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Upgrade or replace PC?
alexalexalex
Posts: 123 Forumite
in Techie Stuff
My current PC is a 3 year old Dell Studio 540 which, while its served me well for the last few years, is starting to show its age.
It performs well enough on day to day stuff like browsing etc but gaming is getting to be a big no-no. I can handle games like Football Manager ok (though there's a fair bit or whirring and grunting when there's a lot of data to process in between matches) but anything more graphically intensive runs at pretty much a snails pace so my question is:
What's going to be the easiest and most cost-effective way of getting my system up to speed so i can play more modern games (Modern Warfare 3 and Battlefield 3 are the big ones that spring to mind)
Main specs are:
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo E8400 processor (3.00GHz, 1333MHz, 6MB cache)
2048MB RAM
500GB 7200rpm SATA HD
256mb ATI Radeon HD 3450
The graphics card is a half height one but i've been told the case will take a full size one so if i upgraded the RAM and graphics card would that be enough to make much of a difference?
Would i be able to do a more 'thorough' upgrade salvaging parts from my current system? (as in, do the above and also replace the motherboard and CPU?) or is my only realistic option to get shot of this system and start fresh?
any suggestions welcome
It performs well enough on day to day stuff like browsing etc but gaming is getting to be a big no-no. I can handle games like Football Manager ok (though there's a fair bit or whirring and grunting when there's a lot of data to process in between matches) but anything more graphically intensive runs at pretty much a snails pace so my question is:
What's going to be the easiest and most cost-effective way of getting my system up to speed so i can play more modern games (Modern Warfare 3 and Battlefield 3 are the big ones that spring to mind)
Main specs are:
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo E8400 processor (3.00GHz, 1333MHz, 6MB cache)
2048MB RAM
500GB 7200rpm SATA HD
256mb ATI Radeon HD 3450
The graphics card is a half height one but i've been told the case will take a full size one so if i upgraded the RAM and graphics card would that be enough to make much of a difference?
Would i be able to do a more 'thorough' upgrade salvaging parts from my current system? (as in, do the above and also replace the motherboard and CPU?) or is my only realistic option to get shot of this system and start fresh?
any suggestions welcome
0
Comments
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well the processor is fine in general, and 2gb of ram is acceptable - got to remember unless you are running a 64 bit operating system you can only use a maximum of (in real life) 3.5gb of ram and that includes any RAM on a graphics card - theoretical max is 4gb but i have never come accross one that gives you that amount to work with, and hard drives are hard drives
the graphics card sucks as you probably have gathered, however your biggest draw back on this will be the case and the psu - since any decent graphics card will require more power than the 3450 so if you can find out what wattage the psu is and if you have any spare connectors that would help work out the potential for an upgradeDrop a brand challenge
on a £100 shop you might on average get 70 items save
10p per product = £7 a week ~ £28 a month
20p per product = £14 a week ~ £56 a month
30p per product = £21 a week ~ £84 a month (or in other words one weeks shoping at the new price)0 -
alexalexalex wrote: »Main specs are:
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo E8400 processor (3.00GHz, 1333MHz, 6MB cache)
2048MB RAM
500GB 7200rpm SATA HD
256mb ATI Radeon HD 3450
The graphics card is a half height one but i've been told the case will take a full size one so if i upgraded the RAM and graphics card would that be enough to make much of a difference?
Would i be able to do a more 'thorough' upgrade salvaging parts from my current system? (as in, do the above and also replace the motherboard and CPU?) or is my only realistic option to get shot of this system and start fresh?
any suggestions welcome
so basically if you do all this, you really mean buy a new one
...and with the spec you've got, I'll be glad to give it a new home for you when you get the new one - it makes my 6-y-o Semperon system sound like a snail in comparison ......Gettin' There, Wherever There is......
I have a dodgy "i" key, so ignore spelling errors due to "i" issues, ...I blame Apple0 -
there is a site called overclockers not sure if .com or not. My OH uses it loads and there is a forum where you can ask a question on this type of thing. He has built many a PC of his own over the years and repaired and upgraded the many ones we have had or do have. He is into role play games big time. Am sure that they will give you some very good advice.alexalexalex wrote: »My current PC is a 3 year old Dell Studio 540 which, while its served me well for the last few years, is starting to show its age.
It performs well enough on day to day stuff like browsing etc but gaming is getting to be a big no-no. I can handle games like Football Manager ok (though there's a fair bit or whirring and grunting when there's a lot of data to process in between matches) but anything more graphically intensive runs at pretty much a snails pace so my question is:
What's going to be the easiest and most cost-effective way of getting my system up to speed so i can play more modern games (Modern Warfare 3 and Battlefield 3 are the big ones that spring to mind)
Main specs are:
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo E8400 processor (3.00GHz, 1333MHz, 6MB cache)
2048MB RAM
500GB 7200rpm SATA HD
256mb ATI Radeon HD 3450
The graphics card is a half height one but i've been told the case will take a full size one so if i upgraded the RAM and graphics card would that be enough to make much of a difference?
Would i be able to do a more 'thorough' upgrade salvaging parts from my current system? (as in, do the above and also replace the motherboard and CPU?) or is my only realistic option to get shot of this system and start fresh?
any suggestions welcome0 -
Graphics card is a bit lame. Changing that will make a difference but don't scrimp. Tomshardware.co.uk has good reviews and does tests in different price brackets.0
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ok, so with a decent graphics card (and potentially a new PSU) i should be able to keep up with the current crop of games?
how do i go about finding out which cards will fit in my case and are compatible with what ive already got?
edit: after a bit of a Google it would appear that an ATI Radeon HD 4670 might be a suitable choice for my system and wouldn't need any other modifications (i dont think)
does anyone have any experience or opinions on this card? anything i should know? particular model? any other suggestions?0 -
if your psu is good enough go for something with more grunt, the 4670 is 'ok' for low level and low details games but you will not be able to dial the settings up and get all the eye candy and there are some games which will not even run on it such as the witcher 2 as that has a minimum graphics card of the 8800gt which is according to this http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/fastest-graphics-card-radeon-geforce,3067-7.html is 2 'levels' higher in performanceDrop a brand challenge
on a £100 shop you might on average get 70 items save
10p per product = £7 a week ~ £28 a month
20p per product = £14 a week ~ £56 a month
30p per product = £21 a week ~ £84 a month (or in other words one weeks shoping at the new price)0 -
if your psu is good enough go for something with more grunt, the 4670 is 'ok' for low level and low details games but you will not be able to dial the settings up and get all the eye candy
I'm quite prepared to replace the PSU along with the graphics card if it will make a big difference and still keep the costs well below what it would be to go for an entirely new system but my main reservation is how do i know which PSU/graphics card my current set up (mainly meaning the case) can take?0 -
well a case is pretty easy to replace if it might be a problem,
for example this is generally acceptable and would cover both case and PSU 'problems' although you would be better checking out the psu wattage first before spending any money (you can also measure the case if you have worries on size for a graphics card) http://www.ebuyer.com/220863-coolermaster-elite-330-case-with-coolermaster-extreme-power-500w-psu-rc-330-kkpl-gp - ok the PSU would not power the top of the range graphics card (only has a single 6 pin pci-e connector) but it will power most mid-high graphics cardsDrop a brand challenge
on a £100 shop you might on average get 70 items save
10p per product = £7 a week ~ £28 a month
20p per product = £14 a week ~ £56 a month
30p per product = £21 a week ~ £84 a month (or in other words one weeks shoping at the new price)0 -
well a case is pretty easy to replace if it might be a problem,
for example this is generally acceptable and would cover both case and PSU 'problems' although you would be better checking out the psu wattage first before spending any money (you can also measure the case if you have worries on size for a graphics card) http://www.ebuyer.com/220863-coolermaster-elite-330-case-with-coolermaster-extreme-power-500w-psu-rc-330-kkpl-gp - ok the PSU would not power the top of the range graphics card (only has a single 6 pin pci-e connector) but it will power most mid-high graphics cards
Great idea! so simple - i can just get a new case, swap all the guts from my current PC over and get any decent graphics card i want :T (it is that simple right?)
Thats a much better compromise between a new system and a tricky upgrade with what i already have
It does open a whole new can of worms though about what case/graphics card to get... the case you linked to looks great for my needs (not that i know any different ) but would any card fit in there? would i be able to transfer all my current components to any case? And, as im sure you dont want to lead me by the hand the whole time, how do i know what card will be compatible with my current set up and case?
edit: The Radeon HD 6870 seems to be getting some good reviews and would (just about) be in my price range - would that be a good option?0 -
alexalexalex wrote: »Great idea! so simple - i can just get a new case, swap all the guts from my current PC over and get any decent graphics card i want :T (it is that simple right?)
Thats a much better compromise between a new system and a tricky upgrade with what i already have
It does open a whole new can of worms though about what case/graphics card to get... the case you linked to looks great for my needs (not that i know any different ) but would any card fit in there? would i be able to transfer all my current components to any case? And, as im sure you dont want to lead me by the hand the whole time, how do i know what card will be compatible with my current set up and case?
edit: The Radeon HD 6870 seems to be getting some good reviews and would (just about) be in my price range - would that be a good option?
well in basic terms, yes it should be that simple however i would still suggest you chec out your current PSU as if you can slot a GPU stright in, it would be a cheaper upgrade.
as to 'hand holding' i dont mind helping at all (its why we stay on the forums) however i might suggest checking out a couple of other forums for your more specific hardware questions as you might get some more options than just what i think (options are always good) i personally find bit-tech a very good computer site and forum http://forums.bit-tech.net/forumdisplay.php?f=30
as to you upgrade http://www.ebuyer.com/127584-coolermaster-elite-330-black-mid-tower-case-rc-330 is a very good case (without a PSU) and very easy to work in and should fit in most graphics cards - or it has every time i have worked in one
and the 6870 is a very good card, however be warned that most 6870's require 2, 6 pin pci-e power connectors - meaning the psu included in my first option isnt perfect - you can get converters but i prefer not to use converters and get something thats set up for what i need,
and if its towards the top end of your budget it might be better looking at the ati/amd 6850 or the nvidia gtx 460Drop a brand challenge
on a £100 shop you might on average get 70 items save
10p per product = £7 a week ~ £28 a month
20p per product = £14 a week ~ £56 a month
30p per product = £21 a week ~ £84 a month (or in other words one weeks shoping at the new price)0
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