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500$ to upgrade my computer, help?

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Scrap that rig, I came up with the perfect rig for my budget (even though it goes over by 132.)

Motherboard: MSI 870-G45 AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD - 70$

PSU: 520W SeaSonic - 68$

CPU: AMD Athlon II X4 640 Propus 3.0GHz Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor ADX640WFGMBOX - 100$

RAM: 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3 - 45$

Hard Drive: SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive -70$

Disc Drive: Asus DVD Burner - 20$

CPU Cooler: Hyper 212 - 30$

GPU: GTX 460 786MB - 170$

Total cost: 632$

Now I know if I had more money I could get something better, isn't that obvious? But this is all the money I have for this stuff; and I'll be damned if this isn't the best I can get at this price.
 
mfenn said:
:thumbsup:

OP, since you are apparently gaming on an Intel IGP (the horror!), ANY discrete GPU would be a huge upgrade. The Dell PSU could probably handle something modest like a GTS 450, and it would certainly be a hell of a lot cheaper than a whole new machine (which is what you're essentially looking at in your latest post).
Click to expand...
Haha, tell me about the Intel GLP; I can hardly run Counter Strike Source at a decent frame-rate.

Do you think a GTX 470 would be able to run on my PSU?
 
What brand and speed is the RAM? If it's DDR3 1333 from a good brand (G.Skill for example), it is fine.

That GTX 460 costs way too much considering that it is the 768MB version. You can get the 1GB for the same price or a 6850 for $10 more.

Otherwise, looks fine to me.
 
I wouldn't upgrade the entire rig. The Athlon II X4 640 is actually SLOWER in a lot of things than your C2D. Your 1TB drive is probably fine; benchmark it -- if it's greater than ~85MB/s average and sub 13ms access, you're really not gonna see any improvement going to a Spinpoint F3.

I'd say just get that 5870 and a PSU. Earthwatts 650 is $50 AR with Promo Code EMCZNNW24.
 
DominionSeraph said:
I wouldn't upgrade the entire rig. The Athlon II X4 640 is actually SLOWER in a lot of things than your C2D. Your 1TB drive is probably fine; benchmark it -- if it's greater than ~85MB/s average and sub 13ms access, you're really not gonna see any improvement going to a Spinpoint F3.

I'd say just get that 5870 and a PSU. Earthwatts 650 is $50 AR with Promo Code EMCZNNW24.
Click to expand...

some dell's actually use proprietary PSU's so the new PSU might not fit.
 
I'd be VERY surprised if the PSU in your Dell would run a decent system. They're usually underpowered as hell, with barely enough "oomph" to run the stock Dell configuration.

Try browsing through NewEgg's DIY system section...there are some decent deals to be found:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboB...t=Combo.564150

http://www.newegg.com/Store/MasterCo...=DIY-PC-Combos

Some are essentially complete systems with processor, motherboard, RAM, HDD, video card, and PSU...while others are "upgrade kits" with mobo, CPU, and RAM.
 
endlessmike133 said:
Scrap that rig, I came up with the perfect rig for my budget (even though it goes over by 132.)

Motherboard: MSI 870-G45 AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD - 70$

PSU: 520W SeaSonic - 68$

CPU: AMD Athlon II X4 640 Propus 3.0GHz Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor ADX640WFGMBOX - 100$

RAM: 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3 - 45$

Hard Drive: SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive -70$

Disc Drive: Asus DVD Burner - 20$

CPU Cooler: Hyper 212 - 30$

GPU: GTX 460 786MB - 170$
Click to expand...

I like this system with what mfenn said in mind. The 768MB version is a no go for that price...
 
mfenn said:
:thumbsup:

OP, since you are apparently gaming on an Intel IGP (the horror!), ANY discrete GPU would be a huge upgrade. The Dell PSU could probably handle something modest like a GTS 450, and it would certainly be a hell of a lot cheaper than a whole new machine (which is what you're essentially looking at in your latest post).
Click to expand...
Do you think it's a guarantee my PSU would be able to handle the GTS 450?

Because honestly I might just go with that..
 
endlessmike133 said:
Do you think it's a guarantee my PSU would be able to handle the GTS 450?

Because honestly I might just go with that..
Click to expand...
I wouldnt push it with your current PSU, if you want to try it fine, but i dont think it will handle the load. At least not when gaming (might work at desktop because of minimal power draw but fail in games due to a higher draw)
 
Please just let us know the exact model of your Dell PC before anyone suggests anymore upgrades.

I just tried to give a friend an X1800XT for her Dell expecting the PSU power output to be the only problem. The MB was mounted on the opposite side of the case from most PCs, so the graphics card would have the fan facing up, but it was a 2 slot card and the pcie slot was on top, with no way to fit another backplate slot above the top one. Removing the backplate would basically have the full weight of the card being supported by the slot, and they don't have a hacksaw at their place.

I gave her a 2x 4-pin molex -> 6 pin pcie adapter, but the PSU had 0 molex connectors, only 4 sata, 2 of which were in use. The MB also had 0 extra fan connectors. A perfect example of why most OEM PCs suck for upgrading.
 
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