Do I need to upgrade any components?

Voy06 · 12 Nov 2014 at 14:04

Hi, unsure what forum to ask this in so first of all PC specs:

Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
Intel Core i7 CPU 860 @ 2.8ghz
8.0GB ram
Nvidia GeForce GTS 240
1.75 TB hard drive

I play Civilization 5 (medium settings) on the PC quite regularly, now approx 1-2hrs into gameplay the PC goes from being quite silent in operation to quite loud and the game itself starts to slows down. I am assuming this is the graphics card struggling. My question is can I improve this, should I upgrade graphics card or any other component, should I look to maybe improve the cooling within the PC or is this just inevitable that this will happen.

Thanks for any advice.

Voy06 · 12 Nov 2014 at 14:20

Thanks for the advice so far. I would work to a budget of say £200-£300

Voy06 · 12 Nov 2014 at 18:20

Thanks for your advice, a new gfx card it is.

Voy06 · 12 Nov 2014 at 18:21

stulid said:
GFX card ASAP.

Which ever one you get check it fits into your case.

Is there anyway to know what type will fit in the case without opening the PC?

Voy06 · 12 Nov 2014 at 18:53

stulid said:
What case is it?

Go to the manufacturers website and it hopefully will have the clearance under specs.

Then go look at the card you want and gain look at the makers website for dimensions.

The PC is a Dell Studio XPS 8100.

Voy06 · 12 Nov 2014 at 19:42

tamzzy said:
op uses a dell. their mobos run a custom bios which will not overclock, nor will it accept a gpu other than on its whitelist

So i should probably get in touch with dell and find out what graphics card the 8100 will take?

Voy06 · 12 Nov 2014 at 20:06

I guess the moral of the story then is don't buy a dell pc. Thanks for your time folks.