help me upgrade my current pc

[Med521]

so um... i didn't get a pc liked i planned, i got a wii u (go ahead, shame me, i regret it now). so i'm just going to be doing some little upgrades like a new gpu, case, psu, stuff like that. my grandpa pays me to do work on his cars, so i can probably make like 50 bucks or more by my birthday, when i get my money, and usually on my birthday i get on average 115 dollars. so i have like 165 dollars to work with then. i was thinking of starting with the case and psu, maybe a gpu if it fits in that budget. gpu is really needed because i think my onboard graphics's days are numbered. here are my specs:

Operating System: (upgraded to windows 8.1)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: eMachines
System Model: EL1852G
BIOS: Default System BIOS
Processor: Pentium(R) Dual-Core CPU E6700 @ 3.20GHz (2 CPUs), ~3.2GHz
Memory: 3072MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 3038MB RAM
Page File: 2359MB used, 3712MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
User DPI Setting: Using System DPI
System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled
DxDiag Version: 6.01.7601.17514 32bit Unicode

Card name: Intel(R) G41 Express Chipset
Manufacturer: Intel Corporation
Chip type: Intel(R) 4 Series Express Chipset Family
DAC type: Internal
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2E32&SUBSYS_03901025&REV_03
Display Memory: 1326 MB
Dedicated Memory: 64 MB
Shared Memory: 1262 MB
Current Mode: 1600 x 900 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Generic PnP Monitor
Monitor Model: Acer E202HL
Monitor Id: ACR02A4
Native Mode: 1600 x 900(p) (59.978Hz)
Output Type: HD15

i play very low requiring games like COD: WaW, TF2, GMOD, L4D 1/2, etc.

Thanks in advance

 

[Outlander_04]

Its a pretty old system .
You need to check that the motherboard has a pci-e x 16 slot . Some oem computers dont have them at all . If you do then a graphics card upgrade is possible and then you would have some improvement in gaming .
You would also need to check the power supply is powerful enough . It it is below 400 watts then Id suggest you get
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 750 1GB Video Card ($97.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($34.88 @ OutletPC)
Total: $132.87
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-01-29 15:31 EST-0500

But prices vary so make the final selection closer to the time you are going to buy


Processors that would fit are not available any more , but they might be second hand

 

[Med521]

mobo has pcie x16 slot, i checked a while ago. power supply however is very weak, i think it's like a 225 watt. the current case it's in is slim, so that's why i need a new case, so i can transport this stuff.

 

[Med521]

well i do have a case, but i'm honestly afraid that my mobo is going to ground out with this case. it only has one brass standoff in the middle as seen here:

 

[Outlander_04]

Motherboard have holes for mounting according to the ATX or m-ATX specification . It wont ground .

Yes you will need the power supply upgrade .

 

[Med521]

i find it hard to believe that it won't ground out, could you give me some kind of explanation.

 

[Med521]

i just realized i need to get some new thermal compound too, arctic silver right? i also heard people tell me on other forums that i really cheaped out on the case, but i don't think so other than the probable grounding issues.

 

[Outlander_04]

There is no grounding issue