PC Improvement

[tg2708]

I have not posted in awhile so bare with me. How do I improve a system like this without getting something totally new?

CyberpowerPC Gamer Ultra 2138 Desktop PC AMD FX-Series FX-8120(3.1GHz) 8GB DDR3 1TB HDD Capacity AMD Radeon HD 6670 1GB Windows 8 $499.99.

 

[Ken g6]

Improve it for what purpose(s)?

For general desktop use? Add an SSD.

For gaming use? Upgrade the video card. A 750ti would definitely work; others depend on your power supply which you didn't list.

For gaming and media processing use (video, 3D, Photoshop, etc.)? Can you overclock? If so, add a better heat sink to the CPU and overclock more.

 

[RaistlinZ]

Yeah, Ken hit the nail on the head. We have to know what you intend to do with your machine.

An SSD is a good option for speeding up general use. Do you game, and at what resolution? What kind of power supply does the system come with?

 

[tg2708]

This is not my PC but my aunt's and cousin's. It also has over heating problems. They do game so I know a decent gpu is needed.

 

[mfenn]

Certainly a very mild system like that shouldn't be getting too hot unless there is some fairly straightforward problem. Make sure all the fans are spinning and it's located in an area where it has a reasonable cool air intake.

 

[Essence_of_War]

Certainly a very mild system like that shouldn't be getting too hot unless there is some fairly straightforward problem. Make sure all the fans are spinning and it's located in an area where it has a reasonable cool air intake.

Absolutely this.

I'd also specifically check:
1) Is the PSU bottom-mounted, and is the case on carpet (choking PSU intake)?
2) Are there animals in the mix? Animal fluff could be a cause of overheating, 5-10 mins with a can or two of compressed air could fix that up nicely.

 

[tg2708]

Will definitely do all of this. But lets say it was your PC what upgrades would you choose in getting it more up to date?

 

[Essence_of_War]

Exactly what RaistlinZ said:

An SSD is a good option for speeding up general use. Do you game, and at what resolution? What kind of power supply does the system come with?

SSDs are aggressively priced right now, the 256 GB Crucial MX100 is regularly ~$100 from amazon/newegg, and that's a great general purpose upgrade. GPU upgrade depends on budget and PSU, but even a fairly anemic psu should be able to support the GTX 750/750 Ti (as it requires no external power connectors) and those should be a huge step up from the HD6670.

 

[mfenn]

Exactly what RaistlinZ said:



SSDs are aggressively priced right now, the 256 GB Crucial MX100 is regularly ~$100 from amazon/newegg, and that's a great general purpose upgrade. GPU upgrade depends on budget and PSU, but even a fairly anemic psu should be able to support the GTX 750/750 Ti (as it requires no external power connectors) and those should be a huge step up from the HD6670.

:thumbsup: Agree.

 

[piasabird]

Take a can of air and blow off the dust.

 

[tg2708]

Ok guys I found a shell shocker deal on an ssd for $79 on newegg paired with an evga card 750 ti superclocked. Any better combination?

 

[lehtv]

What ssd?

 

[tg2708]

Kingston SSDNow V300 Series SV300S37A/240G 2.5" 240GB SATA III Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) but it is currently out of stock.

Also is it possible to just give me a list of upgrades such as buying an ssd (type) etc similar to the sticky? The pc will be used for mild gaming nothing to the extent where something like a 970 is needed. A 750ti seems like a great option.

 

[lehtv]

V300 is an entry level SSD, performance is fine and cost per GB is excellent. PNY Optima is similar, currently priced $95 ($75 AR). Sandisk Ultra II is also worth considering at $92.

750 Ti is indeed a nice card, power use is similar to the 6670 but performance is much better.