Best upgrades possible

[sebastiene]

Hello I would like to know what the best possible upgrades would be for my pc in 3 categories
a, minimum
b, cost effective
c,maximum

I want to start playing more games in future and although my card normally passes at s.req I want an honest opinion on how my pc rates.

Thanks

I await instructions as I don't know what to do first how to take info for you etc.

 

[sebastiene]

max $320

 

[manofchalk]

Well, the best upgrade at this point is probably a computer to begin with I say.

 

[sebastiene]

Processor Processor
Processor name AMD Phenom(tm) II X4 940 Processor
Processor speed 3013 MHz
Processor vendor AuthenticAMD
Processor count (cores) 4
Processor ID AMD64 Family 16 Model 4 Stepping 2

Other Information Other info
RAM size 4.00 GB
DirectX version 4.09.00.0904
HDD - Windows partition 500 GB
HDD - Largest disk 500 GB
Video RAM 536870912
Windows version Windows 7 (6.1.7601)
Regional settings English United Kingdom
Windows language English United States
Last check for driver updates Nov 12 2012 8:10AM


Computer Computer
1. Computer name USER-PC
Description AT/AT COMPATIBLE
Model GA-MA790X-DS4
Manufacturer Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
No. of physical processors 1
System type x64-based PC
Total physical memory 4.00 GB
Infrared supported False


System enclosure System enclosure
1. Chassis type Desktop
Manufacturer Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.


System product System product
1. Name GA-MA790X-DS4
Caption Computer System Product
Vendor Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.


Desktop monitor Desktop monitor
1. Name Generic Non-PnP Monitor
Manufacturer (Standard monitor types)
Screen height 768
Screen width 1024
Availability Running or Full Power

2. Name Default Monitor
Availability Offline


Bios Bios
1. Name Award Modular BIOS v6.00PG
Manufacturer Award Software International, Inc.
Version GBT - 42302e31
Award Modular BIOS v6.00PG
Release date Jul 22 2010
SMBIOSBIOSVersion F10d
SMBIOSMajorVersion 2
SMBIOSMinorVersion 4
Bios features ISA is supported
PCI is supported
Plug and Play is supported
APM is supported
BIOS is Upgradable (Flash)
BIOS shadowing is allowed
Boot from CD is supported
Selectable Boot is supported
BIOS ROM is socketed
EDD (Enhanced Disk Drive) Specification is supported
Int 13h - 5.25 / 360 KB Floppy Services are supported
Int 13h - 5.25 /1.2MB Floppy Services are supported
Int 13h - 3.5 / 720 KB Floppy Services are supported
Int 13h - 3.5 / 2.88 MB Floppy Services are supported
Int 5h, Print Screen Service is supported
Int 9h, 8042 Keyboard services are supported
Int 14h, Serial Services are supported
Int 17h, printer services are supported
Int 10h, CGA/Mono Video Services are supported
ACPI is supported
USB Legacy is supported
LS-120 boot is supported
ATAPI ZIP Drive boot is supported


Base board Base board
1. Name Base Board
Manufacturer Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
Product GA-MA790X-DS4
Version x.x
Is hosting board True


Processor Processor
1. Name AMD Phenom(tm) II X4 940 Processor
Caption AMD64 Family 16 Model 4 Stepping 2
L2 cache size 512
Manufacturer AuthenticAMD
Processor ID 178BFBFF00100F42
Address width 64


Disk drive Disk drive
1. Caption ST3500630AS ATA Device
Description Disk drive
Capabilities Random Access
Supports Writing
Manufacturer (Standard disk drives)
Model ST3500630AS ATA Device
Size 500 GB

2. Caption WDC WD5000AAVS-00ZTB0 ATA Device
Description Disk drive
Capabilities Random Access
Supports Writing
Manufacturer (Standard disk drives)
Model WDC WD5000AAVS-00ZTB0 ATA Device
Size 500 GB


Display configuration Display configuration
1. Caption Radeon X1900 Series


Video controller Video controller
1. Name Radeon X1900 Series
Adapter RAM 512.00 MB
Video processor ATI Radeon Graphics Processor (0x7249)
Availability Running or Full Power

2. Name Radeon X1900 Series Secondary
Availability Offline


Physical memory Physical memory
1. Capacity 2.00 GB
Speed 800 nanoseconds

2. Capacity 2.00 GB
Speed 800 nanoseconds


Sound device Sound device
1. Name Realtek High Definition Audio


Port connectors Port connectors
1. Port type None
Connector type ATA 3-1/2 Inch (40 pins)
Internal reference designator PRIMARY IDE

2. Port type
Connector type Circular
Internal reference designator FDD

3. Port type Serial Port 16450 Compatible
Connector type DB-9
Male
On Board IDE Connector
Internal reference designator COM1

4. Port type Serial Port 16450 Compatible
Connector type DB-9
Male
On Board IDE Connector
Internal reference designator COM2

5. Port type Parallel Port ECP/EPP
Connector type DB-25
Female
Internal reference designator LPT1

6. Port type Keyboard Port
Connector type PS/2
Internal reference designator Keyboard

7. Port type Mouse Port
Connector type PS/2
Internal reference designator PS/2 Mouse

8. Port type USB
Connector type Access.bus
Internal reference designator USB

9. Port type USB
Connector type Access.bus
Internal reference designator USB

10. Port type USB
Connector type Access.bus
Internal reference designator USB

11. Port type USB
Connector type Access.bus
Internal reference designator USB

12. Port type USB
Connector type Access.bus
Internal reference designator USB

13. Port type USB
Connector type Access.bus
Internal reference designator USB

14. Port type USB
Connector type Access.bus
Internal reference designator USB

15. Port type USB
Connector type Access.bus
Internal reference designator USB

16. Port type USB
Connector type Access.bus
Internal reference designator USB

17. Port type USB
Connector type Access.bus
Internal reference designator USB


Operating system Operating system
1. Caption Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate
Computer Name USER-PC
Build number 7601
Build type Multiprocessor Free
Encryption level 256
Name Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate
C:\Windows
\Device\Harddisk0\Partition1
OS architecture 64-bit

hope this helps

 

[Anon_007]

A good starting place for recommended Graphics cards at different price points would be this article here >>>>> http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107.html <<<<<


Since you are at a pretty low screen resolution an HD 7770 would be enough to get the job done. just make sure your Power suppy is strong enough to support getting a more powerful card.

 

[manofchalk]

Ok, so you have a Phenom II processor, an AM3 mobo with 4GB DDR2 RAM. No graphics card I can tell and a 500GB Hard drive.
Can you give some info on the PSU, even if its just the brand name and its wattage? Whether its any good will impact what I can suggest.

At this stage, I would throw in a HD7750 (~$100) as it seems you don't have a graphics card and another 4GB of RAM.
If the PSU comes good, then I can suggest stronger cards.

EDIT: Just noticed the resolution. Wouldnt advise getting a much stronger card than the 7770 if you are sticking with that monitor.

 

[sebastiene]

I have a Sapphire x1900XT 512mb Graphics Card and my psu is Corsair GS700 at present

 

[sebastiene]

I have 2 dvd writers and 2x 500gb drives

 

[sebastiene]

and I have it setup to my tv 42" so I may get another when this one dies but that may be a long time yet lol

 

[sebastiene]

thanks for your reply's so is the graphics card worth getting or are there alternatives and if i was to sell as is how much should I sell it for?

 

[manofchalk]

Wow, thats pretty old. I saw the x1900XT and thought it was referring to the integrated.
How old is the PSU? If its less than 3yrs, you should be good.

Basically same as before, a 7750 (or 7770) and another 4GB of RAM. To try and upgrade further (except on peripherals like monitor/keyboard/mouse) will require a whole new system.

Dont think you'l be able to sell the card, its nearly 7yrs old. Im sure a bottom of the barrel HD6670 (worth around $40) will outperform it by a bit.

 

[sebastiene]

it is a quad core lol so how much to sell pc for as it is now?
might trade it in

 

[manofchalk]

Oh, sell the rig...

You wont be able to sell it for much, maybe $400-500 at most. Might even be worth selling it off as individual components. As someone who wants a 700W PSU (That I assume isn't very old) wouldn't want an old processor to go with it for example.

Of course, you could always cannibalize it for parts (the HDD's, PSU, optical and Case if its any good are alright to carry over) and use them in your next rig.

 

[sebastiene]

Best answer selected by sebastiene.