Upgrade my cheap Inspiron 660 with a budget of $500 to maximize performance

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uwotmate

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Sep 12, 2013
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Wolfshadw

Wolfshadw

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Maximize performance in what? Games? Productivity? Video? What?

The system you have isn't too shabby. A power supply and graphics card upgrade would turn it into a decent gaming system. A better processor (if compatible) would aid in applications.

What is your goal?

-Wolf sends
 
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Wolfshadw

Wolfshadw

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1) Contact Dell. Find out what processor upgrades are possible for your system. Ask about a Core I5-34xx or 35xx series (preferred) processor.
2) Look for a quality power supply from Antec, Corsair, Seasonic, or FSP (Fortran Source) in the 500-650 watt range.
3) With your remaining budget look for the best graphics card you can afford.

-Wolf sends
-Bring back City of Heroes!
 
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hang-the-9

hang-the-9

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Mar 25, 2010
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A power supply upgrade and a video card upgrade will be fine for a bit. Make sure you have enough room in the case for a large card.

Should cost about $350, although your CPU is lower end for an i5. CPU should be OK for most games so you don't have to mess with that, and swapping out the CPU will probably void the warranty. Actually swapping out the power supply may do the same thing, so if you are worried abut that, check with Dell.

Read this port about installing a new video card in the model though http://forums.anandtech.com/showpost.php?s=a08b0132e8ae531943dd8a6bea3a2bf7&p=34906881&postcount=11

PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182068

Video Card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127745
 
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uwotmate

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I actually have $600.. How should I upgrade? I don't want to risk damage to my PC. Are you saying if I buy a power supply that it won't be capable with the default psu?
 
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hang-the-9

hang-the-9

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Mar 25, 2010
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You replace the existing power supply with the new one, but with that much money you are wasting your time upgrading.

For $600 you can just sell your current system and buy a full on gaming computer build from the ground up with a real gaming motherboard and better case. Sell your PC, add that to the $600 and you will have a very nice gaming system instead of a cobbled together box.

Look in the systems section for some ideas, you can put together a very nice system for $800-900.
 
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