Got free computer, want to upgrade it as much as i can..

[five5outh]

So I just received a free computer, specs here:

http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=TS-0005QC-AMDX501-R

The motherboard is an M2N68-LA, with an AM2+ CPU Socket.


I know this mobo only has a PCI-E 16x 1.0 slot, but did a bit of research anfd found out that PCI-E 16x 2.0 cards are backwards compatible. So I was looking to get this;

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=14-125-390&SortField=1&SummaryType=0&Pagesize=10&PurchaseMark=&SelectedRating=-1&VideoOnlyMark=False&VendorMark=&IsFeedbackTab=true&Keywords=#scrollFullInfo



How well will this hold up, and how much can I upgrade it?

Thanks!

 

[C0rehound]

I would drop in a quad core Phenom 2 and 4GB of ram while you're at it. You'll have to buy a 2x2GB kit as you only have two DIMM sockets. Also, any idea which power supply that thing has?

 

[five5outh]

I'm not at home but I would assume, (since its stock) that its no more than 300-400a

Also what would be the equivalence of a quad core phenom 2? I5 or lower?

Thanks!

 

[C0rehound]

If that's the case you may be limited to which GPU you can get. Unless you're willing to upgrade the PSU as well.

As far as cpu equivalence goes, check this chart out.

 

[bucknutty]

What kind of budget are you on and what do you want the computer to do?
For gaming I would throw in an AMD 5770-6770 for like $110 and have fun until it dies. The 5770 or 6770 get great reviews and their electrical needs are pretty low.

It’s not really worth it to spend money on DDR2 ram unless you get it used for cheap. In that system 2 gigs or 4 gigs wont impact games much. That CPU 2gigs of ram and the 6770 will run most any game at medium settings.

Save your money and in a year or 2 build a new $500 budget gaming PC.

 

[need4speeds]

the ps is junk.

http://www.newegg.com/Special/ShellShocker.aspx?cm_sp=ShellShocker-_-17-371-046-_-10032011_2

Antec High Current Gamer Series HCG-400 400W $29.99

The 7750 should play games ok with a hd-6770, that card tends to run well with a dual core cpu since it taxes the cpu less than most cards do.

-A used hd-4870/5770 would also be a good card to pair with that cpu.

-You will want to fill any empty fan spots with case fans, adding a slot cooler fan might be a good option too.

 

[need4speeds]

-A used geforce 260, 275 would work too.

 

[five5outh]

Hmmm.. I was looking to get a slight up grade from my gaming laptop:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220821

I am willing to spend 200-$300 on the upgrades.. power supply + video card

I was looking at this chart:
http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/4099/sapphire_radeon_hd_6770_1gb_vapor_x_video_card_review/index4.html

and compared benchmarks with my laptop... currently my laptops benchmark was 3dmark vantage: 7614

Would getting a 6790 be unwise to do since my slot is only PCI-E 1.0 x 16? Meaning would I only get half of the 3dmark vantage score performance?

 

[bucknutty]

Its hard to say how well it would score. The 3d mark programs tax the CPU Ram and video card together to try to give an overall performace score. If one piece of the puzzle is weak then the whole score will be low.

In this case I think that computer would get the same score a 4850, 5770, or a 6790 because either way the CPU will not be able to send information to the video card fast enough to allow it to get to its full potential.

For example I have an old athlon x2 2800+ with ddr ram. It gets the same 3dmark 06 score (around 7000) with an old 8800gts or with my newer GTX470. The CPU is the limiting factor in this case.