Should I Upgrade My Video Card or Retire My Computer?

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
M

MarkedRaptor

Reputable
Oct 23, 2015
6
0
4,510
Hello everyone. I've often come to this forums to read up on certain hardware, but now I have a question to ask you all if you'd be kind enough to answer. I play video games on my computer and I've noticed that only now have games graphics been slowly pushing my computer to unplayable.

My computer is from 2011, an Alienware Auroria R3. Some key specs are as follows:
Motherboard: Alienware, Model: 046mhw Serial: CN697021301813
Video Card: Geforce GTX 460
Processor: Intel® Core™ i7 2600K processor
Power supply: 875W power supply
Ram: 8 Gigs(Upgraded recently, was 4)

I've been sure to take care of it, not overclocking it or running it too intensively. I clean it often to make sure it's fine. The worst I need to is to probably re-image it because the image is getting a bit iffy.

I heard that they stopped supporting my motherboard and model a long time ago. Research of mine showed that some people say that you can still use certain video cards despite the fact, but I'm not sure since they are 3 year old posts. Some people said a GTX 760 worked, and others said a GTX 970 worked. I'm fine with either of those cards, especially the 760.

I don't have a lot of funds, so do you all feel it would be more cost effective to buy a 760, maybe more ram and then I'd have a "solid" computer that could run games moderately?(760, 16 gigs of ram on my computer) Or should I just start from scratch and retire my computer?(That would require me saving up for a few months.)

I appreciate any help you all can provide, thank you!
 
Solution
S
The 2600K is a decent CPU, if you have an aftermarker cooler you could overclock it (I'm not sure if that motherboard supports it) and it can keep up with pretty much any modern GPU. What brand/model is the PSU? 8GB RAM is perfectly fine. You wouldn't really need to upgrade anything but your graphics card unless your PSU is bad quality.
Sort by date Sort by votes
S

Sergeant_Sneaky

Admirable
Mar 25, 2015
3,193
0
7,960
The 2600K is a decent CPU, if you have an aftermarker cooler you could overclock it (I'm not sure if that motherboard supports it) and it can keep up with pretty much any modern GPU. What brand/model is the PSU? 8GB RAM is perfectly fine. You wouldn't really need to upgrade anything but your graphics card unless your PSU is bad quality.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Solution
M

MarkedRaptor

Reputable
Oct 23, 2015
6
0
4,510


I think my PSU model is a Dell, I'd have to open up and look, which I don't mind replacing a power supply.

Do you know what video cards would be compatible?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
S

Sergeant_Sneaky

Admirable
Mar 25, 2015
3,193
0
7,960

I can't imagine they put quality PSU's in to be honest. Any video card that will fit in your case will be compatible, what is your budget for the graphics card and PSU if you need one?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
M

MarkedRaptor

Reputable
Oct 23, 2015
6
0
4,510


I'd say my budget is at most 400 dollars, I'd like to go around 300 dollars since that wouldn't put me too far behind.

so you imagine that my PSU may be getting pretty old and faulty? My friend did say that Dell PSU's aren't really good. I'd be up for any video card that's compatible and great for it's price.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
coozie7

coozie7

Champion
Jun 2, 2007
10,015
10
59,215
With the memory upgrade you've a pretty solid, if slightly old, system.
Don't be too worried about the CPU, it's still a more than capable part, especially being an 8 thread (due to Hyperthreading) i7 as opposed to the 4 core, 4 thread i5s of the same vintage.
Dell usually use very good power supplies and with 875 Watts on tap I doubt you'll need to find a replacement unless you plan on going dual card in the near future.
For gaming the biggest issue is that old GTX460: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/gaming-graphics-card-review,review-32899-7.html as you can see, it's not very strong by current standards so an upgrade here will yield BIG improvements.
Which upgrade depends on how deep your pockets are, a GTX960 or R9 380 will give a strong boost, both are capable of medium to high (even maxing out some current and most older games) at 1080 res while moving up to the GTX970/R9 390/390X will push you into max/ultra at 1080.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
coozie7

coozie7

Champion
Jun 2, 2007
10,015
10
59,215
I'll take it you're in the good 'ole US of A. If so you can just get a GTX970 for your max sensible ($300) budget, EVGA offer some of the best service and warranty support in the business while Gigabyte are well respected for their quality, MSI don't have a brilliant warranty and their customer service is patchy but the cards tend to be compact and have highly regarded, efficient coolers.
One point, many current Nvidia cards turn their fans OFF under light load or idle conditions, only running them when the temperature exceeds 60C or a little more...Just so you know. ;)
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
M

MarkedRaptor

Reputable
Oct 23, 2015
6
0
4,510
Thanks for your help everyone, I'm really grateful. The last thing I need to know is that even though my mother board isn't supported anymore a new video card wouldn't be a problem?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
M

MarkedRaptor

Reputable
Oct 23, 2015
6
0
4,510
After much investigation, my power supply from 2011 seems to be a 525W. Do you think it needs replacing then? What power supply would even fit in there I wonder.

The GTX 960 description says
"Max Power Draw: 160W
Recommended PSU: 400W"
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
A

aesthetiques

Honorable
Jan 20, 2014
89
0
10,640


New PSU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139141

GPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814487088

That's the corsair RM850X power supply, and EVGA 970 SC+, and together they'll be around 460 ish off-sale [a bit more than your budget]. You can find some pretty good stuff, but you'll definitely want a decent power supply since they don't cost much, and IF you decide to downsize the GPU, or look for a sale that's a good option. You can check pcpartpicker for some more sales.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
M

MarkedRaptor

Reputable
Oct 23, 2015
6
0
4,510
Hi Aesthaetiques, I checked out what you linked.

I wanted to thank everyone for their help. I now know that compatibility isn't an issue, and you've all given great advice and recommendations.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom