Is my PC upgradeable for modern gaming?

monuggs

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Jul 7, 2011
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I've been thinking about getting back into PC gaming and I'm wondering if my old Dell is upgradeable to play new games with decent settings, or if the components are just too old and not worth the upgrade.

Dell Vostro 420
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.40GHz
DDR2 SDRAM 3GB
ATI HD Radeon 3450
21" monitor, 1600x900
I think the PSU is 350W
Windows XP (if it matters)

I know the GPU would be the first thing to address, but I'm worried that any decent card will require a new PSU. If I upgrade those, will my CPU or system RAM then slow me down?

I'm not looking to play Shooters with max settings, but I do want something that could make the new games look nice. I've been playing 360 for the past few years, so as long as it is a big improvement from that, then I'll be happy.

I'm trying to stay under $300, preferably closer to $200.
 
Solution
if you get a mid or above mid range card then you will have to change the psu
if you go above that your ram and cpu will bottleneck
for your resolutin a mid range card is enough
a 100$ -150$ card will do
for example
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121391&cm_sp=Cat_Video_Cards_%26%2338%3b_Video_Devices-_-Featured_Brand-_-14-121-391
and this psu
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139027
will keep you within the 200 $ if you get the rebates else just more than 200$

mjsharma

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Jun 5, 2010
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if you get a mid or above mid range card then you will have to change the psu
if you go above that your ram and cpu will bottleneck
for your resolutin a mid range card is enough
a 100$ -150$ card will do
for example
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121391&cm_sp=Cat_Video_Cards_%26%2338%3b_Video_Devices-_-Featured_Brand-_-14-121-391
and this psu
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139027
will keep you within the 200 $ if you get the rebates else just more than 200$
 
Solution

monuggs

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Jul 7, 2011
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Thanks for your help!

I know I only have a pcie x16 slot, it isn't 2.0, but the 2.0 card should still work, right? Is there something else i need to check?

With just the the video card upgrade (along with the psu), do you think the performance will be much improved over my current setup? I just don't want to throw $200 into the PC and still be disappointed and want to go back to my 360 for gaming.
 

benski

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Can you look at the sticker on your PSU and see what the amperage ratings are? Dell's usually have good PSU's you might be able to run a 5770 which would let you run almost anything on high to medium settings at your resolution.

Below that are the 5750 and then the 5670, either of which would be a huge upgrade and would likely run fine on a good 350w PSU. A GTS 450 or GTS 550ti are other options but are a little overpriced unless you find a good sale.
 

monuggs

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I don't have access to it right now. I would really prefer to not swap out the PSU if i don't need to. What amperage should i be looking for to be able to run the 5770?
 

monuggs

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So I checked my psu, and it looks identical to this one, posted in another thread:
http://img718.imageshack.us/img718/5645/photo3qz.jpg

Now I'm thinking about taking a chance with a 5770 that I could get for around $55 instead of getting a new psu and the gt460 for $200. Other posts seem to suggest that with my 350W I should be fine, worth the risk?

Given the other limitation so my PC (CPU and RAM), would i see much of a benefit going to the gt460 over the 5770? Also keeping in mind that it is about a $145 difference for me.
 

benski

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A 5770 will absolutly work on that PSU and if you can get one for 55 bucks it's an amazing deal. That PSU has a combined 300w, or 25a on the 12V rails. I think 22a is what is recomended for a system with a 5770. The 460 is like 25-30% better, but at neary 3X the cost for you I think I would get the 5770.
 

monuggs

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Jul 7, 2011
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Thanks benski, very helpful. I was wrong about the price, confused it with a 5570 i was looking at earlier, but it looks like the 5770 is about $100, so I think I'll still go with that and avoid having to swap out the psu.