- Aug 26, 2014
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I'm looking to upgrade the graphics on my computer, but I don't know very much about computer hardware. Most of what I have been able to learn about my situation is through bits and pieces I have found on the Internet. I've listed all the information I have about my computer below. I can try to find more, but I don't really know what else I am looking for.
I have a Dell Inspiron 660 desktop that I got for about $600 (monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers included) almost exactly two years ago. I believe it is a full-sized case (7 inches by 14.5 inches by 17.25 inches approximately) and not a slim or low-profile, though I am not certain. It has an Intel i5 processor and is running Windows 7. It has Intel HD Graphics (version unknown) integrated into the motherboard, I believe. I've looked inside the computer and seen pictures of the insides of another Inspiron 660 that looks just like it, and I'm 99% certain I have a standard PCI-e slot. Based on information I have seen around the web, I think I have a 300w power supply, but I'm not sure about that.
I am looking to upgrade the graphics so I can run games smoothly. I don't need to be able to run everything on ultra-high graphics (though if I can run things and have them look nice without spending too much, that's cool). I bought X-COM the other day, and it barely runs currently. Civ 5 begins to get framerate issues after a while even on low settings (not strategic mode). Supposedly my current GPU is not even rated to run Source games, although I have no problem doing that. Currently, I don't play any shooters, Skyrim-type things, or other things that require really powerful graphics, but I'd like to have something that could handle such things smoothly (even on fairly low settings) in case I were to buy any in the future.
I'm not looking to spend much over $200, and I am willing to buy a graphics card and a new power supply, if need be. I don't want to buy a new case. I saw a thread similar to mine where the XFX r7 260x was recommended along with a new power supply, but based on reviews I have seen of that card, it is not very reliable. I'd much rather have a reliable card that works okay than I would one that doesn't function all the time, even if it is really good when it does work. I have also seen the GeForce GT 640 and the Radeon HD 7570 recommended several times, but it sounds like I could do better than that if I upgraded the power supply.
If somebody could give me new suggestions, or new opinions on those cards I mentioned, I would really appreciate it. I would really like to get my money's worth, so I'd like to use that $200 or so budget to get the best setup I can. However, I want something that runs reliably, not just well.
If there is any other information I can provide that would help, I'll do my best to find it.
EDIT: I think I flagged this as looking for solutions when it should be a discussion. I can't seem to fix that. Sorry for the confusion.
I have a Dell Inspiron 660 desktop that I got for about $600 (monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers included) almost exactly two years ago. I believe it is a full-sized case (7 inches by 14.5 inches by 17.25 inches approximately) and not a slim or low-profile, though I am not certain. It has an Intel i5 processor and is running Windows 7. It has Intel HD Graphics (version unknown) integrated into the motherboard, I believe. I've looked inside the computer and seen pictures of the insides of another Inspiron 660 that looks just like it, and I'm 99% certain I have a standard PCI-e slot. Based on information I have seen around the web, I think I have a 300w power supply, but I'm not sure about that.
I am looking to upgrade the graphics so I can run games smoothly. I don't need to be able to run everything on ultra-high graphics (though if I can run things and have them look nice without spending too much, that's cool). I bought X-COM the other day, and it barely runs currently. Civ 5 begins to get framerate issues after a while even on low settings (not strategic mode). Supposedly my current GPU is not even rated to run Source games, although I have no problem doing that. Currently, I don't play any shooters, Skyrim-type things, or other things that require really powerful graphics, but I'd like to have something that could handle such things smoothly (even on fairly low settings) in case I were to buy any in the future.
I'm not looking to spend much over $200, and I am willing to buy a graphics card and a new power supply, if need be. I don't want to buy a new case. I saw a thread similar to mine where the XFX r7 260x was recommended along with a new power supply, but based on reviews I have seen of that card, it is not very reliable. I'd much rather have a reliable card that works okay than I would one that doesn't function all the time, even if it is really good when it does work. I have also seen the GeForce GT 640 and the Radeon HD 7570 recommended several times, but it sounds like I could do better than that if I upgraded the power supply.
If somebody could give me new suggestions, or new opinions on those cards I mentioned, I would really appreciate it. I would really like to get my money's worth, so I'd like to use that $200 or so budget to get the best setup I can. However, I want something that runs reliably, not just well.
If there is any other information I can provide that would help, I'll do my best to find it.
EDIT: I think I flagged this as looking for solutions when it should be a discussion. I can't seem to fix that. Sorry for the confusion.
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