Hoping to upgrade graphics (and PSU)

JayC93

Commendable
Sep 25, 2016
7
0
1,510
Hello. I'm trying to upgrade to play some newish/oldish games, and I really don't know much about computers.

Right now I have a HP Slimline s5753w.

Processor: AMD Athlon II X2 240 Processor, 2.8 GHz
Mobo: N-Alvorix-RS880-UATX
RAM: 3 GB DDR3

I don't have much money so I was hoping that I could just get a bigger case and upgrade my GPU and PSU.

Would the processor and mobo work alright with:
- a 450w-550w PSU (I'm looking at a Corsair 80 Plus Bronze)
- a Radeon HD 4890 card or higher (ones I'm looking at are HD 6450 and HD 7350)

Also, these should fit in a mid-tower case, right?

Thanks for help.
 
Solution


Still a very dead-end and slow system for newer games. Video card mostly now.

If you are looking at used cards, look for a GTX 750 Ti or maybe even a GTX 950. The 950 you can find new for $120, used should be well under $100.

JayC93

Commendable
Sep 25, 2016
7
0
1,510
The power supply and graphics card will definitely not fit in my case, so that's the main reason I'm getting a larger case. I'm looking at $30-40 for each of the three items. After that I may look at getting a Phenom processor. So I'm probably looking at $150 max.

Thanks for the quick answers.
 
The one thing I would add is to point out that any videocard you get, new or used, should be a gaming card. Both Nvidia and AMD have released everything from basic general purpose videocards all the way up to very fast gaming cards. As an example, an HD 6450 is not now, and never was, even a low end gaming card. If you were looking at the Radeon HD 6xxx series, the HD 6570 and HD 6670 are the lowest you'd want to go. The same hold true for other generations, such as the HD 7xxx series. Examine the product line to filter out the nongaming cards, in gaming they are no better than integrated graphics.
 

JayC93

Commendable
Sep 25, 2016
7
0
1,510
Okay, so what I'm looking at currently is:

Case: DIYPC ATX/Micro-ATX Mid Tower Case ( $35 Newegg)
GPU: XFX AMD Radeon HD 6670, 1GB DDR3 (Used ~$25 eBay)
CPU: AMD Phenom II X2 550, 3.1 GHz ($15-30 eBay)
PSU: Corsair CX-M 550W, 80 PLUS BRONZE 12V Modular ($60 - $20 on rebate = $40 Newegg)
Rest of components transferred from current PC (mobo, HDD, RAM, CD drive, other bits and pieces)

So looking at $115-$130.

Gonna double check with couple friends of mine, but what do you guys think?
 
Not sure what games you are looking to play with this, but the 6670 with DDR3 will not be a very good gaming card, and the CPU is also not very good.
New games would be at low settings at 720 resolution with these parts. You are going from a bad system for games to just a slightly bad system for games, at least anything outside of the era the video card and CPU are from. Things like CS GO and LOL are OK for the system at lower settings, newer stuff like GTA V won't run well.
 

JayC93

Commendable
Sep 25, 2016
7
0
1,510
Revised:

Case: DIYPC ATX/Micro-ATX Mid Tower Case ($35 Newegg)
GPU: Sapphire Radeon HD 6770/6850 1GB GDDR5 (hopefully no more than $40 eBay)
CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 (hopefully no more than $35 eBay)
PSU: Corsair CX-M 550W, 80 PLUS BRONZE 12V Modular ($60 - $20 on rebate = $40 Newegg)
Rest of components transferred from current PC (mobo, HDD, RAM, CD drive, other bits and pieces)

Might have to go higher on the eBay stuff, but hoping to get with $150 max.
 


Still a very dead-end and slow system for newer games. Video card mostly now.

If you are looking at used cards, look for a GTX 750 Ti or maybe even a GTX 950. The 950 you can find new for $120, used should be well under $100.
 
Solution