Help! Messed up on bestbuy desktop purchase

[Streakz180]

Can you guys help me out? I'm going to make some upgrades on my computer within the next few months. I bought an ASUS Desktop for 500 from bestbuy.. the specs are below.. id greatly appreciate this guys. please be gentle..

Height 14.2 inches
Width 6.7 inches
Depth 15.9 inches
Weight 17.2 pounds
Processor Brand AMD
Processor Platform AMD VISION A8 APU
Processor AMD A8-Series
Processor Speed 3.2GHz
Cache Memory 4MB
System Memory (RAM) 8GB
Type of Memory (RAM) DDR3
Hard Drive Type SATA III (7200 rpm)
Hard Drive Size 1TB
Graphics AMD Radeon HD 7470
Video Memory 1GB (dedicated)
Network Card Built-in 10/100/1000 Ethernet LAN (RJ-45 connector)
Recordable DVD Drive Speeds 8x DVD+R DL; 8x DVD-R DL; 16x8x16 DVD+RW; 16x6x16 DVD-RW; 5x DVD-RAM; 48x32x48 CD-RW Maximum write (DVD±R), rewrite (DVD±RW) and read (DVD-ROM) speeds of the DVD±RW drive.
Available Expansion Bays External: 1 (5.25"); Internal: 1 (3.5")
Available Expansion Slots 2 PCI, 1 PCI-E x16
USB 2.0 Ports 2 USB 3.0 (rear); 6 USB 2.0 (2 front, 4 rear)
Operating System Platform Windows
Software Included Adobe Reader and more
ENERGY STAR Certified No
Best Buy PC App No
HDMI Output Yes
Blu-ray Player No
Graphics Chip AMD/ATI
Drive Capacity 1TB
UPC 886227315109

[Fardringle]

What parts are you wanting to change, and what is the available budget?

[VirtualLarry]

What do you mean by "messed up"? Looks like a decent machine, but I think it only has integrated graphics (in the CPU). The "dedicated" next to the video memory notwithstanding.

[daveybrat]

Here's a link to the pc he bought:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Asus+-+E...1#tab=overview

It comes with a Trinity A8-5500 processor (65Watt version).

They did for some reason actually use a dedicated video card instead of the built-in graphics.

The pc itself is a fine computer, my only advice is to upgrade the video card and possibly power supply if you use it for gaming.

[VirtualLarry]

Originally Posted by daveybrat

It comes with a Trinity A8-5500 processor (65Watt version).

They did for some reason actually use a dedicated video card instead of the built-in graphics.

I guess I've never heard of a Radeon 7470 before. Must be OEM only?

[daveybrat]

Originally Posted by VirtualLarry

I guess I've never heard of a Radeon 7470 before. Must be OEM only?

Most likely it is. The A8-5500 processor already comes with the HD 7560D built-in, which is almost the same thing.

Not really sure why they even bothered to put a dedicated card in place of it.....lol.

[ketchup79]

If I didn't know anything about computers, I would think a dedicated card was better, as 90% or so have onboard video.

[daveybrat]

Originally Posted by ketchup79

If I didn't know anything about computers, I would think a dedicated card was better, as 90% or so have onboard video.

True, but the A8-5500 has 'discrete class' graphics built into the cpu that are actually very good.

[Steltek]

Originally Posted by VirtualLarry

I guess I've never heard of a Radeon 7470 before. Must be OEM only?

As a standalone card, it pretty much sucks which is probably why we don't hear about it:

http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/gp...Radeon+HD+7470

I suspect that AMD probably combines both the integrated and dedicated graphics together to boost graphics performance over what integrated-only would provide (I seem to dimly recall that this was a feature of the Trinity chipset).

[Streakz180]

i'm hearing the video card sucks and my budget is 300 bucks. i just want to work with the space that i have an honestly i prefer nvidia over radeon. so i read that i should upgrade the video card and the power supply? any suggestions?

Originally Posted by Steltek

As a standalone card, it pretty much sucks which is probably why we don't hear about it:

http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/gp...Radeon+HD+7470

I suspect that AMD probably combines both the integrated and dedicated graphics together to boost graphics performance over what integrated-only would provide (I seem to dimly recall that this was a feature of the Trinity chipset).

[infoiltrator]

If I read the note after 7470 graphics this is a the iGPU from the A8 5600 APU.
No graphics card.
An HD 7670 Dual Graphics may be possible.
I thought HD 7670 were renamed HD 6670, some motherboads using FM2 are not recognizing HD 6670 Dual Graphics. No idea if this is firmware or what.
Check with HP.
Anyway an HD 6670 ddr3 (about $65) or HD6670 DDR5 would be a big jump over 7470 integrated graphics [or card if above is correct]

The HD 7750 is the fastest video card (about $100) that does not require a PCIE power plug from power supply.
Check the 12 volt rating on your power supply and whether there are any PCIe connectors (6 pin, 6/2 pin)

This processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819113288
Do not know if 7470 is misprint or low Dual Graphics Crossfire.

BENCH (scroll down) amandtech
A8 5600K vs 4300 (closest matches, 5600K unlocked 100 watt)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819113288
A8 5600K vs Phenom II 965
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/700?vs=102

Close enough

[Streakz180]

are you referring to this video card?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102969

Originally Posted by infoiltrator

If I read the note after 7470 graphics this is a the iGPU from the A8 5600 APU.
No graphics card.
An HD 7670 Dual Graphics may be possible.
I thought HD 7670 were renamed HD 6670, some motherboads using FM2 are not recognizing HD 6670 Dual Graphics. No idea if this is firmware or what.
Check with HP.
Anyway an HD 6670 ddr3 (about $65) or HD6670 DDR5 would be a big jump over 7470 integrated graphics [or card if above is correct]

The HD 7750 is the fastest video card (about $100) that does not require a PCIE power plug from power supply.
Check the 12 volt rating on your power supply and whether there are any PCIe connectors (6 pin, 6/2 pin)

[Steltek]

Originally Posted by Streakz180

i'm hearing the video card sucks and my budget is 300 bucks. i just want to work with the space that i have an honestly i prefer nvidia over radeon. so i read that i should upgrade the video card and the power supply? any suggestions?

Have you actually tried it with the games you want to play? I wouldn't go upgrading until you actually discover the limitations on what you currently have and how those limitations affect the things that you actually do with your system. Hearing or reading what others say isn't a good substitute for personal experience - what they do with their system may not be the same as what you will do with yours. Your current rig will use a form of crossfire to combine the cards to provide better performance, and that may be enough for your current needs (leaving you to upgrade in the future when you need it, and/or when prices have dropped even more letting you get more bang for your budget).

If you insist on nVidia, you should be able to upgrade to between a GTX550ti and GTX660 and a new power supply based upon your stated $300 budget if you can catch a sale or work with rebates.

[Streakz180]

i like where youre coming from.. first time anyone says something like that to me in regards to what i own. when i first started playing planet side 2 the graphics were maxed out in game and i was lagging.. so i adjusted it to medium settings and its been running smoothly.. i guess i wanted my rig to be able to handle the graphics without any limitations.. im going to try what you suggested though.. ive only seen a downside with planet side 2 on high performance. havent really seen anything worth complaining about in my other games yet and then on top of that.. i didnt really think anything of my video card till i read that it sucked. doesnt seem that bad at the moment though.. thanks again though

Originally Posted by Steltek

Have you actually tried it with the games you want to play? I wouldn't go upgrading until you actually discover the limitations on what you currently have and how those limitations affect the things that you actually do with your system. Hearing or reading what others say isn't a good substitute for personal experience - what they do with their system may not be the same as what you will do with yours. Your current rig will use a form of crossfire to combine the cards to provide better performance, and that may be enough for your current needs (leaving you to upgrade in the future when you need it, and/or when prices have dropped even more letting you get more bang for your budget).

If you insist on nVidia, you should be able to upgrade to between a GTX550ti and GTX660 and a new power supply based upon your stated $300 budget if you can catch a sale or work with rebates.

[infoiltrator]

Good advice that.
You have good 4 core CPU at 3.2 GHz (3.7 Turbo).
Basic questions on any oem upgrade apply, will you case have sufficient airflow for a high end video card? When you upgrade you may want an oem card design (one that blows hot air out the back rather than the two fan models).

FWIW doing a price check IF I could catch all the components on sale (WITHOUT A VIDEO CARD)including operating sysyem and free shipping, comes to about the same price.

When you find a game(s) you are not happy with computer performance research your options.
I would follow newegg for power supply pricing research. But look for a tag on the one in your computer or contact Asus.So we know what yours will support.

Video cards roughly, prices change often which can change reccommendations,
HD 7750 about $100
GTX 650 about $110
GTX 560 SE about $130
GTX 650 Ti about $150
HD 7850 2GB about $184
GTX 660 2GB about $200-220+
HD 7870 2GB about #240
GTX 670 about $300