New graphics card?

[DLHensley95]

Hi! I have an old-ish Dell computer that I'd like to use for gaming. As is, it's unable to run games like Oblivion on max. I'd like for it to be able to tackle even the newest games, and since it's Christmas I was thinking I could convince my mom to get me a new graphics card. I don't know what information I need, so I'll just put down what I found through the "dxdiag" command.

OS: Windows Vista Home Premium (6.0, Build 6002)
System Model: Dell XPS430
BIOS: Phoenix ROM BIOS PLUS Version 1.10 A00
Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad CPU Q8300 @ 2.50GHz, 2493 Mhz, 4 Core(s), 4 Logical Processor(s)
Installed Physical Memory (RAM) 6.00 GB
Total Physical Memory 5.93 GB
Available Physical Memory 3.73 GB
Total Virtual Memory 12.1 GB
Available Virtual Memory 9.87 GB
Page File Space 6.23 GB
DirectX Version: DirectX 11

And my current graphics card is an ATI Radeon HD 3650.

If I were to take a card like this-

http://community.futuremark.com/hardware/gpu/AMD+Radeon+HD+7850/review

-and put it in my computer, would that be sufficient enough to play higher end games like Skyrim or TERA?

Edit: I think I was supposed to put my power supply, but I'm not sure how to find it. I checked the sticker on one of the boxes in my tower, and it's all in Chinese so I can't make it out properly. But it does say DC OUTPUT: 375W.

 

[dheeraj9933]

TERA and skyrim are not as high end as u think.
and for skyrim more cpu power is needed.
your cpu is fine, and still decent enough for gaming.
and with a card like hd 7850, it will easy to play on ultra too!
AND do u know wat kind of PSU u have?
bcoz that might be a problem

 

[DLHensley95]

I edited my original post, and I'm pretty sure my PSU is 375W. But I'm not certain. If so, it says this card needs 500+...... Darn.
Would it be better to get a less demanding card or get a new power supply+new card? Can you change a power supply? Or would I just need a new computer?

 

[dheeraj9933]

well
it is probably a low quality PSU
and of just 375W!!
so u'll have to change your PSU as well if u dont want to ruin your new 7850

 

[dheeraj9933]

I edited my original post, and I'm pretty sure my PSU is 375W. But I'm not certain. If so, it says this card needs 500+...... Darn.
Would it be better to get a less demanding card or get a new power supply+new card? Can you change a power supply? Or would I just need a new computer?

well 500+ is not necessary if u have a good quality PSU.
but U dont
and yes u can change just your PSU
and getting a less demanding card is not a good option either.
bcoz your PSU is low quality and might ruin it!
and neither would u be able to play it on ultra.!!

 

[DLHensley95]

Well, I haven't gotten the card yet, but it looked pretty good.
So something like this?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139028
That+new graphics card=acceptable gaming computer? Or would there still be some issues?
Thank you

 

[dheeraj9933]

wowwwwwwww!
no need to go upto 600W!!
a decent 450W will be enough.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139026
and 500W is MORE than enough
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139027
the 500W is just 4$ more than the 430W after rebates, which is why i listed it.
otherwise 430W is enough too.

 

[dheeraj9933]

u may wanna consider THIS 7850
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150642
it is 155$ after rebates
and it has FAR cry3 FREE!!!

 

[DLHensley95]

Hahaha, okay, thank you. I really have no idea what I'm doing. I just read this "500W (or greater) power supply with one 75W 6-pin PCI Express power connector recommended. 600W power supply (or greater) with two 75W 6-pin PCI Express power connectors recommended for AMD CrossFire technology." And I don't know what that means... I just saw 600W.
Thank you so much!

 

[zander1983]

As above, a decent 450w will be fine. Only go bigger e.g. 650w if you plan to build a new pc in a year or so then move the PSU over to the new build.

Also make sure you have enough space inside your case to fit the 7850. I've seen some OEM machines before with no option to upgrade a GPU due to case or something being in the way.

 

[DLHensley95]

Oh! Is there any performance difference between the 2 cards?

 

[dheeraj9933]

no.
no difference , just difference manufacturers.
the same GPU is inside, the same performance too.

 

[DLHensley95]

Okay, thank you
And Zander, if theres a chance it wouldn't fit, how would I go about finding out?

 

[dheeraj9933]

look at your case and then look at the measurements of the card and the PSU too

 

[zander1983]

Yes as dheeraj mentioned, open your case and see if there is enough space inside for the PSU and graphics card.

 

[DLHensley95]

I'm almost certain the PSU would fit, because my current one seems to have bigger dimensions, but I'm not sure about the graphics card. The one I have in there now is about 5x3 inches, and the 7850 one is 7.8x4.4 inches.... It looks like their might be just enough space to squeeze it in, but I'm not certain...

 

[dheeraj9933]

if u have a measuring tape,
then u can use it to see if it will fit.
that is the best option.
but even if not, there are a lot of cheap cases too. no big deal

 

[DLHensley95]

Theres about 8x4.5 inches I believe. So I think I could squeeze it in barely. What do you mean by "cases"?

 

[dheeraj9933]

i mean the box u put your motherboard and PSU into. the one with the "on" button in it

u get it? :lol:
the 7850 is not a HUGE card, so i dont think it will be a problem.

 

[DLHensley95]

I also just found this. There's no way I'd be able to get this now, but it could be worth saving up for.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883227440
Same graphics card with Windows 8 and yadda yadda. In your personal opinion(s), do you think that'd be smarter? Because this Dell I'm on now is the only computer in our house and is borderline barely functioning..... $250 to upgrade a home computer from 08', or $1000 for a new one?... Hmm. Thoughts?? Curse my indecisive ways.

 

[dheeraj9933]

if u make something better than this your self
even then u will save money.
so if u can just assemble parts by yourself, or get someone else to do it for u.
i can give u a configuration better than this for gaming.
and around 300$ cheaper too!!
and what do u mean by "borderline barely functioning"?

 

[Guest]

I also just found this. There's no way I'd be able to get this now, but it could be worth saving up for.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883227440
Same graphics card with Windows 8 and yadda yadda. In your personal opinion(s), do you think that'd be smarter? Because this Dell I'm on now is the only computer in our house and is borderline barely functioning..... $250 to upgrade a home computer from 08', or $1000 for a new one?... Hmm. Thoughts?? Curse my indecisive ways.

You could probably build that for at least 40% cheaper. Just start learning about how to build one. It took me maybe a week to understand how to build, start and overclock a custom built PC. If the computer you're using now is barely functioning, I would suggest this.

 

[DLHensley95]

Oh god... My entire reply just got deleted..... Bullet points- Always had start up issues and runs slow most of the time despite maintenance. Overall meh computer. Also, I'm leaving in 6 months for college and it'd be nice to leave this for my brother and have my own.
I've never thought about building my own computer. I'm not completely sure I'd be capable... haha.

 

[dheeraj9933]

building pc may seem tough, but it is not
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPIXAtNGGCw
this is a 3 part video series
watch all of them and u'll be halfway there!!

and do u defrag and/or registry scans from time to time?
bcoz your cpu is no way outdated!!

 

[DLHensley95]

I defrag and clear disk space every time my computer is on... I don't know what's wrong with it. Virus protected too. Bleh.
I will watch that video tomorrow Thanks all for your help. I now know of many more options than I did before! Goodnight!