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Advice on upgrades for cost effective boost

Tags:
  • Photoshop
  • Image
  • Components
  • SQL
  • PC Upgrades
  • Graphics Cards
  • Memory Upgrade
Last response: in Components
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December 3, 2013 1:43:13 AM

Hi Guys

I used to build PCs many years ago so i'm quite comfortable with doing the work etc. but my last coupls of PCs have just been off the shelf for convenience so I haven't really kept up with component info etc.

My current PC used mainly for business - running SQLi databases and quite a bit of image editing in photoshop is starting to show it's age so I was thinking of doing a few upgrades rather than running out and buying another box.

The PC is a Packard Bell Power x2.0 model G3610

Spec is as it came from the factory;

Intel Core i5 750@2.67GHZ
6GB RAM
NVIDIA GEFORCE GTS 240

Running Windows 7 64bit

I'm thinking Graphics Card might be my quick win - although others tell me to get an SSD as drive for OS which tbh seems like an expensive solution where I might as well look at just buying a new system by the time you take OS licencing in to account.

All suggestions greatly appreciated - for those that want extra detail I can supply CPUZ text dump

More about : advice upgrades cost effective boost

a b U Graphics card
December 3, 2013 2:03:31 AM

If you don't use it for gaming, then there aren't any worthwhile cost effective upgrades. The upgrade that would benefit you most would be CPU, but that would require a motherboard upgrade (probably ram too) and it could start getting expensive. While an SSD would be obvious, all it does is decrease loading times etc, so it doesn't actually give you a raw performance increase.

What's your budget?
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December 3, 2013 2:18:54 AM

benjii said:
If you don't use it for gaming, then there aren't any worthwhile cost effective upgrades. The upgrade that would benefit you most would be CPU, but that would require a motherboard upgrade (probably ram too) and it could start getting expensive. While an SSD would be obvious, all it does is decrease loading times etc, so it doesn't actually give you a raw performance increase.

What's your budget?


I may do gaming in the future but not a lot really. I thought graphics or RAM might give me a boost with image and video editing as I am often working with 100mb image files.

Budget is anything sensible really I would just reach a point I think where I would think what would a new box cost! having had a quick scout around I think above £250 I'd have to give it some serious thought.

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December 3, 2013 2:23:58 AM

u_gonna_squeal_b4_we_cookya said:
You should be able to install the OEM Windows 7 on the new SSD using the same key or OEM install disc. A shortcut would be to clone it but if the HDD you currently have is larger than the SSD, you will have to back it up first and then start uninstalling or deleting files to match the size of the SSD. If you just get a small SSD and use it for just the OS, then the apps that you use will not benefit from it at all.



Thanks for taking the time to reply.

While what you suggest is doable it isn't actually legal - the T&C of Windows 7 when bought pre-installed on a shop bought PC does not allow the transfer of a licence to a new HDD - while MS rarely enforce this (it has been known that they do) my personal and business position does not make the risk to save a few £ worth it.
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a b U Graphics card
December 3, 2013 2:30:47 AM

You have enough RAM for now and the CPU is used more in editing image files than the graphics card. I suggest you start a slow upgrade to a new system. Is your RAM DDR3? Also, what brand and model is your PSU?
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December 3, 2013 2:51:44 AM

benjii said:
You have enough RAM for now and the CPU is used more in editing image files than the graphics card. I suggest you start a slow upgrade to a new system. Is your RAM DDR3? Also, what brand and model is your PSU?


PSU - whatever came with PC off the shelf - haven't upgraded it so don't know.

Yes RAM is DDR3 I can increase to 12GB for about £60 (4 banks at moment 2x2Gb and 2x1GB) could pull the ones and replace with 2x4GB (Motherboard max is 4x4GB I believe. but wasn't sure if a bigger improvement would be had by switching to a Gigabyte GeForce GTX 650 1GB - for similar money.

The main reason I'm thinking of upgrades to get a bit more life rather than a new box is some of my work software is not yet compatible with windows 8 - so would prefer to delay a purchase until it is ready

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