Advice Needed For Upgrading

stripedhornet

Reputable
Jun 10, 2018
38
2
4,535
Hi, I'm seeking to find a good upgrade to my dinosaur PC. My PC is pretty old but it's still kicking and I want to get a new GPU in it. I'll list my known system specs below and the PC itself, if I could get any suggestions, I'd really appreciate the help!

PC: Dell Studio XPS 8500 (x64 bit) (OS Win 10)
Components:
CPU: Intel-Core i7-3770 @ 3.40GHz Quad-Core TurboBoost 3.90GHz
GPU: AMD Radeon HD 7570
RAM: 8GB Installed
PSU: Standard PSU in 8500 450W
(UPDATE!!} I finally got the part names for other components.
Motherboard: Dell 0NW73C
Drive: WD Blue 1TB
RAM: 8GB DIMM DDR3 @ 1600MHz

Looking at a GTX 1050Ti as a replacement GPU.
 
Look at the psu data plate.
It should say the wattage or at least the 12v amps.
I would expect it to be 300w.
If so, the strongest gpu you can install will be a GTX1050ti.

Past that, you are looking at a concurrent psu upgrade.
 
I agree with geofelt, your PSU will probably hold you back. Most of the OEM PSUs are not too great. As for upgrade, I would start with a GPU and maybe 8gb more of RAM. Your 3770 is still a decent CPU.

Here is a good price on a RX 580 that comes with 3 games. After rebate it cost $189 and that is a very good price.

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814137244&cm_re=rx_580-_-14-137-244-_-Product

If you go with a RX 580, you will need a new PSU. Here is a budget PSU that is not a bad price.

PCPartPicker part list: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/4n6nhq
Price breakdown by merchant: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/4n6nhq/by_merchant/

Power Supply: Corsair - CX (2017) 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($27.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $27.98
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-09-22 14:41 EDT-0400
 
On page 39 of the owners manual.
https://downloads.dell.com/manuals/all-products/esuprt_desktop/esuprt_xps_desktop/xps-8500_owner%27s%20manual_en-us.pdf
They mention attaching the GPU power cable. XPS was a multimedia/gaming series of computers. It should have a 460W PSU.
The one listed here has 2- 6pin 75W PCIe power cables. This equals 1-8pin 150W connector.
https://www.amazon.com/Dell-FVGCW-Power-Supply-D460AM-01/dp/B00LCAFKT8
This sounds about right since a Dell 375W PSU has 1. If you have those cables you should be able to run up to a 225W TDP GPU with 2x6, or 1x8 connector.
Don't go by the recommended PSU size. This allows for crappy aftermarket PSUs with bogus ratings. It would probably take a good 600W aftermarket PSU to equal what you already have.
Unfortunately there are 0 benchmarks for that system at userbenchmark.com. maybe you could do a before and after run there to see how much improvement you get.
http://www.userbenchmark.com/Software
 

Professur

Honorable
May 7, 2016
154
0
10,760
Lets just assume that your PSU would hold its ground... whether 300W or 460W.

Does it have the right connector aka 6-pin or 8-pin for the GPU? How about the rail? 300W/460W is the total, but how much Volt/W/Amp does that particular rail deliver?

Is your motherboard (Dell 0NW73C) compatible with the new graphics card? It is a pre-built computer, so BIOS update is doubtful.

You might just get more out of this by getting a new $20 case, a new $40 EVGA 600B PSU, and an used motherboard or try fishing a motherboard out at local stores/kjijiji... make sure they all run well. Then buy a new gpu in the coming Black Friday/Christmas sale.

In this case you can get the $250 RX 580 8Gb that is good for another 3,4 years (assuming your CPU, 1 x 8 GB Ram, new-used motherboard can last)
 
I would check and see if you have the latest bios for that computer. Dell has released some security related(Spectre/Meltdown) bios updates even for older computers.

The 1050 is the lowest you should consider, and it should work fine.
 


You are good.
GTX1050 does not need aux 6 pin power.
Neither does most GTX1050ti cards.
For fast action games, the GT1030 is probably the least card that can be considered a gaming card.
GT1030 does not need aux power too,

Pick the strongest card your budget will allow.
If you buy anything less, you will always be second guessing yourself.