Unsolved
1 Message
0
2682
July 31st, 2020 07:00
Upgrading a Vostro 200 mini tower
First off hello and happy Friday! Just dropping in to ask for some advice regarding upgrading an older Vostro 200 mini tower computer. I do basic music recording via my DAW and it has worked fine for that but as of late, my son wants me to join him in playing Fortnite. I'm not much of a gamer but heck I'll give it a go. So I am basically upgrading this desktop to meet the DirectX 11+ requirements of the game. At the current time it says Direct X 11 not supported and the crutch is definitely the old video card. I would like to ask for options regarding video cards for this mini tower. And I know I have seen lots of recommendations for it but at this current moment, I am not looking to invest in a whole other computer system at this time (although we all know I probably should because I'm basically putting lipstick on a pig ha). Just looking for options with what I have to play the game with him. I figure this pc is primarily for my music/DAW recording and general computer functions about 95% of the time. That little remaining 5% would be the amount of time I use it for gaming purposes.
Here are my current specs and what I plan on upgrading with what I have laying around in storage from prior builds. Thanks in advance for your information.
Oh quick question too - Does the Vostro 200 mini tower require a low profile video card specifically? It seems like longer cards would butt up against the edge of the ram modules.
Current Specs: Dell Vostro 200 Mini Tower
- CPU: Intel Pentium E2200 2.2Ghz 775LGA
- RAM: 4GB DDR2 PC25300
- MoBo: Dell 0CU409 G33M02
- Bios 1.0.16
- PSU: 300 watt
- GPU: Radeon HD 2400 Pro 256MB
- OS: Windows 7 64 bit
Future Specs (all items I have laying around in storage):
- CPU: Intel Pentium E8500 3.16Ghz 775LGA
- RAM: 6GB DDR2 PC2 6400
- MoBo: Dell 0CU409 G33M02 (staying the same)
- Bios 1.0.16 (staying the same)
- PSU: 600 watt A Power PSU w PCI-e connector
- GPU: ?????????
- OS: Windows 7 64 bit (staying the same)
Any other recommendations on something I may have missed are welcomed.
Aleax804
2 Posts
0
October 24th, 2021 05:00
Sorry for the late reply; it's been over a year, but I actually just now joined the forum to answer this one (feel blessed, LOL). I'm afraid that your system is well below the listed minimum requirements for Fortnite. Indeed, Intel have released several generations of CPU since your system was made.
From the Epic Games app:
Minimum requirements:
Recommended requirements:
So yes, you would be looking at having to get a new PC for that. HOWEVER, just because these are published requirements doesn't mean that you couldn't make it work and have fun with something a little lesser. However, I fear that your system may be too far behind the curve. That being said, I have the game on my PC, and my rig is equipped thusly:
Dell Optiplex 3020 (SFF case)
...and various other bits such as an SSD and a big HDD but who cares; the elements above are the ones central to the performance of games. This rig could be gotten for about $300 or less even today, as the GPU shortage pushes prices northward (even on the lower end).
I haven't yet tested Fortnite on it; let me do that and get back at you... ok, with automatic settings it set me at 1920x1080, 66% resolution, medium settings, and it holds around 60fps, which is what you want. I have a feeling that your setup wouldn't even get close to that, though. Performance mode might help but you are going to need at very least a 1GB graphics card, my guess is at least a Radeon HD7770 1GB or better. Obviously it doesn't need quite as much CPU as they list, but since your system has a slow dual core instead of the zippy quad core it lists as a requirement - my rig is literally 4 generations ahead of yours, but still 3 behind "minimum." I would still doubt its ability to run it fluidly (and competitively online). That being said maybe if you could get a Core2 Quad chip and a decent video card you may be able to play it at lower resolution (720p?) and maybe eke out 30fps. But I wouldn't hold my breath. Sometimes too old is just too old.
Anyway, this is a weird game. I don't think I like it.
Thenightranger1
1 Rookie
•
1 Message
0
May 27th, 2024 15:14
@Aleax804 actually HDD and SSD play big roles in video games more than you think. when running programs a SSD can communicate to the mother board much faster then a HDD can. SSD speeds are 3.5GB per second and HDD is between 150mbs to 500mbs maxium.