Computer upgrade help.
polycounter lvl 6
hey polycounters,Im getting 200 dollars soon and want to upgrade my computer a little bit.I mostly need a new graphics card but would also like to get a new processor.Can any one help me find a decent combination?
some specs: I use my compuer mostly for 3d modeling,photoshop,game engines,just Game design stuff in general.Heres a link to all the specs of my computer.
The only thing i have upgraded so far is the ram,to 3Gb of ram.
some specs: I use my compuer mostly for 3d modeling,photoshop,game engines,just Game design stuff in general.Heres a link to all the specs of my computer.
The only thing i have upgraded so far is the ram,to 3Gb of ram.
Replies
Here's a thread about upgrading your CPU: http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/desktop/f/3514/p/19412399/19970142.aspx#19970142
Your system has a 300W power supply, so you need a GPU that doesn't draw much power. Here's a thread about that: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/339263-33-best-graphics-card-300w-power-supply
Display Device:NVIDIA GeForce 6150SE nForce 430
example:
Your system has a 300W power supply, so you need a GPU that doesn't draw much power. Here's a thread about that: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/33...w-power-supply
(apologies for duplicate post)
In this case you could buy a AMD 5000+ off ebay for $100 and get a very marginal performance gain.
Virtually any video card made in the past few years will be much better than what you've got.
Nvidia 560 $190
ATI 6870 $160
Nvidia 550 TI $130
ATI 6770 $110
Nvidia 450 $105
ATI 6670 $80
Pick one of those that sounds like a good price, any of them will be a major improvement over your 6150SE.
[edit] Also pay attention to Ryan's post about power supplies. You will likely need to buy a 400-500w PSU for the GPUs listed above, so budget in $50-70 for that.
Do you think that would be a good deal?
and i dont think im going to upgrade my processor because they seem to be very expensive.
Better than what you have certainly, but I would spend a little more(around $100) to get something more recent, and not refurbished.
The video card you have is literally one of the worst video cards produced in the last 10 years. So virtually anything will be significantly better.
eg:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/AMD-Athlon-64-X2-6000-3-0GHz-2MB-AM2-89W-ADA6000-Ship-US-/270899838478?pt=CPUs&hash=item3f12e37e0e
http://www.ebay.com/itm/AMD-Athlon-64-X2-5050e-AM2-CPU-ADH5050IAA5DO-2-6GHz-45W-/400273874225?pt=CPUs&hash=item5d322e9d31
How do i know if those will work in my computer? and would i install a cpu?
I mean you can spend $60 on a used CPU that is only a little faster than your current one for a quick fix, but IMO its a waste of cash.
I didn't realize it was an X2, so that X2 6000+ that ryan post is actually about 50% better than your current cpu, which isn't a lot but its something. I would still just save your money for a better upgrade though.
Can he get like a... FX-6100 then? AM3+?
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Replacing your CPU is feasible, but the bang/buck ratio somewhat lower. It would be a modest improvement, not a huge improvement like the video card.
With a 300w power supply, an 89watt CPU is probably OK. You might try the 89w 6000+, and see if it works. Or you might rather save the money and put it toward a new computer.
I'd try the CPU upgrade myself, because it's a drop-in that doesn't involve much work. Just be aware it's not as big a deal as the video card, and it -might- be too much for your power supply anyway.
Switching to an i3 would be a more involved upgrade. You'd replace your motherboard and RAM, and reinstall your OS... it pretty much means getting a new computer. If you don't feel comfortable replacing motherboards and stuff, just think of that idea as "save up for a new PC."
In any case, before you upgrade anything, make sure you've installed the latest BIOS from dell for your computer.
You don't need to worry about your ram type when choosing a video card, they're completely independent.
From your list I would say either of the Nvidia 440's if those are the choices. Though Ryan's link to the $65 6670 is a better option than any of those. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161386
but i cant find anything about am3+ cpus on am2 boards
Power draw for the 6570 is low, so it should play nicely with your system, esp. if you decide to get the 89watt 6000+ cpu.
eg: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102942
btw,im making the final decisions for my computer and im about to order some coponents.can you please tell me if this would power this ?
and here are my system specs if you need them
Buying a cheap inefficient power supply is a badddd idea, they use more energy which = more $ every month, run hotter and are more likely to fry.