Please help me update my horrible gaming rig

JuLGzFz

Honorable
Jun 21, 2013
30
0
10,540
Hello fellow forum members

Long time reader, first time poster.

I need your help to update my gaming Pc.

First, my current (and shameful) specs:

Packard Bell imedia
CPU: DualCore Intel Core i5-650, 3333 MHz (25 x 133)
Motherboard: Packard Bell iMedia S3810
RAM: Kingston 4GB DDR3 :(
Graphic card: NVIDIA GeForce GT 320 (1024 MB) :kaola:
Power Supply: HIPRO HP-D250AA0 250 W :fou:
Resolution: Televisor LG HDready 1360x768 (720p)
VERY small Case
packard_bell_imedia_i4621.jpg


I currently have no real problems playing almost any game in medium (Now playing Far Cry 3 and Borderlands 2) and Skyrim on MAX with mods. (No kidding).

My goal:
Be able to play 90% of games that come out in the next 1-2 years in medium, in 1360x768 at least, although I would love to use my HDTV (1920×1080).

My plan:
-Smallest posible budget, keep all components (yes, even the power supply)
-Upgrade to 8GB of RAM.
-Buy new cheap Graphic card.

So, my question is twofold... ¿Is there any Graphic card that would do the trick and can be installed in this small, low power rig? ¿Is the 4GB RAM upgrade really useful?

Sorry for my bad english, and thank you all in advance. ;)
 
Solution


It seems that the low profile Radeon 7750 uses less power than the 6670, but it's $20 more. I'd say it's worth it for that upgrade. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202002

Your 320 is ranked 250th out of tested cards at PassMark, the 6670 is ranked 132, the 7750 is 83. So either of those is a good upgrade, but the 7750 uses 10 watts less power so would be safer with your power supply. It "should" run on your PSU, but not guaranteed.
You can't keep your current power supply and probably the case and run new games on Medium. The best video card you can use there is probably a Radeon 6670. With the lower resolution it should run some things at Medium, maybe higher.

I would hold off on getting the RAM, it should not do too much for you. You're better off moving the motherboard into a larger case with a new power supply.

I would suggest a new case, new power supply and a Radeon 7770 if you can swing $200 for the upgrades. It will be A LOT better in the long run. Just make sure the motherboard does not have some weird layout with the screw holes in non-standard locations. At the least that 6670 will get you somewhere, but is a bit of a dead end.

Looking at some used stuff may be a good choice, just make sure you see the card running if you go used to make sure it does not overheat and crash. Some people like to sell cards that fail on them and "forget" to mention that there are issues.
 


It seems that the low profile Radeon 7750 uses less power than the 6670, but it's $20 more. I'd say it's worth it for that upgrade. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202002

Your 320 is ranked 250th out of tested cards at PassMark, the 6670 is ranked 132, the 7750 is 83. So either of those is a good upgrade, but the 7750 uses 10 watts less power so would be safer with your power supply. It "should" run on your PSU, but not guaranteed.
 
Solution

JuLGzFz

Honorable
Jun 21, 2013
30
0
10,540


Thank you so much!