Will my HP Pavilion really run OR (HP Pavilion P6717c Desktop Pc)

[MSTS lifer]

Last weekend I posted that I was having some FPS issues running OR.
That computer's motherboard died.
Geek Squad says replacing it is all that needs to done to bring the computer back from the dead.
They also said the power supply and the graphics can not be further upgraded from factory specs.
Only thing that can be added is 2GB of RAM.
Enclosed are the specs for my computer. I need to determine if my computer can run OR or if I need to consider buying a better computer.
　
Thanks MSTS Lifer
　
　
HP Pavilion P6717c Desktop PC (purchased in spring 2010)
　
Motherboard
N-Alvorix-RS880-uATX (Alvorix)
Manufacturer: Foxconn
Form factor: uATX
Chipset: AMD 785G
Memory sockets: 4 x DDR3
Front side bus speeds: 1333/1066/800MHz
Processor socket: AM3
Expansion Slots
1 PCI Express x16 slot for graphics card
3 PCI Express x1 slots
1 PCI Express x1 minicard slot
For more details, see Alvorix motherboard specifications .
Processor
AMD Athlon II X4 640
Figure 2: AMD Athlon II logo Image of AMD logo
Operating speed: Up to 3.0 GHz
Number of cores: 4
Socket: AM3
Bus speed: 4000 MHz HT3
Processor upgrade information
Max TDP: 95W
Motherboard supports the following processor upgrades:

NOTE:

Only Socket AM3 processors are supported with this motherboard.

AMD Phenom II X6 10xxT Six-Core (Thuban core)
AMD Phenom II X4 9xx/9xxe/8xx Quad-Core (Deneb core)
AMD Phenom II X3 7xx/7xxe Triple-Core (Heka core)
AMD Phenom II X2 5xx (Callisto core)
AMD Athlon X4 6xx/6xxe (Propus)
AMD Athlon X3 4xx/4xxe (Rana)
AMD Athlon X2 2xx/2xxe (Regor)
AMD Sempron Single Core 1xx (Sargas core)
Memory
5 GB
Amount: 5 GB
Speed: PC3-10600 MB/sec
Type: DDR3-1333
Memory upgrade information
Dual channel memory architecture
Four DDR3 DIMMs (240-pin) sockets
PC3-8500 (DDR3-1066)
PC3-10600 (DDR3-1333)
Non-ECC memory only, unbuffered
Supports 1GB, 2GB, and 4GB DDR3 DIMMs
Supports up to 16 GB on 64-bit systems
Supports up to 4 GB on 32-bit PCs
*32-bit PCs cannot address a full 4.0 GB of memory.
Video graphics
Integrated graphics using ATI Radeon 4200
*Integrated video is not available if a graphics card is installed.
Integrated graphics using ATI Radeon 4200
Integrated graphics: concurrent use of the DVI and VGA ports is supported.
Also supports PCI Express x16 graphics cards*

NOTE:

*Either integrated graphics or the PCI Express x16 slot are usable at one time; they are not usable concurrently.

Sound/Audio
Integrated ALC888S-VD audio
*Integrated audio is not available if a sound card is installed.
Audio CODEC: ALC888S-VD
Number of channels: 8
Maximum sample rate: up to 192,000 Hz
Supports one SPDIF digital connection
Networking
LAN: 10-Base-T
Technology: PCI Realtek RTL8105E
Data transfer speeds: up to 10/100 Mb/s
Transmission standards:10-Base-T Ethernet
Modem: 56K WinModem
Figure 3: Modem card side view - low profile size Image of modem card
Interface: PCI Express x1
Data transfer speeds: up to 56 kbps for V.90 connections*
Transmission standards: V.92, V.90, V.34, V.32*
Caller ID: Yes*
Modem on hold: Yes*
* Features must supported by the ISP at time of connection.
Hard drive
750 GB
Figure 4: Hard drive Image of hard drive
Size: 750 GB
Interface: SATA
Transfer rating: 3.0 Gb/sec
Rotational Speed: 7200 RPM
CD/DVD disc drive
SuperMulti DVD Burner with LightScribe Technology drive
Figure 5: Optical drive Image of the optical drive
Interface: SATA
Data buffer memory: 2 MB minimum
LightScribe: yes
Disc diameter: 120 mm
Write and read speeds for supported formats and disc types are shown in this table:
Memory Card Reader
15-in-1 multimedia card reader
Figure 6: View of memory card reader Image of card reader
Supports the following cards:
Compact Flash I
Compact Flash II
IBM Microdrive (MD)
Memory Stick (MS)
Memory Stick Duo (Duo)
Memory Stick Pro (PRO)
Memory Stick Pro Duo (Pro Duo)
MultiMediaCard (MMC)
MultiMediaCard Mobile (MMC mobile)
MultiMediaCard Plus (MMC plus)
Reduced size MultiMediaCard (RS-MMC)
Secure Digital (SD)
Secure Digital miniSD (Mini)
Smart Media
xD Picture Card (xD)
Computer Case
Mid-size ATX
Height: 38.7 cm (15.23 inches)
Width: 17.5 cm (6.89 inches)
Length: 41.4 cm (16.29 inches)

Bay size	Total Bays*
13.33 cm (5.25 inch)	2
8.89 cm (3.5 inch)	3
* Bays may be occupied by existing hardware.

Power Supply
Internal 250W (100-240V)
Form factor: internal ATX
Total Wattage: 250W
Nominal input voltage range:
100-127V ~6A
200-240V ~3A
　

[ForestHIllsRob]

I'm not sure why they told you the power supply and graphics can't be upgraded.

Power Supply - Unless there's an issue with space, you could have a 1200 watt PS if you choose. Take a look at Ohm's law - that explains why this is possible.

I would recommend 600 to 700 watts for your machine. The factory provided PS is never too good, and they're usually way underpowered.

Graphics - Do you have a graphics card in the computer, or are you running integrated graphics? You should have at least 1 pci-e connection on the motherboard, which is where you can install a graphics card.

Hope this helps. Let us know how it goes.

Robert

[MSTS lifer]

My computer has integrated graphics. My understanding is the computer uses either integrated graphics or the actual graphics card, NOT BOTH! Can someone determine from the info enclosed (the computer specs) if I'm better in the long run with a memory card or integrated graphics.

And if I can't get much of a graphics boast somehow, will a power supply of 600-700 watts improve my FPS problem? (Geek Squad says it's possible to increase the power supply to 300 watts no more. I called today.) The FPS is the only thing that sucks when running OR on this HP Pavilion. Otherwise I'm happy as a clam.

Thanks

MSTS Lifer

[derekmorton]

Hi Brian,

Just install open rails and see what happens, it doesn't take much.
The Radeon 4200 is a minimalist card, and won't give you much.
In the long run you will need a pcie video card.

[ForestHIllsRob]

My computer has integrated graphics. My understanding is the computer uses either integrated graphics or the actual graphics card, NOT BOTH! Can someone determine from the info enclosed (the computer specs) if I'm better in the long run with a memory card or integrated graphics.

And if I can't get much of a graphics boast somehow, will a power supply of 600-700 watts improve my FPS problem? (Geek Squad says it's possible to increase the power supply to 300 watts no more. I called today.) The FPS is the only thing that sucks when running OR on this HP Pavilion. Otherwise I'm happy as a clam.

Thanks

MSTS Lifer

You're always better off with a graphics card. Integrated graphics are only for basic use, i.e. word processing etc.

Take a look at video cards on the Best Buy website.

As for the power supply, I still don't understand why they told you 300 watts is the limit. Before I decided to become my own geek, I used the Geek Squad. I think they provide an excellent service, but they also told me I was limited to a 350 watt power supply. Once I got a higher end video card, the power supply went. I then went to a 650 watt psu, which is really what you need.

As I said, look at Ohm's law. Basically, it says the components will only draw the power they need - you won't wreck the computer by having too much power, only by having too little.

Unfortunately, the fps won't be helped by the new power supply. You'll need to "tweak" the settings in OR and the video card once you get it.

Hope this helps.

Robert