Upgrade or build new?

[jliang78]

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
Web browsing and gaming. I want to be able to play GW2 on some decent settings. I can play diablo 3 with my current setup but i'm at a 800x600 resolution with some medium settings...not fun.

2. What YOUR budget is.
I was going to use mfenn's thread to build a 1k system. I just want to see if its worth it to upgrade my current system.

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
USA

4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc.
NONE

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
Look below

6. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
default speeds

7. What resolution will you be using?
1600x1200...i think thats the max resolution for my monitor

8. WHEN do you plan to build it?
Right now.

So here's my current system:
XPS 630 built back in 2008
Q6600 2.4
1GB GeForce GTS 250
4GB RAM
Vista 32-bit(dont laugh)

Basically if I wanted to hang with my friends on GW2 on some decent settings would it be worthwhile price wise to upgrade my current system or just build a new one? I'm thinking if get Windows 7 64-bit, double my ram, and replace my video card I should be good to go for a year? My mobo is Crossfire SLI compatible so thats a plus. Thoughts?

 

[Remobz]

What is your mobo brand and type?

 

[lehtv]

Upgrade the GPU to HD 7850 2GB and overclock the CPU to 3.5Ghz or so. Need aftermarket cooling. Since your mobo is CF/SLI compatible I'd expect it to overclock ok as well. If you can add fans on the Dell case that'd be a plus.

If you're unhappy with the performance, you can move the aftermarket cooling and the new graphics card into a new system

 

[Ken g6]

I'm thinking if get Windows 7 64-bit, double my ram, and replace my video card I should be good to go for a year?

I'm thinking it's not worthwhile to add more DDR2 RAM to your system. If you need faster data access, consider an SSD.

Just upgrading your GPU would make a huge difference. On the other hand, your power supply may limit you, if it's a stock PSU from a Dell. A 7770 wouldn't take more power than your GTS 250, and would be much faster, if you want to spend the minimum to upgrade.

Have you considered overclocking your current CPU?

 

[jliang78]

The mobo is a NVIDIA nForce 650I SLI. I'll be using the Kingston HyperX 120GB SSD drive as I was able to nab one when it went on sale. Since I've never overclocked before I'm kinda hesitant to jump into all that.

The PSU is the default 750 W one. Would I need to upgrade that as well if I decide to go with a 7770?

 

[lehtv]

750W should be plenty but generic 750W units can't supply anywhere near their rated wattage. Chances are it'd be fine regardless because you only need around 300-400W to overclock heavily and power a 7770/7850. Do you have a model name or product number or something? The +12V specs are particularly important.

 

[jliang78]

This is all I could find in the documentation. Once I go home I'll check the PSU itself.

Wattage 750 W
Heat dissipation 750 W: 2559.1 BTU/hr​

Voltage auto-sensing power supply—90 V to 265 V at 50/60 Hz​

Backup battery 3-V CR2032 lithium coin cell

 

[jliang78]

The PSU is a dell part. The +12VDC is listed at 732W.

 

[lehtv]

OK. It should be just fine for a new graphics card and CPU overclocking. As stated, you won't be using more than around 300W of that +12V spec anyway

 

[lakedude]

I agree with all the above. DDR2 is ridiculously expensive so fortunately 4GB is enough (barely).

I've got a HD-7850 that uses not much in the way of power. Total system power is under 200 watts while gaming, highest I've seen is 260 watts or so running furmark and linbench at the same time. Your power should be similar. At any rate a 750 watt power supply should be more than enough.

If you wanted to blow $400 on a card the nVidia GTX 670 is wonderful...

CPUs are important but that Q6600 is okay.

Vista is not bad at all. My old Vista gaming system has been running Folding@home or BOINC 24/7 for years and that system has been rock solid.

I say video card, over clock if you can. Skip the ram and W7.

All and all your upgraded system should be fine for gaming.

Overclocking on a Dell, good luck with that.

Now if you got money burning a hole in your pocket...

 

[mfenn]

I tend to agree with the posters above. While you would certainly get a big benefit from building a new machine from the ground up, you could get 70% of that benefit (for gaming purposes) by just upgrading the video card to something of 7850 caliber.

 

[jliang78]

Thanks for all the helpful advice! Much appreciated!

 

[ElFenix]

apparently the xps 630 is overclockable.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31G4_Mj_UIY

 

[shadow_k]

GPU upgrade is the only thing you need to see hugh boost. the games you listed dont require much CPU usage. get win 7 64bit when win 8 comes out