Any suggestions for upgrading my PC to handle games better?

[GVRD]

Hey all! I'm new to tom's hardware but recently I've been thinking about upgrading my pc again... So i was hoping some of you might have some input to help this forum noob...

My system specs:

AMD Phenom II X4 B55 (@3.2 ghz)
Gigabyte GA-880GMA-UD2H Mobo
4gb DDR3 RAM
NVIDIA GeForce GT 240
Windows 8 (not a clean install but haven't had any issues associated with that... yet )

So basically I'm wondering what I can do to increase gaming performance without purchasing a new comp.

I'm not a comp wizard but I'm not afraid to crack open the case or play around in the bios settings. I've gone in before to upgrade my vid card and replaced the cpu-fan with liquid cooled unit... other than that the system is stock!

Any help/input will be greatly appreciated! Thanks!!

 

[strife_ff7]

How much are you wanting to spend on the upgrades?

 

[strife_ff7]

Here's some upgrades you could do.
The most important one your video card
$120 - hd 7770
$140 - gtx 650 ti
$175 - hd 7850
$220 - hd 7870

I'd also add another 4gb of ram. Make sure it's the same kind you already have or just buy 8gb(2x4gb) of new ram.

 

[clutchc]

We better first be sure the OP's PSU is adequate for those graphic cards.

 

[GVRD]

How much are you wanting to spend on the upgrades?

The holidays have cut my budget down a bit right now.. but I'd be looking to spend somewhere around 200-400

 

[GVRD]

We better first be sure the OP's PSU is adequate for those graphic cards.

My psu is 350watt

 

[strife_ff7]

My psu is 350watt

You're going to need a better psu also.
gpu - his iceq x hd 7850 $183 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161425
or
gpu- sapphire hd 7870 ghz edition $232 after $15 rebate http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202010

psu - corsair cx500w $30 after promo code ends 12/5 and $20 rebate http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139027

If you can't find more of the ram you already have or just want new ram
ram - corsair 8gb $40 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233186

 

[clutchc]

+1^
Go with the HD 7850 and whatever is left over for a decent quality PSU that has 2 PCIe power cables.
What resolution is your monitor?

 

[GVRD]

+1^
Go with the HD 7850 and whatever is left over for a decent quality PSU that has 2 PCIe power cables.
What resolution is your monitor?

Resolution to the monitor is 1920 x 1080.

How much of a gaming performance boost should I expect replacing my GT 240 with a HD 7850?

 

[GVRD]

hahahaha Wow! nvm... Just ran a comparison on hwcompare.com and i realized how silly that question was