Switching from console to PC Help!

[TheMason]

Alright, I already have a pretty good computer that has decent power, I mainly need help knowing if I can just upgrade my pc to a "gaming" computer with good parts, or if I have to just buy a whole knew pc or what would be cheaper?? Please help. These are my system settings, and I know it isnt much but like I said, can I upgrade or just buy a knew pc.

Manufacturer: Dell

Model: Inspiron 530

Processor: Intel Core Duo CPU E7300 @ 2.66ghz

Memory: 4gb

System type: 64 bit OS

 

[wahdangun]

you can buy just buy amd hd 6950 and if your motherboard support quad core, you can replace your cpu with Q9650

 

[MangoX]

I wouldn't buy anything above a Radeon 5770 if paired with that CPU.

 

[jackstar7]

Be mindful of the PSU. Dell power supplies are rarely spec'd to handle much above what is put inside 'em.

 

[Aikouka]

You aren't supposed to cross-post

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2172631

 

[TheMason]

Be mindful of the PSU. Dell power supplies are rarely spec'd to handle much above what is put inside 'em.

i do have a power supply after market, and a geforce 9600 gt. i guess im looking to play current and future pc games. ideas?

 

[TheMason]

can i just upgrade my cpu and graphics card? and to be honest im looking to play games like skyrim and bf3 on pc rather than on my consoles maybe too

 

[TheMason]

You aren't supposed to cross-post

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2172631

i didnt know where to post lol.....Im uhh new :sneaky:

 

[Dark Shroud]

Don't bother spending the money on upgrading a CPU on the LGA 775 socket. At that point you should just buy a newer socket CPU & Mobo.

I agree on the HD 6950 though.

 

[cusideabelincoln]

You might be able to upgrade the processor to a quad core, which is what I would recommend, but it doesn't sound likely:

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/desktop/f/3514/p/19247282/19390983.aspx

Mars1100 is right. The Inspiron 530 comes with two different motherboards. A G33M02 for Core 2 Duo and a G33M03 for Core 2 Quad. Since you have a G33M02 it will not support a quad. If you decide to build your own system you'll also need a copy of Windows operating system since the Dell recovery CD is tied to the Dell motherboard.

You need to figure out what motherboard you have. CPU-Z might tell you, or you can just open up the case and look for the model number.

As for upgrading the video card, you should still see an improvement even if you don't upgrade the processor. Just stick with a mild upgrade. Either a GTX 460 or HD 6850 would be over twice as fast as your 9600GT and are reasonably priced. If you find out you can stick a quad core in your machine, then you can go up to a GTX 560 or HD 6950.

 

[TheMason]

You might be able to upgrade the processor to a quad core, which is what I would recommend, but it doesn't sound likely:

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/desktop/f/3514/p/19247282/19390983.aspx



You need to figure out what motherboard you have. CPU-Z might tell you, or you can just open up the case and look for the model number.

As for upgrading the video card, you should still see an improvement even if you don't upgrade the processor. Just stick with a mild upgrade. Either a GTX 460 or HD 6850 would be over twice as fast as your 9600GT and are reasonably priced. If you find out you can stick a quad core in your machine, then you can go up to a GTX 560 or HD 6950.

i think i can, i read the link and the kid didnt have a powerful enough PSU and i think mine is 350 watt which is what the quad needs. Ill make sure though before i did try it. And would the quad plus the hd 6950 be able to play upcoming pc games? or is there anything else you could recommend

 

[chihlidog]

i think i can, i read the link and the kid didnt have a powerful enough PSU and i think mine is 350 watt which is what the quad needs. Ill make sure though before i did try it. And would the quad plus the hd 6950 be able to play upcoming pc games? or is there anything else you could recommend

I wouldnt try the cpu and the 6950 on a 350 watt PSU dude. I totally understand needing to keep costs down, but in your situation, you say you want a gaming PC with good parts and you wanna be able to run the latest games (presumably at high settings) you're better off just building a new rig.

My suggestion - the fs/ft forum here. You could build a very decent rig with people's used parts and save a lot.