HP Pavilion p6-2016 Graphic Upgrade

1. Get a better CPU. His current Pentium is not that great. From the CPU list on that site, an i5-2500 would be a huge upgrade (putting him pretty much even with AMD's FX chips), while an i7-2600 would put him at the top of the list (http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/cpu-hierarchy,4312.html) -- depending on the game or app, he'll either see equal performance to the current i7s, or maybe only lose 15-20% performance.
2. I'm assuming he has 64-bit Windows (otherwise 6GB is useless to him anyway). However, with that RAM it means he has a 4GB & a 2GB module, which means no dual data channel capability. He's got 2 DDR3 slots, so I would recommend finding a 2x4GB set of DDR3-1333 memory.
3. His PSU is going to hold him back from top-line upgrades. However, this is an HP OEM build, so I doubt his monitor can even hit 1080p resolutions. So, unless he wants to replace his PSU, his best bet for a GPU upgrade is going to be the GTX 1050: it's good-to-great for 1080p resolutions (which means it'll rock anything from 720p up to 1600x900 resolutions), plus the base models don't need PCIe power connectors from the PSU (which I doubt his PSU has); they just draw power straight from the PCIe slot on the motherboard, & only need a 300W PSU. If he can't find one of those available, he should look for one of the low-power GTX 950 models (previous generation)...or, if he can't find either of those, I suppose a GTX 750Ti would be an "OK" upgrade (it's not "great", but it's way better than the Intel integrated graphics). And yes, it's only PCIe v2.0, but the x16 slot will have more than enough bandwidth for the GPU.

If he can also afford a PSU replacement (& assuming he can find one that matches the current PSU's form factor), a nice solid 550W will let him get an RX 470/480 or GTX 1060 instead. Unless he's replaced the monitor, though, I don't think he's going to need that kind of GPU horsepower.

Problem is that is pretty much an entire rebuild. You should be able to get away with a GTX 1050 as you noted (one without a power connector) or a GTX 750 (Ti) (also no power connector) for ~ $100. Or you could go lower and get a GT 740. Any of those will offer up a good frame rate increase. The 950 has a 90w TDP which will necessitate a separate power connector which that computer will not have.

Note about a PSU upgrade. Many times OEM's like HP and Dell use non standard power connectors, so if you do get a PSU upgrade chances are the motherboard needs to be replaced as well, which will also mean a new case.

Also if I recall correctly about Intel and Dual channel if it is say 2x2GB and 2x1GB the 2gb will operate in dual channel and the 1gb sticks will as well. That being said capacity is more important than speed. and 6GB of RAM is more than enough for CS:GO

That MB only supports up to 8GB in single channel mode, Dual channel is not an option.

Ah, then in that case I wouldn't recommend upgrading the RAM, as going from 6GB to 8GB without dual channel mode probably won't provide much of a boost.

@Snipergod87, regarding the complete rebuild", I'm not sure I see that. After all, isn't that the appeal of the "budget" Core i3 builds, that you can then replace it with the (much) better Core i5/i7 chips down the road? Replacing a low-end CPU with a better CPU that works on the board is hardly a "complete rebuild". And no, I wouldn't recommend trying to get a new PSU either, especially if (as you pointed out), it's a proprietary form factor (or worse, a proprietary motherboard connector). My dad ran into the former when he had to replace a bad PSU on their eMachines OEM build (he doesn't game, so a prebuilt OEM served their needs); he didn't realize it was a proprietary format until he brought his ATX PSU home & found it wouldnt' fit into the mini-tower. Even though he had trouble finding a replacement of the right form factor, however, the actual motherboard connector was still the normal 20/20+4 type, so he just left the side panel off & rested the PSU on an external shelf. Not the best solution, mind you, but one that worked for a general home PC that was maybe used only a few times a week.

Still, as I suggested, he's got a few choices for a new GPU that won't require a new power supply, so PSU replacement is way, way down on the list.

Thing is he is aiming for the $100 mark which would basically limit him to one component.
We have some HP desktops here which use completely non standard power connectors (like 12 pin) for everything on the motherboard, no 24+4 or 24+8

Either way most if not all GPU's around the $100 price mark will hugely benefit CS:GO If you can find a cheap 1050 without a power connector go for it. Otherwise look around the 750 or 740 lineup. Also check craigslist and ebay for good deals as well.

when upgrading a prebuilt there some things to look at with them like for this one

''The issue is that the video card is one tyhat is for a newer PC with an EFI BIOS. That is why the vide card is not recognized

http://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Desktop-Hardware-and-Upgrade-Questions/HP-Pavilion-won-t-recognize-new-graphics-card/m-p/5566400/highlight/true#M128200

http://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Desktop-Video-Display-and-Touch/HP-Pavilion-P6-2065UK-Graphics-Card-Issues/m-p/3962120/highlight/true#M42481

just don't think hp and all are like our custom builds and you can just go buy any card and put it in and expect it to work

you better investigate real good on what card HP will allow on your model and what will or will not work

my disclaimer

some models of store bought computers [dell.hp,acer,ect..] may come with a ''locked or fixed'' bios and may not allow you to change certain hardware as a video card.. this is done to protect them from undue warranty claims and refunds .this is not done to hurt you but to protect them. you really need to see if that upgrade has been proven to work in your model first before you invest money in it .. there are a lot of these threads here at toms to look at some models will allow upgrades and some dont.. and a lot of guys here say ya ya ya when is really no no no...it would be sad you spent $200 on a card that wount post after you installed it as most find out. then get told its your psu and you spend more and end up right back where you are now, but its up to you good luck..


you got to know the the boards in these computers are not like the ones we use to do custom builds witch are open to upgrading with in the boards compatibly . the bios is custom made for there design and just for the parts they authorize to be used on there computers there only guaranteed to work as is out of the box as you bought it ,..


also these boards do not have to meet atx standards and there pci-e slot power may not do the required 75w needed for most higher end cards and can be limited to say 45 or 60w that is all thats needed with the low end factory oem cards that it may of shipped with

in the end any upgrade you do is all your own risk . the prebuilt manufactures only guarantees there computers work as sold to you as is out of the box from there factory with what they put on it , not a drop more

all at your own risk

*shakes head in disgust*

My bad, I missed that. I agree with you, with a ~$100 budget he can only upgrade 1 component at a time, so for now getting a GPU would be the best bet.

+netsuJ 750 Ti. He can purchase one new for $100 or less, or a used one for $50-$80. Since his CPU is six years old, I presume that his computer and motherboard are the same age. I worry about a older motherboard possibly needing a bios upgrade just to run newer cards such as the GTX 1050/1050 Ti. Also, the 1050 Ti would push above your $100 budget anyway.

What I would do if it were my computer:

buy a used GTX 750 Ti on Ebay for $50
buy a used Intel i5-2400 on Ebay for $50

The single and multi-threaded performance increase going from Pentium G620 to an i5-2400 is 32% and 129% respectively.
http://www.cpu-world.com/Compare/246/Intel_Core_i5_i5-2400_vs_Intel_Pentium_Dual-Core_G620.html

The HP webpage you provided has a link "Processor upgrade information" that states that this i5 CPU, as well as others, are compatible with the motherboard. The combination of these upgrades does not necessitate upgrading the power supply.

thing is you still don't know if a 700 series card will work like showed some models may only take up to a NVidia 600 series at best some of the first 700 cards like the 750 ti came with a bios switch to switch for legacy or uefi bios use good luck finding one today with that still on it

like I said above ''
in the end any upgrade you do is all your own risk . the prebuilt manufactures only guarantees there computers work as sold to you as is out of the box from there factory with what they put on it , not a drop more

all at your own risk

you buy, you try, and hope it don't make you cry .. you may stick a card in and alls good then you may stick 3 or 4 cards in it and look at nothing but a black screen ?? that's the dice you roll with a prebuilt

good luck


a example

N750Ti TF 2GD5
http://event.msi.com/2014/vga/Hybrid_BIOS/

thing is that same card you buy today that's now been removed same card but that bios switch has been removed and replaced with that game mode switch]

notice that's not even talked about as having a hybrid bios on it

https://us.msi.com/Graphics-card/N750-Ti-TF-2GD5OC.html#hero-overview

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127783

+junkeymonkey Understood. Although since you've previously stated your opinion, I'm confused why you feel it necessary to repeat the same one after any differing train of thought. You have your opinion, and I have my own.

cause you suggesting a gpu for him that may not work he needs to find out for sure before he buys any and personally I would not suggest any at all .

brother you are really very knowledgeable whatever u said your every point is now making sense for me because i had been through lot of trouble regarding graphic card compatibility issue with my hp P6-2010ix i had bought zotac nvidia gt 710 but after installing it same problem appears as a link u shared above from hp forum mate my question to you is that which graphic card will work on my pc i dont want to go for high end graphic card just below 710 would be fine for me as i think you are correct person to ask this question please mate help me already wasted my money on this card and has to sell it on half price because zotac reusesd to refund in this bro please help me would be much appreciated

junkeymoneky please help me