Need a CPU and GPU upgrade for my computer

At that resolution a cheap video card like the 6770 will be plenty. What is the make and model number of your mother board? What do you have for a chip right now?

what model Dell?

dont worry I have a similar Dell myself
I understand being on a budget
I will go check out Bestbuy online for you and see what the store carries
Be back soon

here are your specs in PDF form
http://support.dell.com/support/ed [...] 730A01.pdf
under appendix
You have a 305 watts continuos max Dell PSU
that means it can run at 305w max load continously

it can support a full size card (good news)
I know it cant be more than a PCIE 1.1 x 16 slot
lets play it safe and figure on a PCIE 1.0 x 16 slot
(makes a difference-pcie 2.1 doesnt work well on 1.0 so lets just
go for pcie 2.0 cards)

okay looking at BestBuy online
Your choice would be between a Nvidia GT 240 and a HD 5670
both are low power usage cards
in the 100-150 dollar price range
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/PNY+-+ [...] Id=9636231

here is a MSI HD 5670
it is a 2.1 card but I run it alright on my Dell Optiplex 745 which is a PCIE 1.0 slot
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/MSI+-+ [...] Id=2596235


The GT 240 is a little slower than the HD 5670 would be the safer bet
since I believe it is a 2.0 card but like I said I took the chance on the HD 5670 and it was fine

you could go for a GTS 450 but you would need a 4 pin molex to 6 pin power connector adapter and would really be pushing your PSU to the limit

cards like the GTX 460 or HD 5770 are out of the question
draw too much power

for 1024x768 either card will play fine
I play Crysis 2 with my Core2Duo 3.0 and HD 5670 at 1920x1080 Advanced setting
so at 102x768 you should be able to max almost any game out

as far as CPU your best bet would be a Core2Duo E4700 or E6600 or E6700
(the Core2Duo E6700 NOT the Pentium E6700)
the 965 chipset you have only supports up to Conroe C2Ds

but neither of those are at BestBuy
your best bet is looking at Craigslist for for one of the E4xxx or E6xxx
Core2Duo Conroes (refer to C2D Conroe list below)
careful not all E6xxx are Conroes
do not want Wolfdale 45nm Core2DUos
the 965 chipset doesnt support them

list of C2Ds
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_ [...] processors

There are several posts on dell's forums stating the Q6600 and 6700 work but BB doesnt carry these. I'm pretty sure the C2D 8 and 7 series wont work either.

thank you, king smp. you have provided me with valuable information.
but i have more to ask and more to add
I have taken out the old crappy stock psu and have replaced it with a Rocketfish 500 watt/600 watt peak power supply unit. I stated it above, but perhaps you didn't notice
My current psu DOES have a 6 pin connector, I believe, so I think I will go for EVGA GTX 460 on Best Buy.

For my cpu, I have no idea what a chipset is, so could you please kindly lecture me on that subject shortly? I was thinking about buying a quad core with a lower GHz than a dual core with a higher GHz. Please recommend on this subject as well. I play Black Ops, FIFA 11, Company of Heroes, (all with low fps. Black Ops=30fps, FIFA 11= 40fps) and will play Modern Warfare 3 when it comes out.
Either choice would end up as the Intel Core 2 series. However, I don't understand why my motherboard can't support certain processors of the Intel Core 2 series. I thought only the socket type had to match. My bet was on the Intel Core 2 Quad Q8400 2.66Ghz. Please tell me if my motherboard is compatible with the Q8400.
If not, please recommend a product and if I should buy a dual core with a higher GHz or a quad core with a lower Ghz in the Intel Core 2 series. If Q8400 IS compatible, please tell me if there will be any "bottleneck" with the GTX 460. I'm not much knowledgeable on the idea of bottleneck either, so pleaese consider all the factors.

"My 500 watt/600watt peak (with a 6-pin connector) PSU, if Q8400 is compatible on my motherboard, will there be any bottleneck with Q8400 and GTX 460, what other CPU if Q8400 ISN'T compatible."

Again, my standards for PC gaming isn't high due to my low resolution monitor.
1024x768 is VERY fine (for me at least) for the resolution. I'd like to use high text quality settings, and probably no AA.

Thank you very much.

at 1024x768 the onboard graphics of the CyberPower would be
fine for most games

And you would have a Sandybridge build which will
be upgradeable for years to come
instead of a dead socket like the LGA775

please really consider putting the money on a preloaded
visa card and ordering online if you can

otherwise get a HD 5770 for a video card
the GTX 460 uses two 6 oin connectors
and it kind of powerhungry

at 1024x768 the HD5770 will be very good

at that res the HD 5670 and the gt 240 will be just fine
really at that res any more powerful a card will be wasted

what about buying a tower from BB
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olstem [...] stid=19277

if not then look at this
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Intel% [...] Id=1730957

that is a motherboard and CPU upgrade kit for $115
it is your only option for your tower at BestBuy
they dont have the older Core2Duos you need
none of the CPUs they sell will work
the CPU in the upgrade kit is better than yours
and you can upgrade later

and I would pick this 460
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/EVGA+- [...] Id=1700638
EVGA is one of the best

that would actually leave you about $125 and you can save up
and look into getting a better CPU for that motherboard in the Intel kit

only thing that is tricky is putting the motherboard in
but there are plenty of guides and info on web
and you have people on Toms to help

but really I would recommend getting a XBox 360 or PS3
instead of doing that
In the long run you will get alot more gameplay with
alot less trouble

thank you for ur recommendation.
I will buy the EVGA GTX 460 as you've recommended.
Perhaps, I SHOULD buy a new motherboard as well. I think the only reason the "sucky" Intel Core 2 series is so expensive is because Intel wants me to buy newer motherboards and buy the Intel i series.
I'm very sorry, but can you recommend a motherboard and an Intel i series CPU from Best Buy that will play games well up to 3 years later?
I guess this means I'll have to buy new RAM too...
The motherboard has so many things connected to it, I'm afraid I'll mess up my computer.

Also, does Best Buy buy back old products?
I have 2 Kingston DDR2 1GB RAM sticks, and 9500 GT.
If they buy it back, I might be able to get more money.

Thank you so much for your continuous answers.

If you dont feel comfortable with a mobo swap out
then my recommendation is keep the computer the way it
is and buy the Xbox 360 for $300

Are your parents okay with you tearing apart the computer?

really with a PentD and a 9500gt that machine is fine for
browsing,schoolwork,light gaming,cd/dvd ripping etc

get the Xbox360 right now and game on that
you will save yourself alot of headache by doing that

if you replace your mobo, you will also be looking at reinstalling your OS too you should keep that in mind.

I recommend a new case
Dell uses some specific parts for them in their towers
for example the fans use different wired connectors
$30-$50 will get you a new case

this is your homework
there will be a pop quiz on friday
http://www.pcauthority.com.au/Feat [...] board.aspx
basic guide to replacing motherboard
there are many guides on the web for computer building including
some great ones on Toms
just check the stickies in the cpu and also system forums

check this out
I3-2100 3ghz dual core with Hyperthreading
with Asus mobo
$229
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Intel% [...] Id=2824546
get a case like this
HAF 912
$49
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Cooler [...] Id=2305176

now you have spent $280
have that to get the video card
like the GTX 460
plus another $125 or so for a new hard driveand Windows 7
That clicking and grinding sound when loading is your hard drive
DYING
that HD will be dead very soon
so get something for about $50 like a Western Digital Caviar Blue or Black
or Seagate Barracuda
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Seagat [...] Id=8294632

also you will need a copy of windows for the tower
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Window [...] st=windows 7&lp=11&cp=1
125 for Win7 Premium 64-bit

so you are short about $50 right now
save up just a little
and you could have a I3-2100 Sandybridge and a GTX 460
you could shave a few bucks off of the video card
go with a HD 5670 for about a $100
that is your extra money for the Hard drive

I have the HD 5670
I guarantee you can play any game at 1024x768 maxed
I play Crysis 2 at 1920x1080 DX9 advanced (second highest setting)

then later go for a GTX 460

Oh almost forgot you will need memory also
if budget is tight buy one 4gb stick for now and then a matching one later
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Corsai [...] Id=1535372

Corsair XMS is good
eventually you will have 2 x 4gb
for now 1 x4gb is alright
you lose a little speed but it isnt major

remember that the I3 Sandybridge CPU/Mobo has onboard graphics
that are about equal to your 9500gt if not better
at 1024x768 it would fine for now

could use the video card money rignt now for the HD,WIn7 and memory

then later get a GTX 460

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/289?vs=88

My anandtech is working alright, so there you go.

i3 2100 beats PII 955 80% of the time, usually by a margin of around 10%.

but in real life when paired with a GTS450, there will not be a difference of more than 1 or 2 fps in game.

so you sacrifice and save for awhile to achieve a better result

Being an Adult Lesson 101

P.S. : Does Best Buy buy back old hardwares? I bought it from the same store like a year ago

remember this is only if your CD and license key spontaneously combusts and you bought a copy, but its not your fault it combusted

Hi.
When I was searching for a processor that will work on my motherboard, I heard something about a chipset.

I thought only the socket type had to match in order for my motherboard to use the processor.

The CPU I'm looking at is Intel Core 2 Quad Q8400.
In the descriptions, it says it's LGA 775 compatible.

Well, my motherboard socket type IS LGA 775.
However, someone pointed out that my chipset, which is
Intel P965/G965, doesn't support it.

Need some help here?

My motherboard model is Dell 0WG864.

I DON'T PLAN ON UPGRADING MY MOTHERBOARD.

Will Q8400 work on my motherboard?

The best thing to do is to call Dell to find out what CPUs the motherboard is compatible with. Older LGA 775 motherboards may require a BIOS upgrade in order to use a newer LGA 775 CPU like the Q8400. Without the proper BIOS upgrade, the newer CPU will not be recognized and will most likely not work.

whats your current motherboard? if you dont know that, then what make/model is your PC?

Reqhjack24 to answer your question most likely it will not work. This board uses the 965 chipset. While in most cases this board could accept some Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processors it topped off at those with the 65nm manufacturing technology and 1066 FSB processors. Here is Dell’s listing of what is supported with that unit http://support.dell.com/support/ed [...] specs.htm.

Christian Wood
Intel Enthusiast Team

The problem with a number of these big OEMs is that they may update or change setting on a board from the release of the chipset by Intel or they may not update their site with changes from new Bios. So there is some flexibility on the range of what it may support. I used to own an Intel® DP965LT board (same basic chipset) and with it I could have upgraded to the Intel® Core™ 2 Quad Q6600 or Q6700, but Dell does not list those as supported on their 965 board. So there is a chance that they did something to support those processors but don't yes it is very small but there is a chance.

As far as upgrading you can change the processor out with these processors and get a major improvement in performance http://ark.intel.com/compare/27251,27250,27249,27248 without changing the board. I was able to find a couple places listing some of these processors for sale still without too much effort. If you want to upgrade to above this level of processor most likely you are going to have to upgrade the works.

Christian Wood
Intel Enthusiast Team