Need help with an upgrade!!!

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Mikey Luck

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Feb 28, 2014
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Hello everyone I need help with a GPU upgrade for my PC the specs are:

CPU:Intel Core 2 Quad Q9650
RAM:8GB ddr2 800
HDD:1tb Seagate 7200 rpm
GPU: Intel GMA 3100

so anything will be an upgrade but my power supply is 220 watts and my pcie slot is 1.1 version and it needs to be a low profile card so that limits things a lot but on the plus side money isn't a problem
 
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So you need a new case? In that case here is what I would do...

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD Athlon X4 860K 3.7GHz Quad-Core Processor ($67.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-F2A88XM-D3HP Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($69.88 @ OutletPC)
Memory: Patriot 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($23.98 @ Newegg)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R7 240 2GB Video Card ($52.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Azza SIRIUS ATX Mid Tower Case ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 400W ATX Power Supply ($28.88 @ OutletPC)
Total: $263.70
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
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WayneTech

WayneTech

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Feb 22, 2017
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Hello mate,

As a whole, the load wattage of your PC (excluding the GPU) totals to around 190W which leaves very little space in regards to upgrades. If money isn't an issue and you still want to use your PC continuously there is not harm upgrading to a 300W power supply as such but im sure you are aware that it would be sensible to start over if you want to consider playing games that are more recent.

The most powerful graphics card that you could buy for this particular build would be along the lines of a GT 720 coming in at 19W which even that is pushing it at maintaining power levels.

Bear in mind that the reason I didn't recommend the GT 610 graphics card is because it actually consumes MORE power.

hope this helps
 
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Mikey Luck

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Feb 28, 2014
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I thought so but since the gt 720 is pcie 2.0 how bad would the performance decrease?

 
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WayneTech

WayneTech

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Feb 22, 2017
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Honestly, there is only so much performance you can get with a computer system like that bud.

It would be financially beneficial for you to invest a modernised computer as a whole instead of adding parts to a computer that is unable to support the newer technology (but of course not all of us can afford it all).

As for the PCIE slot though, PCIE 2.0 graphic cards as compatible with PCIE 1.0 slots HOWEVER you will feel about a 3 - 4% decrease in the performance you would if it was in a PCIE 2.0
 
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Mikey Luck

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Feb 28, 2014
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OK part of the reason that I'm upgrading this thing is its gonna be a home theater latter

 
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WayneTech

WayneTech

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Makes good use of it then :)

GT 720 can be bought reasonably cheap - say £20 on ebay?

They are silent two as they have no physical fan cooler and instead is insulated.

I hope all this was able to help
 
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Mikey Luck

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This is all very helpful but what games do you thing i can play year wise?

 
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WayneTech

WayneTech

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DDR2 RAM limits your gaming capacity extensively and of course every game is individual. I'd probably start looking at indie games or 3DMARK 06 games if you are planning not to stress your PC out too much.
 
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Mikey Luck

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OK what if i got a better power supply what would be the best GPU to get since i will probably use it with next PC i don't care how much just wanna buy the best i can get once and not waste money
 
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WayneTech

WayneTech

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Feb 22, 2017
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Of course, the more the better. If you wanted plenty of space you can get a 500W power supply fairly cheap. However like i said before mate, your CPU and RAM is too out of date to handle modern games. In the long term, you can get a 4th gen i3 processor for about £100, a LGA1155 motherboard for £50 and 8GB of DDR3 RAM for £50 if you looking to save expenses.

As a result though mate, your computer will be fine as a home cinema but in effective at playing any modernised games. I hate to be the guy to say that you need to spend money on a capable PC, but if you are looking to play games to an acceptable standard then you are really lacking alternatives.
 
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Mikey Luck

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Feb 28, 2014
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Ok so im probably gonna get a gt 720 because i dont wanna buy a new case or a new power supply and motherboard,ram etc so ty for all your help im probably gonna buy it of newegg since i have issues with ebay anyways ty you all have been verry helpful and the people of tom hardware never fail me
 
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Mikey Luck

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Ok so i know this is way off topic but my integrated GPU fired the other day at least i think so would it be possible for my motherboard to be broken as well? what happened was i was playing GTA SA and my screen bugged the fuck out and the my computer shut down and when i turned it back on the mouse and keyboard didn't work and the monitor didnt show anything and the fans where louder than normal so I'm hoping it just the IGPU but I'm not totally sure once again i know this way off topic but if you could help that would be appreciated
 
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WayneTech

WayneTech

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not gonna be worth it at all, the guy is using a core 2 duo with ddr2 RAM - his performance will be extremely limited.
 
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boostedturbo

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Dec 9, 2016
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I know it never feels like a new computer unless it has a new case... But I would suggest getting more ram instead of a case...
Get 1 stick of 8gb that way you can upgrade to more in the future...
I would recomend at least 6gb at minimum...
 
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boostedturbo

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Dec 9, 2016
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if you are getting a whole new build, I would suggest the following.
i5 6500, GTX 960, Arctic Mortar Mobo, 1 8gb stick ddr4, 500 gold psu, and a decent ssd...

That should run you about 400
 
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boostedturbo

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Dec 9, 2016
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250 bucks and a better pc than you have??? DONE!

PCPartPicker part list: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/rmGk7h
Price breakdown by merchant: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/rmGk7h/by_merchant/

CPU: AMD Athlon X4 860K 3.7GHz Quad-Core Processor ($67.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-F2A88XM-D3HP Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($69.88 @ OutletPC)
Memory: Patriot 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($23.98 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R7 240 1GB Video Card (Roughly $75.00 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA 400W ATX Power Supply ($28.88 @ OutletPC)
Total: Roughly $260
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-03-01 18:45 EST-0500


This comes out to $260


So you will reuse your HDD (Hard disk drive) Optical drive, Fans, and Case :)
 
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boostedturbo

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Dec 9, 2016
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SO just to recap, your CPU will be about the same, the GPU is like 240% better, the motherboard is a lot better as well, your ram is faster (but you will have less so upgrade in the future for another stick), and your power supply is the best at that wattage :D

For $250 it will be really hard to beat that build I just listed...
 
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boostedturbo

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Dec 9, 2016
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So you need a new case? In that case here is what I would do...

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD Athlon X4 860K 3.7GHz Quad-Core Processor ($67.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-F2A88XM-D3HP Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($69.88 @ OutletPC)
Memory: Patriot 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($23.98 @ Newegg)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R7 240 2GB Video Card ($52.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Azza SIRIUS ATX Mid Tower Case ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 400W ATX Power Supply ($28.88 @ OutletPC)
Total: $263.70
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-03-01 19:21 EST-0500



So I can change your MoBo and down grade it so you come closer to $250...
 
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boostedturbo

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Dec 9, 2016
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You won't be playing BF1 with this pc any time soon, but you do have tons of upgrade potential with it :)

You will need more Ram, a better cpu, and maybe a better gpu to play modern games at medium settings...
 
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