Help me upgrade

[44fox44]

Hi

I'm getting my brothers old pc in a months time as he upgraded. For years I've been gaming
on laptops, currently mines got a hd 3470m so almost anything will be an improvement.

no name basic case
msi g41m e43
2x2gb 1333mhz ddr3
core 2 quad 2.66
sapphire ati x1950 pro ddr3
550wat psu
no hdd
Asus VE228H 22" Widescreen

I believe as it was it scored about 10k on 3dmark03
windows 7 rated it cpu - 7.2. ram - 7.2- graphics - 6.0

I do not really have a budget, I was thinking of spending £180 and upgrading the graphics card to a 6850 or 6870 and getting a hdd. If theres problems with this setup or areas where a little money will make a big improvement , I can up the money to £200-300.

I would like to be able to play crysis and similar in hd at high settings and any and all new games also in hd but at lower but acceptable settings.

 

[Reaper 392]

most of the major stuff looks pretty good to me, but as you said a graphics card upgrade is a must if your going to be gaming.

before i can recommend could you tell me what make and model the PSU is (theres a hell of a difference between different 550W PSUs)

 

[44fox44]

I cant remember, my little brother came from south afrika to visit me about 4years ago. We bought it at Stratford computer fair but I can safely say it wasn't that expensive maybe £20-30

 

[mp260767]

We bought it at Stratford computer fair but I can safely say it wasn't that expensive maybe £20-30

get a new psu before you invest in a new graphics card then .

if you can stretch to it have a look at something like the following, included a cooler to help see if you can overclock the quad core.

new case is included just in case your current one isn't big enough to take the graphics card.

Sapphire ATI Radeon HD 6870 1024MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card with FREE DIRT3 & Deus Ex PC Games £133.99 (£111.66)

BeQuiet Efficient Power 600W '80 Plus Gold' Power Supply £64.99 (£54.16)

BitFenix Shinobi Gaming Case - Black £49.99 (£41.66)

Gelid Tranquillo CPU Cooler (Socket 754/939/940/AM2/AM2+/AM3/LGA775/LGA1155/LGA1156/LGA1366) £25.99 (£21.66)

Sub Total : £229.14
Shipping : £11.75
VAT : £48.18
Total : £289.07

 

[44fox44]

Thanks

Think Ill get the most of that and a hdd which te system dont have. Wont buy a case as I got a gtx460 fitted into it just to make sure that theres enough space in the case for a 6870

 

[stulid]

Thats a nice setup above (the Gold rated PSU will also help save money on the electricity bill)

The length of the card - http://www.sapphiretech.com/presentation/product/?cid=1&gid=3&sgid=1037&pid=1270&psn=&lid=1&leg=0#

Dimension 250(L)x115(W)x40(H) mm Size.

 

[44fox44]

Thats a nice setup above (the Gold rated PSU will also help save money on the electricity bill)

The length of the card - http://www.sapphiretech.com/presentation/product/?cid=1&gid=3&sgid=1037&pid=1270&psn=&lid=1&leg=0#

Is the psu a must, I feel thats £60 that can rather be spent on a new gaming mouse or something. The system has got a cheap 550 psu and If thats not enough isnt a ocuk swift useable?

 

[stulid]

It is a must as you are using a £20'ish cheapo PSU.

Rule#1 of OCUK Club,

Never ever skimp on the PSU quality.

 

[44fox44]

It is a must as you are using a £20'ish cheapo PSU.

Rule#1 of OCUK Club,

Never ever skimp on the PSU quality.

Ok thanks

Whats your opinion on this one, I can get it for the same price as the suggested 600 watt psu - XFX 650W 80+ Bronze Certified Single Rail

 

[stulid]

Let the reviews from two of the best PSU testing sites do the talking,

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/XFX-PRO-650-W-Power-Supply-Review/1165
http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=216

 

[44fox44]

Thanks, Ill spend some time on those sites tonight, I just finished watching a review of the psu on youtube by motherboardsorg. He mentioned 650w is enough for upto dual 6870 but no more. So I might be better of investing a bit more for higher wattage just in-case I need more power in the future