Upgrade suggestions please.

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Steven_702

Commendable
Aug 23, 2016
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I want to upgrade my system (or replace it.) I was wondering if you guys had any suggestions on the upgrading. I want it primarily for gaming (which is a shift from its original purpose for photography.)

I have a TL;DR at the bottom.

I can add more RAM obviously, but I think I am limited on my GPU options because of the 7.09 BIOS. I don't know what CPU upgrades I can use

I could get a second Radeon 7770 and Crossfire it (Do they need to be the same manufacturer to Crossfire?)

I have a 32" 2560x1440 FreeSync display.

Here is my current PC system:
(It was decent in 2011)

HP Model #: h8-1240t

Processor
Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-3770 CPU @ 3.40GHz
Number of Cores 4
Family 06, Model 3A, Stepping 9

Memory
RAM 8.0 GB DDR3 1333MHZ
(16 GB limit)

Video Card
AMD Radeon HD 7700 Series
Dedicated Memory 2.0 GB
Total Memory 4.0 GB
Pixel Shader Version 5.0
Vertex Shader Version 5.0
Hardware T & L Yes

Operating System
Microsoft Windows 10 (build 14393), 64-bit
Service Pack 0

BIOS
BIOS 7.09
Version AMI 7.09
Manufacturer AMI

DVD hp DVD-RAM GH80N SCSI CdRom Device
CD hp DVD-RAM GH80N SCSI CdRom Device

Storage (RAID 1)
Drive 1
Size 1.4 TB
Free Memory 766.0 GB
-----
Drive 2
Size 1.4 TB
Free Memory 659.4 GB
----
Drive 3 (External backup)
Size 913.4 GB
Free Memory 505.4 GB
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

TL;DR

Full system specs - http://goo.gl/yLM31K

1) Is BIOS keeping me to anemic GPU's? Workaround?
2) 16 GB RAM limit - a barrier?
3) Is Crossfire worth implementing; Is same manufacturer needed? (MSI, ASUS, Sapphire, etc.)
4) Is new CPU a possibility?

5) Best bang for buck - upgrade or new PC? ($2500 new PC budget. I will make a separate post about new PC. New PC will need to be pre-built for for reasons I will explain in new post.)

Thank you,
Steven
 
Solution
naturesninja
It seems as if there is a newer BIOS available for UEFI support for your model. http://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfservice/HP-Pavilion-HPE-h8-Desktop-PC-series/5187019/model/5193500 I would recommend a new PSU to go with any new graphics card you end up with (A quality 500-550w should be fine for any of Nvidia's latest offerings, PSU power needs vary with AMD) Don't forget to uninstall your AMD video drivers before swapping to a new card (even a new AMD card, IMO). DDU is an excellent free program for that task. Worst case is you have a new GPU and PSU(quality, ask if you don't know, this is your computer's heart) to go towards a new build, but I don't foresee any problems.
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Steven_702

Commendable
Aug 23, 2016
24
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Thanks Time Lord.
I don't understand what "mono for the 3770" means except it must refer to the CPU being replaced. What specifically would you recommend?

Wouldn't I be limited to games already in produced? I would kind of like to play new releases. I'm not about FPS or "Gee Whiz" systems but I also want to avoid lagging and poor graphics.

I kind of want to get Death Stranding, Mass Effect Andromeda and other games coming out.
 
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naturesninja

naturesninja

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Dec 15, 2013
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It seems as if there is a newer BIOS available for UEFI support for your model. http://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfservice/HP-Pavilion-HPE-h8-Desktop-PC-series/5187019/model/5193500 I would recommend a new PSU to go with any new graphics card you end up with (A quality 500-550w should be fine for any of Nvidia's latest offerings, PSU power needs vary with AMD) Don't forget to uninstall your AMD video drivers before swapping to a new card (even a new AMD card, IMO). DDU is an excellent free program for that task. Worst case is you have a new GPU and PSU(quality, ask if you don't know, this is your computer's heart) to go towards a new build, but I don't foresee any problems.
 
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Solution
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Steven_702

Commendable
Aug 23, 2016
24
0
1,520
I forgot to address the PSU. I was thinking of a 750W but my model only offered a 600W, but I don't see that as a limit except for cooling. But things have advanced in the past 5 years....

What are quality PSU manufacturers?
 
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naturesninja

naturesninja

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Seasonic, XFX, Antec are a few but certain models are better than others.
Seasonic S12II 520w+, XFX 550-650w non XT models, Antec HCG 520W+ as well are all some good options, IMO. Also some EVGA models, GS, G2, GQ branded ones are good.
 
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Steven_702

Commendable
Aug 23, 2016
24
0
1,520

I can't believe you found that! I had to check my browsing history but it was just in May that I last looked for a BIOS update (high and low on those same pages) and I read a few HP forum pages that said there wasn't an update and there wouldn't be an update and that was an impediment to upgrading GPUs. And the files up there now say they are a year old! (I wonder where they kept them hidden.)

I have already flashed my BIOS with the 8.21 version, thank you very much!

 
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Steven_702

Commendable
Aug 23, 2016
24
0
1,520

Well both of you were very helpful. More build questions and I'll be sure to keep new questions to one topic instead of multiple questions.

I thank both of you for taking time to assist me. I'll give this one to nature, but you get extra points for future responses AJ. I hope that's fair.
 
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