Time to upgrade-- But a little confused..

[happy medium]

22" and 1440x900, this is current.. I don't know if it changes when hooked to a different machine (it's plugged into my laptop right now, via VGA) Hope that didn't make me sound stupid... :\

Look in your display properties and see if you can turn it up to 1600x1050.
A 22 inch monitor should easily do that.

Edit: ANy way this is about what you'll be looking at price and power wise.

GTX 460 768 170$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125334

Corsair 500 watt psu 60$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139018

 

[DylnCox]

Awesome thank you VERY much!!

Also, Toyota... You're correct, all I stated was that my CPU was an Intel Core 2 Duo, I have no idea what GHz it is, as it's taken apart and my memory isn't the greatest, sorry.

 

[happy medium]

Awesome thank you VERY much!!

Also, Toyota... You're correct, all I stated was that my CPU was an Intel Core 2 Duo, I have no idea what GHz it is, as it's taken apart and my memory isn't the greatest, sorry.

That combo will run most any game at a decent framerate at your resolution.
Get back to us and we can show you how to overclock that card and get 20% more performance, depending on your cpu speed.

 

[Cheesetogo]

I can't say this with certainty, but I don't think you'll be able to upgrade your power supply. Most Dell computers that I've worked with have non-standard power supplies. Usually the plugs are all normal, but you might not be able to physically fit a new one into your computer.

However, the 350W PSU your dell has now would probably be able to handle a midrange card without any issues. You might need to get an adapter if the new card requires external power from a PCI-E cord, but I don't think you really need to get a new power supply.

 

[happy medium]

I can't say this with certainty, but I don't think you'll be able to upgrade your power supply. Most Dell computers that I've worked with have non-standard power supplies. Usually the plugs are all normal, but you might not be able to physically fit a new one into your computer.

However, the 350W PSU your dell has now would probably be able to handle a midrange card without any issues. You might need to get an adapter if the new card requires external power from a PCI-E cord, but I don't think you really need to get a new power supply.

This is true but I thought that was older Dells? I thought newer ones were easier to upgrade?

EDIT: Yes he can upgrade....
http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/desktop/f/3514/p/19246757/19388793.aspx

 

[Cheesetogo]

I did a little more research. It appears that there are 2 versions of the 530 -- a slim case and a regular one. As far as I can tell from Google, the regular one uses a standard power supply. And with a GTX 460, it's probably not a bad idea to step up to something larger.

 

[happy medium]

DyINCOX, If you want to go the cheaper route and still get 65% as much performance as the combo I gave you, you can just buy a 5750 and call it a day.
No new power supply needed and still WAY, WAY faster then your current card. (2x to 3x faster).
It should perform well at your resolution, I should know I have one.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-309-_-Product

Just plug ,replace drivers, and play.

 

[happy medium]

I did a little more research. It appears that there are 2 versions of the 530 -- a slim case and a regular one. As far as I can tell from Google, the regular one uses a standard power supply. And with a GTX 460, it's probably not a bad idea to step up to something larger.

The guy is in high school and dont have that kind of cash ,I'm guessing?

 

[DylnCox]

The guy is in high school and dont have that kind of cash ,I'm guessing?

Correct. : )

 

[TurtleCrusher]

What core2duo do you have?

You can right click on your Computer icon and then go to properties. It should be on the first screen.

If you have a very low end C2duo, you might want to buy a budget cpu and a budget gpu rather than having an unbalanced system.

 

[betasub]

What core2duo do you have?

You can right click on your Computer icon and then go to properties. It should be on the first screen.

all I stated was that my CPU was an Intel Core 2 Duo, I have no idea what GHz it is, as it's taken apart and my memory isn't the greatest, sorry.

OK, so you are using a laptop. As your desktop is in pieces, you can actually read off the code from the IHS on the CPU to identify it.

 

[DylnCox]

OK, so you are using a laptop. As your desktop is in pieces, you can actually read off the code from the IHS on the CPU to identify it.

Exactly, but I'll look when I get home and post it

 

[DEFIANT!]

I think that a more relevant question was asked earlier and blown past: Which form factor is the PC? If it's the smaller of the two, getting low-profile cards are going to be the least of his problems. Getting a PSU rated higher than his current one, for instance, will be damn-near impossible without going the Frankenstein route...thus limiting his upgrade path.

 

[Martimus]

Maybe a ATI HD 5670, so you don't need to upgrade your PSU? While it is slower than the 460, it is much faster than your current card, and you wouldn't need to pony up for a new Power Supply. It is probably the fastest card that would work with your current power limitations.

If you have the extra money, you can purchase a better PSU and have a lot more options.

 

[happy medium]

Maybe a ATI HD 5670, so you don't need to upgrade your PSU? While it is slower than the 460, it is much faster than your current card, and you wouldn't need to pony up for a new Power Supply. It is probably the fastest card that would work with your current power limitations.

If you have the extra money, you can purchase a better PSU and have a lot more options.

A 5750 will work with his psu.

 

[DylnCox]

Okay, went ahead and looked at my CPU chip, it's an Intel Core 2 Duo E4500

EDIT: The thinner version is the Inspiron 530s. Mine is the Inspiron 530, here is a picture of the one I have.

 

[TurtleCrusher]

Did you take the fan off and look at the CPU?

If so, did you put on some new thermal paste?

 

[DylnCox]

Did you take the fan off any look at the CPU?

If so, did you put on some new thermal paste?

Yes I took the fan off and got the model.. I have not put the thermal paste on yet, it's not being used and it won't be until I put the thermal paste back on. Thanks for making sure I knew though!

 

[toyota]

Okay, went ahead and looked at my CPU chip, it's an Intel Core 2 Duo E4500

EDIT: The thinner version is the Inspiron 530s. Mine is the Inspiron 530, here is a picture of the one I have.

that is a pretty slow cpu. I would just keep your power supply and get something like a 5750 or gts450. next week prices should be a bit lower on those cards too.

 

[DylnCox]

That suits me

 

[toyota]

And like I said.. I don't want anything extreme right now.. Just a setup that will run ARMA 2 smoothly... And right now, I don't want to shell out the money for all this stuff, a PSU & Graphics Card will be fine... But not a processor, just yet.

well most really cpu intensive games are not going to run smoothly on decent settings no matter what gpu you buy. you are going to have to keep settings low in those type games because many of them have an impact on cpu performance.

 

[DylnCox]

well most really cpu intensive games are not going to run smoothly on decent settings no matter what gpu you buy. you are going to have to keep settings low in those type games because many of them have an impact on cpu performance.

Lovely... CPU hogs....

 

[DylnCox]

that is a pretty slow cpu. I would just keep your power supply and get something like a 5750 or gts450. next week prices should be a bit lower on those cards too.

Of the two you just mentioned, which one is "Better".

 

[happy medium]

Of the two you just mentioned, which one is "Better".

gts450 but there about even. Go for the cheapest one ,but I would go for the 5750 it uses less power.

 

[toyota]

Of the two you just mentioned, which one is "Better".

both are about the same but the 5750 is cheaper and uses less power. again wait till next week as prices should get even better.