Am I due for an upgrade?

[LouisOUFC]

Hiya, basically I've been thinking about my computer recently wondering Is it time for an upgrade...

I'm into online gaming as well as video and sound editing. Most recently I've bought Guild Wars 2 (Which I cant seem to run very well, unless it's on Low) and this simply isn't good enough. I've got a Dell XPS 630 Running Windows 7 64 Bit the computer is about 3 years old, but at the time it cost me a hell of a lot, so I would be quite gutted If I had to completely scrap it and get a whole new one, plus I simply don't have the money to do that! I'm a student on student money!

Is there anything I can do that's going to give my computer a good boost and let me play Guild Wars 2 with a good FPS on High Graphics.

My specs are as follows:

Dell Inc Dell Inc 0PP150 Motherboard

Intel® Core™ 2 Quad-Core Processor Q9550 (2.83Ghz, 1333MHz FSB, 12MB cache)

4096MB 800MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM [4x1024]

Hard Drive 1TB NCQ SATA (2x500GB) 7200Rpm Dual HDD Config Raid 0 Stripe

Single 1GB DDR3 nVidia® GeForce™ GTX285 graphics card

PCI Card Ageia PhysX 128MB

Integrated HDA 7.1 Dolby Digital Audio

I basically want to be able to play the most recent games, on High graphics with a decent frame rate.

I appreciate all your help, thankyou!

 

[amuffin]

A GPU upgrade would be good.

 

[JBB-SaDo]

I agree with amuffin.
What kind of PSU do you have?
what is the most you would spend on a GPU?

 

[zackarytj]

i think your PC is good. the specs sounds good.

 

[LouisOUFC]

Ok cool! I posted this same question on another forum and I got roughly the same answer that I should upgrade my GPU. That's deffinatly something I can do, do you think my processor/ram is fine for most games It's just my GPU holding me back?

Also how hard is upgrading a GPU with a Dell XPS 630 and the motherboard that comes with it?

I belive I'm right when I say the PSU I have is Dell DW002 750W Power Supply XPS 630 630i H750E-01

 

[1337RPG]

Using an integrated GPU is primarily what is holding back. I believe your CPU and RAM are good enough. I haven't played GW2 but I know for a fact your current specs combined with a descent graphics card will max out games like Skyrim with 1080p and 30+ fps.
Your 750W power supply is definitely more than enough to handle pretty much any GPU you throw at it.

 

[CaptainTom]

I think you are doing great lol! Sure 285 is old, but it still can compete with a 6870, and that core 2 is more than capable of running anything you throw at it. I would say upgrade gpu in a year or 2...

 

[dottorrent]

It's best for a GPU upgrade now. Your GPU maybe still be very powerful, but back then, cards like that drained atleast 230W. If you go for, lets say, a new Asus Radeon HD7870, you get the same power of your GTX285, but it uses just over half the power. Your CPU is still very fast. There is no need to upgrade your CPU at this time.

 

[LouisOUFC]

Ok, that's sorted I'll purchase a new GPU, what would you guys say I go for as I know you mention It'll be bottlenecked by my CPU but In a year or so I can always upgrade to a new rig and just move the GPU over, I dont want to spend to much but I'd like to get a solid video card which wont be outdated in a year. Thankyou!

 

[jijomathew]

GTX 285 is still powerful and it is situated at almost top of hierarchy chart.But it lacks DX11 and draws 204W.I still using a gtx 285 and waiting for the release of GTX 685 or something similar which is powerful than 680 and i hoper 680's price will drop.

It is your choice to upgrade or not.if you are comfortable with it,then wait to save some bucks and upgrade to a good GPU or a new rig.If you are not comfortable with gtx 285 then sure upgrade and the members will guide to your new gpu with your requirements.

GTX 670/680 will be a good upgrade if you can afford it.
buy something by looking your pocket and this link
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107-7.html

 

[CaptainTom]

It's best for a GPU upgrade now. Your GPU maybe still be very powerful, but back then, cards like that drained atleast 230W. If you go for, lets say, a new Asus Radeon HD7870, you get the same power of your GTX285, but it uses just over half the power. Your CPU is still very fast. There is no need to upgrade your CPU at this time.

Actually an HD 7870 is probably over twice as powerful as a GTX 285.

To the OP: Just wait a year for the 8000/700 series. If you have to upgrade, get a 7970 GHz or 670 if you want a massive upgrade. Otherwise a 7870 should still be able to max out games for at least 2 years.

 

[JBB-SaDo]

http://www.systemrequirementslab.com/cyri/intro.aspx
I would check that, and then also look around on the forums for the games you are trying to run and see if others have had success with you card. before upgrading if you really don't have or want to spend the $$$

Also how hard is upgrading a GPU with a Dell XPS 630 and the motherboard that comes with it?

I am a novice.When it comes to hardware.
But installing a GPU that is quite simple. last month I replaced my Nvidia 220 for a AMD HD 6670.(Dell XPs 8100)


The hard part for me was finding the right card to upgrade to.(one that would fit in my case and work with my PSU)

Your case is a lot bigger then mine so you won't have to worry about space. and your PSU is high so I don't think that will be a problem ether.

1. What is the max you want to/can spend on the GPU?
2. What kind of resolution do you want?

 

[LouisOUFC]

http://www.systemrequirementslab.com/cyri/intro.aspx
I would check that, and then also look around on the forums for the games you are trying to run and see if others have had success with you card. before upgrading if you really don't have or want to spend the $$$

Also how hard is upgrading a GPU with a Dell XPS 630 and the motherboard that comes with it?

I am a novice.When it comes to hardware.
But installing a GPU that is quite simple. last month I replaced my Nvidia 220 for a AMD HD 6670.(Dell XPs 8100)


The hard part for me was finding the right card to upgrade to.(one that would fit in my case and work with my PSU)

Your case is a lot bigger then mine so you won't have to worry about space. and your PSU is high so I don't think that will be a problem ether.

1. What is the max you want to/can spend on the GPU?
2. What kind of resolution do you want?

1. I think, the max is about £250 ($400)
2. I'd like to able to play at 1920 x 1080.

I just would be gutted if I bought a new card put it in got everything running and didnt notice any difference from how my computer performs at the moment!

 

[LouisOUFC]

http://www.systemrequirementslab.com/cyri/intro.aspx
I would check that, and then also look around on the forums for the games you are trying to run and see if others have had success with you card. before upgrading if you really don't have or want to spend the $$$

Also how hard is upgrading a GPU with a Dell XPS 630 and the motherboard that comes with it?

I am a novice.When it comes to hardware.
But installing a GPU that is quite simple. last month I replaced my Nvidia 220 for a AMD HD 6670.(Dell XPs 8100)


The hard part for me was finding the right card to upgrade to.(one that would fit in my case and work with my PSU)

Your case is a lot bigger then mine so you won't have to worry about space. and your PSU is high so I don't think that will be a problem ether.

1. What is the max you want to/can spend on the GPU?
2. What kind of resolution do you want?

1. I think, the max is about £250 ($400)
2. I'd like to able to play at 1920 x 1080.

I just would be gutted if I bought a new card put it in got everything running and didnt notice any difference from how my computer performs at the moment!

 

[JBB-SaDo]

1. I think, the max is about £250 ($400)
2. I'd like to able to play at 1920 x 1080.

I just would be gutted if I bought a new card put it in got everything running and didnt notice any difference from how my computer performs at the moment![/quote]

Well since I am not an expert, Here is Tomshardware: Best Graphics Cards For The Money: September 2012

Main article: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107.html

Mid range price, Best PCIe Card - $250 To $350: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107-5.html

Higher price cards, Best PCIe Card For ~$375 and higher: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107-6.html

It has links to the prices, and websites where you can buy them, if you chose one of them.

 

[obsama1]

For $400, get the 670.

 

[LouisOUFC]

I've heard good things about the 660ti, think that will be a good choice and will improve my performance?

 

[JBB-SaDo]

I've heard good things about the 660ti, think that will be a good choice and will improve my performance?

It would very much so improve your performance.

here is a website where you can compare the cards.
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/647?vs=598

A review of the 660ti(links with prices.)
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-gtx-660-ti-memory-bandwidth-anti-aliasing,3283-17.html


"670 is better then the 660ti" but with your other specs not being really high I would go with the cheaper card.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107-7.html

 

[JBB-SaDo]

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/amd-gpu-radeon-graphics-card,news-40028.html

That may interest you.

 

[jijomathew]

As i said GTX 680 or 670 is the best option so you dont worry for atleast two-three years

 

[Mousemonkey]

This topic has been moved from the section CPU & Components to section Systems by Mousemonkey