Help on PC hardware upgrade (especially Graphics Card)

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Techjunk

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Jun 5, 2013
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10,510
I am planning to upgrade my whole system (that is i think, almost 5 years old)
I am upgrading the following: memory, CPU
and buying a video card (We used an internal video card for almost 5 years.)
I will give the specs of my present computer.

Motherboard
Manufacturer: ASRock
Model: G31M-S R2.0 (CPUSocket)
Chipset Vendor: Intel
Chipset Model: P35/G33/G31
Chipset Revision: 10
Southbridge Vendor: Intel
Southbridge Model: 82801GB (ICH7/R)
Southbridge Revision: A1
BIOS:
Brand American Megatrends Inc.
Version P1.80
Present voltage usage:
CPU CORE 1.256 V
MEMORY CONTROLLER 1.024 V
+3.3V 3.312 V
+5V 4.968 V
+12V 11.542 V
VIN5 1.696 V
VIN6 1.848 V
PCI Data:
Slot PCI
Slot Type: PCI
Slot Usage: Available
Bus Width: 32 bit
Slot Designation: PCI1
Slot Number: 0
Slot PCI
Slot Type: PCI
Slot Usage: Available
Bus Width : 32 bit
Slot Designation: PCI2
Slot Number: 1
Slot PCI-E (Graphics card slot)
Slot Type: PCI-E
Slot Usage: Available
Bus Width : Unknown
Slot Designation: PCIE2
Slot Number: 2

CPU (At present)
Intel Pentium E5200 @ 2.50GHz
Wolfdale 45nm Technology
RAM (Present RAM used)
1.00GB Single-Channel DDR2 @ 332MHz (5-5-5-15)
Graphics (My internal graphics card)
1620 (1366x768@60Hz)
Intel G33/G31 Express Chipset Family (ASRock)
Operating System (at present)
Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit
Power Supply
Rise PSU 500w

My question:
I want a graphics card that supports my specs,
and can run most of "memory-greedy" games and programs present today.
Any suggestion on what graphics card should i get?
And, help me suggest a graphics card which is economically available.

Extra question:
I have seen some graphics cards which specifies as with "DDR3 Memory".
(Example: Nvidia GeForce GTX 630, i don't know if this is compatible with the specs i specify.)
Not only that. Some graphic cards define PCI-E 2.0, even PCI-E 3.0.

Is DDR3 graphics cards (and PCI-E 2.0 and 3.0 cards) compatible with the specs I specified?
I have asked some tech friends, and have said that it sometimes may work.

Extra note:
I am also planning to upgrade my CPU to 64-bit intsructions,
(which is, i am planning to buy Quad-Core processor, which i found very "scarce" today because some tech people in my place have said it is already phased-out. Never mind.)
 
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smeezekitty

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Sep 11, 2012
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All types of graphics memory (DDR2, DDR3, GDDR5) are compatible with your system. Also the PCI-E slots are compatible.

Your CPU already supports 64 bits.

Your power supply makes me nervous though - unknown brands is generally not a good sign.

How much is your budget?
 
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smorizio

smorizio

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Jan 22, 2010
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Your CPU and lack of ram will hold back a newer gpu if your playing games.
Your better off buying an intel i3 two core CPU and a good mid range gpu 650 or amd 7800 cards and eight gigs of ram. If the intel build to costly look at amd apu build. There newer apu have 8000 ser gpu built in.
 
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Techjunk

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Jun 5, 2013
4
0
10,510


Thank you for fast replies.
So i should change my PSU? I do not know much about power supply brands in my region.
I think the budget for a graphics card (converted in US Dollars) can be $60 below.
I am in Southeast Asia. I think prices may vary in my region.



What? I can't buy an intel i3. It has a different CPU Slot. (LGA 1155)
It's totally incompatible to my motherboard. :(
And you mean i should upgrade my motherboard to something with LGA1155? Just no. too costly.
 
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shadowOak

shadowOak

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May 27, 2013
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I suggest just making a new computer instead of upgrading. LGA775 is a dead platform, you will only find used processors or new one in the depth of the internet. Your current processor will bottleneck any recent(3years) graphics cards. The only reasonable upgrade you can make is increasing your RAM.
I dont know what your budget is, but here is a nice custom build list w/ different tiers http://www.build-gaming-computers.com/gaming-desktop-computer.html

EDIT: but if you insist on not upgrading, you could get an HD6670
 
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Techjunk

Honorable
Jun 5, 2013
4
0
10,510


Thanks for suggestions.
Yes, I am planning to increase RAM, too.
Yes. I know that 775 is already phased out. (Hence, my difficulty to find some processors.
Even, as I am looking for a quad-core processor. Never mind.)

I am also thinking of upgrading the motherboard for a long time.
But, I think our budget cannot make it, an I cannot upgrade to a better motherboard now, because in my region (I am in Southeast Asia), the newest motherboards here already costs almost like, you're buying 1/3 of an entirely new computer.
So i think ATI Radeon HD6670. I would buy it.
 
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Techjunk

Honorable
Jun 5, 2013
4
0
10,510


Yeah. I am upgrading RAM.
If i can find a quad-core processor, i will upgrade it to 8GB.
If there's none, i will make it 4GB if possible, if our budget agrees with it.
Hope it will be more better if I found a quad-core.

Yes. I am checking ATI Radeon HD6670's specs.

But are you sure that it will work in synergy with my specs? (except CPU, i am planning to upgrade it too, as Shadowoak said, it will bottleneck those cards.)
 
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