Place to Upgrade Computer in Austin or Houston?

[Davey O'Brien]

Kids are bitching at home about how our computer won't run all the games they want to play. Isn't that why you buy one?

I am looking for a business in Austin or Houston that does upgrades and they know what they are doing? We live in Houston, but I am in Austin 3-4 times a month for business and it isn't an issue dealing with someone there.

Problem with calling the manufacturer is that I either get some dumbass who says something brilliant like, "Well, you could do alot. What do you want to add to it?" or some guy who can't speak English at all.

What I need is someone who can take everyday English (i.e. This computer needs to be able to run Game A etc.), look at what it currently has, and make suggestions.

Thanks ahead of time.

 

[scally]

Alltex north of 183 on 35. there may be one in houston as well.

they sell parts so you can upgrade yourself, or they will do it for you and they are pretty helpful.

 

[ornjblud]

Altex in Houston is at 18670 Northwest Freeway.

In Austin, there's Microchip Computers. They have good system prices and I'm sure they do upgrades. They also have competitive component prices for the DIYers. FWIW - The owner is a Texas-ex.

If you know your current system specs, post them here or on Cactus Cafe and I'm sure you'll get plenty of upgrade advice. It's really and truly not that difficult if you want to consider doing the upgrade yourself.

 

[HornBud]

Your kids want you to buy:
1)More RAM (need at least 256 these days)
2)A new Processor (>2Ghz) (if pc is > 1 year old, will probably need new motherboard)
3)New video card (do not cheap out in this department. get the absolute best one you can afford, or you'll be hearing the kids whine about lack of power again in 6 mos. This really is the most difficult device to pin down when playing the latest games. It's not like RAM or a processor or a HD, in that there is ZERO standardization. You have to buy the best one out there, that has the most support. I've been out of the loop for >2 years now, so I can't help you with a brand or specs. Check out the top selling high-end games, and what they need. At the very minimum quadruple whatever they tell you.)
4)Ah hell, may as well upgrade the sound card too.

If your kids are over 12, they should be able to install these, if not, they are behind the curve and will probably be attending a liberal arts school majoring in art or philiosophy, sorry to be the one to break it to you ;-) (just kidding, boss) But seriously, you probably know someone that can install these things, if not do it your self. You will save a ton of dough (read: can parlay that cash towards better equipment). There is a lot of support on the web to teach you how to do it all, and there are at least a dozen posters here that can answer any question in excrutiating detail.

 

[lhorns02]

I really think it is cheaper or easier to buy a new computer for $400 bucks or so than deal with the headache of getting a new processor, motherboard, sound card, etc.

 

[LoboHorn]

Don't try to upgrade.
You would probably have to replace:
1. CPU
2. Motherboard
3. Hard Drive - not good to put an older 5400 rpm ATA33 in a newer system
4. Power Supply - the one you have now is probably not compatible or powerful enough for a newer system
5. RAM

Much easier, less time consuming, and probably cheaper to just buy a new one. In Austin, Microchip, Laboratory Computers, or just a good deal at Best Buy could get you a good, cheap computer.