I just bought an hp slimline can i use it for gaming?

Question

Specs:

Processor Type ------------ Intel Pentium Dual-Core E2200

Processor Speed ------------ 2.2GHz

RAM ------------- 3GB PC2-6400 DDR2 (Exp. To 4GB)

Hard Drive Speed/Capacity ------------ 320GB 7200RPM

Graphics ------------- Nvidia GeForce 7100 126 mega bytes

Answer 1

If you wanna game decently you're gonna have to get away from that 7100. Slimlines are limited as to what video cards you can use because you have to go with a "low-profile" video card. If its a new computer it probably has a PCI-ExpressX16 slot--BUT, some dont.

Some only can use PCI video cards. Assuming you do have a PCI-ExpressX16 card you can look at the cards here:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductLis...

The slimlines have little power supplies so make sure you either buy a card your PSU can handle or get a bigger PSU to run the bigger card. If you have Vista get a DX10 compatible card. Be careful because some low-profile cards only run DX7 or DX8 and you need at least DX9 to run present games. Also, althou a few cards come with one ,most low-profile cards dont come with the low-profile bracket that would then have to be bought separately.

Nvidia 9600GTs are starting to hit the market in the low-profile setup which would be a sweet card for a slimline but you need a 400watt PSU to run one.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...

That one already has the low-profile bracket mounted. Not crazy about the brand but appears to be the only one out so far.

Answer 2

it depends on the game. it can run most games but some might be a little choppy. the only problem is ur video card, if u upgrade it should be fine

Answer 3

Well, I'm sure you can play 2D scrollers, Counterstrike, and card games on it, but the 7100 integrated chip is just too weak to be much fun on recent 3D games. I've got no model number from you, but you should know that some slimline PCs have only a half-height pci-e slot that won't take most decent video cards. They also have inferior cooling; important when you go above the 90$ 9600GT cards up to things like an HD4850. Lastly, you will probably need a new power supply to go above an 8600GT or an HD3650. Just hope your case has a standard ATX-size unit, and not a smaller mAtx one,