New to the PC Scene could use some advice

[jash298]

So this is an example of why you should always start by sharing information about the hardware you have. Had mfenn not asked you about it, you'd have just wasted over $100.

Forget the power supply - that's a slim desktop, and will not fit anything but a low-profile, single-slot graphics card in it. Basically, you're not going to do a lot of gaming on it.

This HD6570 is the most powerful card you can fit in your system, at $40AR: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102994

It will give you a nice boost from the Intel HD4000, but certainly won't allow you to play modern games at anything other than low settings. I doubt you'll actually be able to play Battlefield 3 on it satisfactorily.

Will I be able to Play BioShock Infinite and AC3 without lag?

 

[Termie]

Will I be able to Play BioShock Infinite and AC3 without lag?

Only at low settings.

There is a more powerful low-profile single-slot card, but because your case has no external video card venting and forces the video card fan up against a metal side of the case, you'll likely burn it up if you try to use it in your system. It's the HD7750: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814202002

 

[cbk]

Only at low settings.

There is a more powerful low-profile single-slot card, but because your case has no external video card venting and forces the video card fan up against a metal side of the case, you'll likely burn it up if you try to use it in your system. It's the HD7750: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814202002

Agreed. Low settings if where that card is gonna get you. But, If you are looking into building a solid gaming PC sometime in the future, (I'm so sorry about your job, I hope you can find new employment) mfenn has an always updated $1000 PC build here: http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2192841.

Happy gaming 😀

 

[mfenn]

So this is an example of why you should always start by sharing information about the hardware you have. Had mfenn not asked you about it, you'd have just wasted over $100.

Forget the power supply - that's a slim desktop, and will not fit anything but a low-profile, single-slot graphics card in it. Basically, you're not going to do a lot of gaming on it.

This HD6570 is the most powerful card you can fit in your system, at $40AR: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102994

It will give you a nice boost from the Intel HD4000, but certainly won't allow you to play modern games at anything other than low settings. I doubt you'll actually be able to play Battlefield 3 on it satisfactorily.

:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup: Whew, dodged one there. Agree with you on the prognosis.

OP, I think your best bet at this point is to tough it out with what you have until you can afford a case, PSU, and GPU (~$200). You could get the 6570, but like Termie said, it would not significantly advance your goal of being able to play BF3.

 

[cbk]

:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup: Whew, dodged one there. Agree with you on the prognosis.

OP, I think your best bet at this point is to tough it out with what you have until you can afford a case, PSU, and GPU (~$200). You could get the 6570, but like Termie said, it would not significantly advance your goal of being able to play BF3.

A great $30 case IMO is the NZXT Soruce 210, it's very roomy for a budget case.
A good PSU is the Antec Greenwatts 380W. Just be sure to buy a power cable, it doesn't have one included.