First Time Poster, Upgrade Query

Loyalski

Loyalski

Loyalski

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Joined
18 Apr 2010
Posts
7
Evening all.

As the title states, this is my first post on the forums - so hello all! I've been looking to upgrade my PC for a while, having bough it at Do not mention competitiors! (Gulp) 3 years ago. The Model is a iMedia J2489. I'll include my specifications of my current system below.

I've been keeping the system running as smooth as possible, updating drivers where necessary, multiple cleaners, virus checks, and defrags to pull what I can out of the system. However, frankly, the computer just doesn't "cut the mustard" anymore. It was fine for playing my original obsession when I got it - WoW - but not having the time for it anymore, and turning to offline gaming, the outdated system is clearly coming to the "low end" of things. Whilst I can play things such as Dragon Age on medium (ish) settings, it struggles with other games, and being one who appreciates the graphical ability of RPGs and the like nowadays, I'd like to experience it first hand.

I don't necessarily have a strict budget, but being a post-grad student, money considerations are always at the forefront of any decision. I thought I'd ask here, as I've heard and read many things about the knowledge available here - any who better to ask than experts!

I'm really looking for advice on a step process. What to upgrade first, then what next etc. Basically, is there anything thats *really* holding back the system, or anything that is a major thing to update first? I do have a HDTV available, that I can hook up to any potential graphics card (which would be nice!)

If theres any advice available, then that'd be fantastic, and of course, thankyou in advance.

System specs:

OS: Vista Home Edition 32bit (SP2)
DX: 9.0c
Motherboard: Packard-Bell Cuba-MS-7301
Bios: Pheonix, 02/05/2007
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E4300 (Socket 775 LGA) @ 1.80Ghz
Memory: DDR2 2gb (1gbx2 in 2 slots) PC2-5300 (333mhz)
GPU: Nvidia Geforce 8600GT 256mb PCI-E
Power: No idea where to get the information, but its stock as installed originally!

Loyalski

Edit: Sorry mr.Mod
 
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Hi there, Welcome to the OCUk forums :)

Would this be your machine? If so, would you be able to make a note of what the sticker says on the Power Supply (box at the top, rear)?

The motherboards seems to be an MSI MS 7301 - that looks like it can only take up to 1033MHz FSB Core 2 Duos - so the maximum upgrade would be an E6xxx dual core - not exactly a massive step up. Also, the motherboard doesn't seem to support overclocking - so that is another option off the table.

What resolution is the monitor you use?

The graphics card is undoubtedly limiting you, and something nice like a 5770 would give you a big framerate boost - though you will have to check that the PSU can support it and it isn't too long for your case. The 5770 is 8.25 Inches long and uses a dual-slot cooler - you will want to make sure your system can accommodate that.

With 2GB RAM I would usually suggest upgrading to 4GB for gaming. However, your motherboard can only support 3GB, up to 533MHz DDR2 - so it really isn't worth the trouble.

In conclusion, I would suggest either of these courses of action:

1) if money is really tight, then upgrade the graphics now (a 5770 would be great) and save up for a full system rebuild. This should give you an immediate boost in your performance of your games.

2) If you can afford it, build a new system -so you won't be limited by the awful motherboard. Something like an i5 or an AMD X4 would be a great step up and allow for loads of future upgrades. If you go for this option, we will be happy to put together some a specs for you if you set an approximate budget.
 
Thanks for the reply C_A.

That certainly is my Machine. It seems for research the PSU is a FSP250-60Hen 250W PSU (at least, I believe so!). Im currently using 1280x1024 resolution, and I usually work and play games at the same resolution.

You're right about the motherboard, it doesnt seem very upgrade friendly. I believe im fairly limited in my options for that (same really!)

I'm not sure the 5770 would fit into my machine. I've been looking around, and was somewhat favouring a 9800gt, would that be an alternative upgrade option? Its also around the price that I'd find more acceptable (£135 for the 5770, £75-90 for the 9800gt).

I'm open to either option, I've thought about building my own rig before, but two things hold me back. No.1 - Spending all the money at the same time (and getting that money in the first place!)
No.2 - I've no idea how to build my own rig at all!

If it'd be a cheaper option in the long run, and especially if I could use things from my current PC, building my own rig would likely be the cheaper option (from what I know!).

Shame really, if I'd known about my options, I would have taken the cheaper/upgrade friendly option in the first place.

Loyalski
 
My pleasure :)

Unfortunately, that PSU won't support anything but the most basic graphics card - so a PSU upgrade would be required as well as the graphics card - just to provide a small upgrade. This makes me think that a new build would be a better focus of your money and effort.

No.1 Is a tough one.

No.2 is considerably easier. Have a look at this thread. It specifically deals with an i7 system - but all but a few minor things will be the same with any modern PC build - be it i7, i5, Phenom or whatever.

I do believe that building it yourself will be the best option in the long run. You can pick components that suit your needs precisely, you can choose only high quality kit with long warranties - so it won't break down as much and fixing it is cheap and you can overclock and upgrade - as the enthusiast kit isn't locked-down like the OEM stuff is.

One thing you could do is: buying a heavily over-specified PSU (like this excellent bit of kit) and the best GPU you can fit in the current case. This means you can run most modern games OK (you may be CPU limited in some situations). Then when you get more funds together you can take the PSU and GPU and build a new system with them at the heart.

Would you be able to get a ruler/tape measure out and see what the maximum length graphics card the case can take is and whether it will accept a dual-slot cooler?
 
If you're post grad and watching the pennies, and AMD system will be cheaper and might be more upgradable in the future as Intel tend to change sockets frequently :rolleyes:.

The PSU listed above is really very good, and the gfx & psu idea is rather good imo
 
Right, that may well be a viable idea. As a point to note, im currently looking at the "what components for £400" guide, stickied at the top of the forum. It seems pretty helpful, however, on checking a few prices atc, it does seem a little outdated - some are higher/lower (http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18060182).

In your expert opinion, is this still a viable build of PC for the same amount of money? Or are there (dare I say it, tongue in cheek) "Cheaper options" - i.e. swap out the Graphics card for a 9800gt etc?
Is there anything I can salvage from my current PC to save money - HDD possibly with the current information/windows installed?
Whilst it it certainly a viable, and very sound option to build my own PC, cost is the major thing to consider (in addition to the actual daunting task of building it - that guide was most helpful thankyou! And starting it - getting windows online, BIOS things etc)

I apologise for so many questions, however, its something I've meant to do for a long while now, and its interesting to finally get into it!

Again, thankyou for your help

Loyalski

Edit: I measure currently about 8-9 inches in the case (capacitors dont seem to be in the way)
 
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Hi Loyalski,

I too had a Packard Bell iMedia system that ran the same modo as yours and ran into problems when i tried to upgrade things..........

Firstly i was bought Crysis as an xmas pressy which just would not run on my system due to crappy graphic card so tried to up grade to the 8800gt which was back then the best budget card about but it wouldn't work in the iMedia.
At first i thought it was due to power so bought a new psu.......still didn't work, anyway after swapping a few other bits and a lot of googling it turns out (in a nut shell) that the mobo would not support anything else other that what the system came with.

So like you i decided to join the world of the system builder and salvaged what i could......which was the CPU (E6400) and the DVD drive.

Built a system on a tight budget around a Asus p5kc mobo and the E6400 and a 8800gt which served me well for a few years.......even did a bit of overclocking and go the E6400 running at 3.2 24/7.
Still use the system now but have swapped the E6400 for a Q6600 running at 3.4 and just about to change the graphic card for a HD 5770.

Building the systems is not really as hard as it sounds......just slot the bits into the right holes and as for the bios and windows general easy to set up as long as you don't start messing with things.........

Good luck and this forum is one of the best for info and help.
 
Thankyou for your reply Mc. I was thinking about keeping the CPU, but from what I've seen, AMD seem to come in cheaper, which on a budget build, might be better for me (though other than that, the difference between intel and AMD elludes me!).

So, it seems that for a full rig, I'll need:

Case: Xigmatek Asgard Midi Tower Case - Black ~ £25.99
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-MA770T-ES3 MA770 (AM3) DDR3 ~ £64.99
CPU: AMD Athlon II X2 Dual Core 250 3.00GHz (Socket AM3) ~ £54.99
OR, AMD Athlon II X2 Dual Core 245 2.90GHz (Socket AM3) ~ £51.99
OR, AMD Athlon II X2 Dual Core 240 2.80GHz (Socket AM3) ~ £46.99
Or, AMD Athlon II X4 Quad Core 630 2.80GHz (Socket AM3) ~ £82.99 (expensive though)
Memory: OCZ 4GB (2x2GB) PC3-10666 DDR3 SODIMM (I think!) ~ £70.49
OR, Patriot Viper 4GB (2x2GB) DDR2 PC2-6400C4 Dual Channel ~ £77.98
(Not sure which would fit really, thats something I don't quite understand)
GPU: GeForce 9800 GT Green Edition 512MB GDDR3 PCI-Express ~ £76.99
HDD: Western Digital Caviar Blue 250GB SATA-II 16MB Cache ~ £36.99
PSU: OCZ StealthXStream 500w Silent Power Supply ~ £45.99
DVD: Samsung SH-S223C/BEBE 22x DVD±RW SATA ReWriter ~ £14.99

Anything else, I'm unsure of - student deal on Windows 7 hopefully at £50 odd.

In total I make that:
£388.42 + Windows = £438.42.

Might reuse the graphics card, possible 1 stick of memory, and my HDD, which will hopefully save some money. This is something I'll have to consider carefully for a while, and see if I can save enough to justify it.

In the mean time, from my very, very amateur position, is there anything to change either for better performance, or better value?
 
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