Upgrading GTS 240, around £90 Budget

[techno20]

Im planning on upgrading my GPU for my Dell 8100 and im not sure on which one to choose that will work. Im looking for a Gaming Graphics Card.

System Specs:
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7 CPU 860 @ 2.80 GHz
Installed memory (RAM): 6.00 GB
System Type: 64-bit Operating System
Hardrive: 1 TB
Current GPU: GeForce GT 240
PSU: 350w (I Think)

and these are GPU's i looked at:

GTX 275
GTX 450

Over Budget:

GTX 460


Any help on choosing a good GPU for Upcoming Games (BF3, MW3, AC Revelation etc.)

 

[iam2thecrowe]

If i were you id save up the extra and get a gtx460 or HD 6850 at the very least. One problem I see here is the 350w PSU, that is not enough to even run a gtx450 and certainly not enough to power a gtx275. Your probably right on the limit of your PSU's power capability with your current setup. Are you SURE you have a 350w PSU? Can you open up the case and read us the specs? 12V specs are important.

 

[techno20]

I've been on other forums that talk about Upgrading GPU for the Dell 8100 and a lot of them say 350w PSU

 

[techno20]

I'll think about what you said about gtx 460. I might aswell save up for it.

 

[GreenDutchAlien]

I've been on other forums that talk about Upgrading GPU for the Dell 8100 and a lot of them say 350w PSU

350W is not enough for a modern high or middle end card. They loooooove electricityyyyyyy. You should have at least 500w, and a stable single 12V rail. Preferably have an 80+ certified.
GTX 460 would be a good choice.

 

[techno20]

so your saying I have to buy a New Power Supply aswell...?

 

[iam2thecrowe]

if you want to run a better vid card, then yes, you will need a better power supply, even for a gts 450.

 

[techno20]

I was told by someone called 'malmantel' that "gtx 450 is your safest" (my safest bet*). and he also said that the Dell 8100 Power Supply is like a 400-450w.

 

[techno20]

yeah here it is, this is what he 'Malmental' said:

"Just to set things straight.
A Dell 350watt psu is more like a 400-425watt psu from almost anybody else.
The rating system on Dell's is a little different the 'most' others.
You do not have to change your psu unless you really want to of course.
Dell + Intel= nVidia in most factory set-ups for a reason but I won't get into that.....

DirectX 11 nVidia options on 350watt Dell psu (higher end) - GTS450 is your safest bet."

and so thought about 450 but i wasn't sure if it will be good for upcoming games...

 

[GreenDutchAlien]

Only way to know for sure then is to open the case i think. 450W will be just enough if it's a good brand PSU. ( not for the 460 though )

 

[GreenDutchAlien]

GTX 450 will not be great for gaming modern games.

 

[techno20]

ok, i'll check the case. But if it is 450watt should i go for GTS 450?

 

[GreenDutchAlien]

ok, i'll check the case. But if it is 450watt should i go for GTS 450?

Probably useless to open the case, now i have read what malmental said, it probably will be a 350 and i don't know about Dell 350W is 425W in real live. Malmental is probably right i think, he normally knows what he says.
But still i would save some extra cash to first buy a good PSU and after that buy a good GPU, otherwise you will always be stuck with low profile GPU's and not be able to play games at satisfying levels.

 

[techno20]

Yh...Thanks for the Help though I apreciate it

 

[yummerzzz]

No, open up the case, the dell 305W PSU has 18A on the +142V Rail, and the GTX 460 is quite a power hungry card, we need to be sure how much AMPs are on that power supply.

Also, get a HD 5770 instead of a GTS 450, it performs better, and uses less power.

 

[monkeysweat]

to be honest you will need to save your money for now,, you WILL need a more powerful power supply as the factory 350 will not be handle much more than what the base computer came with.

a 240GT is a pretty good card in its range and you will need to go up to a 460 to really notice a difference/make it worthwhile to spend any money.

you may just be best off for now with lower resolution and/or lower graphics settings until you have a bigger budget,, if you cheap out, you won't like the results

 

[iam2thecrowe]

No, open up the case, the dell 305W PSU has 18A on the +142V Rail, and the GTX 460 is quite a power hungry card, we need to be sure how much AMPs are on that power supply.

Also, get a HD 5770 instead of a GTS 450, it performs better, and uses less power.

thats a good call, 5770 or 6770, faster and uses less power. but you will want to upgrade the PSU either way i think.

 

[techno20]

No, open up the case, the dell 305W PSU has 18A on the +142V Rail, and the GTX 460 is quite a power hungry card, we need to be sure how much AMPs are on that power supply.

Also, get a HD 5770 instead of a GTS 450, it performs better, and uses less power.

HD 5770 requires 450 Watt or greater power supply with one 75W 6-pin PCI Express power connectors recommended (600 Watt and two 6-pin connectors for ATI CrossFireX technology in dual mode)

Will it work?

 

[techno20]

No, open up the case, the dell 305W PSU has 18A on the +142V Rail, and the GTX 460 is quite a power hungry card, we need to be sure how much AMPs are on that power supply.

Also, get a HD 5770 instead of a GTS 450, it performs better, and uses less power.

ill check the AMPS on the PSU

 

[GreenDutchAlien]

Don't think so. If Malmental is right the psu is 425W max, the card wants at least 450W, so . . .

 

[yummerzzz]

But why "if" when it would take less than 5 minutes to check?

Dell does underrate their PSU's, but just to make sure.

 

[monkeysweat]

to upgrade an 240GT with that budget is damn near impossible is what I'm trying to say though,, anything that will be fast enough to actually matter will need a better power supply and anything fast enough to actually matter will cost you at least another 50.00,,, like a 460GTX or better,, a 450 is definitely an upgrade? yes. is a 450 speed increase noticeable? yes. Is a 450 so much faster than a 240 that I'm really going to love it and like the fact i upgraded? possibly not - leaning more to no.

so with both points above,, you are looking at a 200 dollar upgrade with power supply,, as stock PC power supplies, no matter which big brand sells em, does not cover much more than what they ship with.

 

[techno20]

so your saying i should upgrade my PSU aswell

 

[techno20]

ok...I have looked at some PSU's on Amazon.co.uk

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=PSU&x=0&y=0

could you tell me which one is good and cheap

 

[techno20]

please let me know which one I should choose or should I choose any?