How can I impove my computer?

Zephyz

Zephyz

Zephyz

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Joined
24 Dec 2011
Posts
125
1. Processor (CPU) - Intel i3-2100
2. Motherboard - Asus P8H61-M LE/USB3
3. Memory (RAM) - 4GB Single Channel
4. Hard drive(s) - 500GB HDD SATA
5. Graphics card(s) -Intel Intergrated graphis
6. Power supply (PSU) - A generic cheap PSU from my local computer store - £15
7. Case - A standard black one
8. CPU cooler - Stock cooler
9. Case fans - I've got 4 but not sure what size

Budget is £230

I want to improve my computer to play games at a higher FPS.
 
YOUR BASKET
1 x MSI HD 6850 "Dual Fan Edition" 1024MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card £83.99
1 x Sandisk Ultra SSD 120GB 2.5" SATA II Solid State Hard Drive - (SDSSDH-120G-G25) £71.99
1 x OCZ ZS Series 550W '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply £49.99
1 x Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (BLS2CP4G3D1609DS1S00CEU) £38.39
Total : £256.36 (includes shipping : £10.00).



You really need to lose that cheapo PSU. RJC has done a good job recommending upgrades.

I've used a cheaper GPU, you can OC this to nigh on 6870 performance very easily (£120 GPU). 8GB of 1600mhz RAM, you could add 4GB to match your current kit, then you are running dual channel. The SSD is only sataII, so not as rapid as a sataIII SSD. It does however have ample room for the OS,apps and games.

Obviously this is over what you'd like to spend. The SSD could be removed from the spec to keep the price down. It's easy enough to add one later, a sataIII one perhaps :) Although it doesnt improve your FPS, the OS will respond quicker and games will load quicker.

Hope this helps, any questions you know where to find us
 
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RJC said:
Actually, do you know the details of the 4gb stick in your machine, it might be better to purchase a single 4gb module.

Range of single channel memory:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/productlist.php?groupid=701&catid=8&subid=1180
Click to expand...

Sadly.. I'm not too sure. I remember getting as a replacement for a 8gb ram single channel someone gave me. I know it's 240 pin and 1333Mhz. I don't mind shelling out some more. What kind of settings on games would I be able to play at with this graphics card at 1280x1024
 
Zephyz said:
Sadly.. I'm not too sure. I remember getting as a replacement for a 8gb ram single channel someone gave me. I know it's 240 pin and 1333Mhz. I don't mind shelling out some more. What kind of settings on games would I be able to play at with this graphics card at 1280x1024
Click to expand...

Very high without issue :)

If its possible their should be a sticker on the memory module or run CPU-Z and this show the details.

http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html
 
Seeing as you're running off integrated graphics atm, any semi decent gpu is going to give a MASSIVE performance boost. Also, as others have said, get rid of that nasty cheap psu. RJC's first post is a very good shout.
 
Zephyz said:
Sadly.. I'm not too sure. I remember getting as a replacement for a 8gb ram single channel someone gave me. I know it's 240 pin and 1333Mhz. I don't mind shelling out some more. What kind of settings on games would I be able to play at with this graphics card at 1280x1024
Click to expand...

Download cpu-z from the link. install and open. Click on SPD. Then click the drop down box and select the slot the stick is install in. This will tell you make and model number of your ram stick. Easier than having to open the case.

http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html
 
Razor-BladE said:
Seeing as you're running off integrated graphics atm, any semi decent gpu is going to give a MASSIVE performance boost. Also, as others have said, get rid of that nasty cheap psu. RJC's first post is a very good shout.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I will buy RJC's one soon. Thank you RJC, Razor-BladE, honosuseri, idleman for helping me.
 
Zephyz said:
Sadly.. I'm not too sure. I remember getting as a replacement for a 8gb ram single channel someone gave me. I know it's 240 pin and 1333Mhz. I don't mind shelling out some more. What kind of settings on games would I be able to play at with this graphics card at 1280x1024
Click to expand...

To be honest at 1280x1024 the 560ti is overkill, still a nice card though.

YOUR BASKET
1 x OcUK E2250SWDA 22" Widescreen LED Monitor - Black £89.99
1 x MSI HD 6850 "Dual Fan Edition" 1024MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card £83.99
1 x OCZ ZS Series 550W '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply £49.99
Total : £238.07 (includes shipping : £11.75).



How about that? A full HD monitor, the 6850 can be OC'd and you lose that nasty PSU. Remember you can run two screens from the GPU if you want to, so you can keep your old monitor as well, or flog it off to pay for some RAM. Adding RAM is really easy and you can see that it is reasonably cheap to.....ideal gift from someone later on in the year.....crimbo maybe ;)
 
honosuseri said:
To be honest at 1280x1024 the 560ti is overkill, still a nice card though.

YOUR BASKET
1 x OcUK E2250SWDA 22" Widescreen LED Monitor - Black £89.99
1 x MSI HD 6850 "Dual Fan Edition" 1024MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card £83.99
1 x OCZ ZS Series 550W '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply £49.99
Total : £238.07 (includes shipping : £11.75).



How about that? A full HD monitor, the 6850 can be OC'd and you lose that nasty PSU. Remember you can run two screens from the GPU if you want to, so you can keep your old monitor as well, or flog it off to pay for some RAM. Adding RAM is really easy and you can see that it is reasonably cheap to.....ideal gift from someone later on in the year.....crimbo maybe ;)
Click to expand...

Well.. seeing as my monitor only supports up to 1280x1024. Is there a huge difference between 6850 and 560ti
 
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Let me put it in perspective. I have a phenom II 555BE and a overclocked 460 in my HTPC. Your i3 CPU is better and the 6850 is roughly the same as the 460.

I can play BF3 on my HDTV in full HD (1920x1080) or 3D (@720P) with high-ultra custom settings quite happily.

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/540?vs=547

The 560ti is a lot more than the 6850. If we OC the 6850 to close to 6870 performance you can see the gap closes in FPS. Personally if I was shelling out £150 on a GPU, i'd like it to have 2GB of VRAM.....games are going to look to exploit this in the future (BF3 is notorious for being a VRAM hog) as 2GB is quickly becoming the standard on GPUs.

YOUR BASKET
1 x Sapphire HD 6950 OC "Dual Fan Edition" 2048MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card £169.99
Total : £180.79 (includes shipping : £9.00).



That GPU is more than the 560ti but I have seen them on offer for £150 and as you can see it has more VRAM. It's still complete overkill for your current monitor though.
 
honosuseri said:
Let me put it in perspective. I have a phenom II 555BE and a overclocked 460 in my HTPC. Your i3 CPU is better and the 6850 is roughly the same as the 460.

I can play BF3 on my HDTV in full HD (1920x1080) or 3D (@720P) with high-ultra custom settings quite happily.

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/540?vs=547

The 560ti is a lot more than the 6850. If we OC the 6850 to close to 6870 performance you can see the gap closes in FPS. Personally if I was shelling out £150 on a GPU, i'd like it to have 2GB of VRAM.....games are going to look to exploit this in the future (BF3 is notorious for being a VRAM hog) as 2GB is quickly becoming the standard on GPUs.

YOUR BASKET
1 x Sapphire HD 6950 OC "Dual Fan Edition" 2048MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card £169.99
Total : £180.79 (includes shipping : £9.00).



That GPU is more than the 560ti but I have seen them on offer for £150 and as you can see it has more VRAM. It's still complete overkill for your current monitor though.
Click to expand...

Oh okay, I see. Thank you very much.
 
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