Guidance Needed - Seeking Advice

[joarmac]

This system is a pre-build from Gateway (Model: GT5628)

I'm hoping that someone can give me advice as to how to upgrade this unit.
http://support.gateway.com/s/PC/R/1014737R/1014737Rnv.shtml

This is the jist:

Intel (Schroeder Town) G33 Motherboard
Intel® Core™2 Quad Q6600 quad core processor with VT (2.40 GHz)
Delta 400 Watt Power Supply
3GB Nanya PC2-5300 RAM
Nvidia GeForce 8500GT Video Card
Window's Vista Home Premium 32-bit

I'd appreciate any and all suggestions.

 

[marcellis22]

How? Open the case and add, remove, or change parts! What do YOU want this computer to do? Surf, email, view porn; you're just fine. Nuclear warhead simulation, maybe a whole new computer. If you don't know...

 

[Noya]

What?

Are you wanting to play new games like Call of Duty 4, Crysis Warhead and Farcry 2?

If so, you need to:
$40-70 - Get a bigger case that will hold a full size graphics card and has 2 x 120mm fans for better cooling.
$50-75 - Buy a better PSU (Corsair 550vx from buy.com)
$99-135 - Buy an Nvidia 9800gt or or ATi HD 4850.

That's about it.

If you want to overclock your Q6600 you'd need a better cooler ($20) and probably a new motherboard ($70-100) as Dell, GateWay, HP and every other "mainstream" brand locks the BIOS so you can't fiddle with anything.

On another note, if you JUST bought this Gateway and it's still returnable, take it back and build a PC from scratch.

 

[joarmac]

I guess that I was a little vague about this upgrade. I just bought a new gaming computer, but I'd like to speed this up for gaming (networking with friends). Also, a little porn! (jk)

I know how to replace the parts, but I'm not knowlegdable enough to understand how the motherboard, psu, processor restrictions come into play.

 

[Noya]

Okay, basically the Gateway case is probably too small to accommodate mainstream gaming cards (cards that will play the newest games on medium settings). For instance, an Nvidia 9600GT ($70-80 w/rebate) is about 9.5" in length. The last time I purchased a store bought PC, the case was quite small and could barely accommodate a 7600GT (7" long). Pop the side off and measure where the PCI-e x16 slot is.

Second, that 400w PSU is probably lacking AMPS. For pretty much any card at the level of a 9600GT or up, you want 30+amps on the +12v rail. The PSU will have a sticker on the side that states its specs.

Third, the case probably has one 80mm fan at the rear. Not nearly enough airflow to dissipate the heat from a quad core and a decent graphics card.

Lastly, though you don't really need to overclock a Q6600 to game, I can almost guarantee the BIOS (which allow or disallows overclocking) is locked on your Gateway, as it's locked on nearly every PC like that (HP, Dell, etc.) to prevent the user from frying the CPU.

 

[joarmac]

Ok, the side panel has been off since the warranty ended. I see that if the video card was any longer, it would hit the RAM slots.

The PSU says that it's 30A on the 12V rail

So, in other words, I'm stuck with what I have on that system.

 

[Noya]

The PSU says that it's 30A on the 12V rail

So, in other words, I'm stuck with what I have on that system.

Unless you buy a bigger case.

With 30amps on the 12v, you could easily handle a 9800gt which can be had for $99 w/$20 rebate now.

A larger case can be had for $40'ish dollars.

I would definitely invest the extra $140. It will make your PC go from something that can barely handle Call of Duty 2 (2005) to something that can max out Call of Duty 4 and a variety of other modern games.

 

[fruees]

For sure; a new case would be the best start.
Then a graphics card and you're very nearly there.
You could then get a p45 mobo in a year and better RAM.
Try and get a 4870 or 4850 though,, nvidia are only in 2nd place IMO and not very well priced