Upgrading Dell XPS420

[roofeeo]

With christmas coming up I decided to treat myself to some computer upgrades. I just don't know which part to upgrade first.

I have a Dell XPS 420 Motherboard which I believe is this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Dell-Motherboard-Supports-Following-Processors/dp/B003RX4JY0

64-bit Operating System

Intel Core 2 Quad CPU Q6600 @ 2.40 GHz

6GB of DDR2 RAM

ATI Radeon HD 5700 Graphics Card

450W PSU

Eventually I will dump enough money for a full system and start with the case.

But to get one of the big upgrades out of the way (and hopefully work with my current build) I was thinking of getting a GTX 660.

So the question is, Should I go ahead and get a new MOBO/Processor and finish the build when I have enough money since mine are bottle necking my system.

Or, replace my AMD with the 660.

I'm struggling with the decision so any advice would be appreciated.

 

[lt_dan_zsu]

Well, to me it doesn't make that much of a difference, you will see benefits of the new gpu now, so I think I would go with that. Also look at the 7870, it's the same price and is as strong as a 660ti.

 

[austing]

With christmas coming up I decided to treat myself to some computer upgrades. I just don't know which part to upgrade first.

I have a Dell XPS 420 Motherboard which I believe is this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Dell-Motherboard-Supports-Following-Processors/dp/B003RX4JY0

64-bit Operating System

Intel Core 2 Quad CPU Q6600 @ 2.40 GHz

6GB of DDR2 RAM

ATI Radeon HD 5700 Graphics Card

450W PSU

Eventually I will dump enough money for a full system and start with the case.

But to get one of the big upgrades out of the way (and hopefully work with my current build) I was thinking of getting a GTX 660.

So the question is, Should I go ahead and get a new MOBO/Processor and finish the build when I have enough money since mine are bottle necking my system.

Or, replace my AMD with the 660.

I'm struggling with the decision so any advice would be appreciated.

Pick up a 780i/790i motherboard of craigslist or something, and get a case to fit it (The XPS's have Dells wierd BTX formfactor)

The main part of getting a new motherboard is taking advantage of the PCIE2.0 bandwidth and DDR3 memory support.

Fromt there, a new PSU (again with DELLs weird BTX PSU's) A decent 40$ 500w from craigslist will power a 660 (yay for kepler efficency!)

The Quad will still run alot of games, even BF3.

Install some DDR3 1333 (about 20$)

So, to upgrade, I would say

30$ for a case
100$ for a 790i motherboard
40$ for a PSU
30$ for 8GB 1333 DDR3

 

[roofeeo]

Pick up a 780i/790i motherboard of craigslist or something, and get a case to fit it (The XPS's have Dells wierd BTX formfactor)

The main part of getting a new motherboard is taking advantage of the PCIE2.0 bandwidth and DDR3 memory support.

Fromt there, a new PSU (again with DELLs weird BTX PSU's) A decent 40$ 500w from craigslist will power a 660 (yay for kepler efficency!)

The Quad will still run alot of games, even BF3.

Install some DDR3 1333 (about 20$)

So, to upgrade, I would say

30$ for a case
100$ for a 790i motherboard
40$ for a PSU
30$ for 8GB 1333 DDR3

Thanks a lot for the replies all! I ordered the 660 and will be looking for a PSU for the next couple days.

Hopefully within a month I'll be able to order the MOBO and some new RAM.

But to clarify what your saying austing, my CPU will do work in that 790i?

 

[austing]

Thanks a lot for the replies all! I ordered the 660 and will be looking for a PSU for the next couple days.

Hopefully within a month I'll be able to order the MOBO and some new RAM.

But to clarify what your saying austing, my CPU will do work in that 790i?

The Nvidia (will be branded by third party like 'BFG 790i'") 790i/780i/680i/650i motherboard(s) supports any socket 775 processor like the core 2 Duo, Quad, or extreme

DDR3 suport up to 1333:

ASUS Striker 2 boards
790i/780i
Some of the last motherboards to come out for 775 from Gigabyte

DDR2 support up to 1200:

Asus Striker boards
680i
650i
Most highend 775 era boards.

 

[lt_dan_zsu]

Why did you get the 660?! The 7870 is way more powerful and is the exact same price.

 

[austing]

Why did you get the 660?! The 7870 is way more powerful and is the exact same price.

Nvidia power, Nvidia quality baby

 

[lt_dan_zsu]

The 7870 is more powerful and the same price. so if you mean ripoff power and quality

 

[roofeeo]

Also look at the 7870, it's the same price and is as strong as a 660ti.

Well it's an AMD card, and every single AMD card I have had, I've had problems with. Especially with the one I have currently.

It only has one DVI output as well. With my setup I need two.

And you said it was as strong not

way more powerful

 

[lt_dan_zsu]

It was always stronger, there is not one review for the 660 that I have seen that puts it above the 7870, it is always evenly between the two of them. There are weird things called converters from mini displays. The 7870 comes with one I am pretty sure or you could get one for almost no money. Also that quote means literally nothing without context. For all I know that could be a quote saying "Barrack Obama is Way more powerful than Joe Biden" With no context, quotes mean nothing. Also, I usually try to losen up people to the idea that an amd card is better. When someone is going to get a $560, and I tell them the could get a $430 card that is more powerful and will overclock more, they might not believe it. So yes look at any benchmark and the 7870 will be placed higher. Also, every nvidia card I have had has had problems, I would still be will to buy one from them if it was better. But in the end trying to insult me doesn't really matter, because you are the one ending up with a poor system for the money.

 

[roofeeo]

What would be a fair PSU for the 660?

 

[austing]

The Kepler GPU is VERY efficient in power, if you dont have plans to use dual GPU's, a decent quality (Antec, corsair, seasonic, rosewill) 550w will be fine.