Could anyone give me some affordable computer upgrading advice?

Danenelvin · 09-12-2012, 02:47 PM

I'm looking to upgrade and I don't know to much about what's good and what's not, or even where to really start. So I was wondering if maybe the steam forum users could help me try to figure out where to start and point me toward some cheap/affordable upgrades? Attempting to get my computer a bit more gaming orientated, all I've been told is my graphics card is a little weak?

I apologize if this isn't everything, when it comes to the inner workings of my computer and finding specs and all that, I'm not very bright or knowledgable.

Specs are:

System Model: Studio XPS 8100
BIOS: Default System BIOS
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i5 CPU 650 @ 3.20GHz (4 CPUs), ~3.2GHz
Memory: 8192MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 8120MB RAM
Page File: 6611MB used, 9625MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
User DPI Setting: Using System DPI
System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled
DxDiag Version: 6.01.7601.17514 32bit Unicode
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce GT 220
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce GT 220
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0A20&SUBSYS_069A10DE&REV_A2
Display Memory: 4050 MB
Dedicated Memory: 978 MB
Shared Memory: 3071 MB
Current Mode: 1600 x 900 (32 bit) (60Hz)

ACJCLIGHTNING · 09-12-2012, 02:58 PM

GTX 690..........

well you never said your budget, that would be and important part.

I also don't see a power supply, which is The number one most important thing when upgrading.

I am far from an expert on desktop computers, but from what I see. You processor is fine, but the graphics card is getting pretty old. so if your asking what to upgrade, it would be the graphics.

wildfire678 · 09-12-2012, 03:00 PM

Upgrading your Gfx may be a start but perhaps you could enlighten us on what gaming issues (including games) you have?

Personally if I were wanting an out and out gaming rig I'd go for a self build rather than a factory throw together.

Others most certainly will have different views, which brings me back to my question.

Zodiark1593 · 09-12-2012, 03:15 PM

Upgrade the graphics, and if need be, the PSU. Might I recommend a Radeon 7750?

Danenelvin · 09-12-2012, 03:29 PM

Oh right, duh budget. I'm a dolt.

I'd like to do it all at once so 150$? maybe a little more.

How would I go about finding the power supply information?

I already have a factory thrown together and I don't have a bunch of money, my gaming issues aren't many or to problematic, low framerate here and there, newer games giving some trouble, nothing to dramatic or problematic just issues I'd like to make go away.

ACJCLIGHTNING · 09-12-2012, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danenelvin

Oh right, duh budget. I'm a dolt.

I'd like to do it all at once so 150$? maybe a little more.

How would I go about finding the power supply information?

I already have a factory thrown together and I don't have a bunch of money, my gaming issues aren't many or to problematic, low framerate here and there, newer games giving some trouble, nothing to dramatic or problematic just issues I'd like to make go away.

I have been on these forums and this question is asked all the time.
I don't remember the exact details but...

Open up the case
find the thingy with the power supply info
give us exact make and model, along with info.

someone with more experience might be able to tell you the exact process, but I think I did good.

Drann · 09-12-2012, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ACJCLIGHTNING

I have been on these forums and this question is asked all the time.
I don't remember the exact details but...

Open up the case
find the thingy with the power supply info
give us exact make and model, along with info.

someone with more experience might be able to tell you the exact process, but I think I did good.

The thingy? LoL

The PSU in that PC is 350w according to Dell. Not exactly fantastic, and probably not even a high quality unit. You could, as ACJLIGHTNING suggested open your case up and tell us what the sticker on the side of your PSU states - the ratings for the 12v + rail in paticular.

zezzex · 09-12-2012, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drann

The thingy? LoL

The PSU in that PC is 350w according to Dell. Not exactly fantastic, and probably not even a high quality unit. You could, as ACJLIGHTNING suggested open your case up and tell us what the sticker on the side of your PSU states - the ratings for the 12v + rail in paticular.

Well, if he's looking to spend only $150 he probably wont be purchasing anything thats going to require more then a 350w psu. Even that cheap dell psu will be enough to handle any low end video card.

Plus, if you purchase a decent psu, you are looking at speding $100 to $150, and that leaves you no room to purchase a video card... I suggest just spending all your money on a video card, to get you by, then start saving all your money and plan on building your next computer in a few years.

Drann · 09-12-2012, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zezzex

Well, if he's looking to spend only $150 he probably wont be purchasing anything thats going to require more then a 350w psu. Even that cheap dell psu will be enough to handle any low end video card.

Plus, if you purchase a decent psu, you are looking at speding $100 to $150, and that leaves you no room to purchase a video card... I suggest just spending all your money on a video card, to get you by, then start saving all your money and plan on building your next computer in a few years.

Not true at all, at least when talking about USD. You can get some solid budget (and by budget I mean from reputable companies) PSU's for around the $50 mark. That said, I do agree that he could upgrade without needing a new PSU. It is nice to know exactly what you're dealing with, however.

Something along the lines of a 6670 should work, and be a noticable improvement for very little money. A 7750 'should' just about manage with his setup, and can be had for just over $100 after rebate. Probably his best bet as it's a fairly decent improvement.

Danenelvin · 09-12-2012, 05:08 PM

Sorry about not coming back with the power answer, but I haven't had the chance, chores to do and such, but the thing is I can afford both, I was just hoping to get the card next month. I'll be able to do both I just didn't put out my intentions, with that in mind should I get a better power source, then a card, or just start saving for a whole new thing and take what I can from this computer?

sharee511 · 09-12-2012, 05:52 PM

Here'a an Antec Gamer 750 Watt power supply for $80.00 (US)

http://www.microcenter.com/product/3...Supply_HCG-750

And the video card a lot of people just got, including me.

http://www.microcenter.com/endeca/zo...nt_comping-jpg

You may be able to find them cheaper on NewEgg or Tiger Direct, but I have a Micro Center near my house and it's convenient.

Other than the video card and the PSU, with my 4 builds, I'd say it doesn't look too bad.

cannondale06 · 09-12-2012, 06:45 PM

he does not need a 750 watt psu and can find a high quality 500-600 watt psu for cheaper. and a gtx550ti is not all that great either as a 7770 can be had for nearly the same price and is 30% faster and uses less power.

chaplain_wu · 09-12-2012, 06:54 PM

There's no need to rush. Find out what GPU you want, then find out what your power supply unit is. They usually have a sticker on the unit, and it's that piece at the back of your PC that has the power cord connected. Open up a panel and snap a picture.

Saving for a whole new PC isn't a bad idea , but you just end up doing what you need to do now and more, so ultimately you'll do the same things. You can always just buy a new motherboard and CPU if necessary in the future; your GPU would still be compatible.

For a GPU I would buy at the least a GTX670. Anything lower and it's basically not tailored for gamers.

The thing with buying a GPU that would draw more power than your PSU can handle is that you risk damaging the rest of your computer.

workthis · 09-12-2012, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chaplain_wu

There's no need to rush. Find out what GPU you want, then find out what your power supply unit is. They usually have a sticker on the unit, and it's that piece at the back of your PC that has the power cord connected. Open up a panel and snap a picture.

Saving for a whole new PC isn't a bad idea , but you just end up doing what you need to do now and more, so ultimately you'll do the same things. You can always just buy a new motherboard and CPU if necessary in the future; your GPU would still be compatible.

For a GPU I would buy at the least a GTX670. Anything lower and it's basically not tailored for gamers.

The thing with buying a GPU that would draw more power than your PSU can handle is that you risk damaging the rest of your computer.

660ti is entry level. gtx670 is mid-high end.

cannondale06 · 09-12-2012, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by workthis

660ti is entry level. gtx670 is mid-high end.

lol, gtx660 ti is NOT entry level. entry level is the gt640.

09-12-2012, 02:47 PM	#1
Danenelvin Join Date: Dec 2011 Reputation: 0 Posts: 36	Could anyone give me some affordable computer upgrading advice? I'm looking to upgrade and I don't know to much about what's good and what's not, or even where to really start. So I was wondering if maybe the steam forum users could help me try to figure out where to start and point me toward some cheap/affordable upgrades? Attempting to get my computer a bit more gaming orientated, all I've been told is my graphics card is a little weak? I apologize if this isn't everything, when it comes to the inner workings of my computer and finding specs and all that, I'm not very bright or knowledgable. Specs are: System Model: Studio XPS 8100 BIOS: Default System BIOS Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i5 CPU 650 @ 3.20GHz (4 CPUs), ~3.2GHz Memory: 8192MB RAM Available OS Memory: 8120MB RAM Page File: 6611MB used, 9625MB available Windows Dir: C:\Windows DirectX Version: DirectX 11 DX Setup Parameters: Not found User DPI Setting: Using System DPI System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent) DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled DxDiag Version: 6.01.7601.17514 32bit Unicode Card name: NVIDIA GeForce GT 220 Manufacturer: NVIDIA Chip type: GeForce GT 220 DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0A20&SUBSYS_069A10DE&REV_A2 Display Memory: 4050 MB Dedicated Memory: 978 MB Shared Memory: 3071 MB Current Mode: 1600 x 900 (32 bit) (60Hz)

09-12-2012, 03:00 PM	#3
wildfire678 Join Date: Jan 2011 Reputation: 615 Posts: 1,559	Upgrading your Gfx may be a start but perhaps you could enlighten us on what gaming issues (including games) you have? Personally if I were wanting an out and out gaming rig I'd go for a self build rather than a factory throw together. Others most certainly will have different views, which brings me back to my question. Last edited by wildfire678: 09-12-2012 at 03:04 PM.

09-12-2012, 05:52 PM	#11
sharee511 Join Date: Apr 2012 Reputation: 0 Posts: 42	Here'a an Antec Gamer 750 Watt power supply for $80.00 (US) http://www.microcenter.com/product/3...Supply_HCG-750 And the video card a lot of people just got, including me. http://www.microcenter.com/endeca/zo...nt_comping-jpg You may be able to find them cheaper on NewEgg or Tiger Direct, but I have a Micro Center near my house and it's convenient. Other than the video card and the PSU, with my 4 builds, I'd say it doesn't look too bad. Last edited by sharee511: 09-12-2012 at 05:56 PM.

09-12-2012, 06:45 PM	#12
cannondale06 Banned Join Date: Apr 2012 Reputation: 310 Posts: 1,515	he does not need a 750 watt psu and can find a high quality 500-600 watt psu for cheaper. and a gtx550ti is not all that great either as a 7770 can be had for nearly the same price and is 30% faster and uses less power. Last edited by cannondale06: 09-12-2012 at 07:05 PM.

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09-12-2012, 02:58 PM	#2
ACJCLIGHTNING Join Date: Jan 2012 Reputation: 293 Posts: 794	GTX 690.......... well you never said your budget, that would be and important part. I also don't see a power supply, which is The number one most important thing when upgrading. I am far from an expert on desktop computers, but from what I see. You processor is fine, but the graphics card is getting pretty old. so if your asking what to upgrade, it would be the graphics.

09-12-2012, 03:15 PM	#4
Zodiark1593 Join Date: Mar 2011 Reputation: 362 Posts: 913	Upgrade the graphics, and if need be, the PSU. Might I recommend a Radeon 7750?

09-12-2012, 03:29 PM	#5
Danenelvin Join Date: Dec 2011 Reputation: 0 Posts: 36	Oh right, duh budget. I'm a dolt. I'd like to do it all at once so 150$? maybe a little more. How would I go about finding the power supply information? I already have a factory thrown together and I don't have a bunch of money, my gaming issues aren't many or to problematic, low framerate here and there, newer games giving some trouble, nothing to dramatic or problematic just issues I'd like to make go away.

09-12-2012, 05:08 PM	#10
Danenelvin Join Date: Dec 2011 Reputation: 0 Posts: 36	Sorry about not coming back with the power answer, but I haven't had the chance, chores to do and such, but the thing is I can afford both, I was just hoping to get the card next month. I'll be able to do both I just didn't put out my intentions, with that in mind should I get a better power source, then a card, or just start saving for a whole new thing and take what I can from this computer?

09-12-2012, 06:54 PM	#13
chaplain_wu Join Date: Aug 2003 Reputation: 727 Posts: 3,268	There's no need to rush. Find out what GPU you want, then find out what your power supply unit is. They usually have a sticker on the unit, and it's that piece at the back of your PC that has the power cord connected. Open up a panel and snap a picture. Saving for a whole new PC isn't a bad idea , but you just end up doing what you need to do now and more, so ultimately you'll do the same things. You can always just buy a new motherboard and CPU if necessary in the future; your GPU would still be compatible. For a GPU I would buy at the least a GTX670. Anything lower and it's basically not tailored for gamers. The thing with buying a GPU that would draw more power than your PSU can handle is that you risk damaging the rest of your computer.