Is it going to be okay to upgrade?

pattysheppard · Dec 5, 2013

I currently have a three year old pc that cost over 2 grand back then with a Nvidia 9600 GT. This is apparently the only part that is outdated according to http://systemrequirementslab.com/cyri
for me to run some games like Skyrim and The Witcher 2.
I am wanting to get the GTX 660 which is already going over my budget but i don't know if it will be compatible with my pc, happy to give info on pc if someone can please remind me where to find it haha

Nikolay Savov · Dec 5, 2013

Hi
HWINFO - post picture from system summary window

JuX · Dec 5, 2013

You can download CPU id program where you can see your CPU, motherboard, and memory models, along with other useful information. It would be good if you could tell us what kind of power supply unit you have (mostly you can just open your computer case and the PSU is the thing you can turn on/off - check there if you can see any model name on it).

pattysheppard · Dec 5, 2013

Nikolay Savov :

Here's the picture of the summary window

pattysheppard · Dec 5, 2013

JuX :

Not sure if the picture i posted will help for the CPU id program but i will quickly check for a power supply model name now and get back to you in a minute

JuX · Dec 5, 2013

You have posted all system specs here, so yeah, only the PSU is missing.

Unolocogringo · Dec 5, 2013

Yes you are good to go on the motherboard.
What power supply do you have?

pattysheppard · Dec 5, 2013

JuX :

Unolocogringo :

It is a Thermal Master ATX12V

JuX · Dec 5, 2013

If you want to get new graphics, get a new PSU with at least 450W, from Corsair. It will give you stable, quality and high efficiency power output.
Now, I have run Skyrim on medium-high details with a similar setup, maybe even worse, just for information.
Your CPU is a dual core 3ghz, which isn't bad at all, but the memory is pretty slow. The problem here is your motherboard doesn't allow you DDR3, so you're stuck with DDR2.
It means if you will get the 660, your CPU and RAM will not let your graphics card see its full potential, in other words, they will bottleneck it.

Unolocogringo · Dec 5, 2013

+1 to JuX
Thermal master is a NO name Cheap power supply. It is already several years old with capacitor aging.
I would really suggest replacing it before you install your video card.

If it dies under load it can destroy the video card motherboard, hard drives memory etc...

I understand about the budget. But you do not want your new video card destroyed the first or third time you play a game.

Maybe a 650ti boost and the above 450 watt corsair.

If you buy a cheap power supply get at least a 550 watt one.
http://www.eggxpert.com/forums/thread/323050.aspx

This is a list of power supplies .Tier one is the best.
Try to buy from tier 3 and above.

pattysheppard · Dec 5, 2013

JuX :

I just found this one, since i'm already over my budget i think this will be as cheap as i can find haha:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Corsair-VS-Series-VS450-450-Watt-ATX-Power-Supply-Unit-Desktop-PC-120mm-fan-3yr-/130835456852?pt=AU_Components&hash=item1e7666a354
That would be nice so i will look further into it

Ah okay, yeah i have some small issues with memory not including when i play games so yeah
Ahh well if i want DDR3, should i upgrade my mother board too? I think DDR3 is a type of RAM so would it be DDR3 8GB or something? Will this let the 660 see it's full potential?

pattysheppard · Dec 5, 2013

Unolocogringo :

Hahaha okay, i laugh at how bad some of my parts are, now worries! I'll get my dad to pay for a new one lol
If i don't upgrade Motherboard and RAM then should i got for 650 Ti Boost? I'll check out some of these Power supply units now

Thanks for all this help so far you guys!

Unolocogringo · Dec 5, 2013

That power supply would work.
Upgrading the motherboard and memory would help a little.
But not enough for the amount you would spend. If you used the same processor.

http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=2987#

on this page if you click support and downloads, then click CPU support ,you can see your board will support a lot of better processors.
It would be a wiser investment than a motherboard memory upgrade.

Unolocogringo · Dec 5, 2013

The 650 ti boost is a little slower than the 660. But no slouch either. It would be a better match for your current system.
But with your processor they would perform about the same favoring the 660 just slightly.
On this list the 660 is one tier higher than the 650 ti boost model.
the 650 ti boost is 8 tiers higher than the 9600gt model.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107-7.html

WOW parts are expensive down under.

pattysheppard · Dec 5, 2013

Unolocogringo :

I would be happy with this power supply unit if it would be worth the investment
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=281061858316&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:top:en
Yeah i see, thanks for that!

I know it wouldn't be cheaper but would it would be smarter just to build my own PC? Just since this one i have seems to more outdated than i thought

Otherwise will the 650 Ti and the power supply in eBay link above be sufficient?

pattysheppard · Dec 5, 2013

Unolocogringo :

Just so i can get to playing some of these games that can't my current graphics card can't even handle i am thinking that i will go with this graphics card:
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=193_1442&products_id=23022

And this power supply:
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=281061858316&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:top:en

Based on what you have said, if i have any issues i will think about upgrading other certain parts indivudually as i am able to afford them

Unolocogringo · Dec 5, 2013

For the 650 ti the 450 watt power supply is plenty. It is a good quality unit able to provide 450 watts.
A lot of the cheap ones in tier 4 and 5 on the list would die from 250 to 375 watts.

For most games the 650 ti and power supply would put you a medium setting on newer games and high on most older games.

A few exceptions would be BF4, GTA4, Crysis ! Flight SimX.
These are heavy CPU dependent games.

Unolocogringo · Dec 5, 2013

Those are both good choices for your budget.
And the power supply would allow you to upgrade to a 4 or 6 core processor.
Or move it to a new system ,when you need another upgrade..
And still be useable.

pattysheppard · Dec 5, 2013

Unolocogringo :

Okay this sounds great! Thanks for all of your help

Unolocogringo · Dec 5, 2013

You are welcome, Happy gaming!!!!

Is it going to be okay to upgrade?

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