Upgrading from my Alienware X51...where to start??

Bald and Beardy

Bald and Beardy

Bald and Beardy

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23 May 2017
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Bristol
I bought the micro Alienware X51 when i came back from travelling as i did not have the cash to go full out and build my own PC, but wanted something powerful enough to get me started. Three years later, it has been great, I can play Witcher 3 on mid/low settings and many others but i now want to a more powerful machine so i can fully experience games in high graphics as they were made to be played!

I know most of the parts in my X51, but not all of them, so excuse my lack of knowledge. I love PC gaming, but building/modding a PC is new territory.

This is my current set up/what i know about my system:

Alienware X51: Standard Base
NVIDIA(R) GeForce(R) GTX 745 w ith 4GB DDR3
Power Cord - UK
240W AC Adaptor
1TB (64MB Cache) 7200 RPM SATA 6Gb/s
8GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 1600M hz (2x4GB)
4th Generation Intel(R) Core(T M) i5-4460 processor (6MB Cach e, up to 3.4GHz)
BENQ Zowie RL2755 monitor
Razer blackwidow Counterlogic Gaming keyboard
Razer Mamba mouse

Im not sure on the motherboard inside, probably an Alienware own brand...

I have the NZXT S340 case ordered, and i know ill need a new power supply with about 550W, but after that not really sure what to start with next.

I do not want to fork out loads of cash straight away, im happy to buy parts each month to build this. Advice therefore needed on prioritizing parts...
 
I do realize that i may not be able to do a full swap from the X51 to a new case, however i want to move as much as i can to begin with, buy the missing pieces and then work up from there.

It may be that a new motherboard is the first thing i need to replace, and then onto memory or GPU from there - what do you think?

My biggest question on replacing parts is the GPU, im really not sure how much to spend or what to upgrade it to, there are so many options out there.

I guess the only way to find out is to start taking it apart and seeing what i can get into the NZXT when it arrives tomorrow. Fully committed to a rebuild so i'll do what i need to.
 
@orbitalwalsh

Thanks for the two options.

As much as i would like to go for the higher end option, i just bought a house so going to have to work up to a really high spec model. The prices of the components in the lower price basket is what i was looking at paying for each component, around those prices anyway.

@varkanoid I know im not making it easy without a budget, i guess because i had not thought about one yet. A budget, to replace the components you mentioned i would be willing to look at around £600.

I have the cash but there a lot of outgoings, hence my reluctance to just pay all at once. I know that i won't nessessairily see massive jumps in performance until all the components are upgraded, but in order of priority? PSU im getting tomorrow, then? Motherboard, RAM then GPU?

Really appreciate all this advice guys!
 
When choosing a motherboard and GPU, what should i be looking form, are their specific factors or specifications that i should look to have? I know budget will restrict me here.
 
After doing a bit of research i am almost there with my upgrade spec, but opinions would be good before i order.

NXZXT 330 case
MSI B350 GAMING PLUS AMD Socket AM4 Motherboard
Cooler Master G550M 550W Modular 80+ Bronze PSU
MSI Nvidea GTX 980

With the graphics card, there are 'used' ones available for half the regular price. Is it too risky going for used, or a great deal and worth snatching up?

**edited to remove links to other sites
 
Last edited:
@David Bisset

I did not realize about the links, i have edited that now, thanks for the heads up.

And yes i put the wrong link in, the motherboard i am looking at is from MSI.

Is buying a 'used', refurbished or repackaged video card acceptable, or is that too risky; item has been used a lot or damaged?
 
@EsaT thanks for that advice, ill look at both those options.

Last question for now... If I can get a very decent price on a repackaged high spec card, is it worth it over a brand new one?

Im looking for the MSI NVIDIA GTX 980 4 GB but struggling to find it new, its also over my budget brand new.
 
I had not really thought about getting a new CPU, and would not know where or what to look for.

I am pretty sure i need to upgrade my system, those reasons are 1) i have 7GB left of my 1TB hard drive.and no additional space for an additional one, im uninstalling games to make space for new ones or just not buying new games because i have no space and don't want to uninstall the ones i have. This makes me believe that i need more space for an additional hard drive, maybe a SSD. 2) i am struggling to run new games on high+ graphics and not getting the most out of the games because of that. So a new video card. 3) i only have two RAM slots on the mini motherboard in the X51, no room to expand there either.

Computer is running a lot slower than it used to, and i have got 3 years out of it, feel its time for an upgrade and make it a big more future proof.

Open to recommendations on parts, heres my budget from doing some research

motherboard £100-£130
Video card £250-£300
SSD £200
PSU £50-£70

CPU, if recommended, not sure on budget.

I may get all at once and finance it or i may prioritize and spread them out.
 
@ExoMale your going to have to explain that some more, everyone is quick to help which is great, but i am not famiular with the terminology or parts/makes yet. "K processors" - what's that? And "4770k" - again what is that?

I am happy upgrading in stages, just not sure where to start, and in all honestly it would be good if someone did say "this is what you should do", as i am stuck.
 
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