First of all, thanks to those of you who sift through these threads and offer help.
I read the requirements on the main page and in my price range Gateway computers seemed to be the best match. I recently bought a SX2370-UR30P only to find that the spec requirements in this forum are a little more demanding.
While I wait for my desktop to arrive, I'm interested in what needs to be upgraded to make it decently functional. I don't need full speed and 1080p, I just want it to reach an HD resolution and look substantially better than the wii. I'll be outputting over HDMI to my HDTV. I intend to try Skyward Sword, Windwaker, Other M, DK:R, Star Successor, Metroid Corruption, Mario Galaxy 2, and Muramasa.
Here are the specs:
Processor: AMD A6-3600 Quad-core, 2.10 GHz
Cache 4 MB
64-bit Processing
Chipset: AMD A75
Graphics Card: Radeon HD 6530D (seems to be integrated)
Standard Memory 4 GB
Maximum Memory 16 GB
Memory Technology DDR3 SDRAM
Memory Standard DDR3-1333/PC3-10600
Number of Total Memory Slots 4
16X DVD±R/RW SuperMulti Drive
Total Hard Drive Capacity 1 TB
Serial ATA/300
RPM 5400
Operating System Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium 64-bit
If any specs pose a serious problem then I'd appreciate suggestions for what to upgrade/replace. I assume i'll have to buy a graphics card since integrated is apparently a no-no... oy.
BONUS NOOB QUESTION: I've read that it's now possible to rip game discs with a DVD drive rather than using homebrew. If anyone can link me to instructions for this it'd be great.
I read the requirements on the main page and in my price range Gateway computers seemed to be the best match. I recently bought a SX2370-UR30P only to find that the spec requirements in this forum are a little more demanding.
While I wait for my desktop to arrive, I'm interested in what needs to be upgraded to make it decently functional. I don't need full speed and 1080p, I just want it to reach an HD resolution and look substantially better than the wii. I'll be outputting over HDMI to my HDTV. I intend to try Skyward Sword, Windwaker, Other M, DK:R, Star Successor, Metroid Corruption, Mario Galaxy 2, and Muramasa.
Here are the specs:
Processor: AMD A6-3600 Quad-core, 2.10 GHz
Cache 4 MB
64-bit Processing
Chipset: AMD A75
Graphics Card: Radeon HD 6530D (seems to be integrated)
Standard Memory 4 GB
Maximum Memory 16 GB
Memory Technology DDR3 SDRAM
Memory Standard DDR3-1333/PC3-10600
Number of Total Memory Slots 4
16X DVD±R/RW SuperMulti Drive
Total Hard Drive Capacity 1 TB
Serial ATA/300
RPM 5400
Operating System Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium 64-bit
If any specs pose a serious problem then I'd appreciate suggestions for what to upgrade/replace. I assume i'll have to buy a graphics card since integrated is apparently a no-no... oy.
BONUS NOOB QUESTION: I've read that it's now possible to rip game discs with a DVD drive rather than using homebrew. If anyone can link me to instructions for this it'd be great.