Suggest what to upgrade!

kazunomiko09 · Jan 12, 2014

Hi, I am new here and I don't know if this is the right section to ask. I have an old computer that has an integrated graphics card. My old one has been busted for over 3 years. I don't have the money to buy a new set but I think I have the extra for an upgrade(if possible). If I can play Dota 2 from the upgrade, then it is settled.

AMD Athlon 64 X2 5200+ 2.70 GHz
1GB RAM( 895 Usable )
Nvidia GeForce 8100 / nForce 720a
Windows 7 32-bit

What should I upgrade and what is the most suitable one?
P.S I'm a newbie at this and don't know most about this.

crookedmouth · Jan 12, 2014

What motherboard and psu do you have?

Oleonius · Jan 12, 2014

Hi. From what I see on your configuration, here's what you should upgrade:

- First of all, you would need to add more RAM. I suggest replacing your 1 GB stick to a 2x4 GB sticks kit. Depending on your heatsink, you may need low-profile RAM. For the brand, anything from Kingston, Corsair or Patriot will do the job. I just don't know if this socket support DDR3 memory.

My recommandation: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820104380

- I would also upgrade the video card. If you have a tight budget, take a look at the new R9 cards from AMD. Otherwise, I recommend getting a GTX 760 or GTX 770 from NVIDIA. Depending on the wattage of your power supply, you may need to change it because the most recent video cards consume a lot more of power.

My recommandations:

AMD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131529

NVIDIA: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130932

Power supply: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207031 OR http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151132

kazunomiko09 · Jan 12, 2014

My system model is GF8100 M2+ SE
As of my PSU, ATX-500W

kazunomiko09 · Jan 12, 2014

Oleonius :

This is the kind of answer I am looking for, thanks! But is there anything more cheaper or is this the cheapest it can get? Unfortunately, I am low on budget, though I cannot tell how much budget I have as I will save for it.

Another question, if I upgrade my graphics card first, which is the most suitable that is compatible for my system? I have a GF 8500 GT 1GB DDR2 video card but it seems it is not compatible with the specs I have. And also 2 1GB RAM which also doesn't work with mine.

crookedmouth · Jan 12, 2014

Plus you would need to get a 64bit Windows to be able to use more then 3GB of ram. We could come up with something much cheaper that will run Dota 2 very well.

kazunomiko09 · Jan 12, 2014

crookedmouth :

I edited my previous post with additional information of what I have. Do you think we can come up to something? And I am very okay if it is at least mid-settings.

crookedmouth · Jan 12, 2014

It does look like it would be easier and cheaper to upgrade pretty much everything
Mother board, RAM and CPU $199.00($169.00 after rebate)
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=8184297&CatId=7250

Gigabyte 7790 $119($99 after rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125455
For $300($269 if you count rebate) you can have a viable system but down the road you will want to upgrade OS to 64bit because really your system won't truly be able to utilize all the ram in your computer. Your system will be much easier to upgrade.

Alternately if you could find a used ddr2 2gb kit (2x1gb) and just get the HD 7790 from above might be able to keep it well under $200 but really the first option I gave is the smartest unless someone else comes on and can do it cheaper.

kazunomiko09 · Jan 12, 2014

crookedmouth :

By $169.00, I can have a new Mother board, RAM and CPU? And with $99, I can have a computer that can play most of the new games at least in mid-end? Then I might go for the first statement. Changing my OS to 64 bit is easy enough, so it's no problem for it. I just need to save for it. Probably I can get one after I graduate which is 2 months from now.

But at the meantime, is there any possibilities I can do something with GF 8500 GT? Anyway thanks for the suggestion, I might go for it!

Vic 40 · Jan 12, 2014

kazunomiko09 :

Why not? If your motherboard has a pcie x16 slot it should work regardless of how much vram is on it.

Which kind of slot for the gpu is on you motherboard,the pink or orange?
http://www.computer-hardware-explained.com/image-files/agp-graphics-slot-vs-pci-e-express-slot.jpg
with the pink the 8500gt should fit and you could try it.Don't forget the drivers from nvidia,
In the next you could choose "auto detect you gpu".
http://www.geforce.com/drivers

Vic 40 · Jan 12, 2014

Oleonius :

He's using a 32bit o.s. which doesn't support more than 4gb's of ram and you suggest 8gb?!

Oleonius :

Than find out before making a suggestion.

kazunomiko09 · Jan 12, 2014

Vic 40 :

kazunomiko09 :

Why not? If your motherboard has a pcie x16 slot it should work regardless of how much vram is on it.

Which kind of slot for the gpu is on you motherboard,the pink or orange?
http://www.computer-hardware-explained.com/image-files/agp-graphics-slot-vs-pci-e-express-slot.jpg
with the pink the 8500gt should fit and you could try it.Don't forget the drivers from nvidia,
In the next you could choose "auto detect you gpu".
http://www.geforce.com/drivers

Well, my system model is GF8100 M2+ SE. I'm a newbie at this so I don't know which is which.

jb6684 · Jan 12, 2014

Yes, let's see if we can get that 8500 GPU installed and working....

Adding even 1Gb more RAM would help alot too.......

Worry about more significant upgrades after graduation......

Vic 40 · Jan 12, 2014

Than it should be the next one,
http://www.biostar.com.tw/app/en/mb/introduction.php?S_ID=362
which has a pcie slot so try it with the gt8500 and see how it works out.

Shut the pc down,take it of the power=cable out off the wallsocket and place the gpu in->this should fit only one way.You have to remove the appropriate pci cover from the case.After this power up again and install the drivers.See the link in my previous post for the drivers.Make a bookmark or favorit from the site,it always comes in handy if you use nvidia.

You might just touch the ground pins in a wallsocket or extend cable to get rid of static electricity before you get to changing the gpu.Like in the next video,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsQNIP7cTYA
just watch it all.

kazunomiko09 · Jan 12, 2014

I will try to do that! I will keep you updated of what I will do, thanks!

kazunomiko09 · Jan 13, 2014

Sadly, the graphics card did not work on my computer. It turns on but the monitor is black, no display. Though the keyboard seems working fine, as I press Num Lock and it lights. The 2 RAMs I have did not work work as well. PC2-5300U and PC2-5300(I'm not sure if they're the same or not but just in case they're not). Is there anything I have to do to make it work because I think I missed doing something.

Vic 40 · Jan 13, 2014

kazunomiko09 :

You switched the cable from the onboard to the gt 8500?

You could look into the bios and set the pcie/peg as default if it's possible.You will have to do this while working on the onboard gpu.

Did you try the ram immediately together? Try it with only one of those sticks.
How much mb/gb's are those anyway? It's only usefull if they really add more to the system.

kazunomiko09 · Jan 13, 2014

Vic 40 :

Yes, I did switched the cable to the GT 8500. And the RAM is 1GB each,

As for the second one, I'm having problems understanding since that ones I searched at Google is different. Enabling PCIE I mean. And by working on the onboard GPU, do you mean I have to do it while plugging the cable to GT 8500?

Vic 40 · Jan 13, 2014

With the onboard i mean working of the monitor output of the motherboard->i/o shield.
http://www.biostar.com.tw/upload/Motherboard/20080520.jpg
you call it the "integrated graphics card".

To go into the bios you probably have to tap the DEL or F2 key as you start up the pc.When in the bios you would have to look for the settings for something like pcie/peg/igp/igd and set it to peg/pcie as default then save with F10+y+enter.

To get out of the bios you just tap F10+N (=a choice too)+enter.Nothing will be changed then and the pc will just start up normal.

Those 2x1gb sticks imo should work,did you try those with the onboard gpu?

Also,did you update all drivers when you installed w7?

For the chipset you might use the next,
http://www.geforce.com/drivers/results/14874
do this one first!

for the onboard gpu the next,
http://www.geforce.com/drivers/results/71701
this should be the latest.

kazunomiko09 · Jan 13, 2014

Vic 40 :

With the onboard i mean working of the monitor output of the motherboard->i/o shield.
http://www.biostar.com.tw/upload/Motherboard/20080520.jpg
you call it the "integrated graphics card".

To go into the bios you probably have to tap the DEL or F2 key as you start up the pc.When in the bios you would have to look for the settings for something like pcie/peg/igp/igd and set it to peg/pcie as default then save with F10+y+enter.

To get out of the bios you just tap F10+N (=a choice too)+enter.Nothing will be changed then and the pc will just start up normal.

Those 2x1gb sticks imo should work,did you try those with the onboard gpu?

Also,did you update all drivers when you installed w7?

For the chipset you might use the next,
http://www.geforce.com/drivers/results/14874
do this one first!

for the onboard gpu the next,
http://www.geforce.com/drivers/results/71701
this should be the latest.

Yes, I have tried the 2 sticks with the onboard gpu. I also tried it 1 at a time.

Suggest what to upgrade!

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