It would be very helpful to know the motherboard Brand and model and the model of the core 2 duo in order to give you accurate suggestions.
It would be irresponsible for us to say that you will be fine with a 650Ti not knowing your core 2 duo model and whether or not it will bottleneck that video card.
Also the minimum power supply requirement for a 650Ti is 400w, so your friend is right at the minimum requirement.
It's very hard to find LGA 775 parts since most places no longer will carry them, mostly you will have to go to Ebay.
What is you motherboard model and brand, and what do you have for a PSU and what do you have for a CPU now?
GTX 650 ti boost is good or u could go up to HD 7870/GTX 660, your CPU won't bottleneck IMO. (In 2008 Q8400/Q9300 is like i7-3770K/4770K today and it can even pair w/ GTX 280/HD 4890, so GTX 650 ti is slightly below these two former flagship and of course won't bottleneck)
It's very hard to find LGA 775 parts since most places no longer will carry them, mostly you will have to go to Ebay.
What is you motherboard model and brand, and what do you have for a PSU and what do you have for a CPU now?
Well I have found a core 2 extreme within his budget so will that be a good replacement for my friends lower end core 2 duo and I don't know my friend mobo brand and he bought a new 400w power supply today
GTX 650 ti boost is good or u could go up to HD 7870/GTX 660, your CPU won't bottleneck IMO. (In 2008 Q8400/Q9300 is like i7-3770K/4770K today and it can even pair w/ GTX 280/HD 4890, so GTX 650 ti is slightly below these two former flagship and of course won't bottleneck)
Or I could just upgrade him with a gtx 650ti boost?
It would be very helpful to know the motherboard Brand and model and the model of the core 2 duo in order to give you accurate suggestions.
It would be irresponsible for us to say that you will be fine with a 650Ti not knowing your core 2 duo model and whether or not it will bottleneck that video card.
Also the minimum power supply requirement for a 650Ti is 400w, so your friend is right at the minimum requirement.