/100 LAN
Replacement: Intel G965 Motherboard

Now, this I'm in the dark on ENTIRELY. My old computer was constantly bombarded with MB Errors. I'm not sure if it was related to the type of motheboard. However, this new motherboard obviously seems somehow linked with the integrated graphics card. If the graphics card is replaced, would a motherboard that supports a dedicated graphic system need to be replaced as well?

I know -nothing- about motherboards. Speak to me about this as if you were explaining to a child, if you have any advice.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The following parts I believe are equal or better, but Im going to list them just in case anyone sees any faults.

Hard Drives:
Old: Seagate 200 GB 7200 RPM SATA Hard Drive w/ 8MB cache
New: 250 GB 7200 RPM SATA II Hard Drive w/ 8 MB cache

Memory:
Old: 512 MB PC4200 533 MHz DDR2 Dual-Channel Memory Module
New: Samsung 512 MB 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM Memory Module


Other than that, if anyone can give me a good reason to convince them I need Win XP back instead of Vista, I'd give you a hug. Haha. Thank you in advance for ANY input you can offer. Let me know if you need any other information.

 

[smig]

I'm not an Intel favor, and also I prefer the nVidia chipsets.
the nVidia 7300 is not a gaming card, and sure any on board isn't too.

in any case make sure the board you get has a PCIe x16 slot. make sure it works at least at x8 !!!
this will enable upgrade in the future.
if you would give the specific mobo it will be easy to tell you how good it is.

just to note - the parts you get here are priced less then half of what you paid 2 years ago.
most of the parts here are on the lowest end available.

 

[stordoff]

Core2 Duo >> PentiumD

"We saw that even though the Core 2 Duo is clocked slower than the Pentium D 805, the amount of work it can do per clock cycle is much, much higher."

http://www.bcchardware.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2869&Itemid=40

 

[mullered07]

aside from the onboard graphics (cheeky sods) the cpu will kill your old pentium d, and the board well its a 965 chipset which could be quite good depending on the mfr.

i would make sure you get a graphics card, even if its lower end (2400pro?) it will be better than onboard intel crap

 

[[I.R.A]_FBi]

for ram get 2 sticks of 1 gb 800 plz ...

hard rive teh 250 should be a seagate barracuda 7200.11

for video i need to know what u do with ur pc ...

which intel board are you looking at? i have a p965 chipset and its great for what i do, lost of i/o good O/C support.

 

[lemonadesoda]

1./ The CPU swap they are offering is BETTER. Be happy

2./ Your OLD mainboard had onboard graphics. So the mainboard swap is BETTER. Be happy

3./ But then there is NO graphics card being offered. Be somewhat UNHAPPY. However the old graphics card you has was rubbish. Since you cant "have it all better and up to date" for free, then I suggest you press them on the graphics card... and say they should give you something, BUT you would prefer to upgrade to a modern gaming card, and that you would like them to offer you a $20 discount on a new card. Then you buy a new card from them. That would be more than fair for everybody. Just look at the ebay prices for your old card. You really cant expect them to give you a credit value more than $20.

 

[PaulieG]

The new components a SO much better. As far as the CPU speeds, you really can't compare them. The Core 2 Duo architecture is so much better. A e4400 KILLS that old Pentium by a mile. Your old graphics card may be better than the integrated graphics, but not by much. If you're going to be gaming you want at least a ATI 3850 or Nvidia 9600GT. Either card would only set you back a little over $100.

 

[kamojamo]

G'day, here's my opinion mate

As IRA FBI said,
You'll need more RAM than 512MB.
Have a look at the FSB of the CPU and ensure the speed of the RAM is not below the FSB of the CPU.
Then ensure motherboard is compatible with CPU and RAM (speeds and physical type).

MoBo is ok ...i think lol.

Regarding your video card, perhaps you could throw in a low end graphics card (like an hd2400 or something which will cost very little AU$50 or less).

If you're planning on running vista aero (the visual styles in Vista Home Premium & Ultimate) you'll probably want 1.5 GB + of ram. Vista Basic you probably want at least 1 GB.

Good luck!

 

[7mm]

Hi there, as you said it's a gaming machine you're try'n to build. But, given config here just won't do any good for gaming pc, you'll need much more than this (with little XTRA ofcourse). As "smig" said, me too not going for INTEL rig here. Except, you buy go for the little higher end chips, say, E8xxx / Q6xxx series chips will give much superior output for high end games. Here's what I suggest...

Processor : Intel C2D E8500 / C2Q Q6600

Motherboard : ASUS P5Q Pro (Intel P45 based)

Memory : 4 GB (2 x 2 GB)

Graphics Card : Any available brand for 9800GTX

HDD : Seagate (7200.11) 500 GB SATA

PSU : 550W / 600W

CPU Cooler : Thermalright Ultima 90i