Vostro 230 GPU and possible PSU upgrade help

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FaythDark

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Dec 25, 2013
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Hello, I need some help upgrading my current build, and I am VERY new to computer hardware and building parts, etc etc.

Processor: Pentium(R) Dual-Core CPU E5400 @ 2.70GHz
Video card: NVIDIA GeForce 8400GS
System Model: Vostro 230 Installed
Ram: 4 gb (3 gb usable)
OS: Windows 7 professional 32bit.
300 Watt power supply

After talking with different people on reddit and on here, they all recommended me opt for a higher power supply and different card. However, not TOO high as I might get "bottlenecked" whatever that means.

I need some advice on some GPUs I have been looking at;

Radeon HD 7770
Radeon HD 7750
GTX 660

Of the 3 cards above, both the 7770 and 7750 can run on a 300 power watt supply. Due to budget, I am leaning towards the 7750, as I potentially do not have to buy a new power supply.

Could I get your oppinions on this? I would love to not spend more than $200 on this, but I don't mind going a little over. I do not demand superb graphics, I just want to play video games that are not too demanding (borderlands 2, Path of Exile, League of Legends) above my usual 5-20 FPS.

For the cards I mentioned above, and also the ones you recommended, I have no idea how to figure out whether or not it will fit inside my Dell's mini tower Vostro 230, my mother board looks like: http://i01.i.aliimg.com/img/pb/412/017/459/459017412_970.jpg


Upon looking around on google, the 7750 can run on a 300 watt PSU pretty smoothly, and when comparing it with my nvidia geforce 8400gs, it is a major improvement. Thoughts on this? Are there more optimal GPUs that you guys recommend me utilize with my 300W PSU?

If it really is recommmended to upgrade my PSU, could you guys link ones that are well known, and since I am such a complete dunce when it comes to computers, could you also make sure it will fit within my case? My computer looks like this: http://www.sarajkenya.com/images/DELL%20Vostro%20230.jpg and is the Bell Vostro 230 mini tower.

Thanks a lot and happy holidays!
 
Solution
Kisianik


Finally here you mentioned Mini Tower (I knew this due to 300 watt PSU, but still)

Basically in your case you can go even to ASUS GTX650-E-2GD5 GeForce GTX 650 2GB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121714
System Requirements Up to 75W Power Requirement

GTX650 is 2GB card...
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razor 10

razor 10

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Aug 29, 2011
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Since you have dual core system. Its quite an old system btw. As listed in your budget hd 7750 is quite a good card. But make sure get the gddr5 edition. Its better than gddr3. This is the card http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121633. By the way this card need at least 450w of power supply. Actually you can get run with 300w but since the system needs power to load other components you need higher power supply. Here is the power supply http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121633 and http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341016. Since your is mini tower ofc the power supply can fit in your case. Happy upgrading. :D
 
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IInuyasha74

IInuyasha74

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May 1, 2013
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Well what they mean when they said "bottleneck" is that the rest of your system will run so slow that it doesn't matter how fast your graphics card is, it will not work on its full potential. I would remove the Nvidia 660 from the list completely. There is no chance you will get the full performance out of it, and its too expensive to warrant the idea of buying it.

I would say go at the AMD 7770 at best, and even then I am pretty sure the card won't perform at its full potential, but you can use it again if you update your system later.

I would also advise looking into the idea of getting a full system upgrade. For $200 using the case you have now and the power supply and hard drive you have now. You could get these parts.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130748
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113331

The total is $190 and the rest of the parts you should be able to use from your old system and be fine. It will be a huge upgrade in the CPU. The graphics will be a huge upgrade over your old graphics card also. It won't be as good as the 7750 but it will still be pretty darn good.
 
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FaythDark

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Dec 25, 2013
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Do I HAVE to get a new PSU? Cuz I usually don't run anything in the background when I game. Judging from the two inputs, would getting the 7750 and a bigger PSU solve my issues? Is it hard to install a PSU? I Dont currently have the budget to upgrade my other components, I just wanted a better PSU....

My computer won't bottleneck the 7750 too hard right?

Does anyone have personal experience with the 7750 and 300w together?
 
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FaythDark

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Dec 25, 2013
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10,510


Thanks for the continued response. So for the 7750, would I need to buy a low profile version of the Radeon HD 7750 so that it will fit in my Vostro 230 dell mini tower? or will the normal factory size fit fine?

Also, there are so many different brands of the HD 7750, which one is the most reliable/recommended?
 
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Kisianik

Kisianik

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Jan 24, 2013
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Finally here you mentioned Mini Tower (I knew this due to 300 watt PSU, but still)

Basically in your case you can go even to ASUS GTX650-E-2GD5 GeForce GTX 650 2GB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121714
System Requirements Up to 75W Power Requirement

GTX650 is 2GB card vs 7750 with 1GB - clear winner, unless you like AMD cards.

Now, to prevent bottleneck you can upgrade your processor. I put in bold your CPU and the strongest from the list, so you can easy see the difference, if you do this change will be dramatic.

Vostro 230 processors validated by Dell

Xeon X3370, Yorkfield, 12 MB, 3.00 GHz, 1333 Mhz FSB user reported
Q9650, Yorkfield, 12 MB, 3.00 GHz, 1333 MHz FSB
Q9550, Yorkfield, 12 MB, 2.83 GHz, 1333 MHZ FSB
Q8400, Yorkfield, 4 MB, 2.66 GHz, 1333 MHz FSB
Q8300, Yorkfield, 4 MB, 2.50 GHz, 1333 MHz FSB
E8600, Wolfdale, 6 MB, 3.33 GHz, 1333 MHz FSB
E8500, Wolfdale, 6 MB, 3.16 GHz, 1333 MHz FSB
E8400, Wolfdale, 6 MB, 3.00 GHz, 1333 MHz FSB
E7600, Wolfdale, 3 MB, 3.06 GHz, 1066 MHz FSB
E7500, Wolfdale, 3 MB, 2.93 GHz, 1066 MHz FSB
E6300, Wolfdale, 2 MB, 2.80 GHz, 1066 MHz FSB
E5400, Wolfdale, 2 MB, 2.70 GHz, 800 MHz FSB
E5300, Wolfdale, 2 MB, 2.60 GHz, 800 MHz FSB
450, Celeron, 512 KB, 2.20 GHz, 800 MHz FSB

Prior to installing the processor, check that the latest BIOS version 1.4.0 is installed, when added support for processors was added.


Anything else I can help you with?
 
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Solution
Kisianik

Kisianik

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Jan 24, 2013
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Those top list CPUs are quite expensive - around $150, looking for cheaper alternative.

CPU upgrading is somewhat challenging, but not that difficult.

Since you trying to save money to some degree, upgrade your video first, and if not enough, come back for more.

Core 2 Duo E8600 is cheaper 3x, maybe it will be enough.

As is what is your position on CPU upgrade?

Anything else I can help you with?
 
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FaythDark

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Dec 25, 2013
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Well I hope that my slow fps can be remedied by my video card coming in. As the 7750 is eXponentislly better than my 8400gs. Do CPUs require a whole re formatting of my computer?
 
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Kisianik

Kisianik

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Jan 24, 2013
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Nope, however BIOS upgrade might be required, this one, if goes wrong, will kill your motherboard.
It is more challenging, than GPU upgrade, but is not that bad.

However, first, get new GPU, install and play, if it is enough - this is it, if not - just post here, do not start new post, or drop here a link to the new post, so I can find you easily. As you can see I know something about Dells.

P.S. If you finding any answers particularly helpful to you, please mark it as Pick A solution, to solve the thread - it will benefit others, searching for the same question.

 
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FaythDark

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Dec 25, 2013
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Okay sounds good Kisianik, i'll choose a best answer for now, and will drop a message your way if the graphics card doesn't do it for me. Do you mind explaining further via message why BIOS upgrade might fry my mobo?
 
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Kisianik

Kisianik

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Jan 24, 2013
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No PMs unless absolutely necessary (for editing and picture posting purposes).

BIOS upgrade failure is not so common, but there is a possibility. BIOS is motherboard's and PC's brain, something is wrong, well all those things going kaput.
Well when you upgrade CPU static electricity from your hands might kill motherboard, if you loose control of screwdriver and scratch motherboard, the same result, so you see the idea.

Anything else I can help you with?
 
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